Bio-preservative effect of the essential oil of the endemic Mentha piperita used alone and in combination with BacTN635 in stored minced beef meat

• Mentha piperita essential oil (EOMP) was a rich source of menthol and iso-menthone.
• EOMP presents higher antimicrobial activity against food-borne pathogens.
• EOMP at 0.5% + BacTN635 at 1000 AU/g extend the shelf life of beef meat by 7 days.

The major compounds in Mentha piperita essential oil (EOMP) were menthol (33.59%) and iso-menthone (33%). The biopreservative effect of EOMP used alone at 0.25 or 0.5% and in combination with the semi-purified bacteriocin BacTN635 at 500 or 1000 AU/g, on minced beef meat was evaluated by microbiological, physicochemical and sensory analyses during storage at 4 °C for 21 days. EOMP used alone limited the microbial deterioration of minced meat (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the combination between EOMP and BacTN635 led to a decrease in TBARS values and slowed down the accumulation of MetMb. This combination was more efficient (P < 0.05) against microflora proliferation and enhanced the sensory acceptability extending thus the shelf life of meat beef by approximately 7 days. On the basis of these results, physicochemical and sensorial parameters could be used for constructing regression models to predict overall acceptability. Overall, the strongest preservative effect was achieved by using the combination of EOMP at 0.5% with BacTN535 at 1000 AU/g.