Abstract. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of vacuum packaging and
modified atmosphere packaging (80 % N2 + 20 % CO2) on the
microbial and physicochemical parameters of lamb meat and the sensory
properties of cooked meat. Musculus longissimus thoracis et lumborum samples were examined at 10 d intervals (0, 10,
20 and 30 d) during storage at 4 ∘C. There was no
significant effect of the packaging method and storage time used on cooking
loss, natural drip loss, lightness, yellowness, and intensity of taste and
aroma. An interaction between storage time, packaging method, and
mesophilic aerobic bacteria and coliform counts was observed. Storage
time significantly affected the number of aerobic psychrotrophic bacteria,
redness, pH (P≤0.001), shear force value (P=0.006), and the desirability
of aroma (P<0.026) and taste (P<0.01). During the storage
time, an increase in red saturation from 11.92 to 13.33 and pH value
from 5.69 to 5.80 was recorded. Moreover, the storage method affected sensory
properties. Vacuum-packed meat was characterized by higher scores in
juiciness, tenderness and taste desirability in comparison to MAP. The
obtained results suggest that both packaging methods allow for maintaining high-quality lamb meat during a long period of storage under refrigeration
conditions.