This study aimed to develop innovative bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) films incorporated with sodium nitrite (SN), sumac extract (SE), and black carrot extract (BCE) to reduce sodium nitrite, extend shelf life, and inhibit Clostridium perfringens in cooked beef ham. The ham covered with BNC film immersed in SE (10 % w/v) + BCE (5 % w/v) + SN (125 ppm) (SE10BCE5SN125) exhibited the lowest microbial load (4.39, 4.32, 3.83, and 4.6 log cycles reductions in total viable count, lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and C. perfringens, respectively) and the lowest oxidation rate (70 % reduction compared to control) on day 28 of storage. The samples covered with SE10BCE5SN125 film had also the lowest level of residual nitrite (64 % lower compered to positive control). Positive control (ham containing 120 ppm SN) and ham covered with SE10BCE5SN125 film had the highest redness. It was concluded that the films developed in this study have the potential to reduce the use of sodium nitrite in beef ham production.
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