Effects of Electron Beam Irradiation and High-Pressure Treatment withCitrus Peel Extract on the Microbiological, Chemical andSensory Qualities of Marinated Chicken Breast Meat

Abstract

Chicken breast meat samples were injected with marinade solution (salt, sugar, phosphate, monosodium glutamate, and nucleic acid) with or without 2% citrus peel extract (CPE), and then a subset were irradiated with a 1 or 2 kGy electron beam (EB) and/or subjected to high-pressure (HP) at 300 or 400 MPa. The initial total aerobic bacterial (TAB) count of the control sample was 4.57 log CFU/g and reached 7.17 log CFU/g after 3 days of storage at 4°C. The 2 kGy EB reduced the TAB count to 4.61 log CFU/g after 7 days. The 400 MPa HP treatment was also effective in reducing the TAB count, but the effect was slightly less than that noted with the 2 kGy EB. The CPE, in combination with the EB and HP, decreased the TAB count by 1.71 and 1.32 log CFU/g at the initial stage and further decreased the count during storage. The 2 kGy EB and the HP (300 and 400 MPa) increased the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances value, whereas the CPE did not show an antioxidative effect. The EB and HP caused no difference in the sensory qualities. In contrast, the CPE decreased all sensory qualities tested. Sensory panelists commented that the samples with CPE were not in the rejection category but were unfamiliar for chicken breast meat. In conclusion, the EB was more effective than HP in improving the microbial quality of marinated chicken breast meat. The use of CPE in the marinade solution may synergistically increase the shelf life; however, it is necessary to develop an appropriate formulation to ensure that the sensory qualities are maintained.