Application of clove essential oil-loaded nanoemulsions in coating of chicken fillets.

In this study, the clove essential oil-loaded nanoemulsion system was prepared using corn and soybean oils as a coating agent for refrigerated chicken fillets, and its bio preservative properties were investigated during 15 days at 4 °C. A total of 6 compounds were identified from the clove essential oil, with the dominant compounds being eugenol (88.38%) and beta-caryophyllene (6.01%). The coating process led to the reduction of titratable acidity of the chicken fillets during the storage time. Compared to non-coated samples, nanoemulsion-treated samples presented less increase in peroxide value (from 0.057 to 0.089) and thiobarbituric acid (from 0.234 to 0.835) values along the storage time. Increasing the content of clove essential oil in the nanoemulsions resulted in a significant reduction in total volatile basic nitrogen content. The coating process was highly effective in decreasing the total viable count, and psychrophilic bacteria growth, while antimicrobial activity varied depending on the nanoemulsion formulation and storage time. Using the nanoemulsions containing 1% clove essential oil led to a significant increase in sensory parameter scores. Therefore, the treatment containing 1% clove essential oil due to the highest acceptability score was chosen as the best treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]