Effects of chitosan coating combined with essential oils on quality and antioxidant enzyme activities of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) fillets stored at 4 °C

Effects of chitosan coating combined with essential oils from clove, cinnamon and lemon grass on quality and antioxidant enzyme activities of grass carp fillets stored at 4 ± 0.5 °C were evaluated. The quality parameters (including pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N), K value, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value, shear force and total viable count (TVC)) and antioxidant enzyme activities were analysed periodically. The results indicated that composite chitosan coatings presented better preservation effects than chitosan coating alone. In addition, chitosan–clove essential oil coating had the best quality enhancement effects among treatments by inhibiting deterioration of physicochemical quality and microbial growth and maintaining antioxidant enzyme activities of fillets during refrigerated storage. The negative correlation was observed between the changes in TBA values and antioxidant enzyme activities in fillets. Based on these findings, chitosan–essential oil coatings effectively mitigated oxidative stress and extended shelf life of refrigerated grass carp fillets.     

The impact of fermentation at elevated temperature on quality attributes and biogenic amines formation of low-salt fermented fish

To accelerate fermentation and improve quality of fermented fish, the impact of fermentation at elevated temperature on physicochemical, microbiological and flavour characteristics, as well as biogenic amines (BAs) accumulation of low-salt fermented fish was investigated. Results showed that increasing temperature at later stage significantly promoted the growth of lactic acid bacteria, retarded the reduction of yeast and increased the titratable acidity, while staphylococci and enterobacteriaceae were inhibited to higher extent when fermented at elevated temperature. BAs contents in samples fermented at 30 °C during later stage were lower than those in the group fermented at 25 °C for 28 days, and the lowest values were observed in the sample initially fermented at 25 °C for 10 days followed by fermentation at 30 °C for 18 days. Furthermore, fermentation at elevated temperature at later stage favoured the formation of desired volatile flavour compounds. Results suggested that fermentation at elevated temperature at later stage could reduce BAs accumulation and enhance quality attributes of low-salt fermented fish.     

Influence of chitosan/clay functional bionanocomposite activated with rosemary essential oil on the shelf life of fresh silver carp

A combination of chitosan biopolymer, nanoclay and rosemary essential oil was prepared as a functional bionanocomposite (FBN). Its ability to improve the shelf life of refrigerated (4 ± 1 °C) silver carp fillets was studied. The fresh fillets were left untreated as a control or coated with chitosan, chitosan/clay bionanocomposite and chitosan/clay/rosemary essential oil (Ch/clay/REO) FBN. Then, they were evaluated for chemical, microbial and sensory properties over 16‐day storage. The samples coated with the FBN had the lowest pH and total volatile basic nitrogen. Ch/clay/REO coating efficiently retarded lipid oxidation by decreasing peroxide, free fatty acid and thiobarbituric acid production in the samples. The coating also reduced total viable and psychrotrophic count of the fillets more than 1.5 log by the end of storage.     

苗族发酵型白酸汤的生产工艺

以大米、糯米、鲜嫩玉米为原料,人工接种苗族农家老酸汤生产发酵型白酸汤。通过对发酵时间、发酵温度、接菌量的研究,确定发酵白酸汤生产工艺的最佳参数。结果表明:以大米、糯米、鲜嫩玉米的混合谷物作为原料(混合比例2:1:1)、老酸汤接种量(体积分数)15%、发酵温度40℃、发酵时间3d,制得的酸汤气味芳香,酸度适口,具有苗族酸汤独特的风味。     

Angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant activity of bioactive peptides produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of skin from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

Grass carp skin pieces were homogenized in water and hydrolyzed by Alcalase®, collagenase, proteinase K, and/or trypsin at their optimum conditions. Samples were taken at various degrees of hydrolysis and were evaluated for antioxidant, antimicrobial, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activities. Alcalase and collagenase completely hydrolyzed the skin with different rates, and released peptides with antioxidant and angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitory activity. These activities increased linearly with increasing degrees of hydrolysis. Subsequent incubation of the collagenase hydrolysates with trypsin slightly increased the antioxidant activity. Proteinase K, although only partially hydrolyzing the skin, also catalyzed the release of peptides with antioxidant and angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitory activities. These results show that skin by-products from grass carp can be a source of bioactive peptides produced by a one-step reaction. Such hydrolysates may be applied in food products to prolong shelf life and provide beneficial effects on blood pressure.