ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIAL OF BLACKTHORN AND RED CHERRY EXTRACTS IN NATURAL SAUSAGE CASINGS
<p>This study explores the use of natural plant extracts as a sustainable method to enhance the quality and safety of long-life sausages by incorporating them into natural edible casings. Ethanol (E) and aqueous (A) extracts of blackthorn (BT) and red cherry (RC), as well as their ethanol and water-based solutions, were prepared and analysed for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The analyses included the quantification of total phenols, non-flavonoids, flavonoids, flavonols, and anthocyanins, along with antioxidant activity assessments using FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS assays. Antimicrobial efficacy was tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (<em>Staphylococcus aureus</em>, <em>Bacillus cereus</em>, <em>Escherichia coli</em>, and <em>Salmonella enterica</em>) and mold <em>Penicillium expansum</em> via agar dilution methods to determine MIC and MBC/MFC.</p> <p>Results showed that ethanol extracts had higher antioxidant activity than aqueous ones (p<0.05), with the ethanol extract of blackthorn (EBT) containing the highest levels of phenolics (54.11 mg GAE/g d.e.) and exhibiting the strongest antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antifungal activities. Casings treated with EBTE (ethanol BT extract dissolved in ethanol) demonstrated significant antibacterial properties, particularly against Gram-negative bacteria. This study confirms that plant-extract-enriched natural casings can protect against oxidation and microbial spoilage, thereby enhancing the overall quality and safety of dry-cured sausages. </p>