title: The effect of temperature on the bacterial load and microbial composition in Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) tail meat during storage.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to update and extend our knowledge of the bacterial load and microbial composition in Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) under commercially relevant storage conditions to optimize handling procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total viable counts were performed at different storage temperatures (0, 4, 8, 10, 12 or 16°C) and after different storage times (1-7 days). Storage at 16°C was found to be most detrimental, and storage at 0°C was found to be optimal. 16S-rRNA sequencing was utilized to determine the composition of the bacteria within the microflora. In this way, Photobacterium isolates, especially Photobacterium phosphoreum, were identified as the main specific spoilage organisms. The abilities to reduce trimethylamineoxide (TMAO) and to produce H(2)S were analysed in a selection of bacterial isolates. The higher the incubation temperature during storage, the more isolates were found to reduce TMAO and produce H(2)S.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nephrops norvegicus possesses an unusually high initial microbial load when fresh. Storage temperature is the most crucial factor affecting microbial growth, microbial activity and spoilage potential in N. norvegicus produce. Spoilage can be attributed mainly to P. phosphoreum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study presents significant new findings with regard to the progression and causative agents of spoilage in N. norvegicus. Based on the results, we can recommend that N. norvegicus tails should be stored in a 0°C environment immediately after catch. Stored this way, the growth and spoilage activity of the microflora may be reduced significantly and an extension of shelf life might be attained.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Division of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Gornik
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albalat
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Macpherson
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Birkbeck
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Neil
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D058491:Bacterial Load; D003080:Cold Temperature; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D061353:Food Storage / Q000379:methods*; D008121:Nephropidae / Q000382:microbiology*; D009812:Odorants / Q000032:analysis; D010776:Photobacterium / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010802:Phylogeny; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D012758:Shellfish / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S