Quality, shelf-life of broiler fillets dipped in clove oil compared to peroxyacetic acid and chlorine and their consequences on inoculated Salmonella enterica.

The study aimed to evaluate the decontamination efficacy of clove oil on broiler Pectoralis major fillets natural spoilage-flora and Salmonella contamination compared to chlorine and a commercial triple-mixture of peroxyacetic acid (PAA). Furthermore, the intervention’s impact on breast fillet shelf-life and physicochemical quality was investigated. Thirty-six fillets (fillets n = 3 × storage-period n = 6 × replication n = 2) were dipped in one of four treatments: sterile water (control), chlorine (50 ppm), clove (1.5%) or PAA (225 ppm). For Salmonella-inoculated experiment, 18 fillets were dipped per treatment (fillet n = 3 × storage-period n = 6). Overall, the PAA retarded most spoilage microflora and Salmonella growth, particularly aerobic plate count, below the unacceptable spoilage level of 6 log CfU/g for 9 chilling-days. However, specific meat quality metrics, particularly oxidative stability, were negatively impacted by PAA. Clove exhibited a lower and/or similar, but delayed, antibacterial effect on spoilage-flora and Salmonella levels than PAA, along with an impressive antioxidant protective effect on fillets attributes, particularly lightness and appearance. Chlorine at the current recommended dose did not extend shelf-life beyond six days or reduce Salmonella growth, although it generated lower yellowness, higher redness, and tenderness scores than other treatments. Treatments did not prolong the fillets shelf-life beyond 6 cooling-days due to oxidizing properties of PAA, diminished chlorine concentration, and shorter contact time of clove. Cloves could therefore be sprayed in another step before final packaging to extend contact-time and boost antioxidant and antibacterial barriers. Lower doses and shorter exposure durations seem desirable and could contribute to minimize the PAA negative oxidative effect on meat quality parameters. Article Highlights Natural and chemical antimicrobial dippings can lower broiler initial bacteria load but do not boost meat shelf life. The PAA strong antimicrobial benefits are hindered by negative oxidative impacts on the quality of broiler fillets. Pre-packaging clove application potentially maximizes preservative benefits on fillets and reducing dipping obstacles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]