Thermal Processing of Shelf Stable Meat Blocks in Retort Pouches

Buffaloes play a very important role in Indian economy. India is number one in buffalo population (91.8 million) in the world. About 85% of meat exported from India is of buffalo origin. Buffalo meat from India is having very good demand in international trade, especially from Middle East and South East Asian countries. Spent and unproductive animals are mostly slaughtered for meat purpose and the meat is tough due to coarse and fibrous nature. Comminution is a method of making tough meat into palatable meat products. Comminuted or emulsion based products such as sausages, patties, blocks, kababs and nuggets are some of the popular products. Thermal processing or heat sterilization is a method of preserving food products in ambient temperatureIt is important to retain the physical, textural and sensory properties of thermally processed pouched products. Information is not available on the thermal processing of buffalo meat products in retortable pouches. Based on the above facts, this study was taken with the objectives of determination of process time, optimization of product quality and evaluation of shelf life of retort pouch processed meat blocks at ambient temperature.