Effect of Lactobacillus cultures on microbiological,chemical and odour changes during storage of rainbow trout fillets

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of applying two Lactobacillus protective cultures on microbiological, chemical and odour changes during storage of refrigerated vacuum‐packed rainbow trout (Oncorrynchus mykiss) fillets. Lactobacillus sakei CECT 4808 and Lb. curvatus CECT 904^T were inoculated individually or in combination into rainbow trout fillets. The samples were vacuum‐packed and stored at 4 ± 0.5 °C and were assessed during a 20‐day storage period for microbiological (Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., lactic acid bacteria (LAB), H₂S‐producing bacteria, yeasts and moulds) and chemical (pH, total volatile basic nitrogen, lipid oxidation) parameters and off‐odour. Samples inoculated with Lb. sakei and with both strains had significantly (P≤0.05) lower counts of all microbiological spoilage indicator organisms (Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., H₂S‐producing bacteria, yeasts and moulds) than those inoculated with Lb. curvatus or the controls. All chemical parameters examined and off‐odour scores were also significantly (P≤0.05) improved in the samples inoculated with Lb. sakei or with both strains compared with those inoculated with Lb. curvatus or the controls. Lb. sakei generally showed a better preservative effect (P≤0.05) than the combination of strains. Inoculation with Lb. sakei CECT 4808 could provide an additional hurdle to improve shelf‐life of refrigerated vacuum‐packaged trout fillets, as inoculation with this strain resulted in extension of shelf‐life by 5 days. Furthermore, this strain showed some antioxidative ability, which could retard lipid oxidation in fish. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry