Antimicrobial Potential of Plastic Films Incorporated with Sage Extract on Chicken Meat

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Microbiology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Maintaining fresh meat quality relies heavily on effective packaging.
• Foodborne pathogens like *Salmonella typhimurium*, *Staphylococcus aureus*, and *Escherichia coli* pose significant risks.
• Antimicrobial packaging offers a promising strategy to enhance food safety and extend shelf life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of six packaging films with sage extract coatings (2379L/220 and 2379L/221).
• To assess the impact of these films on the quality attributes of refrigerated chicken breast meat.
• To determine the potential of these antimicrobial films for commercial application in meat preservation.

Main Methods:

• Six different packaging films with sage extract coatings were tested for their ability to inhibit *Salmonella typhimurium*, *Staphylococcus aureus*, and *Escherichia coli*.
• The effects of the films on microbiological content, color, weight loss, texture, and pH of refrigerated chicken breast were analyzed.
• Shelf-life studies were conducted to determine the storage duration achievable with the treated films.

Main Results:

• Two of the six tested films demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against the targeted bacteria.
• Four films were found to extend the storability of refrigerated chicken breast fillets up to seven days.
• All six treated films positively influenced pH, color stability, reduced weight loss, and improved texture of the chicken fillets.

Conclusions:

• Coatings containing sage extracts (2379L/220 and 2379L/221) function effectively as antimicrobial adhesives in food packaging.
• These antimicrobial packaging films show commercial potential for extending the shelf life of chicken breast meat without compromising quality.
• The study highlights the efficacy of natural antimicrobial agents in active food packaging solutions.