Antioxidants in Poultry Meat Products: Quality, Safety and Health Aspects

Abstract

Background. There are projections that the global population might increase to around 10 billion people by 2050. This will lead to an increase in total global food demand of 35% to 56% between 2010 and 2050. Therefore, one of food producers' main goals should be to increase the quality of food products. Furthermore, current consumer income fluctuations may affect changes in the types of food purchased. The use of natural antioxidants may satisfy the growing interest of poultry consumers. In numerous literature studies, there is a trend toward utilizing natural antioxidants as replacements for synthetic ones. The aim of this study is to provide a review of recent studies which describe the use of natural antioxidants in poultry meat production and their effect on final product quality. Results and conclusion. This review presents an overview of the latest advances in the application of natural antioxidant compounds in poultry meat and processed meat products to improve their quality and shelf-life. In human nutrition and health, antioxidant nutrition remains the topic of a continuing debate. Natural antioxidants efficiently increase the shelf-life of poultry products. Lipid peroxidation decreases in meat when natural antioxidants are supplemented in feed, and the use of natural antioxidants could be an effective strategy to maintain the optimal quality of processed poultry products.