Effects of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) and Ramsons (Allium ursinum L.) on Lipid Oxidation and the Microbiological Quality, Physicochemical Properties and Sensory Attributes of Rabbit Meat Burgers

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Modern consumers often look for convenience foods that are fast and easy to prepare, such as burgers. Burgers can be made from different types of meat with various additives. Due to its high nutritional value and low calorie and fat content, rabbit meat can be used as a raw material for preparing burgers. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of their food choices, and they tend to avoid synthetic and artificial ingredients in meat products, which can be toxic. In order to meet customer expectations, producers often replace synthetic additives with natural alternatives that extend the shelf life of meat products and enhance their taste and aroma. Garlic is widely used in the meat processing industry, and it pairs well with rabbit meat. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of rabbit meat burgers with the addition of garlic powder, ramsons powder or their combination. It was found that garlic powder and ramsons powder can be added to rabbit meat burgers to extend their shelf life and improve their sensory attributes. ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of rabbit meat burgers with the addition of garlic (Allium Sativum L.) powder (G), ramsons (Allium ursinum L.) powder (R) or their combination (GR). The effects of additives on lipid oxidation, color parameters, microbiological quality and organoleptic properties of raw and oven-baked burgers were analyzed before and after refrigerated storage. Four meat formulations were prepared: control (C)—without additives, with the addition of G (0.35 g/100 g of meat), R (0.35 g/100 g of meat) and GR (0.35 g/100 g of meat each). The addition of GR induced an increase in pH and TBARS values in raw and oven-baked burgers. The pH of raw and oven-baked burgers was also affected by storage time (ST), and it was lower after 7 days of storage (ST7) than before storage (ST0). TBARS values were higher at ST7 only in raw burgers. The addition of R and GR decreased the values of color parameter L* (lightness) relative to G and C in raw and oven-baked burgers. The greatest changes in parameter a* (redness) were observed after the addition of R and GR, both before and after heat treatment. The values of parameter b* (yellowness) increased after the addition of R, GR (raw and oven-baked burgers) and G (raw burgers). In raw burgers, color saturation (C*) was higher in groups R and GR than in groups C and G, and the value of hue angle (h°) was lower in burgers with GR than in those with G and R. In oven-baked burgers, the values of C* and h° were lower in group GR than in the remaining treatments (C, G and R). In raw burgers, ST had no effect on the values of L*, whereas the values of parameters a*, b*, C* and h° were lower at ST7 than at ST0. In oven-baked burgers, the values of L* were higher at ST0 than at ST7, and the values of a*, b*, C* and h° were higher at ST7 than at ST0. The tested additives had no influence on the presence of off-odors in raw burgers. This parameter was affected by ST, and its value was lower at ST0 than at ST7. The appearance and overall acceptability of burgers were affected only by additives, and raw burgers containing GR received the lowest scores. After heat treatment, control burgers scored lowest for all attributes, whereas burgers with the addition of R and GR received the highest scores. The analyzed additives had no effect on the growth of Enterobacteriacea, Pseudomonas spp., lactic acid bacteria or total aerobic psychrotrophic bacteria. However, the counts of all identified bacteria increased at ST7. In conclusion, garlic powder and ramsons powder can be added to rabbit meat burgers to extend their shelf life and improve their eating quality.