Storage stability of raw chicken drumsticks packed with antimicrobial package films

Antimicrobial packaging is a packaging system which inhibits the microorganisms and pathogens causing food spoilage by controlled release, prevents spoilage and increases the shelf life of foods. In this study, storage stability of raw chicken drumsticks packed with antimicrobial package films was studied. For this purpose, raw chicken drumsticks were packed under vacuum with antimicrobial packaging films containing chitosan, nisin, silver-loaded zeolite (AgZeO) or potassium sorbate (PS) and stored at +4 °C for a week. In addition raw chicken drumsticks were packed with control films (without additive) under vacuum and stored at same conditions to compare the effect of antimicrobial packaging. Since microbiological growth and lipid oxidation are the most important factors in deterioration of raw chicken drumsticks, the samples were taken daily and their microbiological count (total aerobic bacteria, total coliform, and total mold and yeasts) and 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values, changes in pH, color, and hardness values were determined during the storage period. Total aerobic mesophilic plate counts (APC) of samples packed in chitosan, nisin, AgZeO and PS containing films were 0.99, 0.97, 0.51, and 0.06 log, respectively lower than those of samples packed in control alone. The corresponding total coliform counts were 0.75, 0.68, 0.28, and 0.25 log lower. Mold and yeast count were lower by 1.02, 0.87, 0.86, and 0.25 log for samples packaged in chitosan, PS, nisin, and AgZeO-containing films, respectively. Samples packaged in chitosan, PS, AgZeO, and nisin containing films had lower TBARS values by 3.69, 1.72, 0.59, and 0.48 mg/kg, respectively lower than those of samples packed in control alone. The pH, color and hardness of the samples were not affected significantly by use of the different packaging films. Therefore, active films containing chitosan or nisin can be suggested as suitable packaging materials for chicken drumstick to increase safety and quality. Key words: Raw chicken drumstick, Chitosan, Nisin, Silver-loaded zeolite, Potassium sorbate