Abstract
The effect of the type of packaging film (transparent vs. light-protecting red film) was evaluated on the formation of cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) in refrigerated horse meat slices stored in retail conditions under light exposure for 8h. In meat wrapped with a transparent film, COPs increased from 233 (control) to 317μg/g of fat, whereas the red film delayed cholesterol oxidation and offered protection against COPs formation, since COPs decreased from 173 (control) to 139μg/g of fat after 8h of light exposure. In addition, light opened the epoxy ring and led to the formation of triol, which was actually absent at T0. A proper packaging film may represent a useful strategy to retard oxidative degradation in a light-sensitive, high pigment- and fat-containing food, such as horse meat. © 2010.