Preservative Effect of Compound Spices Extracts on Marinated Chicken

Research progress on natural preservatives of meat and meat products: classifications, mechanisms and applications

Meat and meat products are highly susceptible to contamination by microorganisms and foodborne pathogens, which cause serious economic losses and health hazards. The large consumption and waste of meat and meat products means that there is a need for safe and effective preservation methods. Furthermore, toxicological aspects of chemical preservation techniques related to major health problems have sparked controversies and have prompted consumers and producers to turn to natural preservatives. Consequently, natural preservatives are being increasingly used to ensure the safety and quality of meat products as a result of customer preferences and biological efficacy. However, information on the current status of these preservatives is scattered and a comprehensive review is lacking. Here, we review current knowledge on the classification, mechanisms of natural preservatives and their applications in the preservation of meat and meat products, and also discuss the potential of natural preservatives to improve the safety of meat and meat products. The current status and the current research gaps in the extraction, application and controlled-release of natural antibacterial agents for meat preservation are also discussed in detail. This review may be useful to the development of efficient food preservation techniques in the meat industry. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Consequences of dietary cinnamon and ginger oils supplementation on blood biochemical parameters, oxidative status, and tissue histomorphology of growing Japanese quails

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of various concentrations of ginger and cinnamon oils as antibiotic substitutes on some blood biochemical parameters, antioxidant capacity, and histopathological profile of the liver and gut of growing Japanese. A total of 900 Japanese quails were randomly allotted into 6 treatment groups. Each group had 5 replicates (30 chicks each). The first group received a basal diet and served as the control, while the second received a basal diet plus 0.5 g of colistin antibiotic/kg diet. The third and fourth groups were supplemented with 0.5 mL and 1.0 mL of ginger oil (GO)/kg diet, respectively. While the fifth and sixth groups received basal diet with 0.5 and 1.0 mL of cinnamon oil (CO)/kg diet, respectively. Results showed that adding herbal oils significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and urea levels compared to control and colistin groups. Various levels of GO and CO significantly (P < 0.05) reduced cholesterol levels compared to control birds. Compared to the control and antibiotic groups, Japanese quails supplemented with various levels of herbal oils (GO and CO) had more extraordinarily significant (P < 0.05) values for total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GSR). Regarding histopathologic examination, the jejunum displayed a nearly empty lumen, a few fusions, and mild goblet cell metaplasia. On the other hand, the duodenum looked tall and had a few fusions of villi and remnants of removal in its lumina. It could be concluded that cinnamon and GO improved birds' blood biochemical parameters, electorate oxidative stress, and enhanced intestinal and hepatic histology of the treated quails. Also, the levels of 0.5 mL CO and 0.5 mL GO may be an acceptable substitute for antibiotics (colistin) in the diets of growing Japanese quail.

Marinades Based on Natural Ingredients as a Way to Improve the Quality and Shelf Life of Meat: A Review

Marinating is a traditional method of improving the quality of meat, but it has been modified in response to consumer demand for "clean label" products. The aim of this review is to present scientific literature on the natural ingredients contained in marinades, the parameters of the marinating process, and certain mechanisms that bring about changes in meat. A review was carried out of publications from 2000 to 2023 available in Web of Science on the natural ingredients of meat marinades: fruit and vegetables, seasonings, fermented dairy products, wine, and beer. The review showed that natural marinades improve the sensory quality of meat and its culinary properties; they also extend its shelf life. They affect the safety of meat products by limiting the oxidation of fats and proteins. They also reduce biogenic amines and the formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This is possible due to the presence of biologically active substances and competitive microflora from dairy products. However, some marinades, especially those that are acidic, cause a slightly acidic flavour and an unfavourable colour change. Natural compounds in the ingredients of marinades are accepted by consumers. There are no results in the literature on the impact of natural marinades on the nutritional value and health-promoting potential of meat products, so it can be assumed that this is a future direction for scientific research.

Inhibition of Salmonella Enteritidis by Essential Oil Components and the Effect of Storage on the Quality of Chicken

This research investigates the antibacterial potential of plant essential oil components including thymol, carvacrol, citral, cinnamaldehyde, limonene, and β-pinene against Salmonella Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis). Through the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration, three kinds of natural antibacterial agents with the best inhibitory effect on S. Enteritidis were determined, namely thymol (128 μg/mL), carvacrol (256 μg/mL), and cinnamaldehyde (128 μg/mL). Physical, chemical, microbial, and sensory characteristics were regularly monitored on days 0, 2, 4, and 6. The findings of this study reveal that both thymol at MIC of 128 μg/mL and carvacrol at MIC of 256 μg/mL not only maintained the sensory quality of chicken, but also decreased the pH, moisture content, and TVB-N value. Additionally, thymol, carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde successfully inhibited the formation of S. Enteritidis biofilm, thereby minimizing the number of S. Enteritidis and the total aerobic plate count in chicken. Hence, thymol, carvacrol, and cinnamaldehyde have more effective inhibitory activities against S. Enteritidis, which can effectively prevent the spoilage of chicken and reduce the loss of its functional components.

Physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics of "Sui Wu'u" traditional pork products from Bajawa, West Flores, Indonesia

Background and Aim

Sui Wu'u is a traditional meat preservation product from Bajawa, a region in East Nusa Tenggara. It is made by mixing pork with salt and corn flour, which is then stored in a bamboo container (tuku) for months. After 6 months of storage, this study examined the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory properties of Sui Wu'u.

Materials and Methods

Sui Wu'u products were prepared using the traditional recipe from the Bajawa community. Fresh pork (pork belly and backfat), corn flour, and salt were purchased from local/traditional markets at proportions of 65%, 30%, and 5%, respectively. The physicochemical, amino acid, fatty acid profile, microbiological, and sensory properties of Sui Wu'u were evaluated after being stored for 6 months in a bamboo container (tuku).

Results

The results indicated that these Sui Wu'u were mainly characterized by high-fat levels, followed by protein. The pH value, salt content, moisture content, and water activity were 4.72%, 1.72%, 6.11%, and 0.62%, respectively. Minerals (K, P, Se, and Zn) and vitamin B6, as well as amino acids, such as leucine, phenylalanine, lysine (essential amino acids), glycine, proline, glutamic acid, and alanine (non-essential amino acids), are present in Sui Wu'u. The fatty acid profile was dominated by monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (21.69%), saturated fatty acids (SFA) (17.78%), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (5.36%). Monounsaturated fatty acids, oleic acid (C18:1n9) was the most abundant fatty acid in Sui Wu'u, followed by palmitic acid SFA (C16:0); MUFA stearic acid (C18:0); and PUFA linoleic (C18:2n-6). The microbiological characteristics of Sui Wu'u showed no detectable microorganisms (<10 CFU/g) for Salmonella, total E. coli and total Staphylococcus, and average values of 4.4 × 105 CFU/g for total microbes, which were still below the maximum limit of microbial contamination according to the regulations of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency of the Republic of Indonesia. The sensory assessment indicated that panelists highly preferred (rated as very like) Sui Wu'u for all sensory attributes.

Conclusion

The physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics of Sui Wu'u after 6 months of storage indicated that it still provides essential nutrients for the body and is quite safe for consumption. The stability of Sui Wu'u's shelf life can be attributed to the appropriate combination of pork, salt, corn flour, bamboo packaging (tuku), and storage temperature. The high-fat content in Sui Wu'u can be reduced by increasing the proportion of lean meat. Ensuring strict sanitation during the manufacturing process, using high-quality pork, salt, corn flour, and proper packaging with bamboo can further improve the safety of Sui Wu'u for consumption.

Effect of gamma irradiation treatment on microstructure, water mobility, flavor, sensory and quality properties of smoked chicken breast

Effect of gamma irradiation on quality, flavor and sensory properties of smoked chicken breasts were investigated. Results indicated irradiation doses >3 kGy were effective for sterilization, while also produced a significant effect on overall quality of smoked chicken breast. Irradiation treatment could inhibit protein oxidation and accelerate lipid oxidation of smoked chicken breasts. High irradiation doses could increase the instability of free and bound water, as well as increase muscle fiber gap and juice loss significantly. Irradiation treatment also promoted free fatty acids and taste-presenting nucleotides degradation, effectively increased fresh-tasting amino acids contents and decreased bitter and sweet-tasting amino acids contents. The types and relative contents of volatiles, especially aldehydes, alcohols, aromatic hydrocarbons, and phenolic compounds, also changed after irradiation, while tartaric, pyruvic, and malic acids decreased. Results obtained can provide valuable reference data for improving the quality and flavor of smoked chicken breasts using gamma irradiation technology.

Recent development in the preservation effect of lactic acid bacteria and essential oils on chicken and seafood products

Chicken and seafood are highly perishable owing to the higher moisture and unsaturated fatty acids content which make them more prone to oxidation and microbial growth. In order to preserve the nutritional quality and extend the shelf-life of such products, consumers now prefer chemical-free alternatives, such as lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and essential oils (EOs), which exert a bio-preservative effect as antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds. This review will provide in-depth information about the properties and main mechanisms of oxidation and microbial spoilage in chicken and seafood. Furthermore, the basic chemistry and mode of action of LAB and EOs will be discussed to shed light on their successful application in chicken and seafood products. Metabolites of LAB and EOs, either alone or in combination, inhibit or retard lipid oxidation and microbial growth by virtue of their principal constituents and bioactive compounds including phenolic compounds and organic acids (lactic acid, propionic acid, and acetic acid) and others. Therefore, the application of LAB and EOs is widely recognized to extend the shelf-life of chicken and seafood products naturally without altering their functional and physicochemical properties. However, the incorporation of any of these agents requires the optimization steps necessary to avoid undesirable sensory changes. In addition, toxicity risks associated with EOs also demand the regularization of an optimum dose for their inclusion in the products.