Microbiological Evaluation of Alaska Shore‐based Surimi Production

Abstract

ABSTRACT Two shore‐based surimi plants in Alaska were investigated to determine microbial conditions of Alaska pollock flesh during processing. Median aerobic plate count (APC) was 2.0 × 10 3 /g after mincing, 2.3 × 10 3 /g after washing/screening, 4.2 × 10 4 /g after refining and 1.6 × 10 4 /g after dewatering. Reprocessing, needed for nonanalog grade surimi, resulted in APC of 1.2 × 10 5 /g after a second refining and 3.0 × 10 5 /g after a second dewatering. The APC for analog grade surimi was 5.5 × 10 4 /g and 2.0 × 10 6 /g for nonanalog grade surimi. Highest total coliform most probable number (MPN) of > 1100/g was determined from a nonanalog grade surimi sample and from a mince that had been refined twice. Highest Escherichia coli MPN of 460/g was determined from two minces.