Abstract
High-pressure processing (HPP) is well suited to combine consumer demand for meat products with minimal heat treatment without compromising product safety. In turn, herbs have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of hurdle technology combining microencapsulated horseradish root and leaf juice with HPP (300 MPa; 15 min) for extending of the raw pork meat shelf life. Water activity (aw), pH, colour, hardness, and micro-biological parameters of meat were evaluated during 21-day storage. Total plate count (TPC) in HPP treated samples was significantly smaller (p < 0.05) compared to untreated samples during storage until the day 14. On day 21, the TPC in processed samples was still slightly lower, however, at this point significance was not established between samples. Water activity dynamics in the HPP-treated microencapsulated pork meat samples differed significantly from other samples. Hardness decreased during storage, but no significant differences were found between samples. The L* values and pH of the meat were not significantly influenced by the added microencapsulated juice, but by high pressure treatment. Treatment with microencapsulated horseradish juice had a positive effect on the TPC and aw of the meat sample.