Abstract:
The objective of this research is to extend shelf life of Thai red curry and sour curry pastes by using hurdle technology. Water activity (a[subscript w]) and pH were adjusted and chitosan was added in order to preserve the pastes. The spoilage were study. The result showed that sour curry pastes kept at 30 ℃ in aerobic condition and in anaerobic condition were rejected by panelists after 5 and 10 days of storage respectively. While red curry pastes stored at the same condition were unacceptable after 3 and 7 days respectively. Baciluus circulans was found in both kinds of pastes in both storage conditions However, B. licheniformis was found in only red curry paste. The anti-bacterial effect on pathogenic bacteria of the pastes was studied by inoculating Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp. and Staphyllococcus aureus. in the pastes sterilized by gamma radiation at 15 kilograys. The result showed that, in aerobic condition, E. coli decreased from 6.5x10⁷ CFU/g to 4.55x10⁵ and 4.74x10⁵ CFU/g within 7 days. Salmonella sp. decreased from 3.62x10⁷ CFU/g to undetectable within 2 and 3 days and S. aureus decreased from 7.84x10⁶ CFU/g to undetectable within 4 and 5 days in sour curry paste and red curry paste respectively. In anaerobic condition, C. perfringens decreased from 6.8x10⁶ CFU/g to undetectable within 2 days, E. coli decreased from 6.5x10⁷ CFU/g to 4.8x10⁴ and 4.5x10⁴ CFU/g within 7 days. Salmonella sp. decreased from 3.62x10⁷ CFU/g to undetectable within 2 day and S. aureus decreased from 7.84x10⁶ CFU/g to undetectable in 3 and 4 days in sour curry paste and red curry paste respectively. Hurdles were used to adjust condition of both pastes. Sour curry paste with initial a[subscript w] 0.96 and pH 5.0 was made into 27 different formulas. Salt was added to adjust a[subscript w] to 0.96, 0.91 and 0.86. Lactic acid was used to adjust pH to 5.0, 4.5 and 4.0. Chitosan was varied as 0, 0.05 and 0.1%. Red curry paste with initial a[subscript w] 0.98 and pH 5.2 was also made into 27 formulas. Salt was added to adjust a[subscript w] to 0.98, 0.93 and 0.88. Lactic acid was used to adjust pH to 5.2, 4.7 and 4.2 and chitosan was varied as 0, 0.05 and 0.1%. The pastes in PET/Al/Ny/CPP bags were stored under vacuum at 30 ℃. Samples were taken for physical, chemical, microbiological and sensorial analysis every week for 3 months. It was found that the factors affecting on total plate count and average score of odor by sensory analysis in both curry paste were pH, chitosan and interaction of pH and chitosan. The effect of the change in a[subscript w] was not significantly difference (p>0.05). After 3 months of storage, the formulas of red curry paste that bacteria could grow were : no chitosan pH 5.2, chitosan 0.05% pH 5.2 and no chitosan pH 4.5. The formulas of sour curry paste that bacteria could grow were : no chitosan pH 5.0, chitosan 0.05% pH 5.0 and no chitosan pH 4.7. Other formulas of both curry pastes could inhibit the bacteria so they did no spoil. Chitosan 0.1% and pH 4.0 in sour curry paste and chitosan 0.1% and pH 4.2 in red curry paste were the formulas that had the strongest bacterial inhibition effect. The factor affecting on flavor when evaluated by sensory of both curry pastes was a[subscript w]. The formulas with no adjustment of a[subscript w] had the highest flavor score. The pH value was significantly difference in the formulas which spoiled during storage while the others were not. However, a[subscript w] value, instrumental and sensory evaluation on color showed no significantly difference (p>0.05).