Chicken Breast Fillets Research Articles

Migrants determination and bioaccessibility study of ethyl lauroyl arginate (LAE) from a LAE based antimicrobial food packaging material

Ethyl lauroyl arginate (LAE, ethyl-N-dodecanoyl-L-arginate hydrochloride) is a strong antimicrobial agent that was included as an active compound in an antimicrobial food packaging material. The potential existence of non-intentionally added substances (NIASs) such as impurities must therefore be checked before launching any food contact material onto the market. For this reason, an untargeted analysis of the migration was performed in both food simulants and fresh chicken breast fillets wrapped with the active material. The analysis was performed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry detection with a quadrupole-time-of-flight analyzer, LC-MS(QTOF), for the identification of nonvolatile substances. The migration values found for LAE were 0.94±0.14 and 1.62±0.70 μg/g in ethanol 10% v/v (simulant A) and in ethanol 95% v/v (simulant D), respectively, and 0.93±0.17 μg/g in chicken. Other migrants such as dipropylene glycol methyl ether or tributyl-o-acetylcitrate, both coming from the coating were also found, but none of them have potential adverse effects. Bioaccessibility studies showed that after a simulated gastrointestinal digestion, LAE was not available anymore for subsequent intestinal absorption and new toxic compounds were not formed.

Near-infrared hyperspectral imaging in tandem with partial least squares regression and genetic algorithm for non-destructive determination and visualization of Pseudomonas loads in chicken fillets

Hyperspectral imaging was exploited for its potential in direct and fast determination of Pseudomonas loads in raw chicken breast fillets. A line-scan hyperspectral imaging system (900–1700nm) was employed to obtain sample images, which were then further corrected, modified and processed. The prepared images were correlated with the true Pseudomonas counts of these samples using partial least squares (PLS) regression. To enhance model performance, different spectral extraction approaches, spectral preprocessing methods as well as wavelength selection schemes based on genetic algorithm were investigated. The results revealed that extraction of mean spectra is more efficient for representation of sample spectra than computation of median spectra. The best full wavelength model was attained based on spectral images preprocessed with standard normal variate, and the correlation coefficients (R) and root mean squared errors (RMSEs) for the model were above 0.81 and below 0.80log10CFUg−1, respectively. In development of simplified models, wavelengths were selected by using a proposed two-step method based on genetic algorithm. The best model utilized only 14 bands in five segments and produced R and RMSEs of 0.91 and 0.55log10CFUg−1, 0.87 and 0.65log10CFUg−1 as well as 0.88 and 0.64log10CFUg−1 for calibration, cross-validation and prediction, respectively. Moreover, the prediction maps offered a novel way for visualizing the gradient of Pseudomonas loads on meat surface. Hyperspectral imaging is demonstrated to be an effective tool for nondestructive measurement of Pseudomonas in raw chicken breast fillets.

Determination of total viable count (TVC) in chicken breast fillets by near-infrared hyperspectral imaging and spectroscopic transforms

Near infrared (NIR) hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and different spectroscopic transforms were investigated for their potential in detecting total viable counts in raw chicken fillets. A laboratory-based pushbroom hyperspectral imaging system was utilized to acquire images of raw chicken breast fillets and the resulting reflectance images were corrected and transformed into hypercubes in absorbance and Kubelka–Munck (K–M) units. Full wavelength partial least regression models were established to correlate the three spectral profiles with measured bacterial counts, and the best calibration model was based on absorbance spectra, where the correlation coefficients (R) were 0.97 and 0.93, and the root mean squared errors (RMSEs) were 0.37 and 0.57log10 colony forming units (CFU) per gram for calibration and cross validation, respectively. To simplify the models, several wavelengths were selected by stepwise regression. More robustness was found in the resulting simplified models and the model based on K–M spectra was found to be excellent with an indicative high ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) value of 3.02. The correlation coefficients and RMSEs for this model were 0.96 and 0.40log10 CFU per gram as well as 0.94 and 0.50log10 CFU per gram for calibration and cross validation, respectively. Visualization maps produced by applying the developed models to the images could be an alternative to test the adaptability of a calibration model. Moreover, multi-spectral imaging systems were suggested to be developed for online applications.

Growth performance and meat quality of broiler chickens supplemented with chicken-specific Lactobacillus CSL-13 in drinking water

Effect of chicken-specific Lactobacillus CSL-13 isolated from the digestive tract of chickens on the growth performance and meat quality of broiler chickens was investigated. 1-day-old AA broiler chicks (900) were randomly allocated into 3 treatment groups with 3 replicates for raising over 42 days. Chicks of control group 1 were fed the basal diets that did not supplemented with CSL-13. The chicks of groups 2 and 3 were fed the basal diets same to that of group 1, but supplemented with 1 and 2 ml of CSL-13 for each in feed water per day, respectively. The results indicated that the body weight (BW), average daily weight and feed conversion rate (FCR) were all significantly (P < 0.05) increased by the dietary inclusion of CSL-13. The birds fed with the level of CSL-13 of 2 ml exhibited the highest BW and FCR, however there was no significant difference in mortality rate among different groups. Additionally, CSL-13 is giving a contribution towards an improvement of the chemical, nutritional and sensorial characteristics of breast fillet. Improved protein and free amino acid contents, and decreased fat content in chicken breast fillet (P < 0.05), were detected in birds by the supplement of CSL-13 in drinking water. Meanwhile, improvement in sensory attributes was also noticed in broilers fed with CSL-13. So chicken-specific CSL-13 can be used as a growth promoter and meat quality enhancer on broiler poultry.

Effects of High‐Pressure Processing on Inactivation of Salmonella Typhimurium, Eating Quality, and Microstructure of Raw Chicken Breast Fillets

High-pressure inactivation of Salmonella Typhimurium DMST 28913, eating quality, and microstructure of pressurized raw chicken breast meat was determined. The inoculated samples (approximately 7 log CFU/g initial load) were processed at 300 and 400 MPa, using pressurized medium of 25 to 35 °C during pressurization. Weibull model was well fitted to the survival curves with tailing. Least severe conditions with acceptable inactivation levels were 300 MPa, 35 °C, 1 min (approximately 2 log reduction) and 400 MPa, 30 °C, 1 min (approximately 4 log reduction). Based on these 2 conditions, the 400 MPa treatment yielded the raw chicken meat with higher L* value, greater cooking loss, and lower water holding capacity. Cooked chicken breast meat prepared from the pressurized samples had firmer texture than the control. Scanning electron microscopic images showed that higher pressure resulted in increasing extent of protein coagulation and the contraction of the muscle bundles. For raw chicken breast fillet, 300 MPa, 35 °C, 1 min was the condition that reasonably reduced the load of Salmonella Typhimurium. However, the pressurized samples had greater cooking loss. Marination with brine containing sodium chloride and phosphate prior to pressurization might help improve this eating quality.

Detection of <i>Salmonella indiana</i> in broiler production in the Czech Republic

Salmonella has been linked to many foodborne diseases across the world. Several control measures have been implemented to reduce Salmonella in poultry farms. The present study was focused on presence and serotyping of Salmonella in various samples from broilers. Salmonella isolates were obtained by standard cultivation methods. Four samples of faeces (n = 8) and twenty pooled samples of neck skins (n = 40) were found as positive. Pooled samples of chicken breast fillet (n = 20) were negative. Positive detection of Salmonella in the neck skins may be caused by contamination from the digestive tract or from the environment of the slaughter line. An interesting finding is that in all serotyped isolates (n = 24) only Salmonella indiana was present. Because S. indiana may pose a risk to human health, preventive measures have to be performed during the whole production chain.

Frying — Effect of coating on crust microstructure, color, and texture of lean meat portions

Skinless, deboned chicken breast fillets were deep fat fried (190°C) with and without a batter and breading coating system for up to 6min (internal temp 70°C). Non-coated samples show surface muscle fiber splitting as soon as placed in oil. As time progressed, the depth of damage increased. Shear force and work to shear increased significantly as a dense hard crust layer was forming. By the end, fillets lost about 1/3 of their weight and had a dark, dry, brittle crust. Frying with coating protected the meat inside and no major damages to muscle fibers were observed. Shear force also increased but the values were about half of what was observed in non-coated products, meaning that the meat inside was protected. Coated products became progressively golden brown (increased a* and b*, decreased L*) while the crust adhered well to the product. After frying, the products showed a small gain in weight which was the result of no structural shrinkage and absorption of a small amount of oil.

Sodium metasilicate affects growth of Campylobacter jejuni in fresh, boneless, uncooked chicken breast fillets stored at 4 degrees Celsius for 7 days ,

The objectives of this study were to determine the antimicrobial effects of sodium metasilicate (SMS) treatments against Campylobacter jejuni in fresh, boneless, uncooked chicken breast fillets and to ascertain the effects of SMS treatments on pH. The fillets were inoculated with C. jejuni, treated with 0% SMS and no inoculum (negative control), 0% SMS and inoculum (positive control), 1 and 2% SMS solutions, and stored at 4 ± 1°C. All samples were analyzed after 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 d storage for C. jejuni, psychrotrophic organisms, and pH. Campylobacter jejuni and psychrotrophic counts for samples treated with 1 and 2% SMS solutions were similar (P > 0.05) to the positive control on all storage days. The pH values for 2% SMS marinade treatments were higher (P < 0.05) when compared with the negative and positive controls through 7 d of storage. Based on the findings in this study, a second study was conducted to determine the level of SMS necessary to reduce C. jejuni by at least 1 log cfu/g. The treatments were the same as previously discussed, except SMS was used at levels of 1 and 2% of the weight of the meat instead of percentage of the solution. Chicken fillets treated with 1 and 2% SMS (by weight of meat) resulted in 1.12 to 1.26 and 3.27 to 3.79 log cfu/g reductions in C. jejuni, respectively, when compared with the positive control. Except for d 0, psychrotrophic counts for samples treated with 2% SMS were lower (P < 0.05) than negative and positive controls on all storage days. The pH values were higher (P < 0.05) for all SMS treatments when compared with the negative and positive controls. This study revealed that SMS, when used at elevated levels in excess of the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service 2% approved level, could function to control Campylobacter jejuni and extend the shelf life of raw poultry by retarding the growth of psychrotrophic bacteria.

Growth Performance and Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens Supplemented with Bacillus licheniformis in Drinking Water.

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate effects of Bacillus licheniformis on growth performance and meat quality of broilers. Nine hundred one-d-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 3 experimental groups with three replicate pens of 100 broiler chicks. Three treatments were i) control, ii) basal diets supplemented with 1 ml of B. licheniformis for each in feed water per day iii) basal diets supplemented with 2 ml of B. licheniformis per chick in feed water per day. The supplementation of B. licheniformis significantly increased body weight in grower chickens (p<0.05), and significantly improved the feed conversion in 3 to 6 and 0 to 6 wk feeding period compared with the control group (p<0.05). Additionally, the supplement also resulted in increased protein and free amino acid contents, and decreased fat content in chicken breast fillet (p<0.05). Furthermore, improvement in sensory attributes was observed in broilers fed with the probiotic. In conclusion, B. licheniformis treatments resulted in a significant increase (p<0.05) in broiler productivity based on an index taking into account daily weight gain and feed conversion rate. Meanwhile, the probiotic contributed towards an improvement of the chemical, nutritional and sensorial characteristics of breast fillet. Overall, the study indicates that B. licheniformis can be used as a growth promoter and meat quality enhancer in broiler poultry.

Effect of Marinating Chicken Meat with Lemon, Green Tea and Turmeric Against Foodborne Bacterial Pathogens

Foodborne diseases affect millions of people each year. To reduce the incidence of bacterial foodborne pathogens more effective treatment methods are needed. In this study, we evaluated the effect of marinating chicken breast fillets with extracts of lemon, green tea and turmeric against Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella enteritidis. The prepared plant extracts in phosphate buffered saline were added to chicken breast fillets both singly and in combination and were incubated at 4°C. Cell counts were made at regular intervals and the viability percentage was calculated. A combination of green tea, lemon and turmeric was found to be the most effective against C. jejuni and S. enteritidis killing all the bacteria within 12 hrs of incubation, with a 5-log reduction in growth within 1 hr of incubation and proved to be more effective than any of the extracts used alone. Further, combinations of both lemon and green tea and lemon and turmeric killed all C. jejuni isolates, but not S. enteritidis, within 24 hrs of incubation. This study showed synergistic effects of lemon, green tea and turmeric extracts as bactericidal agents and that combinations of plant extracts were more effective than using the extracts singly. In summary, it was found that these extracts were effective on chicken meat and should be able to be used as marinates on other meats as well. Since foodborne bacteria are not entirely eliminated using current treatment techniques, plant extracts like lemon, green tea and turmeric could be used as additional treatment options.

Sodium metasilicate affects growth of Salmonella Typhimurium in fresh, boneless, uncooked chicken breast fillets stored at 4°C for 7 days

The objectives of this study were to determine the antimicrobial effects of sodium metasilicate (SMS) against Salmonella and psychrotrophic organisms in fresh, boneless, uncooked chicken breast fillets and to ascertain the effects of SMS treatments on pH. Chicken breast fillets were inoculated with Salmonellaenterica serovar Typhimurium treated with 0% SMS and no inoculum (negative control), 0% SMS and inoculum (positive control), 1% SMS, or 2% SMS solutions and stored at 4 ± 1°C. All samples were analyzed after 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 d for Salmonella, psychrotrophic organisms, and pH. The fillets that were treated with 1 or 2% SMS had lower (P < 0.05) Salmonella counts as compared with those of the positive control at 3 through 7 d. Reductions in Salmonella Typhimurium were 0.83 to 0.91 log cfu/g and 1.04 to 1.16 log cfu/g for 1 and 2% SMS treatments, respectively. The psychrotrophic counts were similar (P > 0.05) for all treatments. The pH values for samples treated with 1 or 2% SMS were higher (P < 0.05) when compared with those of the negative and positive controls. This study revealed that SMS could restrict the growth of pathogenic Salmonella Typhimurium in fresh poultry.

Combined effect of electrical stimulation, aging time and marination on quality of chicken breast fillet processed under commercial conditions

Electrical stimulation (ES) in poultry processing is reported in the literature with varying degrees of effectiveness. Furthermore, the combined effects of ES and polyphosphate marination are not completely known. The objective of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of ES, aging time prior to deboning and phosphate marination on meat quality of broiler breast fillets. The implementation of ES accelerated pH decline in fillets at any aging time studied regardless of marination treatment, but no differences (P > 0.05) were found in pH of fillets deboned without aging. Warner-Bratzler (WB) shear values of ES fillets significantly decreased (P < 0.05) at 2 h of aging whereas WB of non-ES fillets decreased at 6 h of aging in breast meat, with or without marination. In non-marinated fillets the ES treatment reduced (P < 0.05) cooking loss in meat aged 0, 2 and 4 h. In marinated fillets the ES treatment decreased cooking loss at 2, 4, 6 and 8 h of aging. ES in carcasses aged 2 or 4 h improves tenderness and reduces cooking loss. Marination improves tenderness in both stimulated and non-stimulated fillets, at all aging times.

Extreme Heat Resistance of Food Borne Pathogens Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhimurium on Chicken Breast Fillet during Cooking.

The aim of this research was to determine the decimal reduction times of bacteria present on chicken fillet in boiling water. The experiments were conducted with Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella, and Escherichia coli. Whole chicken breast fillets were inoculated with the pathogens, stored overnight (4°C), and subsequently cooked. The surface temperature reached 70°C within 30 sec and 85°C within one minute. Extremely high decimal reduction times of 1.90, 1.97, and 2.20 min were obtained for C. jejuni, E. coli, and S. typhimurium, respectively. Chicken meat and refrigerated storage before cooking enlarged the heat resistance of the food borne pathogens. Additionally, a high challenge temperature or fast heating rate contributed to the level of heat resistance. The data were used to assess the probability of illness (campylobacteriosis) due to consumption of chicken fillet as a function of cooking time. The data revealed that cooking time may be far more critical than previously assumed.

The first time is the hardest: A test of ordering effects in choice experiments

This paper addresses the issue of ordering effects in choice experiments, and in particular how learning processes potentially affect respondents' stated preferences in a sequence of choice sets. In a case study concerning food quality attributes of chicken breast filets, we find evidence of ordering effects in a sequence of 16 choice sets, where the last eight choice sets are identical to the first eight. We find evidence of changes in preferences. More precisely there are differences in preferences for the price attribute for the two identical sequences. Moreover, we find a reduction in the error variance for the last eight choice sets relative to the first eight choice sets. This is mainly caused by very high error variances in the first two choice sets. These results imply that learning effects in terms of institutional learning as well as – though in our case only to a limited extent – preference learning can indeed be of significant structural importance when conducting CE surveys.

Effect of alternative salt use on broiler breast meat yields, tenderness, flavor, and sodium concentration

Fresh chicken breast fillets were marinated with gourmet-style salts: Himalayan pink salt, Sonoma gourmet salt, sel gus de Guerande, and Bolivian rose salt to evaluate their effects on marination and cook loss yields, tenderness, sensory attributes, and sodium concentration. Fresh chicken breast fillets (48-h postmortem) were vacuum tumbled (137 kPa at 20 rpm for 17 min) in a solution of water, salt, and sodium tripolyphosphate at a level of 20% of the meat weights. Instrumental analyses showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) in meat quality with respect to marination yield, cook yield, or shear-force value. There were also no significant differences (P > 0.05) in sensory descriptors between salt treatments. However, Sonoma gourmet salt showed a tendency (P = 0.0693) to score increased savory note values from panelists, whereas Bolivian rose salt received the lowest score. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in sodium concentrations between salt treatments, but numerically, sel gus de Guerande had the lowest sodium concentration, which could be important in producing reduced sodium products. Understanding different salts and sodium concentrations allows the poultry industry to use gourmet salts in products and maintain overall meat quality and flavor.

High-pressure-based hurdle strategy to extend the shelf-life of fresh chicken breast fillets

The combined effects of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and a commercial liquid antimicrobial edible coating consisting of lactic and acetic acid, sodium diacetate, pectin and water (“articoat-DLP”) followed by modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the shelf-life of chicken breast fillets were evaluated.All samples were held at 4 °C under MAP (30% CO2/70% N2) conditions and these were assigned to the following treatments: (i), control untreated fillets (C-MAP); (ii), fillets dipped in articoat-DLP (A-MAP); (iii) HHP (300 MPa) treated fillets followed by MAP (HP-MAP) and (iv) HHP (300 MPa) treated fillets after dipping in articoat-DLP (A-HP-MAP). During storage, packages were tested at intervals for CO2 and O2 concentrations, colour (CIE L* a* b*), pH, oxidative stability (TBARS), cooking loss, Warner–Bratzler shear force measurement and sensory analysis (colour, tenderness, juiciness, chicken aroma, oxidised flavour, off-flavours and overall acceptability). Total viable counts and numbers of Pseudomonas, lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Brochothrix thermosphacta, coliforms and Escherichia coli were also determined.The A-HP-MAP combination was the most efficient in extending the durability of chicken breast fillets, which maintained their sensory and microbiological quality for up to 28 days. At the time of rejection, total counts were 6.3 ± 0.7 log cfu/g, with LAB being dominant (100%). For A-MAP and HP-MAP fillets, the storage life was estimated to be two weeks while that of the untreated fillets (C-MAP) was estimated to be one week.Colour, tenderness and overall acceptability were the best maintained sensory attributes during storage for A-HP-MAP samples. The synergistic effect of this high-pressure-based hurdle strategy was higher than those previously reported when applying several combined hurdles to poultry meat.

Influence of processing method and holding time on the physical and sensory qualities of cooked marinated chicken breast fillets

The effects of different processing methods and marinating times on the physical and sensory properties of cooked Chinese-style marinated chicken breast fillets were investigated. Factors including marinade treatment (CM = coarse + mixing; CMH = coarse + mixing + homogenizing; FM = fine + mixing; FMH = fine + mixing + homogenizing) marinating method (immersion only, injection and immersion, tumbling) and holding time (0, 18 h) were applied to samples before cooking under simulated commercial conditions. Marinade absorption, cooking loss, maximum force and surface colour (L*, a*, b* values) were measured. Sensory properties including colour, colour penetration, aroma, toughness, flavour acceptability, saltiness, sourness, sweetness, juiciness and overall acceptability were also evaluated using 20 naïve assessors. Homogenized marinades, CMH and FMH increased surface CIE a* (redness) and b* (yellowness) values. Conversely, CM had the lowest colour penetration. Employing a tumbling method and an 18 h holding period was found to be positively correlated with most sensory attributes measured; surface colour, colour penetration, aroma, saltiness and sweetness. The individual effect of tumbling produced a significantly (P < 0.05) higher overall acceptability, whereas samples held for 18 h were least preferred by the assessors due to lower flavour and overall acceptability scores.

Effect of lactoferrin and its derivatives against gram-positive bacteria in vitro and, combined with high pressure, in chicken breast fillets

The bactericidal activity of lactoferrin (LF), amidated lactoferrin (AMILF), pepsin digested lactoferrin (PDLF), and its activated (ALF) commercial form, against six strains of three gram-positive bacterial species was investigated. Listeria monocytogenes was most sensitive in vitro, Staphylococcus aureus showed a moderate resistance, and Enterococus faecalis was highly resistant to antimicrobials. When chicken breast fillets were inoculated with L. monocytogenes CECT5725 and treated with antimicrobials, reductions were below 0.5logCFU/ml in all cases. In combination with high pressure (HHP) treatment at 400MPa for 10min, antimicrobials showed a slight additional bactericidal effect, always below 1logCFU/g. Incorporation of antimicrobials 18h before or 1h after HHP treatment generally yielded better results than incorporation 1h before HHP treatment, although reductions remained below 1.5logCFU/g in all cases. LF and its derivatives showed a limited potential for pathogen control in meat.

Microbiology, sensory evaluation and shelf life of irradiated chicken breast fillets stored in air or vacuum

This work investigated the effects of different packaging methods (air and vacuum) combined with irradiation (0.0, 2.0 and 3.0 kGy) on the preservation of chicken breast fillets stored at 1oC for up to 18 days by sensorial test, determination of pH and bacterial growth. The findings indicated that the post-irradiation lag phase increased with the dose, leading to an extension in shelf-life. Vacuum-packed samples irradiated at 3.0 kGy exhibited the longest shelf life. Among the analyzed bacteria, coliforms and Listeria spp. were most sensitive to gamma radiation. All the fillets acquired more attractive coloration and better overall impression with irradiation. The combined use of vacuum packaging and irradiation (3.0 kGy) reduced the microbial populations without causing change in pH and yielded a significant shelf-life extension of refrigerated fillets, besides improving its appearance.

Sodium metasilicate affects antimicrobial, sensory, physical, and chemical characteristics of fresh commercial chicken breast meat stored at 4°C for 9 days

The objectives of this study were to investigate antimicrobial properties of sodium metasilicate (SMS) on fresh boneless and skinless commercial broiler chicken breast fillets, and to ascertain effects of the treatments on sensory, chemical, and physical characteristics of the meat. Fillets were divided into 5 groups, weighed, treated with 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4% SMS marinades, vacuum tumbled at 172.32 kPa for 20 min, reweighed, packaged in styrofoam trays, stored at 4°C for 9 d, and analyzed at 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 9 d for marination yield (d 0 only), pH, total psychrotrophic counts, water-holding capacity, purge loss, cooking yield, and objective texture, color, and sensory characteristics. Marination yield and water-holding capacity were similar (P > 0.05) among all SMS treatments and increased by 3 to 4% compared with that in control fillets. Fillets treated with at least 3% SMS had higher (P < 0.05) pH and cooking yields and lower (P < 0.05) purge loss (on d 9) compared with control fillets. The 3 and 4% SMS treatments retarded growth of psychrotrophic organisms for 1 additional day compared with control, 1, and 2% SMS-treated fillets. Color and texture measurements and sensory characteristics of the fillets were not adversely affected by the SMS treatments. The data in this study revealed that at least 3% SMS was necessary to retard growth of spoilage bacteria compared with untreated samples and samples treated with the USDA maximum allowable level of 2% SMS in poultry marinades.