Microbial succession and interaction in vacuum-packed beef: a longitudinal study of bacterial and fungal dynamics.

ABSTRACT: The microbial dynamics of vacuum-packed (VP) beef are shaped by interactions between bacterial and fungal communities, influencing spoilage and meat quality during storage. While bacterial succession is well studied, fungal roles remain underexplored. We examined microbial communities in VP beef over 85 days using spike-in, qPCR, 16S/18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, culture-based methods, whole genome sequencing, and co-culture experiments. Initially dominated by Pseudomonas and Brochothrix, the bacterial community shifted toward lactic acid bacteria (LAB) by day 15. Fungal communities remained diverse, with Kurtzmaniella, Barnettozyma, Debaryomyces, and Yarrowia as key genera. Co-culture experiments revealed a triangular interaction: yeasts enhanced LAB, LAB inhibited Enterobacterales,

SUBMITTER: Roch FF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12177058 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature