Effect of Zein Coating on Inhibiting Histamine Produced by Enterobacter aerogene in Roasted Rabbit Legs during Storage at Different Temperatures

Abstract

The effects of zein coating on the total bacterial count, total volatile base nitrogen and histamine in high (5.0 log CFU/g) and low (2.0 log CFU/g) spiked roasted rabbit legs stored at different temperature (−20, 4, 20, and 37 °C) were studied. At 37 °C, the preservation effect of zein film was not obvious. If storage temperature was below 37 °C, zein coating inhibited microbial breeding and histamine production significantly. Freezing (−20 °C) is an effective way to inhibit the growth of microorganisms and histamine accumulation. However, microbes breed rapidly when samples defrosted at 20 °C. Compared to samples without coating, samples coated zein can store for 48 h at room temperature, and the total volatile base nitrogen is still below the threshold (< 30 mg/100 g). These results can provide a reference for the production of high quality meat related products with zein coating.