Effect of the combination of natural antioxidants and packaging methods on quality of pork patties during storage

The effect of combination of phyto-extracts (sea buckthorn extract (SBTE), grape seed extract (GSE)) on different physico-chemical, oxidative stability, instrumental colour and texture, sensory and microbiological properties of pork patties were investigated under aerobic and MAP (50 % CO2: 50 % N-2) packaging conditions. Treatments viz. T-1 (aerobic packaged control), T-2 (aerobic packaged containing 0.3 % SBTE+ 0.1 % GSE), T-3 (MAP packaged control) and T-4 (MAP packaged containing 0.3 % SBTE+ 0.1 % GSE) at 4 +/- 1 A degrees C for 35 days and samples were drawn at 7 days interval. The pH decreased initially up to 21 days and thereafter increased on further storage whereas water activity followed a decreasing trend throughout the storage period, irrespective of the treatment and packaging conditions. Results of oxidative stability parameters revealed that peroxide value, TBARS and FFA followed an increasing trend in both the packaging groups during storage however, the rate of increase was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in MAP packaged products than aerobic packaged products and phyto extracts incorporated products than their respective control. Instrumental colour and texture profiles were best maintained in MAP packaged treated products (T-4) which has higher redness (a*) value whereas lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) showed lower (P < 0.05) value. MAP packaging resulted in superior sensory properties of pork patties as compared to aerobic packaged products. Standard plate count, psychrophiles and Coliforms were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in treated products than control and microbial count was better maintained in MAP than aerobic condition. Results concluded that the combined use of antioxidants and MAP packaging would be a useful method to control the oxidative and microbial quality changes of pork patties and it can be successfully stored for 35 days.