Effect of nano‐TiO2‐LDPE packaging on microbiological and physicochemical quality of Pacific white shrimp during chilled storage

Nano‐TiO₂‐modified low‐density polyethylene (NTLDPE) packaging was prepared by blending LDPE with nano‐TiO₂. The effects of NTLDPE packaging on quality of Pacific white shrimp during storage at 4 °C were investigated. Results showed that NTLDPE lowered the K value by 28.50%, while increased sensory score by 30.77% in comparison with the control. NTLDPE packaging retarded the decrease of whiteness and water holding capacity and the increase of melanosis score based on the signs of freshness and deterioration of shrimp. Furthermore, NTLDPE packaging reduced total viable counts (TVC) by 6.42% and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N) contents were 14.82% lower than that of control. TVB‐N content and TBARS value, as well as polyphenol oxidase activity and TVC, were maintained and shrimp remained a commercial acceptability for 8 days. The overall results indicated that NTLDPE packaging could preserve the quality and extend the shelf‐life of Pacific white shrimp.     

Retail Shelf-Life of Pork Dipped in Organic Acid before Modified Atmosphere or Vacuum Packaging

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is increasingly popular for meat, but raw, chilled pork in vacuum or anoxic environments has a purple color. The retail shelf‐life of pork chops dipped in 500 ppm ascorbic acid, 250 ppm citric acid, or no acid dip and stored at 1 °C before simulated retail display in MAP with gas exchange or air‐permeable packaging after vacuum pouch storage was determined. The 80% N₂:20% CO₂ in MAP was exchanged with 80% O₂:20% CO₂, and chops were removed from vacuum packages and overwrapped with permeable film (VP‐PVC) on the 7th day before simulated retail display at 4 °C. Shelf‐life traits were determined at 1, 7, 8, 10, 12, and 14 d postpackaging. The pH values changed with time, but returned to post‐dipped, prepackaged levels at the end of simulated retail storage. Weight loss of chops increased (P < 0.05) in VP‐PVC compared with MAP. The a* values increased (P < 0.05) and L* and b* values decreased during simulated retail display, with higher L*, a*, and b* color values for chops in MAP than VP‐PVC. Log numbers of psychrotrophic microorganisms were higher (P < 0.05) on VP‐PVC samples than for chops in MAP on days 12 and 14. Psychrotrophic counts on ascorbic acid‐treated samples were decreased compared with citric acid or no dipping on pork during simulated retail display. Pork chops in MAP with gas exchange had lighter and redder color, increased weight retention, decreased psychrotrophic counts, and increased lipid oxidation compared with conventional vacuum and overwrap packaging systems.     

Evaluation of Shelf Life of Superchilled Cod (Gadus morhua) Fillets and the Influence of Temperature Fluctuations During Storage on Microbial and Chemical Quality Indicators

Quality changes of aerobically packed cod fillets stored under superchilling and abusive temperature conditions were characterized by the growth of specific spoilage organisms (SSO) and the production of microbial metabolites measured by an electronic nose along with traditional sensory and chemical analysis (total volatile basic nitrogen [TVB‐N], pH). A new process based on quick contact freezing and cold air blasting was used to achieve superchilling of fillets before chilled (0.5 °C) or superchilled (‐1.5 °C) storage. Photobacterium phosphoreum dominated under temperature abusive conditions coinciding with high levels of TVB‐N and increased electronic nose responses indicating increased levels of alcohols and aldehydes at sensory rejection. Dominating growth of Pseudomonas spp. in 1 batch was associated with the origin, the catching method, and the cooling conditions during processing. The superchilling process followed by superchilled storage (‐1.5 °C) extended the sensory shelf life of the fillets for at least 3 d compared with traditional process, resulting in a total shelf life of 15 d. High content of TVB‐N was observed in superchilled fillets at sensory rejection. P. phosphoreum counts were lower under superchilling conditions (6.0 to 6.8 log colony‐forming units [CFU]/g), compared with the traditionally processed chilled fillets (7.2 log CFU/g). However, H₂S‐producing bacteria appeared to grow steadily under superchilling conditions reaching counts as high as 7.6 log CFU/g at sensory rejection.     

Establishment of quality predictive models for bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) fillets during storage at different temperatures

Quality predictive models were developed to predict the freshness of bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) fillets during storage at different temperatures. Quality indices [sensory score, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB‐N), total aerobic counts (TAC) and K value] at ?3, 0, 3, 9 and 15 °C were estimated and kinetically modelled by the Arrhenius equation. The activation energy (E_A) of sensory score, TVB‐N, TAC and K value was 78.17, 75.93, 106.53 and 76.21 kJ mol^?1, and the corresponding rate constants (k₀) were 1.16 × 10¹⁵, 2.60 × 10¹⁴, 4.05 × 10¹⁹ and 1.36 × 10¹⁵. The high regression coefficients (R² > 0.87) indicated the acceptability of the zero‐order reaction for sensory score, TVB‐N, TAC and K value. Relative errors between predicted and observed freshness indicators values of sensory score, TVB‐N, TAC and K value were all below 10% except the values at 6th day of K value, 3rd day and 9th day of TVB‐N. These results indicated that the models based on sensory score, TVB‐N, TAC and K value could effectively predict the freshness indicators of bighead carp fillets at the range of ?3 to 15 °C.     

Rapid and non‐invasive evaluation of pork meat quality during storage via impedance measurement

In this study, the evolutions of impedance and bio‐indicators (total aerobic count (TAC), total volatile base nitrogen (TVB‐N) and pH) of meat freshness during storage at 4 °C were investigated and compared. The influence of electrode configurations, frequencies and directions of applied electric fields on impedance measurement was considered. Good relationships between measured impedance and bio‐indicators were obtained, with R² ranging from 0.758 to 0.992, RMSE from 0.11 to 0.57 for TAC and R² ranging from 0.636 to 0.989, RMSE from 0.29 to 1.68 for TVB‐N. Bar and ring electrodes had better performance as compared to needle electrodes. Effects of frequency on impedance were important from 20 Hz to 200 kHz and diminished in the higher ranges. Impedance generally exhibited better correlations with TAC, TVB‐N at high frequency than at low frequency. The findings demonstrated that impedance measurement could be a viable, rapid method to assess the quality of stored pork meat.     

Effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Shelf-Life of Iced Fresh Hake Slices

Shelf-life of hake slices (Merluccius merluccius) stored in the ice state (2±1°C) under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) conditions was determined by measurements of pH, total volatile bases (TVB) and trimethylamine (TMA) content, mesophilic and psychrophilic bacterial counts, malonaldehyde content, exudation, protein functionality and sensorial analyses (colour and odour). The effect of different gas mixtures were evaluated: (1) 40% CO₂, 50% N₂, 10% O₂; (2) 60% CO₂, 30% N₂, 10% O₂; (3) 40% CO₂, 30% N₂, 30% O₂; (4) 60% CO₂, 10% N₂, 30% O₂ and (5) air (control). Important differences were found between MAP-stored and air-stored hake slices. Shelf-life of hake stored under MAP conditions was two-fold extended. Bacterial growth wasinhibited, increases of pH, TMA and TVB were reduced, and alterations inprotein functionality were delayed, and off-odours were not noted in MAP-stored hake slices after 21 days storage. Significant correlations were found between TMA content and total viable count (TVC), as well as between apparent viscosity and exudation. Hake slices could be stored in the ice state under MAP conditions for about three weeks without an important loss of quality. Fish freshness, handling practices and initial bacterial load have an important influence of shelf-life of hake.     

对冷却猪肉进行气调保鲜的货架期研究

猪肉在 0～ 4℃冷却条件下 ,采用空气、真空、气调等不同包装方式进行保鲜试验 ,通过测定冷却肉的菌落总数、pH值、TVB N值以及颜色、气味等感官指标 ,对冷却肉的颜色与防腐效果进行了比较和研究。结果表明 :O2 70 % ,CO2 3 0 %和O2 5 0 % ,CO2 5 0 %气调包装猪肉的保鲜效果较真空包装和空气包装好 ,货架期可延长 6d。     

Influence of packaging strategy on microbiological and biochemical changes in high‐pressure‐treated oysters (Crassostrea gigas)

BACKGROUND: High‐pressure (HP) treatment is being increasingly employed for commercial processing of oysters, but there is relatively limited information on the microbiological quality and enzymatic activity of HP‐treated in‐shell oysters. The objective of this research was to study the influence of packaging strategy on microbiological and biochemical changes in oysters HP treated at 260 MPa for 3 min or 400 MPa for 5 min at 20 °C and stored at 0 °C either aerobically on ice, in vacuum packaging (VP) or under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP; 40% CO₂, 60% N₂), compared with changes in untreated oysters. RESULTS: Both HP treatments reduced the microbiological load to below the detection limit (<100 colony‐forming units g^?1). MAP and VP also delayed subsequent microbial growth compared with aerobically stored samples. After 21 days of storage, total volatile base levels remained lower than the proposed acceptability limits for all samples; however, after 28 days, only oysters HP treated at 400 MPa, irrespective of the packaging system used, did not exceed this limit. HP increased the thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substance (TBARS) values of oysters, indicating increased lipid oxidation. During storage, TBARS values of all MAP and VP oysters remained lower than those of aerobically stored oysters. CONCLUSION: HP treatment, in combination with adequate chilled storage and MAP, can extend the shelf‐life and safety of oysters. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Microbiological,physical and chemical characteristics of freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in modified‐atmosphere packaging

This study evaluated the influence of packaging atmosphere (air versus 50% N₂/50% CO₂) on microbiological (mesophiles, psychrotrophs), physical (gas measurement) and chemical (pH, total volatile basic nitrogen [TVB‐N], NH₃, H₂S and biogenic amines) parameters in freshwater prawns during storage at 0 ± 1 °C for 240 h. To select the most appropriate packaging, 21 batches of each treatment were analysed. Both the packaging permeability and the combination of gases affected the shelf life, but the modified‐atmosphere packaging (MAP) was more efficient than air packaging, increasing the shelf life by 40 h. The parameters of pH and TVB‐N showed no statistical difference between the two atmosphere conditions all along the storage period. The biogenic amine agmatine showed potential for use as a quality indicator due to the increased concentration during storage. In further studies, this amine can be applied as an indicator for public health issue.     

Application of multi‐element viscoelastic models to freshness evaluation of beef based on the viscoelasticity principle

The aims of this work were to develop multi‐element viscoelastic models for beef and apply them to detect total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N) content for freshness evaluation. The deformation data were collected by a viscoelasticity detection system that employed the airflow and laser technique. Then, TVB‐N contents were measured to determine the freshness of samples during storage. A universal global optimization (UGO) algorithm was applied to fit the deformation data. Various multi‐element viscoelastic models including the Burgers, six‐element and eight‐element models were built using the obtained fitting parameters, and different viscoelastic parameters representing the degree of beef spoilage were obtained. All the viscoelastic parameters of each multi‐element model and parameter combinations of the selected six‐element model were employed to build mathematical models for predicting TVB‐N content by support vector machine regression (SVR). In comparison, the six‐element model with all the viscoelastic parameters performed the best and was determined to predict TVB‐N content with correlation coefficient in the prediction set (R_P) of 0.891 and root mean squared error in the prediction set (RMSEP) of 1.467 mg/100 g. Based on the results of parameter combinations, combination (E₂, E₃, E₁, η₁, η₂) from the six‐element model performed the best, which was comparatively inferior to all the viscoelastic parameters of the six‐element model. Results demonstrated that it was possible to predict TVB‐N content for freshness evaluation by applying method of developing multi‐element model based on the viscoelasticity with chemometrics.     

A comparative study on the effect of packaging material and storage environment on shelf life of fresh bell-pepper

The effect of packaging materials [low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP)] and storage environment [modified atmospheric packaging (MAP)] on shelf life enhancement of bell pepper in terms of quality attributes such as physiological weight loss, ascorbic acid, texture, surface colour and subjective quality analysis have been studied at ambient and refrigerated condition. Different packaging techniques used for the experiment were MAP with LDPE, MAP with PP, MAP in perforated LDPE films, MAP in perforated PP films, shrink packaging with bi-axially oriented PP (BOPP) film and vacuum packaging with PP film. The in-pack bell pepper created a suitable headspace environment with low O₂ and high CO₂ concentrations, which resulted in a better retention of freshness of the vegetables and its marketability. Shrink packaging with BOPP film could not yield better result under ambient storage because of high water vapor transmission rate of the film and consequently loss of turgidity of the vegetables. Among different packaging techniques and storage conditions, MAP with PP film in refrigerated condition was found to be the best followed by vacuum pack with PP film in refrigerated condition and could be used to store for 20 days for bell pepper with maintenance of texture, colour, ascorbic acid and marketability. It is also inferred that under ambient conditions, bell pepper could be stored for 4 days using ventilated LDPE and PP as MAP storage. Further studies are needed to evaluate the sensory aspects, as well as to microbiological evaluation to characterize the fresh bell pepper during storage.     

Sensory Analysis and Consumer Acceptance of Irradiated Boneless Pork Chops

Flavor, texture, and aroma were determined for chilled (3 ± 2°C) and frozen (–17 ± 3°C) boneless pork chops packaged in vacuum or air and exposed to an absorbed dose of 0, 1.5, or 2.5 kGy (chilled) or 0, 2.5, or 3.85 kGy (frozen) of electron beam and cobalt⁶⁰ irradiation. Irradiation (< 3.85 kGy) had minimal effects on aroma, flavor, and textural attributes in chilled and frozen boneless pork chops. Irradiation source had limited effects and packaging type had the greatest influence. Consumers reported no difference (P>0.05) between irradiated (2.5 kGy cobalt⁶⁰ irradiated, chilled, vacuum-packaged, boneless, pork chops) and control samples for overall acceptance, meatiness, freshness, tenderness and juiciness.     

Original article: Super‐chilling maintains freshness of modified atmosphere‐packaged Lateolabrax japonicus

The effect of ?1.5 °C brine super‐chilling on the quality of the modified atmosphere‐packaged Lateolabrax japonicus fish fillets was studied. The result showed that the total viable mesophilic count (TVC) and H₂S‐producing bacterial count (HC) of samples were super‐chilled, and then modified atmosphere‐packaged (Sc + Map) were lower than that of Map (Samples were not super‐chilled but modified atmosphere packaged), and values of total volatile base nitrogen (TVB‐N), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), pH and myofibril fragmentation index (MFI) for Sc + Map increased more slowly than those for Map. Colour of skin and flesh of fish fillets was not affected by brine super‐chilling, except the whiteness of the skin of fish fillets. Sc + Map could extend the shelf life of fish fillets for 4 days longer than Map.     

Application of Sensory Evaluation,HS‐SPME GC‐MS,E‐Nose,and E‐Tongue for Quality Detection in Citrus Fruits

In this study, electronic tongue (E‐tongue), headspace solid‐phase microextraction gas chromatography‐mass spectrometer (GC‐MS), electronic nose (E‐nose), and quantitative describe analysis (QDA) were applied to describe the 2 types of citrus fruits (Satsuma mandarins [Citrus unshiu Marc.] and sweet oranges [Citrus sinensis {L.} Osbeck]) and their mixing juices systematically and comprehensively. As some aroma components or some flavor molecules interacted with the whole juice matrix, the changes of most components in the fruit juice were not in proportion to the mixing ratio of the 2 citrus fruits. The potential correlations among the signals of E‐tongue and E‐nose, volatile components, and sensory attributes were analyzed by using analysis of variance partial least squares regression. The result showed that the variables from the sensor signals (E‐tongue system and E‐nose system) had significant and positive (or negative) correlations to the most variables of volatile components (GC‐MS) and sensory attributes (QDA). The simultaneous utilization of E‐tongue and E‐nose obtained a perfect classification result with 100% accuracy rate based on linear discriminant analysis and also attained a satisfying prediction with high coefficient association for the sensory attributes (R² > 0.994 for training sets and R² > 0.983 for testing sets) and for the volatile components (R² > 0.992 for training sets and R² > 0.990 for testing sets) based on random forest. Being easy‐to‐use, cost‐effective, robust, and capable of providing a fast analysis procedure, E‐nose and E‐tongue could be used as an alternative detection system to traditional analysis methods, such as GC‐MS and sensory evaluation by human panel in the fruit industry.     

电子鼻检测不同贮藏温度下猪肉新鲜度变化

采用电子鼻研究冷却猪肉在不同贮藏温度(－ 18、0、4、10、20℃)条件下新鲜度变化规律。选用优化后的进样体积(1500μL)进样,对实验数据进行主成分分析(PCA)、货架期模拟及拟合感官评分的偏最小二乘回归分析(PLS)。结果表明：5 种温度条件下贮藏不同时间肉样挥发性气味差异显著,贮藏温度越高肉样新鲜度发生显著下降时刻越早,预测时间分别为336、180、72、48、18h。对4、20℃条件下电子鼻检测数据与感官评分拟合后进行PLS 分析,相关系数分别高达0.9982和0.9998,表明电子鼻能代替感官评定。逐一选取每一根传感器进行PLS 拟合后发现,TA/2、T40/1、T40/2、P30/2、P40/1、P10/2、P10/1 是对不同新鲜度肉样挥发性气味具有良好特异性响应的传感器。     

Synergistic antimicrobial effect of pyrophosphate on Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157 in modified atmosphere packaged and refrigerated seabass slices

Effect of pyrophosphate (PP) in combination with modified atmosphere (MAP) (80% CO₂, 10% O₂ and 10% N₂) on the survival of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157 inoculated on seabass slices stored at 4 °C was investigated. PP pretreatment showed the synergistic effect on microbiological inhibition with MAP as evidenced by the lowered TVC and LAB counts, compared with samples stored in air and those kept under MAP. Microbiological changes of seabass slices inoculated with different levels of L. monocytogenes or E.coli O157 (10³ and 10⁵ cfu/g) were monitored during storage. PP pretreatment reduced colony count of E. coli O157 and extended the lag phase of L. monocytogenes. Therefore, MAP in combination with PP pretreatment not only retarded microbiological deterioration of seabass slices but also reduced or inactivated some pathogenic bacteria to some extent.     

Influence of Injection, Packaging, and Storage Conditions on the Quality of Beef and Bison Steaks

The combined effects of injection, packaging (modified atmosphere packaging [MAP] with 70% O₂/ 30% CO₂ and vacuum packaging [VP]), storage temperature (‐1 °C and +4 °C), and storage time on the color, microbial and oxidative stability of beef and bison longissimus lumborum (LL) steaks were investigated. Beef LL steaks in MAP retained their bright red color longer than bison steaks. Bison steaks developed higher 2‐Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) during storage, and this might have influenced the resulting rapid loss of redness from the bloomed meat. Storage at ‐1 °C in MAP provided greater color stability and a longer storage life for both meat species studied. Injection of salt/phosphate had a beneficial effect on the color stability of steaks during retail display; however, this positive effect was more pronounced for bison steaks compared with those of beef. Steaks stored overnight under MAP before retail display maintained the highest a* values for up to 5 d compared with those stored under vacuum. MAP‐OV steaks generally maintained the highest OMB content for up to 5 d during retail display compared with those stored under vacuum. Nevertheless, OMB levels were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in bison steaks compared with those of beef irrespective of packaging treatments. Injected steaks and those stored at ‐1 °C had significantly (P < 0.05) higher OMB levels compared with non‐injected counterparts and those stored at +4 °C, respectively. MAP is an excellent option for short‐term storage due to its positive effects on meat color, but for longer storage, VP may be necessary. Storing meat under vacuum and then placing it under MAP just before retail display might be another option to increase shelf life.     

基于电子鼻技术判定冷鲜罗非鱼片品质劣变进程

应用电子鼻采集贮藏过程冷鲜罗非鱼片顶空挥发性气味,同步进行感官评价、微生物和理化分析。结果表明：传感器响应信号随着鱼片气味浓度增大而增大,且对不同新鲜度气味有良好响应。线性判别(LDA)比主成分分析(PCA)更能有效区分鱼片的不同新鲜度、微生物及挥发性盐基氮含量,表明电子鼻可快速检测鱼片的品质劣变进程。通过负荷加载分析和相关分析表明,W2W、W1W、W1S、W2S对区分冷鲜罗非鱼片不同新鲜度的贡献较大,并与感官可接受性、菌落总数和挥发性盐基氮的相关性良好,可作为今后研制鱼用电子鼻系统精选传感器的理论参考。     

An electronic nose system for the monitoring of water cane shoots quality with swarm clustering algorithm

A fast, portable, nondestructive, and simple‐to‐operate method for determination of water cane shoot quality via an electronic nose (E‐nose) system is presented. The responses of E‐nose sensors to cane shoot samples during storage time are measured. Considering that one of the most common problems with fresh aquatic vegetables is the nearly negligible change in volatile organic compounds, a novel swarm clustering based on particle swarm optimization (SWC) algorithm is proposed to extract the effective features of the sensors responses. In SWC, the number of clusters is automatically estimated based on the neighborhood radius of the particles, which reduces the difficulty in determining the number of cluster. Traditional clustering algorithms, such as K‐means clustering (KMC) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), are used for the purposes of comparison, and the changes in quality of cane shoot samples are quantitatively determined according to the hardness and pH. The results suggest that the E‐nose‐based SWC methodology is capable of accurately classifying the cane shoots freshness during the 20‐day storage time, which is much better than that of the comparative KMC and HCA methods. Additionally,quantitative analysis of the sensory evaluation, hardness, and pH is shown to have good agreement with the E‐nose system analysis results. Validation experiments show that unknown samples are successfully grouped into several different categories with a high correlation (R² = .982) between unknown and known samples, demonstrating the potential use of E‐nose system to predict the freshness of the cane shoots.     

Effect of O2 scavenger on the shelf‐life of catfish (Pangasius sutchi) steaks during chilled storage

BACKGROUND: Active packaging for preserving meat products, including seafoods, has been gaining importance in recent times. The present study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of O₂ scavenger, the most widely used active packaging technology, on the shelf‐life of catfish steaks in chilled storage conditions. RESULTS: O₂ scavenger was effective in reducing the oxygen concentration inside the packaging to as low as 0.42% within 24 h. This reduction in oxygen in O₂ scavenger packages showed positive effects on quality parameters compared to control air packs. Total volatile base nitrogen (TVB‐N), thiobarbituric acid value and peroxide value of catfish steaks packed in O₂ scavenger was significantly different (P < 0.05) compared to air‐packed samples. Based on the sensory, microbiological and TVB‐N values, the control samples were acceptable only up to 10 days, compared to 20 days in O₂ scavenger‐packed samples, extending the shelf‐life by 10 days. CONCLUSION: O₂ scavenger reduced the oxygen concentration inside the package significantly within 24 h compared to control air packs. By using this technique, the use of a vacuum packing machine can be avoided. Further, O₂ scavenger extended the product's shelf‐life up to 20 days, compared to 10 days in control packs. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry