Quality changes and storage life of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) at various storage temperatures

The shelf life and freshness changes in pond-grown common carp (Cyprinus carpio L) during storage at 0–2°C, 5–6°C and room temperature (26–29°C) were investigated by sensory, microbiological, physical and chemical analyses. The effect of gutting on the shelf life during storage at 0–2°C was examined. Iodine/starch and potassium sorbate were examined for their effects on shelf life of whole fish stored at 0–2°C and 5–6°C. Sensory results indicated that the whole fish had a maximum shelf life of 24 to 25 days at 0– 2°C. The life of the fish to the point beyond which it would be unsuitable for sale (commercial shelf life) was 17 days at 0–2°C. Storage at 5–6°C shortened shelf life 2- to 2.5-fold. At room temperature (26–29°C), spoilage was evident after 13 h. Gutting the carp shortened its storage potential at 0–2°C. Iodine treatment of this species stored at 0–2°C and at 5–6°C did not extend shelf life. The maximum shelf life of sorbate-treated fish at 0–2°C and 5–6°C was extended by 1–2 days, commercial shelf life by 3–4 days. Total volatile basic nitrogen, pH and penetrometer analyses were not reliable indicators of changes in freshness during shelf life. Thiobarbituric acid values were not useful as rancid odours or flavours were not detected during storage.     

THE SHELF-LIFE EXTENSION OF HADDOCK IN CARBON DIOXIDE-OXYGEN ATMOSPHERES WITH AND WITHOUT POTASSIUM SORBATE

Fresh haddock, whole fish or fillets, treated or not with various potassium sorbate dips, were sealed in gas impermeable bags containing gas atmospheres of 60% CO₂, 20% O₂ and 20% N₂, air or vacuum, stored on ice in insulated AIRBOX containers at 0°C and subsequently assessed using the Torry freshness scale after 11 to 18 days storage. The trends in the data suggested higher freshness scores for gas and gas plus dip compared with the air and vacuum packs. The dip alone was not effective. It was important to maintain the fish at 0° C.     

Effects of Freshness on the Cook Loss and Shrinkage of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) Fillets Following Pasteurization

The effects of fish freshness (stored in ice for 0–18 days) on cook loss and shrinkage of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) fillets following pasteurization treatments (70–90ºC, 0–60 min) were investigated. The cook loss and shrinkage of fish fillets increased with the severity of heat treatment, but decreased as the fish fillets became less fresh. A decrease in cook loss and shrinkage of fish muscles was tied to their changes in pH, total volatile base nitrogen and protein functionality. This study indicates the importance of using fish samples with consistent freshness in packaged pasteurized fish-based entrees.     

Thermal Diffusivity Variation Study of Cold Stored Malaysian Pangasius Sutchi at 10°C

This paper presents the use of thermal diffusivity-variation of Malaysian Pangasius Sutchi freshwater fish as a criterion to estimate the freshness in fish marketing. A homogenous specified area of a fresh fish body was cut into slices which were wrapped and preserved in a cold store of 10°C for a period of 28 days. Ansari's approach has been found earlier as an appropriate one to measure the thermal diffusivity of fish through transient cooling. The daily measurement of those slices (samples) along the muscle orientation revealed that thermal diffusivity increased up to 3 days then stayed approximately constant up to the end of the preservation period (28 days). In the literature the shelf life was also found 3 days at 10°C, which in turn agreed with the present investigation. Regression analysis was made to develop an empirical correlation between thermal diffusivity ratio and preservation time of the fish under study. This correlation could be used by food technologists as an index of deterioration of freshness or consumer acceptance     

Influence of storage temperature on the quality of beef liver; pH as a reliable indicator of beef liver spoilage

The development of the microbial flora specifically involved in the spoilage of sliced beef livers packaged and stored under aerobic conditions at 0 and 3 °C for 14 days was studied. Changes in the pH value of the product were also determined. The possibility that pH value could be considered as a quick and reliable indicator of incipient spoilage was particularly considered. All microbial groups (except micrococci) showed differences in their rates of growth between 0 and 3 °C. Pseudomonads and lactic acid bacteria were the main components of the spoilage flora. When the 37 °C aerobic plate counts (APCs) reached 10⁵–10⁶ CFU g⁻¹ and the 20 °C APCs and pseudomonad counts reached 10⁶–10⁷ CFU g⁻¹, visible surface colonies (VSCs) were observed. The presence of VSCs is the most important criterion to determine organoleptic beef liver spoilage and has hence enabled us to establish a shelf-life of up to 8–10 and 5.5–6.5 days for samples stored at 0 and 3 °C respectively. Our study shows that the determination of pH, which is simple, economical and rapid, is capable of giving a reliable estimate of the spoilage status of beef livers. pH values lower than 6.15 may be considered as indicative of beef liver spoilage. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of storage temperature on the quality of salted mackerel (Rastrelliger kangurta) and pink perch (Nemipterus japonicus)

Dry-salted mackerel and pink perch were stored at two temperatures: ambient (26·8 ± 3·3°C) and 2·5 ± 1°C. Changes in moisture content, salt content, water activity (a_w), peroxide value (PV), free fatty acid content (FFA), total volatile base nitrogen (TVBN) content, halophilic bacterial count and sensory scores for overall acceptability were studied. Loss of moisture and absorption of salt were considerably higher in the products stored at ambient temperature. The decrease in a_w was more pronounced at ambient temperature than at the lower temperature. Although the chemical indices of freshness (PV, FFA and TVBN) and the halophilic counts showed increasing trends, they were considerably lower in the products stored at the lower temperature. Sensory evaluation for overall acceptability indicated that storage at the lower temperature could considerably extend the shelf-life of salted fish.     

Storage Stability of Nonpackaged Irradiated Indian Mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurfa) in Ice

The storage stability of eviscerated Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) irradiated at a dose of 1.5 kGy and held under melting ice was examined. Packaging in polyethylene pouches prior to irradiation gave a shelf-life of 25 days, while, nonpackaged, irradiated fish remained in acceptable condition up to 20 days. The nonpackaged irradiated fish has less irradiation odor and better appearance as compared with packaged irradiated fish during the course of ice storage. Uni-radiated and nonpackaged mackerel kept in ice were acceptable only for 14 days. The results suggest that pre-irradiation packaging was not essential for commercially adequate extension in shelf-life of the iced fish.     

Nucleotide degradation products of gamma‐irradiated sea bream (Sparus aurata) stored in ice

Nucleotide degradation products of irradiated sea bream stored up to 19 days in ice were investigated. Irradiation had significant effect on the nucleotide concentrations in sea bream muscle (P < 0.05). The results showed that the highest value of inosine monophosphate (IMP) was observed in irradiated sea bream at 5 kGy, followed by at 2.5 kGy. Initial inosine (INO) concentration in irradiated sea bream at 5 kGy was 4.26 μmoles g^?1, which reached maximum value of 8.83 μmoles g^?1 when fish completely spoiled (19 days). When the fish reached the limit of acceptability, the mean values of K, Ki, H and G were 86.8%, 90.3%, 59.8% and 213.9% for unirradiated sea bream, 85.2%, 87.8%, 56.8% and 197.8% for irradiated sea bream at 2.5 kGy and 88.4%, 90.9%, 57.8%, 211.5% for irradiated sea bream at 5 kGy, respectively. The results of this study indicated that nucleotide degradation was more rapid in unirradiated sea bream than those irradiated. K, Ki, H and G value in irradiated fish can be used as a freshness index because there is a good linear relationship between values and storage time of fish.     

SHELF-LIFE STUDIES ON CARBON DIOXIDE PACKAGED FINFISt FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO

Modified atmosphere packaging using CO, was demonstrated to be effective in retarding the growth of microorganisms during storage of fresh fish from the Gulf of Mexico. At 4°C, there was at least a log difference in bacterial counts at 2, 4, and 6 days between fish stored in CO₂ as compared to control fish stored without CO₂. While the CO₂ atmosphere was shown to inhibit the growth of common spoilage types of bacteria such as gram-negative rods (Pseudomonas), stimulation of gram-positive bacteria such asLacto-bacillus was also demonstrated. Fish stored at 4°C for 2–8 days in a modified atmosphere containing CO₂ had lower TVN values than fish stored at the same temperature without CO₂. The results indicate that an extension of the shelf-life of fresh fish can be obtained by packaging and storing the fish in a CO₂ atmosphere.     

Effect of Carbon Dioxide Atmosphere on Microbial Growth and Quality of Salmon Slices

Salmon slices ( Salmo salar ) were packed under CO₂ and stored in a chill room at 2±1°C for 3 weeks. A study was carried out on the effect of CO₂ atmosphere on bacterial growth as well as on chemical deterioration (pH, total volatile bases, (TVB), trimethylamine (TMA), lipid oxidation) and sensory features (exudation, raw fish odour, cooked fish flavour). Results were compared with a control stored in air. Salmon slices stored under CO₂ had a shelf-life of nearly twice as long as those in air, having lower bacterial counts, pH, TMA and TVB, as well as improved sensory features after 18 days at 2±1°C. Exudation was not significantly different between control and CO₂-stored samples after 10 days ice storage. Exudate values extended from 1 to 2% for CO₂-stored samples after 10 and 20 days storage, respectively. Salmon slices can be stored under CO₂ at 2±1°C for about 18 days, with no substantial loss of quality. Shelf-life can vary depending upon the state of fish, handling practices, initial bacterial load and storage temperature.     

Rapid Assessment of Fish Freshness and Quality by <Superscript>1</Superscript>H HR-MAS NMR Spectroscopy

A new analytical method that allows the rapid assessment of fish freshness and quality is presented. The method is based on ¹H high-resolution magic angle spinning (HR-MAS) NMR spectroscopy and allows the rapid determination of two well-established indicators of fish freshness and quality: the K value and the trimethylamine nitrogen (TMA-N) content. The method is demonstrated on four different species of fish (sea bream, sea bass, trout, and red mullet) stored on ice at 0 °C. The results obtained are in agreement with more cumbersome methods classically used to determine the K value and the TMA-N concentration. The main advantage of the ¹H HR-MAS NMR approach is to allow a direct measurement of these two parameters directly on unprocessed fish sample without using any preliminary extraction. The total analysis time, including sample preparation, is of the order of 40 min per sample.     

Bacteriological Quality of Freshly Processed Broiler Chickens as Affected by Carcass Pretreatment and Gamma Irradiation

Chicken carcasses dipped in whey fermented by Streptococcus thermophilus, lactic acid solution or water and irradiated at 2.5 kGy by ⁶⁰Co were evaluated for bacteriological quality on day-1, day-3 and at 3-day intervals for an 18-day storage (4°C) period. Unirradiated carcasses treated similarly were used as control. Gram negative bacteria, Yersinia and Campylobacter counts were significantly (p<0.01) lower in irradiated samples, but no significant (p>0.05) differences were observed among the dipping solutions. Salmonellae were completely eliminated in irradiated samples. Whey fermented by 5. thermophilus reduced the proportion of Salmonella contaminated carcasses from 67% to 20%. As evidenced by the bacterial counts the shelf-life was found to be 15 days for irradiated carcasses compared to about 6 days for the unirradiated samples.     

Microbiological and Sensory Changes in Minced Beef Treated with Potassium Lactate and Sodium Diacetate during Refrigerated Storage

The effect of potassium lactate and sodium diacetate on the microbiological changes and sensory properties of vacuum-packaged minced beef was investigated. The meat samples both with a preservative (in the amounts 0.65% and 1.3%) and without were stored at temperatures of 0–1°C and 5–6°C. The influence of storage time on changes in total bacteria count (TBC), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Brochothrix thermosphacta, and the microbes of the Enterobacteriaceae family was investigated, as well as changes in pH and sensory quality. It was found that the addition of the preservative to the minced meat caused a significant extension (p < 0.05) of the lag phase and an inhibition of microbial growth rate, depending on temperature, storage time, and its concentration. The antibacterial effect was significantly higher (p < 0.05) at a temperature of 0–1°C than at 5–6°C and most susceptible to it were the bacteria belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae. The study results showed that the minced beef containing the preservative which had been vacuum stored at 0–1°C, presented a better sensory quality and had a shelf-life of about 6 days longer, in relation to the quality and shelf-life of the control samples. For each of the refrigeration storage temperatures however, there was no statistically significant change (p < 0.05) in the pH for the various storage periods and preservative quantities present.     

Effect of Low-Dose (100 krad) Gamma Radiation on the Microflora of Vacuum-Packaged Ground Pork With and Without Added Sodium Phosphates

Survival and growth of naturally occurring or inoculated bacteria were studied in refrigerated (5°C), vacuum-packaged ground pork irradiated at 100 krad (1kGy). Numbers of naturally occurring mesophiles, psycbrotrophs and anaerobes or facultative anaerobes were reduced (P<0.01) by irradiation, whereas lactic acid bacteria were least affected. Partial bacterial recovery during subsequent storage at 5°C suggested sublethal bacterial injury due to irradiation. Irradiation prolonged shelf-life 2.5–3.5 days (30–44%) in uninoculated and 1.0–1.5 days in inoculated (10⁵ CFU/g) meat. Added sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP) (0.4%) contributed two additional days to inoculated, irradiated pork shelf-life but had no effect on the naturally occurring micrbflora. Lipid oxidation did not increase (P>0.05) due to irradiation and was unaffected by phosphates.     

Improving the keeping quality of pomegranate fruit by intermittent warming

 Mollar pomegranates (Punica granatum, Punicaceae) were stored at 0  °C or 5  °C and 95% relative humidity (RH) for 80 days. Intermittent warming (IW) cycles of 1 day at 20  °C every 6 days, during which time the fruit had been stored at 0  °C or 5  °C, followed by a shelf-life period of 7 days at 15  °C and 70% RH were applied. IW during storage at 0  °C was the best treatment for maintaining the red skin colour as at harvest. However the red colour of the arils (hue angle) was kept better under warming at 5  °C. Although significant changes in the individual anthocyanins were observed in all treatments, particularly after the shelf-life period, the total anthocyanin content of the juice at harvest was maintained. While storage at 0  °C avoided decay although increased the risk of chilling injuries such us pitting and husk scald, 5  °C-storage reduced these injuries but fungal attacks were not inhibited. After the shelf-life period, IW alleviated chilling injuries without any incidence of decay. Warming treatments gave very good results with respect to storage and the keeping quality of pomegranates, particularly when applied during storage at 0  °C. Received: 10 February 1998 / Revised version: 24 April 1998     

Gamma Irradiation Effects on Shelf Life and Gel Forming Properties of Washed Red Hake (Urophycis chuss) Fish Mince

Fresh washed red hake (Urophycis chuss) mince without cryoprotectants was irradiated at 0 (control), 0.66 and 1.31 kGy and stored aerobically at 3.3°C. The total aerobic plate counts of the control and the low and high levels irradiated samples remained less than 10⁶ CFU/ g for 4, 10, and 17 days, respectively. Gel strength decreased after irradiation of mince, and such decreases were dose-dependent. Irradiation extended sensory shelf life of unfrozen fish mince 12–18 days and microbiologically (<10⁶ CFU/g) 6–13 days longer than the unirradiated control.     

Effect of tea polyphenols on microbiological and biochemical quality of Collichthys fish ball

BACKGROUND: Tea polyphenols (TP), as the most active constituents of tea, are considered natural food additives. This study examined the preservative properties of TP for Collichthys fish ball in well storage. Vacuum‐packed Collichthys fish balls were treated with 0, 0.1, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, and 0.30 g kg^?1 TP and stored at 0 °C for 17 days. RESULTS: Microbiological results were obtained using a biochemical test, API system kit, and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Results confirmed that the dominant bacteria in Collichthys fish balls are the genera Serratia and Pseudomonas. Total viable counts dropped two orders of magnitude in Collichthys fish balls with 0.25 g kg^?1 TP compared with the control. The advantages of total volatile basic nitrogen value, 2‐thiobarbituric acid value and texture value were clearly observed, whereas pH and whiteness value exhibited no significant decrease for the group treated with 0.25 g kg^?1 TP. More than 0.25 g kg^?1 TP added could retain excellent fish ball characteristics in terms of sensory assessment after 17 days. CONCLUSION: The shelf life of Collichthys fish balls supplemented with tea polyphenols can be prolonged for an additional 6 days in good condition at 0 °C storage. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Determination of the Freshness of Beef Strip Loins (M. longissimus lumborum) Using Electronic Nose

A beef strip loins (Musculus longissimus lumborum) freshness determination method utilizing electronic nose (e-nose) was investigated in this paper. Fresh beef strip loins samples were stored at 4°C continuously for 10 days. Total viable count (TVC) index, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) index, and e-nose responses to beef strip loins samples were measured every day. TVC and TVB-N index rose with the increase of storage time. Principal component analysis (PCA) only partially discriminated beef samples under different storage days. Stochastic resonance (SR) signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) spectrum discriminated all beef samples successfully. Beef strip loins freshness discrimination model was developed using SR SNR maximums (SNRmax) linear fitting regression. The proposed method forecasted beef freshness with high accuracy. It is holds promise in meat freshness determination applications.     

Quality of rainbow trout chilled-stored after post-catch holding

The shelf-life of headed and gutted rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) was evaluated over period of storage at 0°C. There were three groups of samples: (i) fish held at 10°C for 6h and iced, (ii) fish held at 20°C for 6h and iced and (iii) fish held at 30°C for 6h and iced. Quality was assessed over the period of iced storage by measurements of total volatile bases (TVB), hypoxanthine, thiobarbituric acid, pH, water holding capacity (WHC) and tissue compressibility (TC). The results indicated that holding at various time/temperature periods before icing influences quality over the period of iced storage. Deterioration in quality was most pronounced when the fish had been held at high ambient temperatures of 30°C. Hypoxanthine values appeared to give an accurate indication of quality of freshwater fish. There was a linear increase in hypoxanthine values over the period of iced storage for all samples. However, for trout held at 30°C for 6 h before icing the values appeared to be highest. The coefficients of linear regression for fish iced immediately on receipt were lowest per day. It is suggested that hypoxanthine values may be used as chemical indicators of quality of freshwater trout.     

Original article: Gel properties of red tilapia surimi: effects of setting condition,fish freshness and frozen storage

This study aimed to determine effects of setting condition, fish freshness and storage time of frozen surimi on properties of red tilapia surimi gel. To investigate the effect of setting condition, a combination of eight setting temperatures (35–70 °C) and four setting times (30–120 min) was used. Maximum breaking force, deformation and gel strength were obtained after the gel had been set at 40 °C for 90 or 120 min. Setting at 65 °C resulted in the lowest obtained gel strength, because of proteolytic degradation of myosin heavy chain. Increasing storage time of raw fish material in ice caused a significant decrease in gel strength of the resultant surimi gel (P < 0.05). Gels produced from surimi kept in frozen storage for up to 9 months also exhibited reduced gel strength, with a concomitant increase in the expressible drip, with increasing storage time (P < 0.05).