Efficacy of green coffee as an antioxidant in beef meatballs compared with ascorbic acid

The effect of green coffee addition on the physicochemical attributes, fatty acid profile, and volatiles of beef meatballs was investigated. Five batches were prepared; no antioxidant (control), ascorbic acid (Asc, 500 ppm), and three concentrations of green coffee (GC) powder (250, 500, and 1000 ppm), then aerobically stored onto polypropylene trays at 4 °C for 14 days. The physicochemical properties (pH, color, metmyoglobin, and antioxidant stability) were assessed at 0, 3, 7, and 14 days. Free fatty acids and hydrocarbons were detected by GC-MS as well. GC addition, compared with control and Asc samples, significantly (p < 0.05) improved the oxidative stability and scavenging ability, decreased the microbial count by 30.8 %, and negatively affected the redness and metmyoglobin content. Remarkably, at ≥ 500 ppm, GC outperformed ascorbic acid in lowering the aliphatic hydrocarbons (877% reduction). Under the conditions tested, GC at 1000 ppm could be recommended to inhibit meat deterioration, particularly fat oxidation.