The inhibitory activity of p-coumaric acid on quorum sensing and its enhancement effect on meat preservation

Abstract

The transparent inhibition zone by p-coumaric acid (pCA) proving its inhibitory effect on quorum sensing. The treatment with a mixture of 0.1% Potassium Sorbate (PS)+0.01% pCA resulted in gradual inhibition of the viable counts of meat. In addition, the microbial counts of the samples treated with the mixture of pCA and PS were significantly lower than that treated with PS alone, which indicated that the effect of the mixture on bacteria and protein decomposition was stronger than that of PS alone, which can better delay the spoilage of meat. P-coumaric acid reduced the generation of biogenic amines, mitigating the spoilage of chilled pork meat. During sensory evaluation, pork meat treated with the mixture of pCA and PS scored higher than the control group. P-coumaric acid could be used to reduce the amount of PS, and the application of the mixture greatly enhanced the preservation efficiency and the quality of pork.