Food Packaging
Soghra Valizadeh; Mehdi Sedaghatiyan; Farnaz Farahmandi; Sevda Ghaem Maghami
Abstract
Meat and meat products are highly susceptible to microbial spoilage and lipid oxidation, leading to rapid deterioration in quality and shortened shelf life. The growing concerns regarding synthetic preservatives have increased the interest in natural biodegradable alternatives. Whey protein isolate (WPI), ...
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Meat and meat products are highly susceptible to microbial spoilage and lipid oxidation, leading to rapid deterioration in quality and shortened shelf life. The growing concerns regarding synthetic preservatives have increased the interest in natural biodegradable alternatives. Whey protein isolate (WPI), a dairy by-product, offers excellent film-forming ability and oxygen barrier properties, making it a promising matrix for active edible coatings and films. This systematic review, conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, included a comprehensive literature search that was performed on Scopus and PubMed databases for original English-language articles published between 2010 and 2025. Eight original studies met the strict inclusion criteria, reporting the application of WPI or whey protein concentrate (WPC) films/coatings containing plant essential oils (EOs) or extracts to meat or meat products during storage. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses consistently identified phenolic monoterpenes (thymol, carvacrol, and eugenol) and diterpenes (carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid) as the primary bioactive compounds. Whey protein-EO systems reduced total viable counts by 1–5 log10 CFU/g and lipid oxidation markers (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and peroxide value) by 30–60% compared to controls. Thyme and Trachyspermum copticum EOs exhibited the strongest antimicrobial activity, whereas rosemary and laurel provided superior antioxidant protection. Nanoencapsulated and Pickering emulsion formulations consistently outperformed free EOs through sustained release. Whey protein–plant bioactive composites effectively extend the shelf life of meat and meat products through dual antimicrobial and antioxidant mechanisms, representing sustainable and clean-label solutions that support product safety and circular economy principles by valorizing dairy and plant by-products.
Food Safety
Omar Alizadeh; Fatemeh Rezaei
Abstract
Whey protein hydrolysates (WPHs) are recognized as a valuable source of bioactive peptides with multifunctional properties, especially their potent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. These characteristics make them attractive natural alternatives to synthetic preservatives and align with the growing ...
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Whey protein hydrolysates (WPHs) are recognized as a valuable source of bioactive peptides with multifunctional properties, especially their potent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. These characteristics make them attractive natural alternatives to synthetic preservatives and align with the growing consumer demand for clean-label and functional foods. In this study, lyophilized whey protein hydrolysates (LWPH) were incorporated into a butter-based model system to assess their potential as natural preservatives. Four formulations were prepared: (1) control (without additives), (2) butter with 1% (w/w) LWPH, (3) butter with 0.02% (w/w) butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and (4) butter with a combination of 1% (w/w) LWPH + 0.02% (w/w) BHT. All samples were stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 60 days, and quality parameters were periodically monitored. Lipid oxidation was determined by thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay, and microbial quality was evaluated through total viable count method. The results showed that the LWPH + BHT formulation significantly retarded lipid oxidation, but had weak antimicrobial activity. Moreover, the treated samples maintained better overall sensory acceptability throughout storage. These findings indicate that LWPH can serve as effective natural preservatives for extending the shelf life and maintaining the quality of lipid-rich foods such as butter.
