Fruit Extracts Incorporated into Meat Products as Natural Antioxidants, Preservatives, and Colorants

Nowadays, natural antioxidants, especially those found in fruits, are preferred over synthetic ones when used in a variety of meat products. Natural alternatives are preferred by consumers because synthetic additives in meat products have been connected to allergic reactions and other health-related problems. Fruits are abundant in phenolic compounds, providing them with particularly powerful antioxidants. Lipid oxidation is inhibited, allowing meat products to have an extended shelf life when enriched with fruit-derived components. The present study explores the potential of bioactive compounds derived from fruits, specifically phenolics, to improve the quality of meat products by virtue of their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and color-stabilizing qualities. In this review, the effects of 18 fruits on oxidative stability, antimicrobial activity, and color enhancement in meat products were investigated. The first section of this paper focuses on a presentation of the phytochemical composition and overall biological characteristics of the fruits. The thiobarbituric acid test, the peroxide value, and oxidative protein changes were used to assess oxidative stability. By scavenging free radicals or chelating metals, the phenolic compounds not only prevent lipid peroxidation but also protect myoglobin from oxidation, thereby improving the color of meat substitutes. Phenolic compounds provide antimicrobial actions by compromising bacterial cell walls, disrupting membrane integrity, or inhibiting essential enzymes necessary for microbial growth. Fruit extracts have shown effectiveness against foodborne pathogens and spoiling bacteria. Adding fruits to meat products is a promising way to improve their nutritional profile, sustainability, and quality. In order to guarantee consumer safety, future studies must concentrate on thorough toxicological analyses of fruit extracts meant to be used in food.