The color life of modified atmosphere packaged fresh red meat is extended by contacting the fresh red meat with an extract of a Labiatae herb prior to packaging the meat.

The present invention relates to preservation of meat products. In particular new additives are provided for effective inhibition or prevention of bacterial outgrowth in meat products. The present inventors found that a combination of carvacrol and a cationic surfactant was effective in the inhibition or prevention of bacterial outgrowth in meat products. The combinations, more in particular, proved to be effective at levels that do not result in significant effects on the flavor and/or taste of the products. The present inventors furthermore found that treatment of meat products with the combinations of this invention had a favorable effect on the visual appearance (color) of the meat products. The present invention provides preservative compositions, the use of thereof as well as the meat products containing them.

The present invention relates to preservation of meat products. In particular new additives are provided for effective inhibition or prevention of bacterial outgrowth in meat products. The present inventors found that a combination of carvacrol and a cationic surfactant was effective in the inhibition or prevention of bacterial outgrowth in meat products. The combinations, more in particular, proved to be effective at levels that do not result in significant effects on the flavor and/or taste of the products. The present inventors furthermore found that treatment of meat products with the combinations of this invention had a favorable effect on the visual appearance (color) of the meat products. The present invention provides preservative compositions, the use of thereof as well as the meat products containing them.

A nutritional composition including an oxidizable component and a water-soluble plant extract is provided. The water-soluble plant extract includes rosmarinic acid and has a total phenolic content, such that a ratio of the total phenolic content to the rosmarinic acid is between about 1.1:1 to about 3.5:1. A method of reducing off-flavors and aromas in a nutritional composition having an oxidizable component is also provided.

A nutritional composition including an oxidizable component and a water-soluble plant extract is provided. The water-soluble plant extract includes rosmarinic acid and has a total phenolic content, such that a ratio of the total phenolic content to the rosmarinic acid is between about 1.1:1 to about 3.5:1. A method of reducing off-flavors and aromas in a nutritional composition having an oxidizable component is also provided.

Antimicrobial compositions derived from edible plant sources such as essential oils, their active components, spices and plant extracts have shown antimicrobial effects against a number of foodborne pathogens. The foodborne pathogens of concern in meat and poultry products include Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes. The antimicrobial compositions were applied to a meat surface using liquid or powder electrostatic spray systems to effectively reduce the amount of pathogens on various meat and poultry products.

A substantially oil- and fat-free single phase, homogenous antioxidant formulation that is readily dispersible in lipid matrices at ambient temperature by gentle stirring. The formulation includes a phenolic antioxidant compound, a liquid carrier, preferably a metal chelator, an emulsifier, and a polarity modifier. In preferred embodiment, a combination of lipid-soluble and water-soluble antioxidant compounds is included to provide an improved antioxidant effect.

A substantially oil- and fat-free single phase, homogenous antioxidant formulation that is readily dispersible in lipid matrices at ambient temperature by gentle stirring. The formulation includes a phenolic antioxidant compound, a liquid carrier, preferably a metal chelator, an emulsifier, and a polarity modifier. In preferred embodiment, a combination of lipid-soluble and water-soluble antioxidant compounds is included to provide an improved antioxidant effect.

The present invention provides methods of producing high quality olive leaf powders using infrared dry blanching, drying, and milling. Also provided are powders prepared by the methods of the invention. The powders can be included in various food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and antimicrobial compositions.

The present invention provides methods of producing high quality olive leaf powders using infrared dry blanching, drying, and milling. Also provided are powders prepared by the methods of the invention. The powders can be included in various food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and antimicrobial compositions.