Protective Cultures in Meat Products and Plant-Based Meat Alternatives: Prospects and Challenges

In view of the considerable levels of food loss on a global scale, the attendant greenhouse gas emissions, and the expanding demand for foods that are as natural as possible, bioconservation strategies – protective cultures in particular – are becoming increasingly important in food production. The objective of this systematic review was to present the current state of research on the use of protective cultures and bacteriocins in plant-based meat alternatives as well as in heated meat products. To this end, a systematic review and filtration for relevance of over 1,320 search results from scientific databases was conducted. Furthermore, market analyses, manufacturer information, legal frameworks and regulatory information on outbreak incidents were considered. The evaluation incorporated technological aspects and regulatory requirements in order to provide a comprehensive picture of current developments and challenges in this field.A review of the extant literature reveals an absence of studies that have examined the utilization of protective cultures in plant-based meat alternatives. However, extant research on microbial diversity suggests that potential protective cultures could include strains similar to those found in conventional meat products, although this needs to be experimentally validated. Moreover, there is a significant need for research regarding the combination of different protective cultures, particularly in conjunction with bacteriocins. Technologically, application has hitherto been carried out predominantly after heat treatment, although injection prior to heat treatment would be technologically advantageous. In this context, encapsulation is a promising approach that has yet to be thoroughly investigated. A considerable body of research has hitherto been dedicated to the inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes. In future, when selecting Listeria strains, strains associated with foodborne outbreaks should be used in preference to pure laboratory strains and unspecified wild strains.