Abstract
In present study, the usability of chitosan and gelatin (1:1) films incorporated with green tea extract (GTE) to improve the shelf life of the chicken meat stored in chilled condition was evaluated. The extract of green tea was evaluated for its phenolic content, antioxidant activity and ferric ion chealating ability. The ChGel films possessed antimicrobial activity and inactivated approximately 3 log cfu/ ml of K. pneumoniae, S. typhi var. Weltevreden, S. typhi var. Oslo, Y. enterocolitica, E. feacalis, B. cereus, E. coli and S. aureus in 3 hours. Incorporation of GTE influenced the optical and mechanical properties of the films. Chicken samples without films were observed to be microbiologically safe for not more than 6 days, while ChGel and ChGel-GTE films improved the microbial safety of chicken samples till day 13. ChGel-GTE films also prevented lipid peroxidation in samples as evident by TBARS value (day 10: control: 1.14; ChGel-GTE: 0.21 mg MDA eq/kg). Protein oxidation during chilled storage of chicken was also prevented by ChGel-GTE by inhibiting protein carbonylation, loss of free thiols groups in protein and lowering the number of disulphde bonds. This study supports use of ChGel films with GTE for enhancing the safety of stored chicken meat not only by maintaining the microbial quality of the samples but also preventing oxidative changes which can hamper the functional, nutritional and sensorial properties.
Highlights
Packaging is an integral component of the food processing sector
green tea extract (GTE) is widely known to consist of catechins and its derivatives
Plant extracts are known to act as electron donors and they react with free radicals converting them into stable products and terminate the radical chain reaction [18]
Summary
Packaging is an integral component of the food processing sector. It is a combination of art, science and technology of enclosing a product for achieving hygienic condition and safe transportation leading to increment in self life [1]. Petroleum based synthetic polymers are unique for food packaging due to low cost, excellent physical properties like density and molecular weight, mechanical properties, transmission properties of various gases. They increase the shelf-life of the product [2], and add functionality in terms of convenience and attractiveness to the consumers. Food packaging films may have antimicrobial releasing systems, gas scavengers or emitters, gas flusher, moisture absorbent, ultraviolet light barriers or antioxidants [4] in or on the packaging material or the package head-space, to augment the performance of the packaging system [5]. These packaging materials extend the shelf life of food product and monitor the freshness, and display information about the product, its quality and safety; making the packaging active, intelligent or smart
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