Pecan shells seem to be a viable product to
counter food-poisoning Listeria bacteria on organic chicken meat.
A study by the Institute of Food Technologies
says extracts were taken from raw pecan shells and found capable of killing
Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes.
The study has been published in the Journal of Food Science.
The authors also report that the extract from
pecan shells reduced spoilage organisms by more than 1,000 times. That would increase the shelf life of the
chicken.
The researchers concluded that the natural
pecan shell extracts may prove to be an effective alternative antimicrobial
against food pathogens and supplement the demand for organic antimicrobials.
Yes, but is it safe?
Just because it’s natural
and organic does not mean it’s safe to use on food for human consumption
because the extract just might kill humans, too.
