Rinse Treatment and Oxygen Barrier Properties of Films for Improving Quality Retention in Vacuum-Skin Packaged Fresh Chicken

ABSTRACT Fresh chicken drumsticks rinsed with water or salt solution (28% NaCl) were vacuum‐skin packaged in films differing in oxygen transmission rate (OTR) (< 10, 3000, ≥ 7000 cm3/m2/24 h). Salt rinsing decreased surface lightness (CIE L*). Higher OTR films maintained surface redness (CIE a*) better than oxygen barrier film. Neither rinse nor film OTR had any effect on yellowness (CIE b*). Salt rinsing drumsticks also reduced drip loss. Counts of aerobic and coliform bacteria increased during storage for product in all films. Within each film, salt‐rinsed drumsticks had lower counts at 3 and 6 d of storage (through 12 d) for total aerobic and coliform bacteria, respectively. Product in low OTR (barrier) film generally had lower bacteria counts than product in higher OTR films.