Quality and shelf life assessment of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) freshly harvested and stored on ice

Pacific white shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei) are an important shrimp aquaculture species worldwide. To quantify the quality and shelf life of untreated shrimp is imperative prior to the application of preservative treatments. In this paper, the quality and shelf life of Pacific white shrimp freshly harvested from three different farms and stored on ice for up to 12 days was investigated. The titratable acidity (TA) of shrimp specimens exhibited significant decreases (P < 0.05) whereas the metric chroma (C), total colour difference (TCD), aerobic plate count (APC), trimethylamine (TMA-N) and total volatile basic – nitrogen (TVB-N), peroxide value (PV) and p-anisidine value (AnV) exhibited significant increases during iced storage (P < 0.05). The TMA-N and TVB-N were significantly correlated whereas temporal TMA-N/TVB-N ratio increased considerably (P < 0.05). While the PV and AnV significantly correlated (P < 0.05), the temporal PV/AnV ratio depicted how primary and secondary lipid oxidation of Pacific white shrimp could relate during iced storage of 12 days. The shelf life of ice stored Pacific white shrimps was determined to be 8 days. The information gained by this study could serve as baseline for preservative treatments applied to fresh shrimps.     

Shelf-life extension of crucian carp (Carassius auratus) using natural preservatives during chilled storage

The effect of the natural preservatives, tea polyphenols and rosemary extract, on microbiological [total viable count (TVC)], chemical [pH, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N), K-value and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values], texture and sensory changes of air-packaged whole crucian carp (Carassius auratus) stored at 4 ± 1 °C was investigated for 20 days. The shelf-life of crucian carp was found to be 7–8 days for untreated group (control), 13–14 days for tea polyphenols group and 15–16 days for rosemary extract treated group according to sensory assessment results, for which the corresponding microbiological assessment also showed an increased shelf-life. Meanwhile, the increases of pH, TVB-N, K-value and TBA values were significantly delayed in both treated groups of samples compared to the control group. Thus, either tea polyphenols or rosemary extract could be used as potential preservatives to extend the shelf-life of crucian carp during chilled storage.     

Effects of chitosan coating on quality and shelf life of silver carp during frozen storage

The effects of chitosan coating on quality and shelf life of silver carp during frozen storage were investigated. Fish samples were treated with aqueous solution of 2% chitosan, and then stored at −3 °C for 30 days. The control and the treated fish samples were analyzed periodically for microbiological (total viable count), chemical (pH, TBA, TVB-N, K-value), and sensory characteristics. The results indicated that the effect of chitosan coating on fish samples was to retain their good quality characteristics and extend the shelf life during frozen storage, which was supported by the results of microbiological, chemical, and sensory evaluation analyses.     

Pink discoloration and quality changes of squid (Loligo formosana) during iced storage

Pink discoloration and quality changes of squid (6-10 squids/kg) with and without deskinning during iced storage at different squid/ice ratios (1:1 and 1:2, w/w) for 16 days were investigated. The increases in a* and b*-values of squid mantle were observed with increasing storage time (p < 0.05), indicating the formation of pink color on the mantle. The increase was more pronounced in squid without deskinning with a squid/ice ratio of 1:1 (p < 0.05). No changes in a*-value were observed in deskinned squid throughout the storage, regardless of squid/ice ratio (p > 0.05). However, the slight increase in b*-value was found in the squid with deskinning during the storage. Psychrophilic bacteria counts of squid increased continuously as the storage time increased. Coincidental increases in total volatile base (TVB), trimethylamine (TMA) and ammonia contents were observed during the storage. The rates of increase were greater in the samples with a squid/ice ratio of 1:1 than those found in the samples kept in ice with a squid/ice ratio of 1:2. Pink discoloration, psychrophilic bacteria count, TVB and TMA contents were much lowered when the squid without deskinning was treated with 0.1 g/100 mL sodium azide (NaN₃) prior to storage, suggesting that microbial growth was associated with those changes. Therefore, deskinning together with icing using a sufficient amount of ice as well as the use of safe antimicrobial agent could be a means to lower the pink discoloration and retard the losses in quality of squid stored in ice.     

Changes of lipids in sardine (Sardinella gibbosa) muscle during iced storage

Changes in lipids of sardine (Sardinella gibbosa) muscle during 15 days of iced storage were investigated. Lipid deterioration, lipolysis and lipid oxidation, occurred throughout the storage. The progressive peroxide formation was monitored by the increase in the absorbance band at 3600–3200 cm⁻¹ in Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and increased peroxide values were observed in sardine muscle up to 6 days of iced storage, followed by a continuous decrease from then for 9 days (P < 0.05). The increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) was noticeable throughout the iced storage (P < 0.05). However, no difference in conjugated diene (CD) of sardine muscle was found within the first 12 days of iced storage (P > 0.05). Marked decreases in unsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; C20:5(n − 3)) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6(n − 3)) were observed as the storage time increased. Those changes indicated that lipid oxidation occurred in sardine muscle. A gradual increase in free fatty acid formation, with decreases in triglyceride and phospholipid contents, was found during iced storage (P < 0.05), suggesting hydrolysis induced by lipases and phospholipases.     

The use of thyme and laurel essential oil treatments to extend the shelf life of bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) during storage in ice

The objective of this investigation was to study the effect of thyme and laurel essential oil treatments on the quality of bluefish during storage in ice for 13?days. The quality of bluefish during storage time was evaluated by sensory, chemical, physical, physicochemical and microbiological analysis. According to the sensory evaluation results, shelf life of control and treated bluefish samples stored in ice were 9 and 11?days, respectively. Total volatile base nitrogen and trimethylamine values gave acceptable results for up to 9?days for the control groups samples and 13?days for treated groups. Free fatty acid, peroxide and thiobarbituric acid values for treated samples were lower than the control. Microbial growth during storage in ice for control samples was higher than treated samples. The results obtained from this study showed that the shelf life of stored bluefish in ice has extended by 3?C4?days compare to the control samples.     

Changes in physico-chemical properties and gel-forming ability of lizardfish (Saurida tumbil) during post-mortem storage in ice

Changes in physico-chemical properties and gel-forming ability of lizardfish muscle (Saurida tumbil), stored in ice, were investigated up to 15 days. Heading and eviscerating, prior to iced storage, retarded myosin heavy chain degradation and formaldehyde formation. Additionally, denaturation of myosin and troponin was slightly impeded as monitored by the lower decrease in Ca²⁺-ATPase and lower increase in Mg²⁺–EGTA-ATPase, respectively. Gel-forming ability of surimi, prepared under different setting and/or heating conditions, decreased as storage time increased (P<0.05). However, superior breaking force and deformation of surimi gel, from headed/eviscerated fish, to that from whole fish was observed throughout the storage. Whiteness of surimi gel from headed/eviscerated fish was much higher than that from whole fish, especially when the storage time increased. Therefore, storage time and pretreatment were found to be crucial factors, determining the changes in physico-chemical properties and gel-forming ability of lizardfish during iced storage.     

Acid-induced aggregation of actomyosin from silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

Acid-induced denaturation and aggregation properties of silver carp actomyosin added with d-gluconic acid-δ-lactone (GDL) during incubation at chilled temperature (4 °C) were studied. Actomyosin underwent aggregation with decreasing pH, as evidenced by increased turbidity and decreased protein solubility in 0.6 M NaCl solution. Ca²⁺-ATPase activity decreased continually with increasing incubation time in the presence of GDL, accompanied by an initial increase in surface reactive sulphydryl (SH) content, indicating the conformation changes of actomyosin during acidification. Protein solubility in selected solvents and electrophoresis analysis showed that the major myofibrillar proteins, particularly, myosin heavy chain and actin were involved in the formation of protein aggregates mainly through noncovalent bonds including hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds during acidification. The slight decrease in total SH content during acidification suggested that disulphide bonds were also involved in acid-induced aggregation of silver carp actomyosin to a lesser extent.     

Characterisation of acid-soluble collagen from skin of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

Acid-soluble collagen (ASC) from the skin of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) was isolated and some properties of ASC were investigated. SDS–PAGE patterns showed ASC from silver carp skin was type ? collagen. Sulfopropyl-Toyopearl 650(M) column chromatography indicated that ASC from silver carp skin was composed of three kinds of α chains, α₁, α₂ and α₃. Hydroxyproline and proline content of ASC from silver carp skin was 192 residues/1000 residues, which was similar to that of ASC from carp skin. Denaturation temperature (T_d) of ASC from silver carp skin was around 29 °C. The results showed that some properties of ASC from silver carp skin were similar to those of ASC from carp skin. However, the peptide map of ASC from silver carp skin digested by pepsin was distinguished with that of ASC from carp skin.     

Seasonal differences in the properties of gelatins extracted from skin of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

The gelatins were extracted from skins of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) caught in winter and summer, respectively. The physicochemical (molecular weight distribution and melting point) and rheological characteristics (viscosity property), as well as functional properties (emulsifying capacity and stability) of the gelatin from winter silver carp skin were compared with those of the summer equivalent. The results showed the properties of the summer gelatin were superior to those of the winter one, showing higher viscosity, emulsion stability, melting point and lower concentration for gelling. The summer gelatin has slightly denser strands of the gel microstructure which was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Different properties of gelatins from skin of silver carp may be attributed to the big discrepancy of the environmental temperature in the two seasons.     

Effect of microwave heating on the low-salt gel from silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) surimi

Gels from silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) surimi were obtained using microwave (MW) heating (15 W/g power intensity for 20–80 s) at different levels of salt (0 g/100 g, 1 g/100 g, or 2 g/100 g). And the gel heated by MW was compared with the gel obtained by conventional water-bath heating (85 °C for 30 min). The gel strength increased when the salt level was increased. The mechanical and functional properties of non-salted, low-salt and regular-salt products were improved by MW heating for 60 s and 80 s, significantly (p < 0.05), except for the cook loss. The content of TCA-soluble peptides indicated that the MW heating inhibited the autolysis of proteins significantly (p < 0.05) during gelling. The SDS-PAGE and total content of –SH group proved that MW enhanced the cross-linking of proteins effectively through disulphide bonds and non-disulphide covalent bonds. The microstructure of the samples revealed that a fine compact network, with particles of protein aggregates, was formed in the low-salt gels (1 g/100 g) heated by MW for 60 s. All of these properties might be responsible for the formation of a superior textural low-salt gel induced by MW.     

Effects of tea polyphenol coating combined with ozone water washing on the storage quality of black sea bream (Sparus macrocephalus)

The present research evaluated the effects of tea polyphenol (TP) combined with ozone water (O₃) on the quality of black sea bream (Sparus macrocephalus) over a period of 15 days storage at 4 °C. A solution of TP (0.2%, w/v) was used to coat the fish after washing with ozone water (1 mg/L). Fish physicochemical (pH, K value, peroxide value, thiobarbituric acid, total volatile basic nitrogen, trimethylamine, texture, and colour), sensory, and bacteriological characteristics were all analysed. TP + O₃ treatment effectively reduced nucleotide breakdown, lipid oxidation, protein decomposition, and microbial growth, and maintained better characteristics of texture, colour, and sensory compared with the control. The efficiency of TP + O₃ treatment was also better than that of TP treatment or O₃ treatment alone. Therefore, tea polyphenol coating combined with ozone water prewashing may be a promising method of maintaining the storage quality of black sea bream and of extending fish post-mortem shelf-life during 4 °C storage.     

Functional properties of proteins recovered from silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) by isoelectric solubilization/precipitation

Isoelectric solubilization/precipitation at acidic and basic pH ranges was applied to whole gutted silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) in order to recover muscle proteins. Thermal denaturation (T_onset, T_max, and ΔH), viscoelasticity (G′), and texture properties (shear stress) of proteins recovered from carp as affected by functional additives (beef plasma protein, potato starch, exogenous transglutaminase, polyphosphate, and titanium dioxide) were determined and compared to Alaska pollock surimi. Proteins recovered from carp showed typical endothermic transitions only when functional additives were used. Similar to endothermic transitions, viscoelasticity in carp proteins increased only when the additives were used. Typical endothermic peaks and viscoelasticity increase were recorded for Alaska pollock surimi. Carp protein-based gels with functional additives had lower (P < 0.05) shear stress than their surimi counterparts, but greater (P < 0.05) or similar (P > 0.05) when compared to surimi gels without functional additives. In addition, generally higher shear stress was measured for carp protein-based gels developed from basic pH treatments than the acidic counterparts. The present study indicates that proteins can be recovered from whole gutted carp using isoelectric solubilization/precipitation. However, if the recovered proteins are used for subsequent development of restructured food products, functional additives should be used.     

Effects of storage in slurry ice on the microbial,chemical and sensory quality and on the shelf life of farmed turbot (Psetta maxima)

The application of slurry ice, a binary mixture of small spherical ice crystals surrounded by seawater at subzero temperature, is a potentially new preservation method for farmed turbot (Psetta maxima), a flat fish species of increasing commercial interest. Comparative biochemical, microbiological and sensory analyses were carried on turbot specimens stored in either slurry ice or flake ice for up to 40 days. The results obtained in the sensory analysis correlated well with the observed chemical and microbial changes. Storage of turbot in slurry ice resulted in a slowing-down of the nucleotide degradation pathway and lipid oxidation mechanisms. A good stabilisation of the high molecular weight protein fraction of turbot muscle was also achieved as a consequence of storage in slurry ice. A slower production of both trimethylamine and total volatile bases was also observed. Likewise, low levels of total aerobes, anaerobes, coliforms, and proteolytic bacteria were attained. The application of slurry ice to farmed turbot is advisable to achieve better quality maintenance during storage and distribution.     

Postmortem changes in the adductor muscle of Pacific lions-paw scallop (Nodipecten subnodosus) during ice storage

Postmortem biochemical, chemical, and physical changes of the adductor muscle of Pacific lions-paw scallop were studied during a 15-day storage period at 0 °C (ice). Content of ATP and breakdown products, K value, pH, trimethylamine, total volatile bases, water-holding capacity, colour, and texture changes were examined. K value increased logarithmically (r² = 0.95) from an initial value of 40.3–79.7% on day 15. The spoilage indicators trimethylamine and total volatile bases increased from 15.6 to 30.7 and 1.3 to 6.8 mg N/100 g of sample, respectively, which indicated spoilage at the end of the storage period. Texture, colour, and pH were not affected; however, water-holding capacity decreased significantly, from 96.0% on day 1 to 86.0% on day 15. Overall results indicated that quality of Pacific lions-paw scallop adductor muscle was maintained during at least 12 days of ice storage.     

Potential of oregano essential oil and MAP to extend the shelf life of fresh swordfish: a comparative study with ice storage

ABSTRACT:  The present study evaluated the effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP, 5% O₂/50% CO₂/45% N₂; treatment M), the addition of oregano oil (0.1%, v/w; treatment AO) as a natural preservative, as well as their combination (treatment MO) on the quality and shelf life extension of fresh Mediterranean swordfish fillets during a refrigerated storage (4 °C) period of 18 d. Simultaneously, swordfish fillets were stored under aerobic conditions (control treatment A, 4 °C) and on ice (usual commercial method of preservation, treatment I, 0 °C). Among the 5 treatments examined in the present study, the most effective one to inhibit the microbial and sensory spoilage proved to be the MO treatment, achieving a shelf life extension of 8 to 9 d. The dominant bacteria in the microflora of swordfish, irrespective of treatment, were the Pseudomonads and the H₂S-producing bacteria, while both lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and the Enterobacteriaceae produced the lowest populations in swordfish samples kept on ice. Among the chemical indices examined, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values showed no specific trend of lipid oxidation for swordfish, irrespective of treatment. Final trimethylamine nitrogen (TMA-N) and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) values for treatments, A, AO, M, and MO ranged between 1.33 and 14.29 mg N/100 g and 14.11 to 55.52 mg N/100 g, respectively, whereas for I samples they remained almost unchanged during storage. Sensory analysis (taste attribute) correlated well with microbiological analysis, indicating a shelf life of approximately 5 to 6 d for control, 10 to 11 d for AO, 12 d for I, 13 d for M, and 14 d for MO samples.     

Evaluation of an ozone–slurry ice combined refrigeration system for the storage of farmed turbot (Psetta maxima)

The use of ozonised slurry ice was investigated as a new refrigeration system for the storage of farmed turbot (Psetta maxima). With this purpose in mind, an ozone generator device was coupled to a slurry ice system working subzero at −1.5 °C. The ozone concentration was adjusted to a redox potential of 700 mV, and the slurry ice biphasic mixture was prepared at a 40% ice/60% water ratio and 3.3% salinity. Certain biochemical parameters indicative of fish freshness, such as the rate of nucleotide degradation or TMA-N formation, were not significantly affected by the presence of ozone in the slurry ice mixture. However, storage in ozonised slurry ice significantly slowed down the mechanisms responsible for lipid hydrolysis and lipid oxidation in farmed turbot. Storage in ozonised slurry ice also led to significantly (p < 0.05) lower counts of both total aerobes and psychrotrophic bacteria in both turbot muscle and skin, as compared with the control batch stored without ozone. Sensory analyses confirmed an extended shelf life of turbot specimens stored in ozonised slurry ice; these maintaining “A” sensory quality up to day 14, while the counterpart batch stored in slurry ice kept this quality only up to day 7. The combination of ozone and slurry ice may be recommended for the chilling and storage of farmed turbot with a view to extending its shelf-life.