Active edible films based on semi-refined κ-carrageenan: Antioxidant and color properties and application in chicken breast packaging

This study aimed to produce active edible packaging films based on semi-refined kappa-carrageenan (SRC) incorporated with a water extract of germinated fenugreek seeds (W-GeFS). Total phenolics content, antioxidant activity and color properties of the resulting films were investigated. Applications and quality evaluation of selected active SRC films in the preservation of fresh chicken breast were also studied. Results obtained showed that phenolics content and antioxidant activity of SRC films significantly increased with increasing W-GeFS concentration. SRC films containing W-GeFS showed a good capability to control the microorganism growth on the surface of chicken breast samples. The growth of microorganisms in fresh chicken breasts packed in SRC films containing 10 %, 15 % and 20 % W-GeFS showed 2.20, 2.35 and 2.39 log reductions, respectively, in comparison to control samples on day 7 of storage. These results highlight the remarkable potential of SRC films containing W-GeFS to be applied in active food packaging systems.