Research article Ερευνητικό άρθρο J HELLENIC VET MED SOC 2019, 70(2): 1495-1502 ΠΕΚΕ 2019, 70(2): 1495-1502 ABSTRACT. Edible chitosan coating on the surface of ready-to-eat (RTE) bovine meatballs was evaluated for its efect on their shelf life and the control of Listeria monocytogenes at 5 °C. L. monocytogenes was inoculated onto the surface of RTE bovine meatballs with and without edible chitosan coating. The samples were stored at 5 °C. Total aerobic viable count (TVC) and the bacterial counts of L. monocytogenes, lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae were determined on days 0,1,7,14,21 and 28. The sensory characteristics were also evaluated at the same time spots by semi trained panelists. The results of the microbiological analysis depicted that the use of edible chitosan membranes reduced all of the microbial populations that were enumerated, and retarded their growth leading to the conclusion that they can prolong the shelf life of these products by 14 days. Moreover, the population of the inoculated L. monocyto- genes was about 2 log CFU/g lower in the meatballs coated with chitosan, indicating an inhibitory efect of chitosan in the growth of L. monocytogenes. The sensory analysis showed that the samples coated with chitosan were satisfactorily accepted by the panelists even at day 28, in contrast to the samples without chitosan (control samples) which were unacceptable at day 14. These results indicate that edible chitosan coatings represent a potential agent in controlling L. monocytogenes on the surface of RTE meatballs as well as other RTE meat products, prolonging their shelf life without afecting their sensory characteristics. Keywords: Chitosan, L. monocytogenes, Ready-To-Eat meatballs, shelf life Efect of chitosan coating on the shelf life of ready-to-eat bovine meatballs and the control of Listeria monocytogenes growth on their surface during refrigeration storage D. Antoniadou 1 , A. Govaris 2 , I. Ambrosiadis 3 , D. Sergelidis 1 1 Laboratory of Hygiene of Foods of Animal Origin-Veterinary Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University, 54 124 Thessaloniki, Greece 2 Laboratory of Hygiene of Foods of Animal Origin, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 224 Trikalon Street, 43100 Karditsa, Greece 3 Laboratory of Technology of Foods of Animal Origin, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Εδασ ε τ στ    ε εφτδ α τ ε τ ατ τ Listeria monocytogenes στ εφεα τ ατ τ δεα στσ τ   Δ. Ατδ 1 , A. Γα 2 , Ι. Ασδ 3 , Δ. εεδ 1 Corresponding Author: D. Antoniadou, Laboratory of Hygiene of Foods of Animal Origin-Veterinary Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University, 54 124, Thessaloniki, Greece E-mail address: dimi.antoniadou@gmail.com Date of initial submission: 28-06-2018 Date of revised submission: 16-11-2018 Date of acceptance: 17-12-2018