Evaluation of pre-heating and extraction solvents in antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of garlic, and their application in fresh pork patties

The objectives of this study were to screen the optimum conditions for antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of garlic as affected by pre-heating and different extraction solvents, and to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of these extracts in ground meat during refrigerated storage. Methanol extracted garlic had a greater total phenolic content, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-radical scavenging activity and reducing power than water extracted one (P < 0.05), whereas the latter had a greater yield and iron chelating ability than the former (P < 0.05). Moreover, water extract from fresh garlic (WEFG) and methanol extract from heated garlic (MEHG) produced an inhibition zone against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes. The addition of garlic extracts (WEFG, MEHG and their combinations WEFMEHG)) to pork patties decreased the pH, hunter a values (redness), thiobarbituric acid substances values and the number of total plate count and Enterobacteriaceae (P < 0.05), while the hunter b values (yellowness) increased (P < 0.05). Results of this study indicated that the use of the garlic extracts was able to control lipid oxidation and microbial growth in pork patties.