Use of Algerian Type Ras El-Hanout Spices Mixture with Marination to Increase the Sensorial Quality, Shelf Life, and Safety of Whole Rabbit Carcasses under Low-O2 Modified Atmosphere Packaging

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of combined treatments with Ras El-Hanout spices mixture and marinade solution containing extra virgin olive oil, onion, garlic, and concentrated lemon juice on sensorial quality, shelf life, and safety of whole rabbit carcasses under low-O2 modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). The values of pH, water holding capacity, shear force, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, total volatile basic nitrogen, color (CIE L*a*b*), sensorial tests, and spoilage microorganisms were determined in rabbit meat at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 days during a retail display at 7 ± 1 °C. The results indicated that the marination process using the Ras El-Hanout blend of spices improved the water-holding capacity of meat maintaining optimum pH values. This combined treatment delayed the growth of major spoilage microorganisms, lipid oxidation, protein degradation, and undesirable color changes compared to unmarinated samples from the fifth to the twentieth day of retail exposure. The shelf life of rabbit carcasses under low-O2 MAP could be extended to 20 days of retail display, while rabbit carcasses under aerobic display presented a shorter shelf life of 5 to 10 days. Instrumental and sensorial tests showed that low-O2 MAP enhanced the tenderness of whole rabbit carcasses, with those marinated with Ras El-Hanout being the most positively perceived by the panelists. Marination also inhibited the pathogen Campylobacter jejuni, thus increasing the microbiological safety of the packaged product. The overall results indicated that low-O2 MAP combined with the Ras El-Hanout spice blend and marinade solution may represent a promising strategy for retail establishments to improve the quality, shelf life, and safety of rabbit carcasses.

Effects of lyophilized black carrot (Daucus carota L.) water extract on the shelf life, physico-chemical and microbiological quality of high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaged (HiOx-MAP) ground beef

In the present study, firstly, various properties of lyophilized water extracts (LBCWE) produced from fresh black carrot were determined. LBCWE was observed to be a rich source of monomeric anthocyanins (1188.40 ± 17.38 mg C3G/100 g; n = 4) and phenolics (2733.83 ± 17.78 mg GAE/100 g, n = 4). Secondly, ground beef containing LBCWE (Control, 100, 200 and 300 ppm) and packaged in HiOx-MAP (80% O₂ + 20% CO₂) was evaluated in terms of lipid oxidation, metmyoglobin (MetMb), color, pH and microbial counts during storage at 2.0 ± 0.5 °C for 12 days. By increasing level of LBCWE, the pH, lipid oxidation, MetMb and microbial counts were decreased (P < 0.01). The LBCWE significantly affected the color and microbial count parameters (P < 0.01). The highest redness and lowest microbial growth during storage was in the 300 ppm LBCWE group (P < 0.05). On the 12th day of storage, Pseudomonas and Enterobactericeae decreased 1.24 log and 1.46 log units in this group according to control. The shelf life of ground beef can be extended by 3 days with MAP + 300 ppm extract application.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-021-05044-1.

Biomolecular Interactions Governing Fresh Meat Color in Post-mortem Skeletal Muscle: A Review

Appearance is an important sensory property that significantly influences consumers' perceptions of fresh meat quality. Failure to meet consumer expectations can lead to rejection of meat products, concomitant loss in value, and potential production of organic waste. Immediately after animal harvest, skeletal muscle metabolism changes from aerobic to anaerobic. However, anoxic post-mortem muscle is biochemically active, and biomolecular interaction between myoglobin, mitochondria, metabolites, and lipid oxidation determines meat color. This review examines how metabolites and mitochondrial activity can influence myoglobin oxygenation and metmyoglobin reducing activity. Further, the review highlights recent research that has examined myoglobin redox dynamics, sarcoplasmic metabolite changes, and/or post-mortem biochemistry.