Effect of Marinade of Fermented Unpasteurised Fruit Vinegars on Poultry Meat Quality

The aim of the study undertaken was to determine the effect of a marinade using unpasteurised fruit vinegars and spirit vinegar, on the quality of raw poultry meat fresh (F) and after thawing (S). The raw material for the study was chicken breast muscle fillets. The meat was divided into two batches (F and S). This study evaluated the potency of unpasteurized quince, apple, grape and cherry fruit vinegars. The effect of the type of fruit vinegar used in the marinating process on the pH value of the meat was shown. Meat (F) marinated in fruit vinegars had a lower pH (4.55–5.04 pH) compared to the control group (5.65 pH). When poultry meat (F, S) was marinated in fruit vinegars, there was a brightening of colour, as evidenced by the higher values of the (L*) component. The use of vinegar in marinating poultry affected the rheological characteristics: hardness, elasticity, chewiness, gumminess, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, stringiness and bumpiness (p < 0.05) depending on the type of fruit vinegar used. The type of poultry meat used (F) and (S) in the marinating process had an effect (p < 0.05) on hardness, springiness, chewiness adhesiveness, and bumpiness, but not on their (p > 0.05) gumminess, cohesiveness, stringiness. Using unpasteurized fruit vinegars to marinate poultry meat can be an attractive alternative to commonly used marinades.