eng Science and Education Publishing American Journal of Food Science and Technology 2333-4835 2023-07-5 11 2 57 60 10.12691/ajfst-11-2-5 AJFST20231125 article Tehilah Feye G. Bautista tehilahfeyeofficial@gmail.com 1 Dan Daniel B. Neri 1 Nicole F. Diaz 1 Imma Avril Lucero 1 Ian Jay P. Saldo 1 Mary Jade P. Dandoy 1 Jhovel Roy D. Calo 1 Integrated Basic Education Department, San Isidro College, Malaybalay City, 8700 Philippines Antimicrobial agents, or preservatives, are food additives that protect stored food from bacteria. Plant-derived preservatives from leaves, fruits, and seeds inhibit microbial development in food, extending shelf life. The study aimed to assess and compare the quality of meat treated with plant-derived and commercial preservatives on meat through sensory evaluation Plant-derived preservatives from lemon (Citrus limon), citrus peels, basil (Ocimum basilicum), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), and peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) were extracted using maceration extraction, and commercial preservatives (Sodium Nitrite). The quality of Sirloin Tip Side Steak beef treated with plant-derived and commercial preservatives was assessed using a purposive survey by the eight established meat sellers assessing the meat¡¯s color, texture, and smell. The result¡¯s significance was analyzed using T-test. The result of the study showed that plant-derived preservatives preserved the beef with a rate of good quality, averaging 2.88, SD=0.57, while commercial preservatives preserved meat with a rate of poor quality with a mean=2.22, SD=0.54. Generally, the study¡¯s result indicates that the plant-derived preservatives have significantly preserved the meat¡¯s color, texture and smell compared to commercial preservatives. Based on the result, it is recommended to use plants that could enhance the color of the meat, not plants that could alter the meat¡¯s color. http://pubs.sciepub.com/ajfst/11/2/5/ajfst-11-2-5.pdf basil citrus peels commercial preservatives lemon peppermint plant-derived preservatives preservatives purposive survey sodium nitrite