Microorganisms Isolated from Surimi Processing Operations

Heterotrophic bacteria isolated from two shore‐based surimi processing plants in Alaska were identified to the genus level. In one plant, the major bacterial constituents were Flavobacterium and Pseudomonas , followed by Moraxella, Aeromonas, Lactobacillus, Serratia , and Acinetobacter. In the other plant, major bacterial groups were Flavobacterium and Arthrobacter/Corynebacterium , followed by Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter. Pseudomonas, Aeromonas , and Serratia were capable of rapid growth as low as 8°C, with respective generation times 3.0, 3.1, and 3.6 hours. Freezing and thawing of surimi reduced microbial counts to 45–67% of the pre‐frozen load; however, the composition of the microbial flora was maintained. The plant environment was a potential source of microbial contamination.