AUCTORES
Globalize your Research
Chat with us
Review Article | DOI: https://doi.org/10.31579/2637-8914/218
*Corresponding Author: Fahim A. Shaltout, Food Control Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Egypt.
Citation: Fahim A. Shaltout, (2024), Use of Essential oils as potential antimicrobial agents in meat preservation, J. Nutrition and Food Processing, 7(8); DOI:10.31579/2637-8914/218
Copyright: © 2024, Fahim A. Shaltout. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Received: 18 June 2024 | Accepted: 04 July 2024 | Published: 22 July 2024
Keywords: essential oils; safe; high quality; meat; meat products
The Producers and the manufacturers have been challenged by the increasing demand for the safe and high-quality meat and meat products over the past few decades. Particularly, the recent demand for minimally the processed, the easily prepared, and the ready-to-eat meat products combined with the novel concepts of all-natural and clean-label has rapidly increased. These products may contain natural or organic ingredients without artificial preservatives that do not trigger the common food allergies or the sensitivities. The meat and the meat products are highly prone to microbial contamination since they are rich in essential nutrients and perishable. This is further accelerated by some intrinsic factors including pH and water activity of the fresh meat. In general, the freshest meat has a water activity value higher than 0.85, and its pH value falls within the favorable pH range for spoilage bacteria of the meat. Hence, deterioration in quality and potential public health issues is common if these products are not properly handled and preserved. The significant spoilage of the meat and the meat products occurs every year at different levels of the production chain including the preparation, the storage, and the distribution. Besides the lipid oxidation and the autolytic enzymatic spoilage, the microbial spoilage plays a significant role in this deterioration process leading to a substantial economic and environmental impact.
The microorganisms associated with the spoilage of the meat and the meat products including bacteria such as the Pseudomonas, the Acinetobacter, the Brochothrix thermosphacta, the Lactobacillus spp., the Enterobacter, etc., and the yeast and the mold cause the quality defects such as of flavor, off-odor, etc. Additionally, the foodborne diseases have emerged as important and growing public health and economic problems in many countries over the last few decades (1,2,3,4,5 and 6). The foodborne diseases are not limited to a particular age group or the country. The foodborne diseases occur each year resulting in the illnesses, with hospitalizations and deaths, leading to high medical costs and productivity losses. In regarding to the meat and the meat products, several pathogenic microorganisms including the Salmonella spp., the Campylobacter jejuni, the Escherichia coli O157:H7, the Listeria monocytogenes, the Clostridium spp. and the Aeromonas hydrophila can result in the foodborne illnesses to the consumers if the products are not preserved and handled properly (7,8,9,10,11 and 12). The vegetative cells of the microbes are destroyed with the thermal processing, but not the spores of the food pathogens such as the Bacillus spp. and Clostridium spp. They can survive and need much harsher conditions to be inactivated. With the absence of the competitive microflora, these spores can germinate and grow under favorable conditions caused by mishandling of the heat-treated products. Hence, it is vital to apply other hurdles such as low-temperature storage to avoid this problem(13,14,15,16,17,18 and 19). To extend the period of the refrigerated storage, which is the most common method used for preserving the fresh meat and the meat products, many synthetic additives have been used over the years. The synthetic additives have been accused for some carcinogenic and toxic properties. This increased the consumer concerns towards the healthier meat and the meat products and the demand for the natural food additives over the years, which led researchers to examine the natural alternatives to the synthetic food additives (137, 138, 139, 140,141,142 and 143). The meat and the meat products are highly subject to the microbial deterioration, which ultimately leads to the safety and the quality issues if the meat are not properly handled and preserved. Several plant-derived Essential oils can be effectively used in the meat and the meat products as natural alternatives to the synthetic food additives, particularly as the effective antimicrobial agents (144,145,146,147,148,149 and 150). The Phenolic compounds, such as the carvacrol, the eugenol, and the thymol, are mainly responsible for the antimicrobial activity of the Essential oils to increase the permeability of cell membranes and leading to loss of the cellular constituents. These natural additives should improve the meat quality without leaving residues in the product or the environment (20,21,22,23,24,25 and 26).
The Microbial deterioration of the meat and the meat products
Depending on the preservation method used, the growth and the metabolism of the spoilage and the pathogenic microorganisms can cause rapid spoilage of the meat and the meat products and the serious foodborne intoxications .The Bacteria are generally considered as the principle agents responsible for these deteriorations and the health issues in addition to the molds and yeasts presents the major genera of bacteria, yeasts, and molds found in meat and meat products (27,28,29,30,31,32 and 33). Main spoilage bacteria including the Pseudomonas, the Acinetobacter, the B. thermosphacta, the Moraxella, the Enterobacter, the Lactobacillus spp., the Leuconostoc spp., the Proteus spp. etc, the yeast and the mold, the decompose meat and the meat products and develop the unpleasant quality characteristics when they grow in large numbers in these perishable products (34,35,36,37,38,39 and 40). This can be attributed to the degradation of the proteins and the lipids present in the meat and the meat products resulting in the off-odors, the off-flavors, the discoloration, the texture defects, the slime and the gas productions, and the changes in pH. Although the spoilage microorganisms normally do not cause the illness, they can result in the gastrointestinal disturbances when consumed in the high concentrations (41,42, 43,44,45,46,47 and 48). However, the rate of the meat spoilage is affected by several factors including the hygiene, the storage temperature, and the acidity of the meat and the meat products. The growth of the spoilage bacteria is favored at a pH range of 5.5-7.0. The Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella serotype Typhimurium, Escherichia coli O157:H7, other Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), Listeria monocytogenes, Arcobacter butzleri, Mycobacterium avium subspp. paratuberculosis and Aeromonas hydrophila are the most prevalent and serious emerging pathogens in the meat and the meat-derived products (49,50,51, 52, 53, 54,55 and 56). The color, the odor, the taste or the texture of the meat and the meat products are not often changed by these pathogenic bacteria. which are mainly responsible for the food poisoning and the food intoxications. The microbial deterioration of the meat and the meat products can be considered as one of the main limitations in the meat industry. The proper protective practices should be, therefore, applied for the meat and the meat products to produce the highest quality products possible (57,58,59,60,61,62,63 and 64). The common preservation methods used against the microbial deterioration Due to the increasing demand for the precooked, the refrigerated, the ready-to-eat meat, and the meat products convenient for the modern and the busy lifestyles, the meat manufacturers must overcome many challenges, including the control of the microbial deterioration of these products (65,66,67,68,69,70,71 and 72). Several factors such as the microbial growth, the color, and the lipid oxidation affect the shelf life and the consumer acceptance of the fresh meat and the meat products. Therefore, to produce the safest and the highest quality products possible, these factors must be controlled (73,74,75,76,77,78 and 79). Several of the thermal and the non-thermal food preservation techniques have been used, alone or in combinations, to prevent or minimize the growth of spoilage and the pathogenic microorganisms in the meat and the meat products. The common physical and the chemical preservation techniques used to control the bacterial activity(80,81,82,83,84,85,86 and 87).
The mode of action of the Essential oils
The antimicrobial activity of a given Essential oil can be attributed to its major constituents as well as their interaction with the minor constituents present in oils. However, the antimicrobial activity of the Essential oils has been consistently linked to phenolic constituents such as the carvacrol, the eugenol, and the thymol. The presence of the hydroxyl groups in the phenolic compounds is very vital for their antimicrobial activity(88,89,90,91,92,93,94 and 95). The antimicrobial activity of the Essential oils is not attributable to one specific mechanism. Several locations or mechanisms in the microbial cells are supposed to be the sites of action for the Essential oil constituents. In brief, Essential oils can degrade the cell wall, disturb the phospholipid bilayer of the cytoplasmic membrane, and damage the membrane proteins leading to increased permeability of the cell membrane and loss of cellular constituents (96,97,98,99,100,101 and 102). The Essential oils can further disrupt the proton motive force, electron flow, and active transport, and coagulate the cell contents. The Essential oils can impair a variety of enzyme systems including the enzymes involved in the energy regulation and synthesis of structural components and inactivate or destroy genetic material, strengthening their antimicrobial activities (103,104,105,106,107,108 and 109).
Limitations and Future Perspectives
Although good antimicrobial activities were observed for many Essential oils , some limitations have 446 also been identified in the application of the Essential oils in the meat and the meat products. The interaction of some Essential oils with the food ingredients and structure may decrease their effectiveness (110,111, 112, 113,114,115 and 116). The markedly reduced activity of the Essential oils may result in the food systems such as the meat and the meat products when compared to in vitro results. This may be attributed to the presence of fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and salts in such systems. For instance, the mint and the cilantro Essential oils were not effective against the L. monocytogenes in the products containing high levels of the fat, such as the pâté and a coating for the ham containing the canola oil (117,118,119,120,121 and 122). It may be difficult to maintain the quality consistency because the composition of an individual Essential oil can vary due to several factors including the time of harvesting, variety, the part of the plant used, and method of extraction. The antimicrobial potency of the Essential oil constituents depends on pH, temperature, and level of microbial contamination (123,124,125,126,127,128 and 129). Further, use of the Essential oils as the preservatives in the food has been limited as they are required in high concentrations in order to achieve the sufficient antimicrobial activity. The use of some Essential oils are mainly restricted to the spicy foods including the meat products that are associated with the herbs, spices, or seasonings since they affect the organoleptic quality of the food (130,131,132,133,134,135 and 136).
The application of the Essential oils is partially limited due to their intense aroma which may cause negative organoleptic effects. Novel technologies such as encapsulation of the Essential oils into the Nano emulsions and the use of the Essential oils as part of the hurdle technology (combined processes with MAP, nisin, EDTA, lysozyme etc.) to improve the microbial stability and the sensory quality of the meat and the meat products are being used in the meat industry; traditional methods of adding the Essential oils directly into the meat batter during manufacturing of the meat products.
The author declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.
Clearly Auctoresonline and particularly Psychology and Mental Health Care Journal is dedicated to improving health care services for individuals and populations. The editorial boards' ability to efficiently recognize and share the global importance of health literacy with a variety of stakeholders. Auctoresonline publishing platform can be used to facilitate of optimal client-based services and should be added to health care professionals' repertoire of evidence-based health care resources.
Journal of Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Intervention The submission and review process was adequate. However I think that the publication total value should have been enlightened in early fases. Thank you for all.
Journal of Women Health Care and Issues By the present mail, I want to say thank to you and tour colleagues for facilitating my published article. Specially thank you for the peer review process, support from the editorial office. I appreciate positively the quality of your journal.
Journal of Clinical Research and Reports I would be very delighted to submit my testimonial regarding the reviewer board and the editorial office. The reviewer board were accurate and helpful regarding any modifications for my manuscript. And the editorial office were very helpful and supportive in contacting and monitoring with any update and offering help. It was my pleasure to contribute with your promising Journal and I am looking forward for more collaboration.
We would like to thank the Journal of Thoracic Disease and Cardiothoracic Surgery because of the services they provided us for our articles. The peer-review process was done in a very excellent time manner, and the opinions of the reviewers helped us to improve our manuscript further. The editorial office had an outstanding correspondence with us and guided us in many ways. During a hard time of the pandemic that is affecting every one of us tremendously, the editorial office helped us make everything easier for publishing scientific work. Hope for a more scientific relationship with your Journal.
The peer-review process which consisted high quality queries on the paper. I did answer six reviewers’ questions and comments before the paper was accepted. The support from the editorial office is excellent.
Journal of Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery. I had the experience of publishing a research article recently. The whole process was simple from submission to publication. The reviewers made specific and valuable recommendations and corrections that improved the quality of my publication. I strongly recommend this Journal.
Dr. Katarzyna Byczkowska My testimonial covering: "The peer review process is quick and effective. The support from the editorial office is very professional and friendly. Quality of the Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions is scientific and publishes ground-breaking research on cardiology that is useful for other professionals in the field.
Thank you most sincerely, with regard to the support you have given in relation to the reviewing process and the processing of my article entitled "Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of The Prostate Gland: A Review and Update" for publication in your esteemed Journal, Journal of Cancer Research and Cellular Therapeutics". The editorial team has been very supportive.
Testimony of Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology: work with your Reviews has been a educational and constructive experience. The editorial office were very helpful and supportive. It was a pleasure to contribute to your Journal.
Dr. Bernard Terkimbi Utoo, I am happy to publish my scientific work in Journal of Women Health Care and Issues (JWHCI). The manuscript submission was seamless and peer review process was top notch. I was amazed that 4 reviewers worked on the manuscript which made it a highly technical, standard and excellent quality paper. I appreciate the format and consideration for the APC as well as the speed of publication. It is my pleasure to continue with this scientific relationship with the esteem JWHCI.
This is an acknowledgment for peer reviewers, editorial board of Journal of Clinical Research and Reports. They show a lot of consideration for us as publishers for our research article “Evaluation of the different factors associated with side effects of COVID-19 vaccination on medical students, Mutah university, Al-Karak, Jordan”, in a very professional and easy way. This journal is one of outstanding medical journal.
Dear Hao Jiang, to Journal of Nutrition and Food Processing We greatly appreciate the efficient, professional and rapid processing of our paper by your team. If there is anything else we should do, please do not hesitate to let us know. On behalf of my co-authors, we would like to express our great appreciation to editor and reviewers.
As an author who has recently published in the journal "Brain and Neurological Disorders". I am delighted to provide a testimonial on the peer review process, editorial office support, and the overall quality of the journal. The peer review process at Brain and Neurological Disorders is rigorous and meticulous, ensuring that only high-quality, evidence-based research is published. The reviewers are experts in their fields, and their comments and suggestions were constructive and helped improve the quality of my manuscript. The review process was timely and efficient, with clear communication from the editorial office at each stage. The support from the editorial office was exceptional throughout the entire process. The editorial staff was responsive, professional, and always willing to help. They provided valuable guidance on formatting, structure, and ethical considerations, making the submission process seamless. Moreover, they kept me informed about the status of my manuscript and provided timely updates, which made the process less stressful. The journal Brain and Neurological Disorders is of the highest quality, with a strong focus on publishing cutting-edge research in the field of neurology. The articles published in this journal are well-researched, rigorously peer-reviewed, and written by experts in the field. The journal maintains high standards, ensuring that readers are provided with the most up-to-date and reliable information on brain and neurological disorders. In conclusion, I had a wonderful experience publishing in Brain and Neurological Disorders. The peer review process was thorough, the editorial office provided exceptional support, and the journal's quality is second to none. I would highly recommend this journal to any researcher working in the field of neurology and brain disorders.
Dear Agrippa Hilda, Journal of Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery, Editorial Coordinator, I trust this message finds you well. I want to extend my appreciation for considering my article for publication in your esteemed journal. I am pleased to provide a testimonial regarding the peer review process and the support received from your editorial office. The peer review process for my paper was carried out in a highly professional and thorough manner. The feedback and comments provided by the authors were constructive and very useful in improving the quality of the manuscript. This rigorous assessment process undoubtedly contributes to the high standards maintained by your journal.
International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews. I strongly recommend to consider submitting your work to this high-quality journal. The support and availability of the Editorial staff is outstanding and the review process was both efficient and rigorous.
Thank you very much for publishing my Research Article titled “Comparing Treatment Outcome Of Allergic Rhinitis Patients After Using Fluticasone Nasal Spray And Nasal Douching" in the Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology. As Medical Professionals we are immensely benefited from study of various informative Articles and Papers published in this high quality Journal. I look forward to enriching my knowledge by regular study of the Journal and contribute my future work in the field of ENT through the Journal for use by the medical fraternity. The support from the Editorial office was excellent and very prompt. I also welcome the comments received from the readers of my Research Article.
Dear Erica Kelsey, Editorial Coordinator of Cancer Research and Cellular Therapeutics Our team is very satisfied with the processing of our paper by your journal. That was fast, efficient, rigorous, but without unnecessary complications. We appreciated the very short time between the submission of the paper and its publication on line on your site.
I am very glad to say that the peer review process is very successful and fast and support from the Editorial Office. Therefore, I would like to continue our scientific relationship for a long time. And I especially thank you for your kindly attention towards my article. Have a good day!
"We recently published an article entitled “Influence of beta-Cyclodextrins upon the Degradation of Carbofuran Derivatives under Alkaline Conditions" in the Journal of “Pesticides and Biofertilizers” to show that the cyclodextrins protect the carbamates increasing their half-life time in the presence of basic conditions This will be very helpful to understand carbofuran behaviour in the analytical, agro-environmental and food areas. We greatly appreciated the interaction with the editor and the editorial team; we were particularly well accompanied during the course of the revision process, since all various steps towards publication were short and without delay".
I would like to express my gratitude towards you process of article review and submission. I found this to be very fair and expedient. Your follow up has been excellent. I have many publications in national and international journal and your process has been one of the best so far. Keep up the great work.
We are grateful for this opportunity to provide a glowing recommendation to the Journal of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. We found that the editorial team were very supportive, helpful, kept us abreast of timelines and over all very professional in nature. The peer review process was rigorous, efficient and constructive that really enhanced our article submission. The experience with this journal remains one of our best ever and we look forward to providing future submissions in the near future.
I am very pleased to serve as EBM of the journal, I hope many years of my experience in stem cells can help the journal from one way or another. As we know, stem cells hold great potential for regenerative medicine, which are mostly used to promote the repair response of diseased, dysfunctional or injured tissue using stem cells or their derivatives. I think Stem Cell Research and Therapeutics International is a great platform to publish and share the understanding towards the biology and translational or clinical application of stem cells.
I would like to give my testimony in the support I have got by the peer review process and to support the editorial office where they were of asset to support young author like me to be encouraged to publish their work in your respected journal and globalize and share knowledge across the globe. I really give my great gratitude to your journal and the peer review including the editorial office.
I am delighted to publish our manuscript entitled "A Perspective on Cocaine Induced Stroke - Its Mechanisms and Management" in the Journal of Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery. The peer review process, support from the editorial office, and quality of the journal are excellent. The manuscripts published are of high quality and of excellent scientific value. I recommend this journal very much to colleagues.
Dr.Tania Muñoz, My experience as researcher and author of a review article in The Journal Clinical Cardiology and Interventions has been very enriching and stimulating. The editorial team is excellent, performs its work with absolute responsibility and delivery. They are proactive, dynamic and receptive to all proposals. Supporting at all times the vast universe of authors who choose them as an option for publication. The team of review specialists, members of the editorial board, are brilliant professionals, with remarkable performance in medical research and scientific methodology. Together they form a frontline team that consolidates the JCCI as a magnificent option for the publication and review of high-level medical articles and broad collective interest. I am honored to be able to share my review article and open to receive all your comments.
“The peer review process of JPMHC is quick and effective. Authors are benefited by good and professional reviewers with huge experience in the field of psychology and mental health. The support from the editorial office is very professional. People to contact to are friendly and happy to help and assist any query authors might have. Quality of the Journal is scientific and publishes ground-breaking research on mental health that is useful for other professionals in the field”.
Dear editorial department: On behalf of our team, I hereby certify the reliability and superiority of the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews in the peer review process, editorial support, and journal quality. Firstly, the peer review process of the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews is rigorous, fair, transparent, fast, and of high quality. The editorial department invites experts from relevant fields as anonymous reviewers to review all submitted manuscripts. These experts have rich academic backgrounds and experience, and can accurately evaluate the academic quality, originality, and suitability of manuscripts. The editorial department is committed to ensuring the rigor of the peer review process, while also making every effort to ensure a fast review cycle to meet the needs of authors and the academic community. Secondly, the editorial team of the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews is composed of a group of senior scholars and professionals with rich experience and professional knowledge in related fields. The editorial department is committed to assisting authors in improving their manuscripts, ensuring their academic accuracy, clarity, and completeness. Editors actively collaborate with authors, providing useful suggestions and feedback to promote the improvement and development of the manuscript. We believe that the support of the editorial department is one of the key factors in ensuring the quality of the journal. Finally, the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews is renowned for its high- quality articles and strict academic standards. The editorial department is committed to publishing innovative and academically valuable research results to promote the development and progress of related fields. The International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews is reasonably priced and ensures excellent service and quality ratio, allowing authors to obtain high-level academic publishing opportunities in an affordable manner. I hereby solemnly declare that the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews has a high level of credibility and superiority in terms of peer review process, editorial support, reasonable fees, and journal quality. Sincerely, Rui Tao.
Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions I testity the covering of the peer review process, support from the editorial office, and quality of the journal.
Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions, we deeply appreciate the interest shown in our work and its publication. It has been a true pleasure to collaborate with you. The peer review process, as well as the support provided by the editorial office, have been exceptional, and the quality of the journal is very high, which was a determining factor in our decision to publish with you.
The peer reviewers process is quick and effective, the supports from editorial office is excellent, the quality of journal is high. I would like to collabroate with Internatioanl journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews journal clinically in the future time.
Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude for the trust placed in our team for the publication in your journal. It has been a true pleasure to collaborate with you on this project. I am pleased to inform you that both the peer review process and the attention from the editorial coordination have been excellent. Your team has worked with dedication and professionalism to ensure that your publication meets the highest standards of quality. We are confident that this collaboration will result in mutual success, and we are eager to see the fruits of this shared effort.
Dear Dr. Jessica Magne, Editorial Coordinator 0f Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions, I hope this message finds you well. I want to express my utmost gratitude for your excellent work and for the dedication and speed in the publication process of my article titled "Navigating Innovation: Qualitative Insights on Using Technology for Health Education in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients." I am very satisfied with the peer review process, the support from the editorial office, and the quality of the journal. I hope we can maintain our scientific relationship in the long term.
Dear Monica Gissare, - Editorial Coordinator of Nutrition and Food Processing. ¨My testimony with you is truly professional, with a positive response regarding the follow-up of the article and its review, you took into account my qualities and the importance of the topic¨.
Dear Dr. Jessica Magne, Editorial Coordinator 0f Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions, The review process for the article “The Handling of Anti-aggregants and Anticoagulants in the Oncologic Heart Patient Submitted to Surgery” was extremely rigorous and detailed. From the initial submission to the final acceptance, the editorial team at the “Journal of Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions” demonstrated a high level of professionalism and dedication. The reviewers provided constructive and detailed feedback, which was essential for improving the quality of our work. Communication was always clear and efficient, ensuring that all our questions were promptly addressed. The quality of the “Journal of Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions” is undeniable. It is a peer-reviewed, open-access publication dedicated exclusively to disseminating high-quality research in the field of clinical cardiology and cardiovascular interventions. The journal's impact factor is currently under evaluation, and it is indexed in reputable databases, which further reinforces its credibility and relevance in the scientific field. I highly recommend this journal to researchers looking for a reputable platform to publish their studies.
Dear Editorial Coordinator of the Journal of Nutrition and Food Processing! "I would like to thank the Journal of Nutrition and Food Processing for including and publishing my article. The peer review process was very quick, movement and precise. The Editorial Board has done an extremely conscientious job with much help, valuable comments and advices. I find the journal very valuable from a professional point of view, thank you very much for allowing me to be part of it and I would like to participate in the future!”
Dealing with The Journal of Neurology and Neurological Surgery was very smooth and comprehensive. The office staff took time to address my needs and the response from editors and the office was prompt and fair. I certainly hope to publish with this journal again.Their professionalism is apparent and more than satisfactory. Susan Weiner
My Testimonial Covering as fellowing: Lin-Show Chin. The peer reviewers process is quick and effective, the supports from editorial office is excellent, the quality of journal is high. I would like to collabroate with Internatioanl journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews.
