Nonthermal plasma treatment of packaged broiler breast fillets to reduce natural microflora and Campylobacter jejuni

Spoilage organisms and pathogens are commonly associated with fresh broiler meat. A nonthermal dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma system was developed as an antimicrobial treatment for fresh broiler breast fillets (BBF). Experiments were designed and conducted to determine the ability of the DBD plasma system to reduce spoilage organisms and Campylobacter jejuni. After log cycle reductions were achieved, a test was run to determine the effect of the log cycle reduction on the shelf life of the BBF.A treatment voltage of 75 kV was administered for 3 or 5 min depending on the particular experiment. The DBD plasma system was able to produce a log cycle reduction of ~2.00 cfu/ml for both spoilage organisms and C. jejuni. Treatment with the DBD plasma system was able to maintain the microbial quality of the fresh BBF for 14 d (4C) which is ~7 d longer than typical shelf life. This system proves that it has the ability to improve safety and quality of fresh BBF.