Identification of quality indicators in poultry breast meat under modified atmosphere packaging by solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with H2S sensors

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine volatile compounds as potential poultry meat quality indicators and validate a H2S sensor (H2S-BH sensor) for real-time monitoring of raw poultry breast meat quality. Volatile compounds of raw poultry breast meat under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) 50% N2+50% CO2 stored at refrigeration temperature were analyzed by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Microbiological analysis (aerobic plate count, anaerobic plate count, Escherichia coli (E.coli) and Lactic acid bacteria (LAB)) was carried as well for poultry breast meat quality evaluation. H2S sensors, humidity sensors and temperature sensors were embedded in some sample containers to access and transmit data for real-time quality monitoring.

In total 20 volatile compounds were identified and analyzed quantitatively. A correlation between microbiological counts and volatile compounds observed indicated the potential of volatile compounds as quality indicators. The sensors need further adjustment for application on quality detection of poultry meat products.