Evaluation antimicrobial effects of new edible film from Persian gum in-corporated with Saffron extract and nisin, on chicken fillets under chilled conditions

Today, the use of biodegradable film is considered due to its environmental friendliness and ability to store biologically active compounds. A novel antimicrobial film was made from the soluble-phase of the Persian gum (SPG) incorporated methanolic extracts of Croccus sativus L. stigmas alone or in combination with nisin. Initially, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactricidal concentration (MBC) value of saffron and nisin extracts was determined by micro-dilution method and films by disk diffusion method against Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aerogenesis, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. Then saffron extract (MIC: 31.25 mg/ml and MBC: 62.5 mg/ml), and nisin (MIC: 0.256mg/ml) was added to the film formulation. The effect of films on the control of total viable count, Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria, Pseudomonas spp., mold and yeast of chicken breast during 12 days of storage at 4±1 °C, was studied every three days. The results showed that nisin compared to saffron extract has a better inhibitory effect on controlling the population of pathogenic bacteria. Also, the addition of nisin to the Persian gum film containing saffron extract showed a synergistic effect (%25) on inhibiting the growth of microbes. Based on the acceptable limit for total viable count (<7 log CFU/g) in fresh poultry meat, growth inhibition of target bacteria and shelf life (up to 12 days), Persian gum + nisin + saffron (MBC) film seems appropriate.