The effectiveness of calamansi (Citrus microcarpa) extract in enhancing the shelf life and quality of dakgalbi made from domestic Korean chicken

This study investigated calamansi extract (CE) as a natural preservative for dakgalbi, a spicy Korean chicken dish. Chicken breast and thigh meat were treated with 0.14% or 0.18% CE and stored at 4°C for 19 days. The antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of CE were evaluated before application. The total phenolic content (TPC) of CE shows 15.22±0.39 mg GAE/g DM. The changes in proximate composition, pH, water holding capacity (WHC), instrumental color, microbial quality, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and sensory properties of dakgalbi were assessed. The results showed that 0.18CE treatment of the breast meat significantly (p<0.05) enhanced WHC on day 19 of storage (56.47 %) compared with that of the control (47.21 %). Additionally, 0.18CE reduced total aerobic bacteria (5.48 CFU/g) and coliforms (3.29 CFU/g) compared to the control (6.27 CFU/g and 3.75 CFU/g, respectively) on day 16 of storage. Additionally, CE application effectively retarded lipid oxidation, as demonstrated by the reduced TBARS values seen until the 19 days of storage, suggesting a potent antioxidative action. CE treatment effectively maintained the sensory quality without negatively affecting the sensory characteristics. The study concluded that the CE, particularly at 0.18%, significantly improved the preservation of dakgalbi, highlighting its potential as a natural preservative. This investigation underscores the importance of further research on the application of CE in various meat products and its mechanisms of action, aiming at enhancing food safety and sustainability within the food industry.