Antioxidant activity of purslane extract and its inhibitory effect on the lipid and protein oxidation of rabbit meat patties during chilled storage

Abstract

Currently, synthetic antioxidants have been widely used to retard lipid and protein oxidation in the meat industry. However, consumers have concerns about these synthetic antioxidants because of their potential toxicological effects. Accordingly, natural antioxidants can be used as a result of their health safety compared to synthetic antioxidants. The present research aimed to assess the protective effects of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) extract (PE) against lipid and protein oxidation under chilled storage for 12 days. Rabbit meat patties were divided into five experimental groups: control (without extract), butylated hydroxytoluene BHT (with 0.02% BHT, w/w) and the different concentrations of PE (0.1%, 0.3% and 0.5%, w/w) added to rabbit meat patty labeled as 0.1% PE, 0.3% PE and 0.5% PE groups, respectively. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, lipid oxidation and protein oxidation were determined, and kinetic models were employed. PE showed the strongest DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity, and the half maximal inhibitory concentrations (i.e. IC50 ) of DPPH and ABTS radicals were 5.112 ± 0.384 and 12.607 ± 2.130 μg mL-1 , respectively. Samples that were treated with PE showed low lipid and protein oxidation. Furthermore, the results of kinetic models indicated that PE could reduce the rates of lipid and protein oxidation. PE showed a preservative effect with respect exerting a protective effect against lipid and protein oxidation under chilled storage conditions. Our findings demonstrate the strong potential of PE as a natural antioxidant in meat and meat products. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.