This study evaluated the synergistic effects of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) pre-treatment of Desmonostoc alborzicum biomass and nanoencapsulation of phycoerythrin (PE) using chitosan–alginate on the preservation and quality of chicken fillets artificially inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus. Cyanobacterial biomass was exposed to dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma for 0, 5, 10, or 15 min before pigment extraction. PE was purified and encapsulated in a chitosan–alginate matrix, then applied to chicken fillets at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/mL and stored at 4 °C for 12 days. CAP treatment significantly improved PE concentration, purity, antioxidant capacity, and encapsulation efficiency, with the highest enhancement observed at 10- and 15-min exposures (p < 0.05). Fillets coated with nanoencapsulated PE exhibited reduced microbial growth, lipid oxidation, and protein degradation, along with improved pH stability and sensory attributes compared to untreated controls. The most effective preservation was achieved at 1.5 mg/mL PE combined with 15-min CAP exposure. These findings demonstrated that CAP stimulation of biomass before PE extraction, followed by nanoencapsulation, enhances PE bioactivity and provides a promising natural preservation strategy for protein-rich foods.
Nowruzi et al. (Fri,) studied this question.