Shelf-life extension of chicken patties with the application of multiple hurdles and modified atmospheres packaging

The present study was undertaken to know the effect of hurdle treatments on the quality of chicken meat patties (CMP) during storage at 27 2 C under modified atmospheres packaging (MAP) condition. A total three samples were prepared viz. (i) control (T-0), (ii) smoke treated (T-1) and (iii) chitosan coating + smoke treated (T-2). The products were drawn at 3 days interval and evaluated for various physico-chemical parameters, sensory attributes and microbiological quality. Results indicated that both smoking alone and chitosan coating in combination with smoking had significant effect on pH of chicken patties. Lipid stability study indicates control samples showed higher TBARS values as compared to treatment groups. This sample exhibited TBARS value of 1.69 mg malonaldehyde (MDA) per kg of sample which is near to threshold value of lipid oxidation (2.0 mg MDA/kg). T-1 samples showed lower TBARS value, FFA content, moisture % and water activity (a(w)) than their counter part control and T-2. Lovibond tintometer colour value suggested that treated products were darker (lower L- value) and shown to have higher redness (a-value) and yellowness (b) values as compared to control. However, both the 'a' and 'b' values decrease with the increased storage period. Texture profile analysis revealed that hardness value was more for T-1 products. Both the treated products exhibited comparable sensory scores while control showed least. Standard plate count was higher for T-2 samples as compared to T-1. The control patties were spoiled on the day 3 while T-1 and T-2 samples can be well stored up to day 12 and 9, respectively. In general, the use of hurdles could substantially improve the shelf life of chicken meat patties during room temperature storage.