Combined effect of MAP and thyme essential oil on the microbiological,chemical and sensory attributes of organically aquacultured sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fillets

The present study evaluated the combined effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) using two different gas mixtures (40% CO₂/50% N₂/10% O₂; treatment M1, 60% CO₂/30% N₂/10% O₂, treatment M2), and thyme oil (0.2% v/w, T) used as a natural preservative, on the quality and shelf life extension of fresh filleted sea bass, product of organic aquaculture, during refrigerated storage (4± 0.5 °C), for a period of 21 days. Aerobically packaged sea bass fillets (A) were used as control samples. The dominant bacteria in the microflora of sea bass fillets, irrespective of treatment, were the pseudomonads and the H₂S-producing bacteria while lactic acid bacteria were also part of the dominant microflora. Total viable counts for fresh sea bass fillets stored aerobically exceeded 7 log CFU/g after 7 days, while treatments A+T, M1, M2 and M2+T reached the same value on days 9, 10, 12 and 19, respectively. Among the chemical indices determined, TBA values were within the good quality limits (2–4 mg MDA/kg), during the sensory shelf lives of sea bass samples, irrespective of treatment. TVB-N proved to be a suitable index for the spoilage of sea bass fillets stored at 4 °C. Samples A and A+T, M1, M2, M2+T exceeded the proposed upper TVB-N acceptability limit (10 mg N/100 g) on days 6, 8, 9, 13 and 17 of storage respectively. TMA-N values of the samples A, A+T and M1, M2, M2+T exceeded the proposed limit (4 mg N/100 g) on days 6, 9, 9–10, 13 and 19 of storage, respectively, and correlated well with the microbiological data, indicating that along with TVB-N, TMA-N may serve as a useful index for sea bass fillets spoilage. As regards sensory evaluation, the presence of thyme oil proved to improve the sensory quality of sea bass fillets when used in combination with MAP2, providing a shelf life of 17 days as compared to 6 days of the control samples.     

Effect of thyme essential oil and packaging treatments on fresh Mediterranean swordfish fillets during storage at 4 °C

The present study evaluated the effect of thyme essential oil and packaging on fresh Mediterranean swordfish fillets during storage at 4 °C. Treatments in the present study included the following: air (A), modified atmosphere packaging (M), air with thyme oil (AT) and MAP with thyme oil (MT). Of the physicochemical parameters examined, TBA values for A and M swordfish samples were variable, indicative of no specific oxidative rancidity trend, whereas MT treatment inhibited lipid oxidation in swordfish samples during storage. On the basis of microbiological and sensory data, TMA-N and TVB-N limit values of acceptability for Mediterranean swordfish, of ca. 3.72 and 24.5 mg N/100 g, for the initiation of fresh Mediterranean swordfish spoilage, may be proposed. Of the treatments used in the present study, MT and M were the most effective for the inhibition of pseudomonads and H₂S-producing bacteria in swordfish. Lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae (to a lesser extent) were also found to be part of the natural microbial flora of swordfish, irrespective of packaging treatment. Based primarily on sensory data, the shelf-lives of fresh refrigerated Mediterranean swordfish were 8 and 13 days under aerobic and MAP conditions, respectively. Addition of 0.1% thyme essential oil extended the product’s shelf-life under aerobic conditions by 5 days, whereas the combination of MAP and thyme oil resulted in a significant shelf-life extension of the swordfish fillets, i.e. by approximately 7½ days, according to sensory data, as compared to the control sample.     

Effect of delayed icing on quality changes of iced rainbow trout (Onchorynchus mykiss)

The effect of delayed icing on quality deterioration of rainbow trout (Onchorynchus mykiss) iced 0, 4 and 8 h after catch was assessed by chemical, microbiological and sensory methods. Total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), free fatty acids (FFA), peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values increased during the pre-icing duration. Delayed icing led to significant increased (p < 0.05) in total viable counts (TVC) throughout the period of storage. This study showed that sensory analysis of rainbow trout correlated well with microbiological analysis. Results of this study according microbiological and sensory data indicated that the shelf-life of rainbow trout stored in ice immediately after catch was approximately 9–11 days, while delay in icing for 4 and 8 h shortened the shelf-life was around 5–7 and 1–3 days, respectively.     

Comparison of chitosan–gelatin composite and bilayer coating and film effect on the quality of refrigerated rainbow trout

The effect of chitosan–gelatin coating and film on the rancidity development in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillets during refrigerated storage (4 ± 1 °C) was examined over a period of 16 days. Composite and bilayer coated and film wrapped fish samples were analysed periodically for microbiological (total viable count, psychrotrophic count) and chemical (TVB-N, POV, TBARS, FFA) characteristics. The results indicated that chitosan–gelatin coating and film retained their good quality characteristics and extend the shelf life of fish samples during refrigerated storage .The coating was better than the film in reducing lipid oxidation of fillets, but there was no significant difference between them in control of bacterial contamination.     

Comparison of effects of slurry ice and flake ice pretreatments on the quality of aquacultured sea bream (Sparus aurata) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) stored at 4 °C

Slurry ice, a biphasic system consisting of small particles of spherical ice immersed in seawater at subzero temperature, was evaluated as a new chilled method for whole sea bream (Sparus aurata) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Two types of different chilling methods were used for two species in this study; slurry ice-treated sea bream (Group A), slurry ice-treated sea bass (Group B), flake-ice treated sea bream (Group C) and flake ice-treated sea bass (Group D). The effects of this system on the quality and shelf life of these two species were evaluated. Mesophilic counts for sea bass exceeded 7 log cfu/g, which is considered the maximum level for acceptability for freshwater and marine fish after 13 days for Groups C, D and 15 days for Groups A, B. At day 13, TVB-N values of Groups C, D reached the legal limits (35 mg/100 g set for TVB-N) for consumption. According to the results of sensory analyses, up to day 13, all the Groups were determined as ‘acceptable’ but, on day 15, the Groups A, B, C, D were no longer acceptable. Using slurry ice pretreatment for 2 h before the storage period presumably caused the deleterious effect on appearance as well as salt and water uptake. According to the results of chemical and microbiological analyses, use of slurry ice pretreatment for 2 h extended the shelf life of sea bream and sea bass stored at 4 °C for only two days longer than did use of flake ice.     

Postmortem changes in yellow grouper (Epinephelus awoara) fillets stored under vacuum packaging at 0 °C

The freshness of yellow grouper (Epinephelus awoara) stored under vacuum-packing at 0 °C was assessed by physicochemical, sensory and microbiological methods. No significant differences were found in pH and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values during the storage, while TVB-N, TMA-N, HxR, Hx and K values increased significantly with time. The content of IMP was decreased significantly with the storage time. The texture profile, hardness and chewiness were significantly decreased with the time. L∗ values, the values of chroma and hue were all decreased. However, the increased b∗ values were observed. Furthermore, the significant variations and correlations of sensory attributes were shown with the storage time. A regression analysis for total viable counts yielded a shelf life of 26 days. This suggested that the TMA-N, IMP, HxR, Hx, K value, hardness, chewiness, colour, sensory attributes and microbiological counts may be considered suitable indicators for evaluating yellow grouper fillets spoilage during refrigerated storage.     

The effects of partial replacement of fish meal by vegetable protein sources in the diet of rainbow trout (Onchorynchus mykiss) on post mortem spoilage of fillets

Five test diets were formulated with decreasing levels of fish meal (up to 50%) replaced by alternative protein sources. Rainbow trout were fed the experimental diets for 12 weeks.The effects of feed ingredients on spoilage of Oncorhynchus mykiss in ice and under MAP/ice (40% CO₂, 30% N₂ and 30% O₂) were investigated in terms of sensory, chemical and microbiological analyses. The results showed that the trout in MAP/ice was rejected at 14 days, after sensory analysis, due to excessive drip, whereas trout in ice were found to be acceptable even after 14 days of storage. However, cooked trout fillets, under both storage conditions, were rejected at 17 days. Fish in ice produced higher K values and higher concentrations of biogenic amines during the storage period of 17 days than the fish in MAP/ice. Bacteria grew more quickly in rainbow trout kept in ice than in MAP/ice. MAP/ice storage extended the shelf life of rainbow trout by approximately 2 days compared to ice storage alone in terms of microbiological analyses.     

Effects of low concentration of salt and sucrose on the quality of bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) fillets stored at 4 °C

The effect of low concentration of salt and sucrose on the quality of bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) fillets was evaluated over a 16-day storage at refrigerated temperature (4 °C). Fish samples were brined with 1.1% salt (T1) and 1.1% salt + 0.9% sucrose (T2). The control and the treated fish samples were analysed periodically for physicochemical (pH, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N), water loss, electrical conductivity (EC), color), microbial (total viable counts) and sensory characteristics. No significant differences were observed between T1 and T2 for sensory score and EC (p > 0.05). Brining treatments predominantly decreased chemical changes, reflected in TVB-N and pH, retarded water loss and discoloration, inhibited bacterial growth and increased the overall sensory quality of fish, compared to untreated fillets. The results indicated that brining treatments improved the quality and safety of bighead carp fillet, which can be exploited by fish processors.     

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.     

Nucleotide degradation and biogenic amine formation of wild white grouper (Epinephelus aeneus) stored in ice and at chill temperature (4 °C)

Sensory (cooked and uncooked), chemical (proximate composition, TVB-N, nucleotide degradation products and biogenic amines) and microbiological quality (TVC and total coliform) changes were investigated during storage of ungutted white grouper kept in ice and at chill temperature (4 °C). According to the sensory assessment, the shelf life of white grouper was 16 days in ice and 4 days for fish stored at chill temperature. TVB-N values increased with storage time. Amines found in white grouper stored in ice were TMA, putrescine, cadaverine, 2-phenylethylamine, dopamine, agmatine, tryptamine and serotonin. Histamine, spermine, spermidine were never detected with either storage condition. The acceptability limit in terms of microbial count was exceeded at 8 days in ice and at 4 days for fish stored at chill temperature. Total coliform count was 2.8 log₁₀ cfu/ml at 1 day and reached 10⁵ cfu/ml for both storage conditions.     

Effects of sodium acetate dip treatment and vacuum-packaging on chemical,microbiological, textural and sensory changes of Pearlspot (Etroplus suratensis) during chill storage

The effects of sodium acetate dip treatment, followed by vacuum-packaging, on the shelf life of beheaded, scaled and gutted Pearlspot (Etroplus suratensis) during chill storage were examined. Sodium acetate (2%, w/v) solution was used for the dip treatment. Pouches (size: 15 × 22 cm) made of 12μ-polyester laminated with 300 gauge low-density polyethylene were used for packing fish. After packing, all the packs were iced with flake ice in the ratio (1:1) fish: ice in an insulated box and were kept in a cold room maintained at 0–2 °C. The control and the treated packs were analysed periodically for chemical (pH, TBA, TMA, TVB-N), microbiological (total viable count), textural and sensory characteristics. Changes in Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacteriacea and Feacal streptococci were determined for fresh fish and for fish samples at the time of sensory rejection. Air packed samples were found to have a shelf life of about 8 days; vacuum-packed samples were found to be acceptable up to 10 days, whereas sodium acetate-treated vacuum packed samples were found to be acceptable up to 15 days. Thus, vacuum-packaging, in combination with sodium acetate, was found to delay the spoilage, thereby significantly extending the shelf life of Pearlspot at refrigeration temperatures.     

Effect of anchovy by-product protein coating incorporated with thyme essential oil on the shelf life of anchovy (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Engraulis encrasicolus</Emphasis> L.) fillets

The effects of anchovy by-product protein coatings incorporated with thyme essential oil (TEO) on the shelf life of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus L.) fillets stored at 4 ± 1 °C were investigated. We grouped fillets in three categories: untreated fillets, fillets treated in coating solution alone, and fillets treated in coating solution containing 1.5% TEO and analyzed on 0, 3, 6, and 9 days of storage. It was observed that the total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) and pH of all the fillet groups increased under cold storage conditions; however, this increase was much slow in both the coated anchovy fillets. Both coating applications slowed down the lipid oxidation but the coating containing TEO exhibited better effect than coating alone. The coating application alone or with essential oil had limited effect on microbial growth but positively affected the sensory quality. These results revealed that anchovy by-product protein coating mixed with TEO may prolong anchovy fillets’ shelf life stored under cold condition.     

壳聚糖对冷藏鲤鱼片品质变化的影响

为了解壳聚糖处理对4 ℃冷藏条件下鲤鱼片品质的影响,测定对照组、T1组（20 g/L壳聚糖＋体积分数0.5%醋酸）、T2组（体积分数0.5%醋酸）鲤鱼片4 ℃冷藏条件下感官分值、菌落总数（total aerobic counts,TAC）、挥发性盐基氮（total volatile basic nitrogen,TVB-N）含量、pH值和生物胺含量等指标的变化,分析壳聚糖对冷藏鲤鱼片品质的影响。结果表明：3 组鲤鱼片的感官分值随着贮藏时间的延长逐渐降低,对照组鲤鱼片在贮藏8 d后感官不可接受,T1组鲤鱼片的总体感官分值高于T2组;3 组鲤鱼片的TVB-N含量在贮藏期间呈增长趋势,贮藏10 d时,对照组鲤鱼片的TVB-N含量与T1、T2组差异显著（P＜0.05）,对照组鲤鱼片贮藏10 d时的TVB-N含量达31.37 mg/100 g,而T1组仅为13.07 mg/100 g;T1组鲤鱼片TAC的增长速率显著低于对照组和T2组（P＜0.05）;腐胺、尸胺的含量随着贮藏时间的延长而升高,贮藏后期,T1、T2组鲤鱼片的腐胺含量显著低于对照组（P＜0.05）。壳聚糖的加入可以改善冷藏鲤鱼片的品质,并可将货架期延长2 d。     

Combined effect of light salting,modified atmosphere packaging and oregano essential oil on the shelf-life of sea bream (Sparus aurata): Biochemical and sensory attributes

The combined effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP: 40% CO₂/30% O₂/30% N₂) and oregano essential oil, on the shelf-life of lightly salted cultured sea bream (Sparus aurata) fillets stored under refrigeration was studied. Quality assessment was based on sensory analysis and biochemical indices determination. Total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) and trimethylamine nitrogen (TMAN) values were higher in sea bream fillets stored in air followed by salted fillets stored in air. For salted sea bream fillets stored under MAP the inhibition in the TVBN and TMAN values was evident in the order MAP < MAP/0.4% (v/w) oregano oil < MAP/0.8% (v/w) oregano oil indicating the preservative effect of oregano oil. Salting had a noticeable preservative effect but produced an increase in the 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values while oregano oil had a strong antioxidant activity giving the lowest TBA values. All raw sea bream fillet samples received acceptable sensory scores during the first 15–16 days of storage. The salted samples remained acceptable up to ca. 20–21 days while the MAP salted samples up to ca. 27–28 days of storage. The oregano oil addition in MAP salted samples yielded a distinct but pleasant flavor and contributed to a considerable slower process of fish spoilage given that the fillets treated with 0.8% (v/w) oregano oil were still sensory acceptable after 33 days of storage. The preservative effect was greater as the oregano oil concentration was greater.     

Cryoprotective effects of polyphosphates on Rutilus frisii kutum fillets during ice storage

Polyphosphates have profound effects on the functional properties of the food products. In this study, the effects of (2% w/v) solutions of tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) and a mixture of them on the shelf life of filleted Rutilus frisii kutum during ice storage were examined. Common zipper pouches were used for packing fish fillets. The packs were placed beside ice with a fish/ice ratio of 1:1 (w/w) in an insulated box and were maintained at 4 °C. The control and the treated packs were analysed periodically for chemical, microbiological (psychrophilic bacterial counts), textural and sensory characteristics. Control samples were found to have a shelf life of about 6 days, whereas samples treated with polyphosphate were found to be acceptable up to 9 days. Thus being treated with polyphosphates was found to delay the spoilage and extend the shelf life of R.f. kutum in ice.     

The effect of powdered thyme sprinkling on quality changes of wild and farmed gilthead sea bream fillets stored in ice

The effect of powdered thyme sprinkling on the quality characteristics of fresh and ice-stored wild and farmed gilthead sea bream fillets was assessed. Initially, significant differences in proximate composition and quality attributes were found between wild and farmed fresh sea bream flesh. Throughout ice storage, biochemical alteration appeared more pronounced in farmed fish fillets with significantly higher levels of TVB-N, TMA-N, and TBA; and a lower liquid-holding capacity (LHC). Thyme powder addition (1% w/w) exhibited a preservative effect in both fish lots since significant lower levels of TVB-N, TMA-N, free amino acids (NPS), TBA and LHC were observed in thyme-treated fillets during ice storage. However, thyme inhibitory effect was more marked in wild than farmed fish. As revealed by partial least square regression, LHC in both groups was positively influenced by storage time and trimethylamine accumulation factors, while it was negatively influenced by thyme treatment and fish origin. Hence, LHC was suggested to be related to spoilage bacterial growth. The use of dried thyme extended the shelf life of fish fillets by about 5 days and appeared to be highly valuable to the fish industry as a natural preservative.     

Quality Assessment of Farmed Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) during Chilled Storage

ABSTRACT:  The quality changes of farmed rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) stored in ice for a period of up to 20 (0, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20) d were determined by chemical (total volatile basic nitrogen [TVB-N], free fatty acid (FFA), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), peroxide value (PV), heme iron), microbiological (total viable counts, TVC), and sensory methods. The TVB-N level showed fluctuations during storage, indicating that TVB-N could not be a good indicator of rainbow trout quality. The TBA values remained low and were found to fluctuate during storage. The PV values and the release of FFA increased ( P < 0.05), while heme iron content decreased during storage. The total viable counts of rainbow trout increased ( P < 0.05) from the initial value of 4.0 log CFU/g (day 0) to 7.04 log CFU/g (day 20) over the period of storage. This study showed that sensory analysis of rainbow trout correlated well with the microbiological analysis. The results of this study according to microbiological and sensorial data indicated that the shelf life of rainbow trout stored in ice was approximately 9 to 11 d.     

Quality of superchilled vacuum packed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fillets stored at −1.4 and −3.6 °C

The most important factor for increasing shelf life is the product temperature, and since fish is more highly perishable than meat, the temperature is even more important. In the present study, portions of fillets of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were superchilled at two temperature levels, −1.4 and −3.6 °C. Texture, drip loss, liquid loss, cathepsin activities and protein extractability were investigated during storage and compared to ice chilled and frozen references. Drip loss was not a major problem in superchilled salmon. Textural hardness was significantly higher in superchilled salmon fillets stored at −3.6 °C compared to those stored at −1.4 °C, ice chilled and frozen references. Cathepsins B and B + L were not deactivated at the selected storage temperatures. The storage time of vacuum packed salmon fillets can be doubled by superchilled storage at −1.4 °C and −3.6 °C compared to ice chilled storage.     

Low-fat frankfurters enriched with n−3 PUFA and edible seaweed: Effects of olive oil and chilled storage on physicochemical,sensory and microbial characteristics

This article reports a study of the physicochemical, sensory and microbiological characteristics of low-fat (10%) and n−3 PUFA-enriched frankfurters as affected by addition of seaweed (5% Himanthalia elongata), partial substitution (50%) of animal fat by olive oil and chilled storage (41 days at 2 °C). The presence of seaweed improved water and fat binding properties, reduced (P < 0.05) lightness and redness and increased (P < 0.05) the hardness and chewiness of low-fat frankfurters enriched with n−3 PUFA. The effect of olive oil on those characteristics was less pronounced than that of seaweed. Replacing pork backfat with olive oil in frankfurters produced acceptable sensory characteristics, similar to control, while addition of seaweed resulted in less acceptable products, due mainly to the special flavour of the seaweed. Formulation and storage time affected the total viable count and lactic acid bacteria count. Frankfurters containing olive oil and seaweed had the highest total viable count from day 14 of storage, with lactic acid bacteria becoming the predominant microflora.     

The Effect of Thyme and Garlic Oil on the Preservation of Vacuum-Packaged Hot Smoked Rainbow Trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>)

Quality and shelf life of filleted hot smoked rainbow trout packaged in vacuum packaging (untreated) and with thyme oil (TO), and garlic oil (GO)-treated, after vacuum-packaged (VP) conditions stored at 2 °C, were investigated by measurement of microbiological, sensory and physicochemical analyses. Acceptability scores for appearance, odour, taste and texture of untreated and treated smoked trout decreased with storage time. The limit of sensory acceptance was reached after 5 weeks for the untreated samples, after 7 weeks for with thyme oil-treated samples (TO + VP) and after 6 weeks for with garlic oil-treated (GO + VP) samples. Total viable count evaluated that thyme oil- and garlic oil-treated vacuum-packaged samples had good results up to 7 weeks compared with 5 weeks in control vacuum packs. Psychrotrophic counts for untreated and treated samples exceeded 6 log cfu/g after 5 and 6 weeks of cold storage, respectively. Treated samples presented the lowest lactic acid bacteria counts. Total volatile basic nitrogen and trimethylamine nitrogen values gave acceptable results for up to 5 weeks for the untreated samples, 7 weeks for thyme- and garlic oil-treated samples. Treated with thyme oil samples presented the lowest thiobarbituric acid index values. The results obtained from this study showed that the shelf life of hot smoked rainbow trout stored in cold storage (2 °C), as determined by overall acceptability of all data, is 5 weeks for vacuum-packaged samples and 7 weeks for thyme- and garlic oil-treated vacuum-packaged smoked fish.