The effect of the treatment with various concentrations of lactic acid (2 %, 5 %,
7,5 0/0 and 10 O/ w/v) buffer system pH3 (LABS), Modified atmosphere packaging
(MP) (90 % C02 + 10 % 02); combination of 2 % LABS + MAP; 5 % LABS+ MAP;
7,5, % LABS+ MAP and 10 % LA6S+ MAP on Escherichia coIl 01 57:H7 and on the
shelf life of chicken legs stored at 5 °C was investigated. The initial contamination
level of Escherichia coil 01 57:H7 on chicken legs surface was 3.59 logio du ! cm of
skin. Reduction of 0.92, 1.23, 1,39, 1.81 logio units of Eschenchia coil 01 57:H7 were
obtained by the treatments with 2 % lactic acid buffer system pH3 (LAeS), 5 %
(LABS), 7.5 % (LABS) and 10 % (LABS), respectively. The antimicrobial effect
increased with increasing concentrations of lactic add in the buffer system. On day 3
there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) for the number of Eschenchia coil
0157:H7 between all the treatments compared with untreated samples (control).
Treatment with 10 % LABS + MAP, 7.5 % LABS + MAP, 5 % LABS + MAP and 2 %
LABS+ MAP eliminated 3.59 logio cfu/cm2 of Escherichia coil 0157:H7 from poultry
within 7, 8, 10 and lidays of storage at 5 °C, respectively. Lactic acid buffer system
pH3 (LABS) and Modified Atmosphere Packaging provides a natural means of killing
Escherichia coil 0157:H7 in poultry and can be used in other food products. Results
revealed that the total viable bacteria and lactic acid bacteria were inhibited by all
treatments used as compared with the untreated samples. The highest inhibition was
observed with 10 % LABS+ MAP treatment, followed by 7.5 % LABS+ MAP. The
buffering capacity of the buffer systems (LABS) seem to be sufficient to maintain a low
pH of the skin during storage. Legs treated with 2 % LABS; 5 % LABS; 7.5 % LABS;
10 % LABS; Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP); 2 % LABS + MAP; 5 % LABS +
MAP; 7.5 % LABS + MAP and 10 % LABS + MAP have a shelf life at 5 °C of 7, 8, 10,
11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 days respectively. This signifies a prolongation of shelf life
at 5 oc of 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 days respectively, as compared with untreated
samples. A synergistic effect between lactic acid buffer system (LABS) and modified
atmosphere packaging (MAP) was evidence.