Effect of edible chitosan film enriched with anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) essential oil on shelf life and quality of the chicken burger

Assessment of chitosan coating enriched with Citrus limon essential oil on the quality characteristics and shelf life of beef meat during cold storage

The present work aimed to assess the effects of chitosan coating comprising Citrus limon essential oil (CLEO) as an antimicrobial and antioxidant on the quality and the shelf-life of beef meat during storage in cold temperatures. The microbial, chemical, and sensory characteristics of beef meat were repeatedly evaluated. The outcomes showed that CLEO had a substantial preservative effect on refrigerated beef meat by reducing total volatile basic nitrogen compounds (TVB-N), inhibiting the replication of microorganisms (p < 0.05), and decreasing oxidation (p < 0.05) during storage. The incorporation of CLEO into chitosan coating significantly reduced (p < 0.05), TBARS, especially for the Nano-CS- ClEO 2 % and 4 % groups, with values at the end of storage of approximately 0.68 and 1.01 mg MDA/kg respectively. Moreover, the meat treatments with essential oils led to lower carbonyl content production in compared to other groups that treated without essential oils. Coated beef meat had the highest inhibitory effects against microbial growth. The counts of Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria (LAB), psychrophilic, and mesophilic bacteria were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the Nano-CS- ClEO 2 % (1.1, 4.2, 6.2, and 6.32 Log CFU/g, respectively) at day 16. The sensory evaluation indicated that this coating with chitosan nanoemulsions in combination with ClEOs could significantly preserve sensory characteristics of beef meat during storage. Moreover, concerning sensory features, the control samples gained the maximum score. Additionally, the group that contains chitosan in combination with 4 % ClEO nanoliposomes had the highest inhibition of microbial growth, reduced sensory changes, and extending the shelf life of beef meat (p < 0.05). In conclusion, nanoemulsions containing Citrus limon essential oil had a significant preservation effect on beef meat during refrigerated storage by preventing the microorganism's proliferation and decreasing the oxidation of fat and protein (p < 0.05). Therefore, they are suggested to extend the durability of fresh meat products during refrigerated storage.

Effect of edible coatings and films enriched with plant extracts and essential oils on the preservation of animal-derived foods

Edible coatings and films for food preservation are becoming more popular thanks to their environmentally friendly properties and active ingredient-carrying ability. Their application can be effective in contrasting quality decay by limiting oxidation and deterioration of foods. Many reviews analyze the different compounds with which films and coatings can be created, their characteristics, and the effect when applied to food. However, the possibility of adding plant extracts and essential oils in edible coatings and films to preserve processed animal-derived products has been not exhaustively explored. The aim of this review is to summarize how edible coatings and films enriched with plant extracts (EXs) and essential oils (EOs) influence the physico-chemical and sensory features as well as the shelf-life of cheese, and processed meat and fish. Different studies showed that various EXs and EOs limited both oxidation and microbial growth after processing and during food preservation. Moreover, encapsulation has been found to be a valid technology to improve the solubility and stability of EOs and EXs, limiting strong flavor, controlling the release of bioactive compounds, and maintaining their stability during storage. Overall, the incorporation of EXs and EOs in edible coating and film to preserve processed foods can offer benefits for improving the shelf-life, limiting food losses, and creating a food sustainable chain.

The effect of essential oil of Zataria multiflora incorporated chitosan (free form and Pickering emulsion) on microbial, chemical and sensory characteristics in salmon (Salmo trutta)

The objective of current research was to prepare a new biodegradable coating containing chitosan (Ch) and zataria multiflora essential oil (ZMEO) (free and Pickering emulsion (PEO) forms), in order to enhance the Salmo trutta shelf life. Our results showed, the mean of films thickness, mechanical properties (elastic modulus (EM) and tensile strength (TS) analysis) and WVP in different treatments were ranged from 0.103 ± 0.003 (for Ch) to 0.109 ± 0.003 (for Ch-PEO (2.5 %)) µm for thickness, from 3.2 ± 1.6 (for Ch) to 8.15 ± 2.3 (for Ch-EO) MPa for EM, from 1.3 ± 0.5 (for Ch-EO) to 1.6 ± 0.06 (for Ch) Mpa for TS and from 0.1 ± 0.02 (for Ch) to 0.8 ± 0.05 (for Ch-EO) (×10 - 11(g m/m2 s Pa) for WVP. In current research, the lowest and highest total viable counts (TVC) was related to Ch-PEO (1.7 log CFU/g) and control treatments (4.65 log CFU/g). The lowest and highest of pH was related to the Ch-PEO (6.45) and the control (7.1), the lowest and highest of PV (peroxide value) was related to Ch-PEO (0.34 meq/kg) and control treatment (1.37 meq/kg), the lowest and highest of TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) was related to Ch-PEO (0.37 mg/kg) and control treatment (2.23 mg/kg) and also the lowest and highest of TVB-N (total volatile base nitrogen) was related to Ch-PEO (17.7 mg) and control (59 mg). Also, Ch-PEO showed the best sensory properties after sixteen days. Among all the treatments in all the tests, the best maintenance property was related to the Ch-PEO, therefore, chitosan coatings containing ZM Pickering emulsion should be considered as a potential active coating in the fish industry.

Effect of a Chitosan Coating Enriched with an Olive Leaf Extract on the Characteristics of Pork Burgers

Chitosan coatings have been investigated for improving food shelf-life. The addition of an olive leaf extract could enhance its beneficial effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an olive leaf extract added to a chitosan coating in delaying deterioration in refrigerated pork burgers without additives packaged under a 40% oxygen and 60% carbon dioxide modified atmosphere. Some general parameters (microbial counts, instrumental color and texture, and lipid and protein oxidation) were measured over the storage of pork burgers without coating (Control), with a chitosan-based coating (Chitosan) and with a chitosan-based coating enriched with an olive leaf extract (Chitoex). The coating impacted the effect of the storage time on most parameters. Both coatings were especially effective at limiting the changes that occur over time in the headspace gases, some texture parameters (hardness, gumminess, and chewiness) and lipid oxidation, although the effect on the microbial counts was weak. Chitoex was more effective than Chitosan at preventing changes in the headspace gases on day 11 and in lipid oxidation on all the sampling days. In conclusion, the Chitoex coating could be useful for prolonging the storage of pork burgers by preventing changes in texture and reducing lipid oxidation.

Incorporating oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) Essential oil onto whey protein concentrate based edible film towards sustainable active packaging

The study's objectives were to develop a packaging film incorporating oregano essential oil, and evaluate the antioxidant, antibacterial, mechanical, and physicochemical activities of the film toward grapes packaging. The films were developed by casting method, after adding nano-emulsion of essential oil into WPC-glycerol film forming solution. The effects of the Oregano Essential Oil (OEO) at different concentrations of 1, 2, 3, and 4% (w/w) in the WPC edible films were studied. The light transmittance, colour aspects, water aspects, mechanical, antioxidant, antimicrobial activities, FTIR, SEM microstructure, and biodegradability of the film were studied. Acidity, weight, TSS, pH and 9-point hedonic sensory analysis of grapes packed in WPC-OEO film were evaluated. Results showed that 3% OEO incorporated WPC film displayed positive inhibition towards pathogenic bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (25.36 ± 0.52-28.0 ± 0.5 mm), the antioxidant activity of 86.89 ± 0.087% and 51.24 ± 0.031% for DPPH, FRAP respectively and degradation after 10 days. The film displayed reduced light transmittance, lower water solubility (44.04 ± 2.361%) and prominent surface characteristics in SEM microstructure and FTIR spectra. The grapes packed in WPC-3% OEO film were firmer, had less surface colour change and showed negligible change in weight, pH, acidity, and Brix value throughout the storage period. Thus, the developed film displayed excellent antibacterial and antioxidant properties that potentially extended the quality of fresh grapes during refrigerated storage.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-023-05763-7.

Investigating the microbial properties of sodium alginate/chitosan edible film containing red beetroot anthocyanin extract for smart packaging in chicken fillet as a pH indicator

The current trend in the production of smart films involves the use of pH-responsive color indicators derived from natural sources. In line with this trend, the aim of this research is to produce edible films from sodium alginate (A) and chitosan (Ch) incorporating red beet anthocyanin (Ac) extract, and to assess the properties of these films and their use as coatings for chicken fillets. The study employed a factorial design to evaluate the effects of treatments C (control), A25%-ch75% (films consisting of 25% sodium alginate and 75% chitosan), and A25%-ch75%-Ac (films consisting of 25% sodium alginate, 75% chitosan, and red beet anthocyanin). The findings indicate that the inclusion of red beet anthocyanin extract did not result in any discernible differences in the FTIR spectra of the film samples. Analysis of the XRD results revealed that the addition of the extract led to a reduction in the crystal structure of the film. Moreover, SEM results demonstrated that the extract caused alterations in the polymer chains and an increase in the porosity of the film matrix. With regard to the chicken fillet samples coated with the film, over time, there was an increase in microbial analysis (total microorganism count and Staphylococcus aureus coagulase-positive) and chemical properties (pH, peroxide, thiobarbituric acid, and nitrogen compounds) for all samples. However, this trend was significantly lower in the samples coated with the Ac extract (P < 0.05). Texture analysis results revealed that the hardness parameter of all samples decreased over the storage period, while the samples containing the Ac extract demonstrated a significant increase in this parameter (P < 0.05). Additionally, the color changes of the pH sensor corresponded to the anthocyanin structure. Based on the results, the smart film composed of sodium alginate/chitosan incorporating red beet anthocyanin extract has the potential to enhance the quality, prolong the shelf life, and decrease the microbial load of chicken fillet when used as a coating. Furthermore, red beet anthocyanin can serve as a suitable indicator for spoilage changes in packaged food products.

Effect of coating with chitosan enriched with different borates on the shelf life of fish fillet

BACKGROUND

In this study, the effects of biofilm coatings obtained by immobilization of different borates - namely borax (BX), colemanite (COL), and ulexite (UX) - with chitosan (Ch) on the shelf life of rainbow trout fillets were investigated. The immobilization and characterization of borates in Ch were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and zeta potential analysis. In determining the shelf life of fillets that were covered by immersion and stored for 15 days, microbiological (total aerobic mesophilic, psychrotrophic, lactic acid, Pseudomonas, and Enterobacteriaceae bacteria counts) and chemical analyses (total volatile basic nitrogen, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, and pH levels) were performed at 3 day periodic intervals. In addition, the biodegradation of borates was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in biofilm-coated fillets on the 1st, 8th, and 15th storage days.

RESULTS

The microbial results of the coatings enriched with borates (BX, COL, and UX) at different levels (0, 0.03, and 0.06 mg L^-1 ) (due to the immobilization with Ch) show the shelf life was extended by 3-6 days in all of the treatment groups compared with the control.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that BX, COL, and UX coatings enriched by immobilization with Ch increase shelf life and improve fillet quality. In addition, the enrichment of BX, COL, and UX with Ch showed explicit natural protective effects. This study demonstrates that Ch-enriched coatings of BX, COL, and UX can be used as natural bioactive nanocarriers to provide bioactive food ingredients in the seafood processing industry. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Edible Films and Coatings in the Shelf-Life Improvement of Chicken Meat

Meat deterioration during processing, distribution, and display can compromise the quality and safety of products, causing several undesirable changes and decreasing products' shelf-life, which has a negative impact on the industry and consumers. In recent years, studies have been carried out using decontamination techniques and new packaging methodologies to overcome deterioration problems, increase sustainability, and reduce waste. Edible films and coatings obtained from biopolymers such as polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids, combined with active compounds, can be an alternative approach. This article focused on recent studies that used alternative biodegradable polymeric matrices in conjunction with natural compounds with antioxidant/antimicrobial activity on chicken meat. Its impact on physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics was evident, as well as the effect on its shelf-life. In general, different combinations of active edible films or coatings had a positive effect on the chicken meat. Different studies reported that the main results were a decrease in microbial growth and pathogen survival, a slowdown in lipid oxidation evolution, and an improvement in sensory quality and shelf-life (an increase from 4 to 12 days).

Chitosan edible coating: a potential control of toxic biogenic amines and enhancing the quality and shelf life of chilled tuna filets

Edible films and coatings offer great potential to support sustainable food production by lowering packaging waste, extending product shelf life, and actively preserving food quality. Using edible coatings containing plant extracts with antioxidant and antibacterial characteristics could help to enhance the quality and shelf life of fish products. In this study, the combination effect of chitosan with beetroot, curcumin, and garlic extracts on biogenic amines (BAs) reduction, biochemical quality [pH, thiobarbituric acid index (TBA), trimethylamine (TMA), and total volatile base (TVB)], shelf life and sensory characteristics of tuna filets was investigated over 14 days of refrigerated storage compared to control (uncoated) samples. The results showed that the coated samples experienced a lower increase in BAs levels than the control samples. Among the treated samples, chitosan incorporated with curcumin (CH-C) showed the highest reduction in BAs formation (1.45 – 19.33, 0.81 – 4.45, and 1.04 – 8.14 mg/kg), followed by chitosan with garlic (CH-G) (1.54 – 21.74, 0.83 – 5.77, and 1.08 – 8.84 mg/kg), chitosan with beetroot extract (CH-B) (1.56 – 31.70, 0.84 – 6.79, and 1.07 – 10.82 mg/kg), and chitosan without extract addition (CH) (1.62 – 33.83, 0.71 – 7.82 and 1.12 – 12.66 mg/kg) compared to control samples (1.62 – 59.45, 0.80 – 11.96, and 1.14 – 20.34 mg/kg) for histamine, cadaverine, and putrescine, respectively. In addition, the rate of increase in pH, TBA, TMA, and TVB of all coated treatments was lower than in the control samples. Sensory evaluation results revealed that chitosan-treated samples incorporated with beetroot, garlic, and curcumin extracts showed good quality and acceptability characteristics. Overall, chitosan edible coatings incorporated with beetroot, garlic, and curcumin extracts reduced the formation of biogenic amine, delayed biochemical deterioration, and extended the shelf life of tuna filets. Among the treated samples, CH-C demonstrated a remarkable superiority in all the studied parameters. Therefore, this study provides a promising strategy for the incorporation of active compounds in edible coatings to improve the quality and safety of foods during storage.

Production, characterization, and antimicrobial activity of almond gum/polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan composite films containing thyme essential oil nanoemulsion for extending the shelf-life of chicken breast fillets

In this study, thyme essential oil (TEO) nanoemulsion was immobilized within composite films based on almond gum (AG), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and chitosan (CS). The physical, mechanical, water barrier, microstructural and antimicrobial properties of composite films were assessed. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the intermolecular interactions in the composite film matrix. The results indicated that the incorporation of TEO into the composite films increased thickness, moisture content, and water vapor permeability, while it reduced light transmittance and transparency value. The antimicrobial activity of films against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria was tested using a disc diffusion method. The effect of composite on the microbiological properties of chicken breast fillets was investigated during refrigerated storage for 21 days. The microbial populations of total mesophilic, psychrotrophic, and lactic acid bacteria of the samples that were coated with the composite containing TEO were lower than the permitted limit after 21 days while for blank samples they were higher than 7 log CFU/g after 7 days which is considered as the maximum acceptable total count limit. Results disclosed that AG/PVA/CS composite films containing TEO nanoemulsion can be applied as eco-friendly active food packaging to enhance the shelf-life of food products.

Physicochemical and Antimicrobial Characterization of Chitosan and Native Glutinous Rice Starch-Based Composite Edible Films: Influence of Different Essential Oils Incorporation

Biopolymer-based edible packaging is an effective way of preserving food while protecting the environment. This study developed an edible composite film using chitosan and native glutinous rice starch (NGRS) and incorporated essential oils (EOs) such as garlic, galangal, turmeric, and kaffir lime at fixed concentrations (0.312 mg/mL) to test its physicochemical and antimicrobial properties. The EO-added films were found to significantly improve the overall color characteristics (lightness, redness, and yellowness) as compared to the control film. The control films had higher opacity, while the EO-added films had slightly reduced levels of opacity and produced clearer films. The tensile strength and elongation at break values of the films varied among the samples. The control samples had the highest tensile strength, followed by the turmeric EO-added samples. However, the highest elongation at break value was found in the galangal and garlic EO-added films. The Young's modulus results showed that garlic EO and kaffir lime EO had the lowest stiffness values. The total moisture content and water vapor permeability were very low in the garlic EO-added films. Despite the differences in EOs, the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) patterns of the tested films were similar among each other. Microstructural observation of the surface and cross-section of the tested edible film exhibited smooth and fissureless patterns, especially in the EO-added films, particularly in the galangal and kaffir lime EO-added films. The antimicrobial activity of the EO-added films was highly efficient against various gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens. Among the EO-added films, the garlic and galangal EO-added films exhibited superior inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas fluorescence, and turmeric and kaffir lime EO-added films showed potential antimicrobial activity against Lactobacillus plantarum and L. monocytogenes. Overall, this study concludes that the addition of EOs significantly improved the physicochemical and antimicrobial properties of the CH-NGRS-based edible films, making them highly suitable for food applications.

Chitosan Edible Films and Coatings with Added Bioactive Compounds: Antibacterial and Antioxidant Properties and Their Application to Food Products: A Review

Chitosan is the deacetylated form of chitin regarded as one of the most abundant polymers and due to its properties, both chitosan alone or in combination with bioactive substances for the production of biodegradable films and coatings is gaining attention in terms of applications in the food industry. To enhance the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of chitosan, a vast variety of plant extracts have been incorporated to meet consumer demands for more environmentally friendly and synthetic preservative-free foods. This review provides knowledge about the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of chitosan films and coatings enriched with natural extracts as well as their applications in various food products and the effects they had on them. In a nutshell, it has been demonstrated that chitosan can act as a coating or packaging material with excellent antimicrobial and antioxidant properties in addition to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity. However, further research should be carried out to widen the applications of bioactive chitosan coatings to more foods and industries as well was their industrial scale-up, thus helping to minimize the use of plastic materials.

Gelatin and Chitosan as Meat By-Products and Their Recent Applications

Meat by-products such as bones, skin, horns, hooves, feet, skull, etc., are produced from slaughtered mammals. Innovative solutions are very important to achieving sustainability and obtaining the added value of meat by-products with the least impact on the environment. Gelatin, which is obtained from products high in collagen, such as dried skin and bones, is used in food processing, and pharmaceuticals. Chitosan is derived from chitin and is well recognized as an edible polymer. It is a natural product that is non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Recently, chitosan has attracted researchers' interests due to its biological activities, including antimicrobial, antitumor, and antioxidant properties. In this review, article, we highlighted the recent available information on the application of gelatin and chitosan as antioxidants, antimicrobials, food edible coating, enzyme immobilization, biologically active compound encapsulation, water treatment, and cancer diagnosis.

An Update on Effectiveness and Practicability of Plant Essential Oils in the Food Industry

Consumer awareness and demands for quality eco-friendly food products have made scientists determined to concentrate their attention on sustainable advancements in the utilization of bioactive compounds for increasing safety and food quality. Essential oils (EOs) are extracted from plants and exhibit antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal) activity; thus, they are used in food products to prolong the shelf-life of foods by limiting the growth or survival of microorganisms. In vitro studies have shown that EOs are effective against foodborne bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus. The growing interest in essential oils and their constituents as alternatives to synthetic preservatives has been extensively exploited in recent years, along with techniques to facilitate the implementation of their application in the food industry. This paper’s aim is to evaluate the current knowledge on the applicability of EOs in food preservation, and how this method generally affects technological properties and consumers’ perceptions. Moreover, essential aspects concerning the limitation of the available alternatives are highlighted, followed by a presentation of the most promising trends to streamline the EOs’ usability. Incorporating EOs in packaging materials is the next step for green and sustainable foodstuff production and a biodegradable method for food preservation.

Impact of Whey Protein Edible Coating Containing Fish Gelatin Hydrolysates on Physicochemical, Microbial, and Sensory Properties of Chicken Breast Fillets

This study aims to research the impact of coatings containing whey protein (WP), fish gelatin hydrolysates (FGH), and both compounds together (WP + FGH) on the shelf-life of chicken breast fillets over the course of 16 days of cold storage (4 °C, 4-day intervals), as assessed by their physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory properties. Overall, cooking loss, pH value, total volatile base nitrogen, free fatty acids, peroxide value, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances increased with storage time in all samples. WP + FGH coated samples had significantly lower variation in all these parameters over the time of storage compared to other coated samples (WP and FGH), while these parameters increased greatly in control (uncoated) samples. WP + FGH coating also resulted in reduced bacterial counts of total mesophilic, aerobic psychrotrophic, and lactic acid bacteria compared to other coated and uncoated samples. The sensory evaluation revealed no differences in the panelists’ overall acceptance at day 0 of storage between samples. The samples were considered “non-acceptable” by day 8 of storage; however, WP + FGH coated samples maintained an overall higher acceptability score for the sensory attributes evaluated by the panelists. Overall, this study shows the potential of WP + FGH coatings for prolonging the shelf-life of chicken breast fillets.

Essential oil for the control of fungi, bacteria, yeasts and viruses in food: an overview

This review begins with a general introduction to essential oils (EO) and their relation to food and microorganisms. Classification and characteristics of EO, addressing the major compounds with antimicrobial action. Subsequently, the main microorganisms followed by a collection of the main works published in recent years that approached the influence of the EO on the protection against microorganisms and food decontamination. At last, the major gaps and future perspectives on the subject. Using EO for fighting food contamination is a way of sustainably supplying the need for new antimicrobials to ensure microbial safety and is a viable source to solve the problem of current microbial resistance. Form of application, EO composition and microbiological load are reported as the responsible factors for the treatment's success. The EO's effects on fungi and bacteria are already well known, but its effect on viruses and yeasts is something to be explored.

Production of Chicken Patties Supplemented with Cantaloupe By-Products: Impact on the Quality, Storage Stability, and Antioxidant Activity

This study investigated the effect of supplementation with cantaloupe peel (CP) and seeds (CS) (3, 6, 9, and 12%) powder on the quality and antioxidant activity of raw and cooked chicken patties during storage (-20°C/3 months). The addition of CP and CS powder increased protein, fat, ash, and fiber values of chicken patties compared with control, while carbohydrate, pH, and TBA were decreased at zero time and after 3 months of storage. The WHC, cooking yield, fat retention, and moisture retention were increased by increasing CP and CS powder addition ratios, while cooking loss and shrinkage were decreased. Also, CP and CS powder improved antioxidant activity, microbiological quality, and overall acceptability of chicken patties. The hardness of raw and cooked chicken patties was decreased with increasing CP and CS addition ratios. It is recommended to use CP and CS powder as functional ingredients in the preparation of functional foods.

Current Trends in the Utilization of Essential Oils for Polysaccharide- and Protein-Derived Food Packaging Materials

Essential oils (EOs) have received attention in the food industry for developing biopolymer-derived food packaging materials. EOs are an excellent choice to replace petroleum-derived additives in food packaging materials due to their abundance in nature, eco-friendliness, and superior antimicrobial and antioxidant attributes. Thus far, EOs have been used in cellulose-, starch-, chitosan-, and protein-based food packaging materials. Biopolymer-based materials have lower antioxidant and antibacterial properties in comparison with their counterparts, and are not suitable for food packaging applications. Various synthetic-based compounds are being used to improve the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of biopolymers. However, natural essential oils are sustainable and non-harmful alternatives to synthetic antimicrobial and antioxidant agents for use in biopolymer-derived food packaging materials. The incorporation of EOs into the polymeric matrix affects their physicochemical properties, particularly improving their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. EOs in the food packaging materials increase the shelf life of the packaged food, inhibit the growth of microorganisms, and provide protection against oxidation. Essential oils also influence other properties, such as tensile, barrier, and optical properties of the biopolymers. This review article gives a detailed overview of the use of EOs in biopolymer-derived food packaging materials. The innovative ways of incorporating of EOs into food packaging materials are also highlighted, and future perspectives are discussed.

Structural characterization and antibacterial properties of konjac glucomannan/soluble green tea powder blend films for food packaging

Antimicrobial activity is a promising property for food packaging which could prolong the shelf life of food products. In this paper, the physicochemical and antimicrobial properties of konjac glucomannan (KGM)/soluble green tea powder (SGTP) edible films were firstly prepared and analyzed through light barrier properties, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), tensile strength (TS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that appropriate addition of SGTP could improve the TS of composite films. With the increase of SGTP content, the transmittance of the films in the ultraviolet region decreased obviously, and the thermal stability was improved in a SGTP dependent manner. KGM/SGTP films present a fairly smooth and flat surface without any fracture when 0.5% SGTP was provided. The bacteriostatic test showed that the bacteriostatic performance of the composite films against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was also significantly enhanced. When 1% SGTP was provided, the zones of inhibition for Escherichia coli and Staphyloccocus aureus reached to 13.45 ± 0.94 mm and 13.76 ± 0.92 mm, respectively. Overall, the KGM/SGTP films showed great potential as bioactive packaging materials to extend food shelf life.

Use composite coating of chitosan-chia seed gum enriched with microliposomes of Bay laurel essential oil to increase the shelf life of quail fillets

In this study, the effect of composite chitosan-chia seed coating (CH-CG) with Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) essential oil (BE) in two forms including free and nanocapsulated on the shelf life of quail fillets during the 16-day refrigeration (4 ± 1℃) period was investigated. For this purpose, first, BE was extracted by Clevenger apparatus. Then, nanoliposomes BE were produced, and the properties of BE and nanoliposomes BE were investigated. In order to investigate the shelf life of quail, 6 treatments were produced including 1: control (C), 2: CH-CG, CH-CG+BE at 800 ppm, 3: CH-CG+BE at 1600 ppm, 4: CH-CG+nano BE at 800 ppm, 5: CH-CG+nano BE at 1600 ppm, and periodically chemical parameters (peroxide value, free fatty acid, total volatile basic nitrogen, texture firmness, and chewing ability) and microbial (total viable bacteria (TVC) and psychrotrophic bacteria), and the effect of different treatments on control in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus inoculated populations in quail was also investigated. The BE had high antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The particle size and microencapsulation efficiency of BE nanoliposome were 98.3 nm and 75.95%, respectively. The results of chemical and microbial analysis showed that in general, the coating with essential oil slowed down the increasing trend of oxidation and microbial indices compared to the control treatment and nanocapsulation of essential oil has increased its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties (p < .05). At the end of storage period, in all tests, treatments of 3, 4, and 5 had the allowed microbial and chemical range and they also inhibited the growth of these bacteria (p < .05). Overall, considering the higher sensory score of treatment 4 and economic efficiency, it seems that this treatment can be used as a natural preservative in the meat industry.

Physicochemical, Nutritional, Microbiological, and Sensory Qualities of Chicken Burgers Reformulated with Mediterranean Plant Ingredients and Health-Promoting Compounds

The quality of chicken burgers reformulated by the partial replacement of meat by Mediterranean plant ingredients and enriched with peculiar amounts of n-3 PUFAs, Mg, Fe, Se, and folic acid, was evaluated in comparison to conventional chicken burgers. Specifically, two types of burger were developed, namely the "Sicilian burger"-based on cherry tomato and rosemary-and the "Mediterranean burger"-with basil leaves and thyme essential oil-every recipe being differentially functionalized according to the nutritional requirements of consumers, such as children, pregnant women and elderly. Mediterranean ingredients were responsible for different pH, color, and cooking loss between conventional and functional burgers. Except for n-3 PUFAs resulting poorly fortified, the functionalization with Mg, Fe, Se, and vitamin B9 was successful in all products. Considering the target consumer categories, the daily consumption of the functional burger may assure an intake of Mg, Fe, and Se equal, respectively, to 37.31-59.90%, 17.76-46.81%, and 27.20-50.05%, and a cover of vitamin B9 of 31.98-48.31% of the relative population reference intakes. Fortified products kept a good microbiological quality during 5 days of refrigerated storage, and, according to the sensorial descriptive analysis and the hedonic test, they showed a higher acceptability than conventional burgers.

Effect of chitosan coating containing Nepeta pogonosperma extract on shelf life of chicken fillets during chilled storage

Chicken meat is highly susceptible to microbial and chemical spoilage due to its high moisture and protein content. The use of edible coatings contains herbal extracts with antioxidant and antibacterial properties that help to extend the shelf life of meat products. In this study, the effect of chitosan coating (2%) and Nepeta pogonosperma extract (NPe) (0.2% and 0.6%) and their combination on chemical properties (pH, peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid index (TBARS), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N)) and microbial (aerobic mesophilic and psychrotrophic microorganisms, lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas sp.) of chicken fillets were studied over a 12-day refrigerated storage period compared to the control sample. The results of NPe DPPH radical scavenging activity (DRSA) showed that IC50 and total phenolic contents values were 94.65 μg/ml and 113.53 mg GAE/g extract, respectively. Statistical results showed that the rate of increase in pH, PV, TBARS, and TVB-N of all coated treatments were lower than control. Microbial analysis results showed a decrease in the growth of different bacteria in chitosan-treated combined with NPe compared to the control sample during chilled storage. Chicken fillets coated with chitosan and 0.6% NPe displayed a longer shelf life compared to other samples.

Investigating the properties of PLA-nanochitosan composite films containing Ziziphora Clinopodioides essential oil and their impacts on oxidative spoilage of Oncorhynchus mykiss fillets

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of polylactic acid (PLA) integrated with nanochitosan (NC) composite film and Ziziphora Clinopodioides essential oil (ZCEO) on oxidative spoilage of rainbow trout fillets during a 9-day refrigeration period. For this purpose, first, six degradable films including T1: PLA, T2: PLA + NC, T3: PLA + NC + 1% ZCEO, T4: PLA + NC + 1.5% ZCEO, T5: PLA + 1% ZCEO, and T6: PLA + 1.5% ZCEO were prepared. Next, the properties of the films were investigated. The results of the mechanical tests showed that ZCEO decreased the tensile strength and increased the elongation at the break of the PLA films. However, adding NC improved the mechanical characteristics of the PLA film. The outcomes of physical tests including moisture content (14.02%), solubility (17.41%), water vapor permeability (1.14 × 10-7 g s-1 m-1 Pa-1), and oxygen transmission rate (21.54 cm3.mm/m2.24 hr) showed that adding 1% ZCEO improved the film physical characteristics. Nevertheless, by adding 1.5% concentration EO to the PLA film, the values of water vapor permeability, porosity (according to the scanning electron microscopy), and turbidity increased and cross-sectional pores were observed. Moreover, the films had high antioxidant properties (84.33%). In the next step, the effects of the mentioned films on the oxidative spoilage of rainbow trout fillets were investigated. The results of the chemical analysis in PLA film with the EO compared with the control treatment revealed the increasing trend of oxidation indices, in general. Moreover, increasing the concentration yielded better results such that all treatments containing EO showed satisfactory results up until the storage period ends. In most cases, adding NC affected the mentioned characteristics positively, and the best results were observed in T4 and then in T3. However, based on economics and the better mechanical and physical properties of T3, the film can be applied as an active packaging in fishery products.

Shelf life evaluation of fresh chicken burgers based on the combination of chitosan dip and vacuum packaging under refrigerated storage

The aim of the present study was to investigate the combined effect of chitosan dip (1% w/v) and vacuum packaging on the shelf life of fresh chicken burgers packaged in LDPE/PA/LDPE bags and stored at 4 ± 1 ^°C for up to 12 days. Furthermore, the possible correlation among microbiological, physico-chemical and sensory indices was investigated. Burger treatments included: aerobic packaging (AP, control), vacuum packaging (VP), chitosan dipping (CHI), and vacuum packaging plus chitosan dipping (VP + CHI). Microbiological [Total viable count (TVC), Pseudomonas spp., Brochothrix thermosphacta, Enterobacteriaceae, Lactic acid bacteria (LAB)], physicochemical [color, pH, total volatile basic Nitrogen (TVB-N), and Thiobarbituric acid (TBA)] and sensory (odor, taste, and texture) analyses were carried out. Results showed that the majority of microbiological, physico-chemical, and sensory analysis parameters varied significantly (p < 0.05) depending on treatment. Based primarily on sensory, followed by microbiological and physico-chemical data, the shelf life of chicken burgers was 4 days for AP samples, 8 days for VP samples, 10 days for CHI treated samples, and 12 days for the VP + CHI treated samples. Finally, a positive and significant correlation (p < 0.05) was observed among most microbiological, sensory, and physico-chemical data, introducing new data relating initial TVC to TVB-N values regarding alternative treatments of minced chicken meat for its optimum preservation.

Influence of anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) essential oil on the microbial, chemical, and sensory properties of chicken fillets wrapped with gelatin film

The present study aimed to develop a novel active edible film based on gelatin incorporated with 0, 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9% w/w anise essential oil as a natural preservative and investigate the shelf life extension potential of chicken fillets during 12 days of refrigerated storage. The chicken fillets were wrapped with the essence-free and anise essential oil-loaded gelatin films, and microbial counts, chemical and sensory tests were surveyed during chilled storage. Results showed that aerobic mesophilic bacteria and Pseudomonas spp counts significantly decreased at all levels of anise essential oil during the first week of storage, while psychrotrophs, yeasts, and molds numbers began to reduce at concentrations of 0.6 and 0.9% from day 6. The using of anise essential oil caused a significant decrease of chemical parameters of chicken fillets, and the values of pH, peroxide, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, and total volatile basic-nitrogen reached from 7.42, 5.7 meq/kg, 2.21 mg malondialdehyde/kg, and 24.94 mg N/100 g for the essence-free wrapped samples to 4.8, 6.35 meq/kg, 1.73 mg malondialdehyde/kg, and 18.78 mg N/100 g for the ones wrapped with 0.9% anise essential oil-loaded gelatin films at the end of storage day. In conclusion, application of gelatin films loaded with 0.6 and 0.9% anise essential oil can be advised for wrapping chicken fillets to prolong the shelf life for at least one week.

The Role of Essential Oils against Pathogenic Escherichia coli in Food Products

Outbreaks related to foodborne diseases are a major concern among health authorities, food industries, and the general public. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a pathogen associated with causing multiple outbreaks in the last decades linked to several ready to eat products such as meat, fish, dairy products, and vegetables. The ingestion of contaminated food with pathogenic E. coli can cause watery diarrhea, vomiting, and persistent diarrhea as well as more severe effects such as hemorrhagic colitis, end-stage renal disease, and, in some circumstances, hemolytic uremic syndrome. Essential oils (EOs) are natural compounds with broad-spectrum activity against spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms and are also generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Particularly for E. coli, several recent studies have been conducted to study and characterize the effect to inhibit the synthesis of toxins and the proliferation in food systems. Moreover, the strategy used to apply the EO in food plays a crucial role to prevent the development of E. coli. This review encompasses recent studies regarding the protection against pathogenic E. coli by the use of EO with a major focus on inhibition of toxins and proliferation in food systems.

Materiality of Edible Film Packaging in Muscle Foods: A Worthwhile Conception

Muscle foods are extremely extensive food products that are relished throughout the world. They are known for their exclusive nutritional content and bio-availability however, at the same time, they also provide apposite media for the growth of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms. Packaging seems to be a substantial approach to overcome this problem, but most of the packaging involves the usage of non-biodegradable and non-renewable material like plastic, nylon, polyester, etc. The alarming situation caused by synthetic material has been realized worldwide and several scientists, agencies, and the food industry are working globally to explore materials that are derived from the natural source. Biodegradable films are an excellent alternative to conventional plastics. These biodegradable films and coatings are derived from various biological sources and are receiving considerable importance in recent years. Different meat and meat product needs specific packaging condition and these active, composite bio-based films are having a wide potential in the meat sector. This review gathers the research and findings over the period of time-related to biodegradable edible film applied to muscle foods.

Effects of dietary perilla seed oil supplementation on lipid metabolism, meat quality, and fatty acid profiles in Yellow-feathered chickens

This study evaluated the effect of the dietary replacement of 1% lard (CT) with 1% perilla oil (PO), 0.9% perilla oil + 0.1% anise oil (PA), or 0.9% perilla oil + 0.1% ginger oil (PG) on indices of lipid metabolism, antioxidant capacity, meat quality, and fatty acid profiles from Yellow-feathered chickens at day 63. Compared with the CT chickens, those given perilla oil had decreased (P < 0.05) plasma lipid levels including triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TCH), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Hepatic TG, TCH levels, and fatty acid synthase activity were also decreased (P < 0.05) in chickens fed diets containing perilla oil. Abdominal fat percentage was significantly decreased in birds fed the PG compared to CT diets. Birds fed the PA or PG diets had increased (P < 0.05) hepatic total SOD, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase than in chickens given PO alone. In addition, the content of reduced glutathione (GSH) in breast muscle was lower (P < 0.05) in birds fed PO compared with those given PG, and the reverse was true for content of malondialdehyde. Compared with the CT diet, the PO diet decreased breast muscle shear values and increased yellowness (b*) of breast muscle (P < 0.05). Birds fed the PA or PG diets had meat with better overall acceptability than those fed the CT diet. Chickens fed perilla oil diets exhibited higher contents of α-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3), DHA (22:6n-3), polyunsaturated fatty acids, and n-3 fatty acids, together with a lower content of myristic acid (C14:0), palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), total saturated fatty acids, and n-6/n-3 ratio compared to controls (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that perilla oil has the potential to decrease lipid-related indices and improve fatty acid profiles of breast meat in chickens without adverse effect on antioxidant status or meat quality; this was even better when perilla oil was given together with anise oil or ginger oil.