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.     

Influence of salting and gamma irradiation on the shelf-life extension of threadfin bream in ice

Fresh, eviscerated threadfin bream (Nemipterus japonicus) packaged in polyethylene pouches were dipped in 10% (w/w) sodium chloride for 1 h and subjected to gamma irradiation at 0, 1 or 2 kGy at ice temperature. The treated fish were stored under ice. At periodic intervals, quality of the fish was determined by sensory, chemical and microbiological parameters. The unsalted and unirradiated fish was acceptable up to 8 days in comparison to a storage life of 12 and 22 days for the unsalted fish irradiated at 1 and 2 kGy, respectively. Salting prior to irradiation at 0, 1 or 2 kGy gave a shelf life of 9, 14 and 28 days, respectively. Salting gave a firmer texture to the fish and prevented drip formation in the pouches during storage. The results suggested that while irradiation could significantly (P< 0.05) extend the refrigerated shelf life of threadfin bream, salting prior to irradiation could enhance the acceptability of the irradiated fish.     

Chemical and microbiological quality of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) slaughtered by different methods

The effect of two slaughter methods (immersion in ice-water slurry and electrical stunning followed by ice slurry asphyxiation) on chemical and microbiological parameters of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) stored in ice for 20 days was evaluated. No differences in total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), pH, carbohydrate or protein content of mucus were observed between the slaughter methods. Ice-slaughtered fish had lower bacteria counts at the beginning of storage, but higher counts than fish slaughtered by electricity at the end of storage (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences in the shelf life were observed between the slaughter methods evaluated (limit of acceptability – counts > 3 × 10⁶ CFU g⁻¹ – attained after 13–16 days). Results indicated that the chemical parameters evaluated have a limited applicability to assess the shelf life of grass carp stored in ice, since pH limit (6.8) was exceeded after 4 days, while TVB-N limit (30 mg%) was not attained after 20 days of storage.     

Effect of chitosan coatings enriched with cinnamon oil on the quality of refrigerated rainbow trout

The effects of a chitosan (Ch) coating enriched with cinnamon oil (Ch + C) on quality of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) during refrigerated storage (4 ± 1 °C) were examined over a period of 16 days. A solution of Ch (2%, w/v) and Ch + C (2%, w/v Ch + 1.5%, v/v C) was used for the coating. The control and the coated fish samples were analysed periodically for microbiological (total viable count, psychrotrophic count), chemical (TVB-N, PV, TBA), and sensory (raw and cooked fish) characteristics. The results indicated that the effect of the Ch + C coating on the fish samples was to enable the good quality characteristics to be retained longer and to extend the shelf life during the refrigerated storage.     

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.     

Combination effect of phosphate and vacuum packaging on quality parameters of Rutilus frisii kutum fillets in ice

Improving food quality among consumers is of high importance. This case in fish meat due to its quick spoilage is the more obvious. Therefore in this study in order to maintain and improve the quality of fish meat, effect of pretreatment with three different phosphate compounds including sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), sodium pyrophosphate (PP) and mixture of them (STPP + PP) in combination with vacuum packaging (VP) on Rutilus frisii kutum fillets stored in ice was investigated. Phosphate pretreatment showed the synergistic effect with VP on reduction of psycrophilic bacteria, chemical and sensory deterioration of Rutilus frisii kutum fillets as evidenced by the lowered microbial counts, thiobarbituoric acid and total volatile base, compared with samples stored in air and those kept under VP. Pretreatment with PP resulted in the retarded protein denaturation as evidenced by the reduced changes in sulfhydryl content during the extended storage. Increase in water holding capacity accompanied by the decrease in pH was observed in samples pretreated with phosphates, especially tripolyphosphate. No marked autolytic degradation in samples kept under VP with and without phosphate pretreatment was observed throughout the storage as indicated by no changes in electrophoresis patterns. Determined shelf life based on psychrophilic bacteria counts for Rutilus frisii kutum fillets pretreated with STPP and stored under VP, until 15 days and according to sensory analysis until 12 days compared with samples stored in air. Therefore, the effective retardation of psycrophilic bacteria, chemical and sensory deterioration of Rutilus frisii kutum fillets stored under VP could be achieved by pretreatment with tripolyphosphate.     

Freshness decay and shelf life predictive modelling of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) applying chemical methods and electronic nose

European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is one of the finfish species preferred by the consumer, who requires fish freshness to be maintained during distribution and retail. For this reason, the purposes of this study were to define: the shelf life at three storage temperatures (−0.5, 4.8 and 16.5 °C) by applying both chemical (TVB and TBA assays) and olfactometric (e-nose) method; the actual time-temperature exposure conditions during marketing; the prediction of remaining shelf life in the commercial chain, on the basis of time-temperature history data and on appropriate integration routine. Shelf life study revealed the efficacy of chemical markers and electronic nose in describing the freshness decay and in defining a freshness threshold. Freshness of sea bass was kept for about 8 days for fish preserved in melting ice (−0.5 °C), 4 days at 4.8 °C and about 1 day at 16.5 °C. When fresh European sea bass was purchased, 9 out of 10 times the remaining shelf life was more than 55% at an average temperature of 1.19 °C. Therefore, the freshness of fish can be assured for 3-4 days in commercialization. A joint effort (sales point management and consumer advertising) could reduce the exposure temperature by 1-2 °C and justify an extension of the shelf life to 2-3 days after purchase.     

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.     

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.     

The use of natural herbal extracts for improving the lipid stability and sensory characteristics of irradiated ground beef

Ground Longissimus dorsi of beef were treated with herbal extracts of marjoram, rosemary and sage at concentration of 0.04% (v/w), radiation (2 or 4.5 kGy) or their combination. Treated samples were stored at 5 °C and analyzed periodically for thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), sensory characteristics and psychrotrophic bacterial counts during storage for 41 and 48 days for samples treated at 2 and 4.5 kGy respectively. Results demonstrated a significant benefit of the addition of herbal extracts to the ground beef prior to irradiation. All three extracts significantly (P < 0.05) lowered the TBARS values and off-odor scores and significantly (P < 0.05) increased color and acceptability scores in all samples with marjoram being the most effective. The combination treatment with herbal extracts plus irradiation resulted in extension of the shelf life of samples treated with 2 kGy by one week and samples treated with 4.5 kGy by two weeks, over that treated with irradiation alone. In conclusion, the addition of herbal extracts can minimize lipid oxidation, improve color and decrease off-odor production in irradiated ground beef.     

Different postharvest strategies to preserve broccoli quality during storage and shelf life: Controlled atmosphere and 1-MCP

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) is a vegetable that requires the application of postharvest techniques to extend its marketability. Controlled atmosphere and 1-MCP treatments are most used to extend the shelf life of broccoli and reduce post-harvest deterioration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the visual, physicochemical and functional changes of broccoli head samples stored at 1–2 °C and 85–90% relative humidity (RH) in air (Control samples), under controlled atmospheres (10% O₂ and 5% CO₂) (CA samples) and treated with 1-MCP (0.6 μL/L). After storage all samples were maintained at 20 °C for 2 and 4 days, in order to assess their shelf life. The most suitable postharvest treatment to extend broccoli quality during storage and shelf life, in terms of maintaining the visual quality and reducing loss of health-promoting compounds, was achieved by storage under controlled atmosphere conditions. The use of 1-MCP reduced the loss of green colour and chlorophyll pigments, but only during cold storage not during shelf life at 20 °C.     

Reduction of spoilage of chilled vacuum-packed lamb by psychrotolerant clostridia

Methods for the reduction of spoilage, of lamb, by psychrotolerant clostridia were investigated including exposure to air, hot and cold water spray washing and tyndallisation. Initially vegetative cells of psychrotolerant clostridia associated with spoilage of chilled vacuum-packed meat were exposed to aerobic cooked meat medium at room temperature (21 °C) to determine how long they remained viable. Survival of strains varied from 2 h to 3 days. Vegetative cells of Clostridium estertheticum subsp. estertheticum survived 7 days at 10 °C with little reduction in viable numbers. This ruled out exposure to air as a practical method for reducing spoilage. Trials were also carried out on chilled vacuum-packed lamb inoculated with spores of Cl. estertheticum subsp. estertheticum. The time until inoculated packs reached the loss of vacuum stage varied from 38 to 53 days. Hot and cold water washing extended the shelf life by 12 to 13 days in comparison to untreated packs.     

Shelf life extension of whole Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus using modified atmosphere packaging

Once a nuisance by-catch, today the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) is a valuable UK fisheries commodity. Unfortunately, the species is very susceptible to quality deterioration post harvest as it quickly develops black spots and also spoils rapidly due to bacterial growth. Treatment with chemicals can stop the blackening and carefully monitored cold storage can result in a sensory shelf life of up to 6.5 days. The high susceptibility to spoilage greatly restricts the extent to which N. norvegicus can be distributed to retailers and displayed for sale. The application of modified atmosphere (MA) could be extremely beneficial, allowing the chilled product to stay fresh for a long period of time, thus ensuring higher sales. In the present study, we identified a gas mix for the MA packaging (MAP) of whole N. norvegicus lobster into 200 g retail packs. Our results show that a shelf life extension to 13 days can be achieved when retail packs are stored in MAP at 1 °C. Effectiveness of the MAP was evaluated by using a newly developed QIM for MA-packaged whole N. norvegicus and also by analyzing bacterial plate counts. Changes in the microflora and effects of different storage temperatures on the quality of the MA packs are also presented. The main specific spoilage organism (SSO) of modified atmosphere packaged Norway lobster is Photobacterium phosphoreum.     

Green tea – A potential preservative for extending the shelf life of fresh mutton at ambient temperature (25 ± 2 °C)

This investigation was taken up to evaluate the feasibility of using green tea (GT) to extend the shelf life of fresh mutton, at ambient storage conditions (25 ± 2 °C and 85 ± 5% RH). The ethanolic extract of GT (GTE) was found to significantly inhibit (P < 0.01) spoilage microflora, including certain pathogens of acidulant treated mutton (pH 3.8) for up to 4 days. Application of GTE did not cause any deleterious change in sensorial and physical quality and the mutton was acceptable for up to 4 days. While the control samples showed initial signs of spoilage between 20 and 24 h and registered an increase in free fatty acids (FFA) from 1.24 g to 4.1 g/100 g lipid and biogenic amine index (BAI) from 0.27 mg to 4.63 mg/100 g mutton, at the end of two days of storage, the GTE treated sample showed FFA levels of 1.5 g/100 g lipid and BAI of 0.25 mg/100 g mutton at the end of the 4 days. GTE treatment could be effectively used to extend the shelf life of fresh mutton for up to 4 days in Indian climatic conditions, since it significantly (P < 0.01) inhibits the formation of these lipolytic and proteolytic degradation products, which are responsible for sensorial spoilage.     

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.     

Ascorbic acid degradation kinetics of sonicated orange juice during storage and comparison with thermally pasteurised juice

Ascorbic acid degradation kinetics of sonicated orange juice during storage were determined and compared to thermally pasteurised samples. Acoustic energy densities (AED) ranging from 0.30 to 0.81 W/mL and treatment times of 2-10 min were investigated. The degradation kinetics of sonicated samples followed first-order kinetics (R² ≥ 0.91) during processing. During storage ascorbic acid degradation of sonicated samples followed the Weibull model (R² ≥ 0.97) with β values ranging from 0.662 to 0.697. Comparatively, first-order degradation kinetics were observed during storage for thermally pasteurised (R² = 0.98) and control samples (R² = 0.96). Increased shelf life based on ascorbic acid retention was found for sonicated samples compared to thermally pasteurised samples. Predicted shelf life for sonicated orange juice ranged from 27 to 33 days compared to 19 days for thermally pasteurised juice during storage at 10 °C. These results indicate that sonication results in enhanced retention of ascorbic acid in orange juice during storage compared to thermal processing.     

Improvement of the commercial quality of chilled Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) stored in slurry ice: Effects of a preliminary treatment with an antimelanosic agent on enzymatic browning

The use of slurry ice is gaining increasing importance as an advanced method for the hygienic and efficient chilling and sub-zero storage of aquatic food products. In this work, this technology was applied as a novel technique for the chilling and storage of Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) – a crustacean species of high-commercial value – under refrigeration conditions at −1.5 °C. In addition, the effects of a preliminary treatment with 0.5% Na HSO₃ on surface browning were evaluated and compared with the results obtained in control batches not subjected to such treatment. The processing of lobster in slurry ice significantly (p < 0.05) slowed down microbial spoilage, as determined by the counts of aerobes, psychrotrophs, proteolytic bacteria, and lactose-fermenting Enterobacteriaceae, and by the formation of volatile amines. Likewise, the autolytic breakdown mechanisms – as determined by the K value – were also significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited in the slurry ice batch. Remarkably, preliminary treatment with 0.5% sodium metabisulphite permitted better maintenance of the parameters involved in sensory quality – especially as regards the aspect of the carapace – as compared with non-treated batches, and allowed a shelf life of 9 days without surpassing the 150 mg/kg legal limit established for this food additive. On contrast, the non-treated batch stored in slurry ice exhibited a shelf life of 5 days. The combination of technological treatments proposed in this work – preliminary antimelanosic treatment and storage in slurry ice – may be successfully applied to other fresh and frozen shellfish species with a view to extending shelf life and to avoiding the legal and toxicological problems derived from current abuse of such antimelanosic agents to prevent shellfish browning.     

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.     

Combined effect of selected non-thermal technologies on Escherichia coli and Pichia fermentans inactivation in an apple and cranberry juice blend and on product shelf life

The combination of novel, non-thermal technologies for preservation purposes is a recent trend in food processing research. In the present study, non-thermal hurdles such as ultraviolet light (UV) (5.3 J/cm²), high intensity light pulses (HILP) (3.3 J/cm²), pulsed electric fields (PEF) (34 kV/cm, 18 Hz, 93 μs) or manothermosonication (MTS) (4 bar, 43 °C, 750 W, 20 kHz) were examined. The objective was to establish the potential of these technologies, applied individually or in paired sequences, to inactivate Escherichia coli and Pichia fermentans inoculated in a fresh blend of apple and cranberry juice. The shelf-life evaluation of selected non-thermally treated samples was conducted over 35 days and compared to pasteurised samples and untreated juices. All treatments applied individually significantly reduced (1.8-6.0 log cfu/ml) microbial counts compared to the untreated sample (p < 0.01). Furthermore, UV treatment produced significantly greater inactivation (p < 0.05) for E. coli compared to P. fermentans. Combinations of non-thermal hurdles consisting of UV or HILP followed by either PEF or MTS resulted in comparable reductions for both microorganisms (p ≥ 0.05) to those observed in thermally pasteurised samples (approx. 6 log cfu/ml). Thermally pasteurised samples had a shelf life exceeding 35 days, while that of UV + PEF and HILP + PEF-treated samples was 14 and 21 days, respectively. These results indicate that combinations of these non-thermal technologies could successfully reduce levels of E. coli and P. fermentans in apple and cranberry juice, although optimisation is required in order to further extend shelf life.     

Effect of freezing on the physicochemical, textural and sensorial characteristics of salmon (Salmo salar) smoked with a liquid smoke flavouring

This study reports the effect of different refrigeration/freezing treatments on the physicochemical, textural and sensorial properties of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) treated with a commercial liquid smoke flavouring. Observations were made on three groups of fillets - group RFS: salted, smoked and stored at 4 °C; group BFS: frozen at −25 °C for 24 h, thawed, salted, smoked and stored at 4 °C; and group AFS: salted, smoked and frozen at −25 °C for 24 h and stored at −18 °C - over a period of 45 days. Scores (on a scale of 1-9) were provided for different sensorial attributes by a panel of 10 trained tasters. Sixty percent of the panellists consistently preferred the AFS fillets. The maximum shelf life associated with each treatment was defined as the last sampling day on which a mean score of ≤5 was awarded for the fillet sensorial attributes by ≥50% of the panellists. Freezing the salmon for 24 h before smoking (BFS) did not increase its shelf life (30 days) over that of refrigerated smoked salmon (RFS). In addition, the former treatment had a negative effect on the adhesiveness, cohesiveness, smoke odour intensity and colour intensity of the flesh. However, maintaining the fish frozen at −18 °C (AFS) increased its shelf life (>45 days) and invested the flesh with greater firmness, cohesiveness and colour intensity.