Application of Gelatin-Based Antimicrobial Edible Coatings on the Preservation of Chicken Meat and Prepared Products

Abstract

To prolong the shelf-life of chilled chicken and to reduce the drip loss in this meat and in prepared chicken products in refrigerated storage, a gelatin-based antimicrobial edible coating was developed that included nisin, EDTA and potassium sorbate. The chilled chicken breast and prepared chicken products were treated with the coating and were stored at 4°C in tray-packaging. The results showed that after treatment with the coating that included the optimal concentrations of the additives, the shelf life of the chilled chicken meat and the prepared chicken products was significant prolonged, the amount of drip loss of was significantly reduced from 4.88~5.90% to 0.67%~0.82%, and the color values were also improved during the early stage of the storage. We conclude that the gelatin-based antimicrobial edible coating with the optimization formula is an effective preservation material that can be applied as an inner packaging for the chicken and prepared chicken products under refrigerated.