In-package cold plasma treatment of braised chicken: voltage effect

This study investigated the effect of different dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma(DBD-CP) treatment voltages on the microbiological growth and quality characteristics of braised chicken during storage at(4 ± 1) ℃. Argon-packed samples were subjected to DBD-CP treatment for 3 min at voltages of 50, 60 and 70 k V. As a result, there was no significant(P > 0.05) difference in L*, a*, b* and p H of braised chicken between control and treatment groups at the same storage time. However, the development of lipid oxidation in DBD-CP treatment samples was slower than that in air-packed samples. Compared to air-packed samples, the reduction of total viable count, yeasts and molds, lactic acid bacteria and Pseudomonads spp. in 70 k V treated samples on day 15 were 3.21, 2.41, 2.44 and 1.96 lg(CFU/g), respectively. The results indicate that DBD-CP treatment could extend the shelf life of braised chicken without negative impacts on quality characteristics.