Using polyphenol-rich extracts from tropical fruit byproducts to control lipid and protein oxidation in cooked chicken models

The present work aimed to analyse the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities of peel and seed extracts obtained from three tropical fruits: papaya, mango, and loquat, with different solvents (water, ethanol, and water:ethanol, 1:1) and evaluate their potential effects as antioxidants in a cooked chicken model under refrigerated storage. In the seed and peel extracts produced, bioactive compounds (total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, and condensed tannins) were quantified. Additionally, antioxidant activities (ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP) were assayed spectrophotometrically. Seed extracts from the three fruits were selected for application in a cooked chicken model in which colour, lipids, and protein oxidation were evaluated during refrigerated storage. Moreover, compared with the other extracts, the mango seed extracts (MSEs), irrespective of the extraction solvent used, had the highest contents of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities. MSEs significantly reduced the CIE L* and increased the CIE a* while effectively controlling lipid and protein oxidation in cooked chicken models during refrigerated storage. Due to their high antioxidant activity and high concentration of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and condensed tannins, MSEs are interesting sources of natural antioxidants and bioactive compounds for use in the meat industry.