title: Effect of brining, modified atmosphere packaging, and superchilling on the shelf life of Cod (Gadus morhua) loins.
abstract: The aim of these experiments was to evaluate the effect of brining, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), and superchilling on the quality changes of cod loins as measured by microbial, sensory, and chemical analysis. Unbrined and brined (2.5 +/- 1.0% NaCl) cod loins were kept in styrofoam boxes (air) and under modified atmosphere (MA, CO(2)/O(2)/N(2): 50/5/45) at 0, -2, and -3.6 degrees C. Samples were examined over a 4-wk period. Total viable psychrotrophic counts and counts of H(2)S-producing bacteria reached higher numbers in the air-packed brined fish at -2 and -3.6 degrees C than in comparable unbrined groups, being significantly different (P < 0.05) at the lower temperature. However, lower counts of these bacteria were obtained in the brined MAP fish than in comparable unbrined fish. Counts of Photobacterium phosphoreum increased most rapidly in air- and MA-packed loins kept at 0 degrees C. Lower counts were found at superchilled temperatures. According to sensory analysis the shelf life of unbrined air-packed loins was about 11 d at 0 degrees C and 14 to 15 d at -2 degrees C. The shelf life of MA-packed unbrined loins was about 14 to 15 d at 0 degrees C but 21 d at -2 degrees C. Thus, synergism of combined superchilling (-2 degrees C) and MA led to a considerable shelf life increase for unbrined loins despite the fact that processing and packaging took place 4 to 5 d post-catch. The shelf life of air-packed brined loins at -2 degrees C was 12 to 15 d but only 13 d under MA. The same synergistic effect did therefore not apply to brined loins as with unbrined ones.
authors.affiliation: Matís ohf, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.
authors.forename: Hélène L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Lauzon
authors.forename: Hannes
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Magnússon
authors.forename: Kolbrún
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sveinsdóttir
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gudjónsdóttir
authors.forename: Emilía
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martinsdóttir
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D003080:Cold Temperature; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005516:Food Microbiology; D018857:Food Packaging / Q000379:methods*; D005519:Food Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D005520:Food Preservatives / Q000737:chemistry*; D048389:Gadus morhua; D006801:Humans; D009812:Odorants; D010776:Photobacterium / Q000254:growth & development; D010858:Pigmentation; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000254:growth & development; D044096:Psychrobacter / Q000254:growth & development; D011786:Quality Control; D012492:Salts; D017747:Seafood / Q000032:analysis / Q000382:microbiology; D016999:Sulfur-Reducing Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development; D013649:Taste; D013997:Time Factors; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D005520:Food Preservatives; D012492:Salts; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; C017082:brine; D002245:Carbon Dioxide