Control of Listeria monocytogenes on the surface of refrigerated, ready-to-eat chicken coated with edible zein film coatings containing nisin and/or calcium propionate

This study investigated the effect of nisin added to zein film coatings (Z) coated onto ready-to-eat chicken against L. monocytogenes. L. monocytogenes inoculated chicken samples were dipped into Z dissolved in propylene glycol (ZP) or ethanol (ZE), with and without added nisin (N) (1000 IU/g) and/or 1% calcium propionate (CP) then stored at 4 degreesC or 8 degreesC for 24 d. After 16 d at 4 degreesC the growth of L. monocytogenes (6.8 log CFU/g) was suppressed by 4.5 to 5 log CFU/g and at 2.7 log CFU/g counts were maintained at a nondetectable level from day 0 to day 24 with ZEN, ZPNCP, or ZENCP. Zein film coatings with nisin can prevent the growth of L monocytogenes on ready-to-eat chicken.