Essential Oil and Plant Extracts as Preservatives and Natural Antioxidants Applied to Meat and Meat Products: A Review

Abstract

The meat and meat product industry has evolved according to the needs of the market. Consumers are increasingly seeking quality in food. Thus, the concern regarding the excessive use of additives such as preservatives and antioxidants has driven research towards natural, healthy and safe substitutes. Essential oils and plant extracts have been shown to be a good option for resolving this problem. They are completely natural with biological activity, which mainly includes prevention of oxidation and the proliferation of microorganisms, thus arousing the interest of the industry and consumers. This review will present studies published in the last five years regarding the potential of essential oils and plant extracts to act as preservatives and antioxidants in meat and meat products. The forms of application, innovations in the area, alternatives to the incorporation of essential oils and extracts in meat products, effects caused in food, and limitations of applications will be detailed and discussed.

Alternate abstract:

Proizvodnja mesa i mesnih prerađevina se prilagođava potrebama tržišta. Potrošači sve više traže da hrana bude kvalitetna. Stoga je zabrinutost zbog pretjerane uporabe aditiva, kao što su konzervansi i antioksidansi, potaknula istraživanja o njihovim prirodnim, zdravim i sigurnim zamjenama. Eterična ulja i biljni ekstrakti pokazali su se kao dobro rješenje tog problema. Potpuno su prirodni, a njihova biološka aktivnost se uglavnom zasniva na sprečavanju oksidacijskog oštećenja i rasta mikroorganizama, zbog čega pobuđuju interes prehrambene industrije i potrošača. Ovaj rad donosi pregled istraživanja o mogućnostima primjene eteričnih ulja i biljnih ekstrakata kao konzervansa i antioksidansa u mesu i mesnim prerađevinama, objavljenih u posljednjih pet godina. Detaljno su opisani i raspravljeni načini primjene eteričnih ulja i biiljnih ekstrakata u mesnim proizvodima, inovacije u području, alternativna rješenja, učinci na hranu i ograničenja njihove primjene.