New Chitosan Film Containing Additive Diselenide with a Long Alkyl Chain as an Innovative Material for Extending Poultry Meat Quality During Storage

Abstract In this study, the innovative chitosan-based edible film, fortified for the first time with an organoselenium compound, diethyl 12,12′-((2,2′-diselanediylbis(benzoyl))bis(azanediyl)) didodecanoate (RC12OOEt-DS), was prepared to enhance the quality of chicken meat during storage, which was determined by the level of biogenic amines. Over a 5-day storage period, unprotected meat samples exhibited a sharp increase in total biogenic amines content (99.06 mg/kg) and a biogenic amine index of 75.16 mg/kg. In contrast, meat samples wrapped with the selenium-enriched film maintained lower biogenic amines levels. They remained fresh for up to 9 days, with biogenic amines content and biogenic amine index values of 75.99 mg/kg and 48.60 mg/kg, respectively. The biogenic amine index scores indicated that the unprotected meat became unsuitable for consumption after 5 days. In contrast, after 9 days, the selenium-film-protected meat only reached a poor-quality classification. The RC 12 OOEt-DS-enriched film significantly extended the meat’s shelf life by reducing bacterial growth and inhibiting lipid oxidation, as indicated by lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels. Any doubts considered with the safety of using selenium compounds have been thoroughly described based on several published studies.