Application of Plantago psyllium for retarding the microbial population of chicken fillets

Background and Aim : The Plantago psyllium has gradually increased its importance as a crop worldwide due to its nutritional and functional characteristics. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Plantago psyllium mucilage on microbial population (total viable count, psychrotrophic bacteria, and Pseudomonas spp.) of fresh chicken fillets during refrigerated storage over a period of ۷ days.Methods : Fresh chicken fillets were purchased from supermarket and packed with Plantago psyllium mucilage ۴%. The enumeration of total viable count, psychrotrophic bacteria, and Pseudomonas spp in fresh chicken fillets during refrigerated storage over a period of ۷ days was conducted using appropriate microbial culture media.Results : The initial total viable count, psychrotrophic bacteria, and Pseudomonas spp in chicken fillets were ۳.۴۵, ۳.۱۲, and ۲.۱۴ log CFU/g, respectively. Population of indigenous bacteria of coated sample with Plantago psyllium mucilage were increased over time, but at a slower significant rate in comparison with the control (P < ۰.۰۵). At the end of study the total viable count, psychrotrophic bacteria, and Pseudomonas spp in chicken fillets packed with mucilage were ۲.۱۵, ۲.۲۴, and ۱.۱۵ log CFU/g lower than control, respectively.Conclusion : It can be concluded that the packaging with Plantago psyllium mucilage can be used as an appropriate active packaging material to increase shelf-life of chicken fillets.

Keywords:

Plantago psyllium , microbial population , chicken fillets