Evaluation of methyl cellulose edible coating incorporated with Carum copticum L. essential oil and Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) extract on growth control of Listeria monocytogenes inoculated to chicken meat portions storaged at 4˚C

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne bacterial pathogen causing Listeriosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of methyl cellulose edible coatings containing Carum copticum L. essential oil and turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) extract to control the growth of L. monocytogenes inoculated in chicken portions storaged at 4°C. For this purpose, chicken meat samples were coated with different concentrations of 0.3, 0.45 and 0.65% of essential oil and concentrations of 0.25 and 0.5% of turmeric extract. In the control group, sterile distilled water was used instead of the solution. The samples were coated by dipping method. All specimens were then stored in the refrigerator and counted for L. monocytogenes on days 0, 4 and 8. In the present study, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Carum copticum essential oil was 0.064%. The results of this study showed that there is a significant difference between L. monocytogenes population in coated and non-coated chicken samples (p<0.001). Statistical analysis showed that the mean log of the number of bacteria in all groups from day 1 to 8 showed a decreasing trend. In total, according to the results, it can be concluded that methyl cellulose coating containing Carum copticum EO with turmeric extract can be used to control the growth of L. monocytogenes in chicken meat.