Combined effect of the spice and the packaging method on lamb burgers shelf-life made with high value cuts

In order to increase the consumption of lamb meat, new products, such as burgers, were elaborated using leg meat. Since meat products are perishable foods, it is necessary to extend its shelf-life. For this reason, this study examined the combined effect of powdered spices (rosemary, thyme, sage or garlic; a control group non-spiced was used) and a packaging method (vacuum [VP] and two gases mixtures [30% CO2 + 70% O2 (AA); 30% CO2 + 69.3% N2 + 0.7% CO (AB)]) on colour coordinates, microbial counts (total viable count, Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria) and lipid oxidation (LO) over 13 days of storage. Rosemary, thyme and sage stabilized LO values and maintained colour in all packaging tested over time. AA-garlic and AA-control burgers showed the highest discoloration and rancidity levels (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found among batches on microbial quality (except in LAB).