Evaluation of thyme (Zataria Multiflora Boiss) and cumin (Cuminum cyminum) essential oils effects on the shelf life of optimized burgers with surimi

Due to the increasing consumption of ready-made foods such as burgers and their popularity among the general population, the aim of the present study is to produce mixed burgers with different percentages of surimi and chicken minced and also, increasing the maintenance time of burgers by adding cumin and thyme essential oils (500 ppm) to burgers. First, surimi gel was produced and burgers formulated with the surimi and chicken minced based on applying the Response Surface Methodology. By analyzing the results of sensory evaluation using RSM that the best formula for burgers was chicken 37% + surimi 63%, then the pH, total volatile basic nitrogen, thiobarbituric acid and peroxide values and some microbiological characteristics were studied on selected burger for the duration of storage 27 days at 2 0C. The results showed that essential oils had a significant effect on the chemical and microbiological parameters in comparison with the control group (without essential oil) throughout the entire period. The use of thyme/cumin essential oils showed the good effect to extend the shelf life of fresh new formulated burgers. So that, in the presence of essential oils, the burgers can be stored for up to 9 days in terms of microbiological and chemical factors, although some of the chemical factors (TBA in all groups and TVN in the presence of essential oils) did not exclude the end of the maintenance period. The results show that optimum burger production with Surimi and chicken minced meat in the presence of essential oils is an appropriate option for the industries that sell their products as fresh meat products.