Effects of fucoxanthin addition to ground chicken breast meat on lipid and colour stability during chilled storage, before and after cooking

Effects of fucoxanthin (FX), a major carotenoid in algae, on lipid peroxidation and meat colour in ground chicken breast meat were investigated. FX and/or alpha-tocopherol (Toc) were added to ground samples at a content level of 200 mg/kg. The samples were subjected to a chilling storage test before and after cooking. In the storage test before cooking, neither FX nor Toc affected the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) on days 1 and 6, and FX decreased the L* value and increased the a* and b* values. In the storage test after cooking, both FX and Toc decreased TBARS values on days 1 and 6. FX decreased the L* value and increased the a* and b* values, similar to what occurred in the storage test before cooking. Based on these results, we concluded that FX is a potent ingredient for improvement of the appearance and shelf life of chicken meat and its products.