The effect of dietary oregano essential oil on microbial growth of rabbit carcasses during refrigerated storage

Reformulation of products fermented in brine is a challenging area of research. Continuing the efforts toward the establishment of table olives as a healthy food for all population groups, this study aimed at examining whether olive oil flavored with essential oils can be used as a preservation means for reduced salt Spanish style green table olives (cv. Chalkidiki). Response surface methodology was applied to organize experimentation and assess data. As independent factors, concentrations of the essential oils used (oregano, lemon balm and bay laurel) and time of storage under vacuum were set. Microbiological parameters (pathogens and fermentation-related microbes), color and firmness attributes were used as responses. Models indicated that each essential oil exerted a preservative role to maintain microbiological quality of reduced salt table olives. Concurrently, appearance attributes of the latter were retained at desirable values. Oregano essential oil had a profound role against pathogens. Lemon balm and bay laurel essential oils were found to be important for yeast population control. The results are promising toward the use of flavored olive oil as a preservation means for tailor-made reduced salt table olives, a practice that may enhance local industry innovative activity in a practical and effective way.

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Effect of Chitosan Coating Incorporated with Artemisia fragrans Essential Oil on Fresh Chicken Meat during Refrigerated Storage

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13050716 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 716

Author(s):

Milad Yaghoubi ◽

Ali Ayaseh ◽

Kazem Alirezalu ◽

Zabihollah Nemati ◽

Mirian Pateiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Oil ◽

Shelf Life ◽

Thiobarbituric Acid ◽

Chicken Meat ◽

Refrigerated Storage ◽

Quality Properties ◽

Overall Acceptability ◽

Chitosan Coating ◽

The Impact ◽

Organoleptic Attributes

The present study was conducted to assess the impact of chitosan coating (1%) containing Artemisia fragrans essential oil (500, 1000, and 1500 ppm) as antioxidant and antimicrobial agent on the quality properties and shelf life of chicken fillets during refrigerated storage. After packaging meat samples, physicochemical, microbiological, and organoleptic attributes were evaluated at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days at 4 °C. The results revealed that applied chitosan (CH) coating in combination with Artemisia fragrans essential oils (AFEOs) had no significant (p < 0.05) effects on proximate composition among treatments. The results showed that the incorporation of AFEOs into CH coating significantly reduced (p < 0.05) pH, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N), especially for 1% CH coating + 1500 ppm AFEOs, with values at the end of storage of 5.58, 1.61, and 2.53, respectively. The coated samples also displayed higher phenolic compounds than those obtained by uncoated samples. Coated chicken meat had, significantly (p < 0.05), the highest inhibitory effects against microbial growth. The counts of TVC (total viable counts), coliforms, molds, and yeasts were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in 1% CH coating + 1500 ppm AFEOs fillets (5.32, 3.87, and 4.27 Log CFU/g, respectively) at day 12. Organoleptic attributes of coated samples also showed the highest overall acceptability scores than uncoated ones. Therefore, the incorporation of AFEOs into CH coating could be effectively used for improving stability and shelf life of chicken fillets during refrigerated storage.

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