Assessment of safety aspect and probiotic potential of autochthonous Enterococcus faecium strains isolated from spontaneous fermented sausage.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this research project were isolation, identification, and evaluation of the safety aspect and probiotics properties of 21 Enterococcus faecium strains isolated from sausages originated from southeastern Serbia. RESULTS: Analyzed E. faecium isolates showed tolerance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions. All the examined isolates grew well on media with 0.1% and 0.2% of phenol. None of the tested isolates were histamine-producers, while the synthesis of tyramine was observed for E. faecium sk8-1 and sk8-17. Full resistance to antibiotics was not observed for any examined isolate of E. faecium (penicillin, amoxicillin, and ofloxacin showed the effect on all tested isolates). An inhibition zone against examined pathogens was exhibited by all strains, with the largest inhibition zone against Pseudomonas spp., Proteus spp. and E. coli (12-30 mm/MIC values ranged from 0.5 to 12 mg mL-1). CONCLUSION: The results indicated that E. faecium isolates from spontaneously fermented sausage showed a potential for further investigation and possible application as probiotics.

Essential oil versus supercritical fluid extracts of winter savory (Satureja montana L.) - Assessment of the oxidative, microbiological and sensory quality of fresh pork sausages.

The effect of winter savory (Satureja montana L.) essential oil (SEO) and supercritical extracts (SE1; SE2) at concentrations of 0.075 and 0.150 µL/g on pH, lipid oxidation (TBARS), microbial growth and sensory quality of fresh pork sausages during storage were investigated. SEO, SE1 and SE2 improved oxidative and microbial stability of fresh pork sausages. The addition of SEO and SE1 at concentration of 0.150 µL/g affected the reduction of total Enterobacteriaeceae count to under 3 log cfu/g. Sausages produced with SE1 and SE2 had a higher scores for odor, flavor and overall acceptance compared to sausages treated with SEO and control sample. Therefore, the results of this paper revealed significant antioxidative and antimicrobial activity of SE1 and SE2, and consequently its high potential of utilization in processing of fresh pork sausages.