Desalted Cod Spoilage Flora Inhibition by Citric Acid and Potassium Sorbate Combination

ABSTRACT

Desalted cod spoilage isolates were tested in culture broth for growth inhibition by citric acid and potassium sorbate. Preservative effect was also evaluated in refrigeratedcod juice and desalted cod spiked with Shewanella putrefaciens and Pseudomonas fluorescens orputida. Combination of 0.15% citric acid and 0.1% potassium sorbate inhibited growth of approximately 60% of isolates, including the former two strains. Total inhibition was observed for S. putrefaciens and partial inhibition was noticed for P. fluorescens or putida, in both treated juice and desalted cod. Preservatives delayed growth of halotolerant bacteria in cod. Citric acid plus potassium sorbate addition lowered the pH to extend desalted cod shelf life.     

Improving the Color Shelf Life of Farmed Southern Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) Flesh with Dietary Supplements of Vitamins E and C and Selenium

ABSTRACT

The use of dietary antioxidants to increase the shelf life of farmed southern bluefin tuna (SBT) flesh was examined over a 10-week period using either a standard pellet (Control) or high-vitamin pellet (HV) fortified with vitamin E, vitamin C, and selenium. Following harvest, muscle samples were taken and assessed for antioxidant content. Flesh color shelf life was assessed in muscle stored at 4°C for 8 days. Muscle vitamin levels were significantly higher in the HV group than the Control group for vitamin E (20.4 ± 1.74 vs 9.7 ± 0.89 mg/kg) and vitamin C (29.1 ± 4.36 vs 4.3 ± 0.41 mg.kg^–1), but selenium levels were not higher. Muscle samples from the HV group had a slower rate of browning than did those from the Control group, particularly over days 4 to 7 of storage. Results indicated that feeding a diet approximately 10 times higher in dietary antioxidants raised levels of vitamin E and vitamin C, but not selenium, in tuna flesh and increased the shelf life of tuna.     

Processing Method Effect on Texture,Color, and Microbial Load of Channel Catfish Fillets

Abstract

Catfish shelf life depends largely on post-harvest handling and storage conditions. Three methods of processing catfish fillets were studied to evaluate quality and shelf life. In one method catfish were hand-dressed, chilled in water at 0°C, and hand-filleted (HC). In the other methods, catfish were mechanically filleted and chilled immediately (MC) or held unchilled for one hour at 18°C prior to chilling (MU). All fillets were stored in HDPE bags at 2°C for analyses at 0, 3, 6, and 9 d. Shear force for MC and MU fillets decreased (P ≤ 0.05) to the same levels as HC fillets after 3 d storage. HC fillets had higher (P ≤ 0.05) ‘L’ and ‘b’ and lower ‘a’ values than MU or MC fillets throughout storage. Initial psychrotrophic counts (PPC) were lower (P ≤ 0.05) for MC (3.9 log CFU/g) and MU (4.1 log CFU/g) than for HC fillets (5.2 log CFU/g). The PPC increased (P ≤ 0.05) after 3 and 6 d in HC and MU fillets, respectively. Coliform growth showed similar patterns as PPC. Spoilage levels indicated a doubling in shelf life of machine-cut fillets (～8 d) as compared to hand-cut fillets (～4 d).     

Evaluation of the Shelf Life of Tambaqui Fillet Processed by the Sous Vide Method

This study aimed to elaborate a convenience food – sous vide – and establish its shelf life by monitoring physicochemical, microbiological, and sensorial characteristics. Sous vide fillets were prepared from tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) with two types of sauces: soy sauce (SS) and basil sauce (BS), at a pasteurization temperature of 65°C for 12.5 min, a binomial established according to a 2² central composite rotational design. The packed samples were kept under refrigeration in the range of 1 ± 1°C, and then they underwent analyses at 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, and 56 days of storage. The results of the microbiological analyses indicated that microorganisms remained below acceptable limits either in the raw material or in the sous vide over the storage period. The characteristics that sous vide SS and BS showed on the 42nd and 49th days of shelf life, respectively, indicate that these products, when appropriate processing and storage are used, can preserve their fresh quality.     

Influence of incubation temperature on body movements of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) embryos and on size at hatch

Body movements of cod (Gadus morhua L.) embryos reared from fertilization to hatch at 5.4°C were observed at various stages of development and at six experimental temperatures ranging from 0–10°C. Frequency of cod embryo body movements increased from zero at 42 degree‐days post fertilization to maximal at 73–82 degree‐days (1 or 2 days prior to hatch). Embryos were most active at 2°C (mean of 5.5 movements per 10 min), with activity declining to less than 1/10 min at 8–10°C. Lengths of hatched cod larvae reared at a series of constant temperatures (from 4–10°C) from fertilization to hatch were greater at lower incubation temperatures. Incubation temperatures of 2–4°C were found to be optimal for incubation of cod eggs.     

Quality Changes and Shelf Life of Cultured and Wild Hot-Smoked Mediterranean Horse Mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus) at Refrigerated (4 ± 1°C) Conditions

ABSTRACT

Mariculturing of horse mackerel is not known in the world. Additionally, limited studies exist on quality changes of smoked horse mackerel at refrigerated temperatures. Therefore, in this study, between 1+ and 2-year-old wild and cultured horse mackerels were hot smoked and stored at refrigerated conditions. Chemical, microbiological, and sensory analyses were performed weekly to investigate quality changes and to determine the shelf stability of the products. The results of thiobarbituric acid, trimethylamine, and total bacteria counts were obtained within the acceptable levels. Although the counts of histamine-forming bacteria increased significantly (p < 0.05) during storage, histamine values were well below the permitted limits set by Food and Drug Administration and European Union (EU). Sensory results showed that both storage groups had 3 weeks of shelf life. Total volatile basic nitrogen values supported sensory results. Therefore, the results indicate that culturing of horse mackerel did not alter the quality during storage at 4 ± 1°C.     

Quality and Shelf Life of Liver of Farmed Cod (Gadus morhua)

ABSTRACT

Livers of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) are traditionally used in cod liver oil production or consumed cooked or canned. The farming of cod is a relatively new industry in Norway. The aim of this study was to determine quality and shelf life of fresh liver from farmed cod during chilled storage on ice by hydrolysis and oxidation state and sensory quality and the influence on canned liver. In two experiments, livers from farmed cod were stored chilled and sampled from Days 0 to 13, respectively. Quality, measured as hydrolytic and oxidation degradation, was reduced after 7 days of storage, while sensory quality was reduced after 4 days. Free fatty acids increased from Day 7 in both experiments, while peroxide value and anisidine value showed no change when the livers were single wrapped. Rancid odor was the first sign of oxidation and was registered after three to four days of storage. Canning within 2 days of storage prevented leakage of oil from the canned livers. Sensory analyses of oxidation are recommended as a sensitive and rapid method to detect oxidation of chilled cod liver.     

Effects of High Pressure Treatment on Physicochemical Quality of Pre- and Post-Rigor Palm Ruff (Seriolella Violacea) Fillets

Fish and fish products are characterized for having a short shelf life. Nonthermal processing techniques such as high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) have increasingly been employed to extend shelf life of food products. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes on flesh physicochemical spoilage parameters (pH, total volatile bases (TVB-N), trimethylamine (TMA), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), and color) of palm ruff (Seriolella violacea) fillets in pre- and post-rigor conditions, subjected to two different HHP conditions: 450 MPa and 550 MPa, for 3 and 4 min each. Unpressurized and pressurized fillets were kept in chilled storage (4 ± 1°C) for 26 days to assess the effect of HHP on shelf life. pH and TBA values increased after HHP treatment and with storage time for both unpressurized and pressurized samples. This is attributable to pressure-induced lipid oxidation. Lightness (L*) values increased with pressure, where fish fillets had a cooked appearance. TMA and TVB-N values decreased after HHP treatment compared to the unpressurized samples, showing that HHP treatment is an efficient method to maintain the quality of palm ruff fillets. There was no clear difference between pre- and post-rigor in the parameters evaluated.     

Effect of acclimation temperature on the acute stress response in juvenile Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L., and haddock, Melanogrammus aeglefinus L.

Juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus L.) were subjected to 30 s air exposure stressors following acclimation to 4, 10 and 14 and 4, 8 and 14°C respectively. Both species responded to the stressor with increases in plasma cortisol at all temperatures tested. At 14°C cortisol levels peaked within 1 h post‐stressor, and returned to pre‐stressor levels within 24 h. In contrast, at 4°C, peak cortisol levels were not attained until 6 h post‐stressor in haddock and remained elevated beyond 24 h in both species. The rate of plasma glucose accumulation was greater at higher temperatures in both species and no increase was seen at 4°C. Lysozyme activity in cod, in response to the stressor, was lower than the values reported for some other species and increased slightly at 14°C. The results show that cod and haddock acclimated to different temperatures respond to common, acute stressors in a manner similar to other teleosts.     

Muscle Quality and Proteolytic Enzymes of Farmed Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) During Storage: Effects of Pre-Slaughter Handling and Increased Storage Temperature

ABSTRACT

In the present experiment, the characteristics of minimally handled, directly slaughtered farmed Atlantic cod were compared to cod subjected to 2 h preslaughter handling stress. The results strongly indicate that increasing the storage temperature from 0 to 5°C had a larger negative impact on the quality characteristics than the handling stress applied. Further, there may be interaction effects between handling, storage temperature, and storage time.     

Three-Way Modelling of NMR Relaxation Profiles from Thawed Cod Muscle

Abstract

Low-field ¹ H nuclear magnetic resonance transverse relaxation was used to measure water mobility and distribution in cod stored at ?20°C or ?30°C for up to 12 months and subsequently from 0 to 21 days in modified atmosphere at +2°C. The relaxation profiles were decomposed by parallel factor analysis resulting in four first-order relaxation curves from which the relative water pool sizes and the transverse relaxation times (T2) were calculated. The T2-values of the four identified water pools were 37 ms, 56 ms, 126 ms and 361 ms, respectively. The relative size of the water pools, but not the relaxation times, depended on the frozen storage temperature and on the chilled storage period.     

Comparative Effects of Fish and Cow Gelatins and Locust Bean Gum on Chemical,Textural, and Sensory Properties of Yogurt

ABSTRACT

Yogurt is a traditional dairy product widely consumed all over the world. Syneresis, which is a result of lower water holding capacity, is a big concern and an important quality parameter. In this study, the efficiency of locust bean gum and different gelatins (fish skin, fish scale, and bovine skin) in preventing syneresis was investigated. Samples were stored at 4°C for 2 weeks, a typical shelf life of yogurt, and analyzed periodically for quality parameters. Syneresis, viscosity, and water holding capacity of the control and gum added samples were almost identical, while gelatin added samples were generally significantly improved (p < 0.05).     

Short- and long-term differences in growth, feed conversion efficiency and deformities in juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) startfed on rotifers or zooplankton

Growth, feed conversion efficiency and frequencies of skeletal deformities were studied in juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) that had been startfed on either rotifers (rotifer group) or zooplankton (zooplankton group). After metamorphosis, the fish were reared at four constant temperatures (7, 10, 13, 16°C) or moved successively from 16 to 13 and 10°C (T‐step, average 13.2°C). The zooplankton group had a consistently higher growth rate at all the temperatures studied. Further, the zooplankton group had higher food intake (20%) and higher feed conversion ratio (1.65 vs. 1.31). In addition, a significantly higher incidence of skeletal deformities was found in the rotifer group (14.2%) compared with the zooplankton group (4.1%). After termination of the laboratory study, the fish were reared in sea pens under ambient conditions for 17 months. Final weights of the zooplankton group were consistently larger (between 12% and 14% larger depending on original temperature groups). To verify the growth results, we conducted a follow‐up study where a single egg group was divided into two parts and fed either on rotifers or zooplankton. This study indicated similar growth differences as found in the first study. Overall, our data suggest that different startfeeding diets may be important for long‐term growth, incidence of deformities and quality of juvenile cod. The use of zooplankton can greatly improve long‐term growth and quality of cod juveniles. The study also highlights the advantage of using elevated temperatures in the juvenile phase as this will lead to significantly higher final weights in the adult stage.     

Optimum temperature and food-limited growth of larval Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) on Georges Bank

We estimated recent growth of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) larvae collected on the southern flank of Georges Bank in May 1992–94 from the ratio of RNA to DNA (R/D) and water temperature. Growth of both species increased with water temperature to about 7°C and then decreased. The highest growth rates were observed in May 1993 at water temperatures around 7°C. These data confirm an earlier observation of comparable temperature optima for growth of Atlantic cod and haddock larvae in the north‐west Atlantic. Comparisons of field growth rates and temperature optima with data for larvae cultured at high temperatures and prey densities in the laboratory suggest that growth may have been food‐limited at higher temperatures on Georges Bank. Given that 7°C is the long‐term mean water temperature on the southern flank in May and that climate models predict a possible 2–4°C rise in water temperatures for the western North Atlantic, our findings point to a possible adverse effect of global warming on Atlantic cod and haddock.     

Effects of Ozonated Water Treatment on the Microbial Population,Quality, and Shelf Life of Shucked Oysters (Crassostrea plicatula)

An ozonated water treatment system was designed for the sanitation of shucked oysters (Crassostrea plicatula). The effects of ozone (O₃) on shelf life were examined under refrigerated conditions (4 ± 1°C). Microbiological, chemical, and color quality were also evaluated by determining total aerobic plate counts (APC), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), and L, a, and b values. Single and orthogonal experiment results showed that oysters treated with 9 mg/L of O₃ in aqueous solution (oyster: ozonated water = 1:6, w/v) for 10 min at 5°C significantly reduced the total APC by about 2-log—from 4.97 ± 0.11 to 2.93 ± 0.17 log CFU/g (p < 0.05). O₃ treatment did not cause significant changes in TVB-N, TBA, a, and b values, although L values were significantly affected. During refrigerated storage, O₃-treated samples expressed lower TVB-N, TBA, a, and b values and higher L values than control samples. The shelf life of O₃-treated samples was 20 to 25 days, while that for the controls was 5 to 10 days. The current study confirms that treatment with ozonated water can effectively prolong the shelf life and maintain the quality of oysters.     

Quality Changes During Salt-Curing of Cod (Gadus morhua) at Different Temperatures

ABSTRACT

The main aim of this study was to assess the quality changes and their causes during cod salt-curing for up to 76 days at different temperatures and a relative humidity below 80%. Salt-curing made the fish more yellow (L*a*b* scale), a color change that is more easily detected in sensory analysis against a cream color scale. Intense proteolytic breakdown took place at 12 and 18°C, leading to a greater proteolysis degree and a higher pH. A red surface discoloration of the flesh was apparent after 76 days at 18°C due to the high number of red-halophilic bacteria. These bacteria were also responsible for the highest intensity of “off”-odors and mucus obtained under these conditions. Cod salt-curing should be done below 12°C to reduce the spoilage activity of halophilic bacteria and is best done at chill temperature (close to 6°C) to obtain a good quality product.     

Postmortem Biochemical and Microbiological Changes in Loricariid Catfish (Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus) Muscle During Ice Storage

ABSTRACT

Postmortem biochemical and microbiological changes in loricariid catfish (Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus) muscle were evaluated during ice storage for 20 days. Values of pH remained stable for 15 days (7.4 ± 0.2), and total volatile base-nitrogen (TVB-N) remained under acceptable limits throughout storage, with a final value of 25.2 ± 3.3 mg N/100 g muscle at Day 20. Adenosine-5´-triphosphate (ATP) and derivatives followed a postmortem degradation pattern similar to other species, with the K-value being the best freshness loss indicator. Biochemical and microbiological changes indicated that the shelf life of iced loricariid catfish muscle was 15 days under optimal (0°C) storage conditions.     

Mechanisms regulating inter‐annual variability in zooplankton advection over the Lofoten shelf,implications for cod larvae survival

Variability in the availability of suitable prey (mainly nauplii stages of Calanus spp.) in the early life stages of cod is likely a significant contributor to the fluctuations in the year‐class strength in the Arcto Norwegian cod stock. We have investigated the origin of the Lofoten shelf population of Calanus using a particle tracking model approach based on velocity fields simulated from 2002 to 2012. By performing backwards simulations of trajectories from particles released on the Lofoten shelf in early spring, we assessed the relative contribution of potential Calanus sources, such as the Lofoten Basin, the local overwintering on the continental shelf and the adjacent fjords. This analysis revealed significant interannual differences in advection patterns mainly driven by changes in wind conditions and variable strength of the Norwegian Coastal Current. Most of the particles advected into our study area originated on the shelf, and contrary to expectations, only a few originated from the Lofoten Basin where Calanus abundances tend to be high. These results suggest that contribution from the Lofoten Basin to the early spring shelf Calanus population may be overestimated and that contribution from more local sources, especially from adjacent fjords, may play a more important role than what has been previously anticipated. Our results highlight the necessity to improve quantification of shelf‐fjord exchange processes, as these may contribute more to the regulation of spring zooplankton stocks on the northern Norwegian shelf, and, as a result, may affect the survival of cod larvae in this area.