Antibacterial and antioxidant effects of tropical citrus peel extracts to improve the shelf life of raw chicken drumettes

The antibacterial and antioxidant effects of different tropical citrus peel extracts (Kaffir lime, Lime and Pomelo) obtained from ethanol and ethyl acetate extraction in raw chicken drumettes during storage at 4 degrees C were studied. All citrus peels showed antibacterial activities against pathogenic bacteria with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration ranged from 0.4 to 50.0 mg/ml. The ethyl acetate-extracted Kaffir lime peel (KEa) indicated the highest antimicrobial, antioxidant activities and total phenolic contents. The total viable counts, 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values of KEa-treated chicken wing samples were lower than those of control samples while the sensory properties maintained significantly (p<0.05) higher values during 14 days of storage. These results suggested that the tropical citrus peel extracts, especially Kaffir lime, are very effective against microbial growth, lipid oxidation and has potential as a natural antimicrobial and antioxidant for shelf life extension of chicken drumettes. (C) All Rights Reserved