Development of Plant Extracts Based Indicator for Monitoring Quality of Fresh Chicken Meat During Storage at Room Temperature (25±1° C)

An experiment was conducted to develop a plant extracts based quality indicator for monitoring aerobically packed chicken meat quality during storage at room temperature (25±1oC) until spoiled. Ripen black mulberry (Morus nigra) fruit extracts containing anthocyanins was used for developing quality indicator. Filter paper based indicator was exposed to the closed fresh meat environment. Changes in the indicator color and different quality parameters of chicken meat viz., total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN), ammonia level, pH, sensory attributes and instrumental color values were evaluated and were correlated with color changed of indicator. During storage meat become visibly spoiled on 5th day of storage where as the color of the indicator changed gradually from red on 1st day to light green between 2nd-4th day and finally dark yellow on 5th. Both Total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) and ammonia level increased significantly (P<0.5) during storage. The pH value of meat increased significantly (P<0.5) from 5.4 to 6.1 during storage. Sensory attributes score for color, general appearance and acceptability decreased significantly (P<0.5) throughout the storage period. Lovibond Tinto meter color value for redness, yellowness, hue and chroma decreased during storage period. On the basis of results observed it might be concluded that the developed quality indicator is expected to provide a convenient aid to monitor the quality and shelf life of chicken meat during storage at room temperature.