Myofibrillar protein degradation of carp (Labeo rohita (Hamilton)) muscle after post‐mortem unfrozen and frozen storage

The degradation of myofibrillar proteins of rohu carp (Labeo rohita (Hamilton)) muscle was analysed after post‐mortem storage. Muscle fillets were kept either unfrozen at 2 °C for up to 15 days or frozen at ?8 °C or ?20 °C for up to 6 months. A co‐ordinated histochemical, biochemical and electrophoretic study showed a differential response of the carp muscle, revealing clear degenerative/degradative changes specific to the post‐mortem storage temperatures. The myofibrillar protein fractions, namely myosin light chains and α‐actinin, showed degradative changes during the above storage conditions, whereas other protein fractions in the high‐molecular‐weight range fragmented to give lower‐molecular‐weight proteins. The importance of the post‐mortem storage temperature for controlling the degradation of the myofibrillar proteins was emphasised. This is the first report on this popular fish species, known for its culinary importance, showing that specific protein fractions of the myofibrils degrade during post‐mortem storage. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Quality and Shelf Life of Cold and Frozen Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Fillets: Effects of Fish Protein-Based Biodegradable Coatings

The Klunzinger’s ponyfish (Equulites klunzingeri) protein powder extracted with acid or alkali aided process as a biodegradable coating material for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillets during cold (+2°C) and frozen storage (–18°C) were investigated. The coating with alkaline treated protein (AlPC) and acid treated protein (AcPC) extended the shelf life of fillets from 11 to 14 days in cold storage and improved the quality parameters in three months frozen storage period. According to total viable count and total psychrophile count results, bacteria grew more quickly in uncoated fillets than coated fillets. The protein-based coating did prevent spoilage of the rainbow trout fillets as reflected by a decrease in pH, total volatile base-nitrogen and free fatty acids during cold and frozen storage period. Therefore, this study demonstrated that fish protein-based coating had a positive effect on maintaining the rainbow trout fillets quality, and edible coatings from discard fish can offer a promising alternative for preserving fish fillets.     

Effects of four multi-compound freezing medium on the quality of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) during frozen storage

Taking air freezing (AF) as the reference, the effects of four types of multi-compound freezing medium for cryogenic liquid quick-freezing (immersion freezing, IF) on the freezing rate, quality and myofibrillar protein (MP) denaturation of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) fillets during frozen storage (−18°C) from days 0 to 90 were studied. Samples were gathered on days 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 for analysis. The results showed that IF groups (IF-1: 20% ethanol, 30% propylene glycol, 10% sodium chloride aqueous solution; IF-2: 20% ethanol, 20% propylene glycol, 10% glycerol, 10% sodium chloride aqueous solution; IF-3: 20% ethanol, 20% propylene glycol, 10% polyethylene glycol, 10% sodium chloride aqueous solution; IF-4: 20% ethanol, 20% propylene glycol, 5% glycerol, 5% polyethylene glycol, 10% sodium chloride aqueous solution) significantly shortened the time to cross the formation zone of maximum ice crystals while the freezing rate was 6.13 times higher than the AF group after adding 30% propylene glycol as the freezing medium. Furthermore, compared with the AF group, the IF groups significantly reduced losses in the water-holding capacity, the myofibrillar fragmentation index, microstructure damage, texture characteristics, drip loss and water migration (P < 0.05). In addition, the MP of IF groups had higher maximum transition temperatures (T_max1 and T_max2), total sulfhydryl content, Ca²⁺-ATPase activity and relative α-helix content compared with the AF group. In conclusion, IF could significantly increase the freezing rate of red drum fillets, and slow down quality deterioration and denaturation of MP during frozen storage for 90 days (−18°C). In particular, IF-2 (20% ethanol, 20% propylene glycol, 10% glycerol, 10% sodium chloride aqueous solution) was found to be more suitable for the immersion freezing of marine fish among the four multi-compound freezing medium.     

Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata): suitability for freezing and commercial alternatives

The quality of portion‐size farmed gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) during frozen storage and the influence of post‐mortem treatments were studied in order to find new ways of marketing this species. Portion‐sized gilthead seabream, fasted for 48 h prior to slaughter, were frozen and stored at ?20 °C for up to one year. Whole fish were frozen immediately after rigor mortis; gutted fish were frozen immediately after rigor and after 5 days of storage in ice. All lots were stored at ?20 °C for up to one year. The myofibrillar protein of this species was very stable and a slight decrease of solubility in salt solutions was found only after one year of frozen storage. A slight decrease in water‐holding capacity and a slight increase in shear strength were observed, but these were lower than in other species. These changes were reflected as increased toughness and reduced juiciness in sensory analysis of the cooked fillets after one year. The main changes in the cooked fillets were observed in odour and flavour. No significant detrimental effect due to the guts was detected during frozen storage. Storage in ice prior to freezing was reflected in sensory assessment of the raw fish, mainly in terms of initial higher demerit points for fishy odour, gills and eyes; however, no effect was observed in the cooked fillets. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Separation of Cod (Gadus morhua) Fillet Proteins by Electrophoresis and HPLC after Various Frozen Storage Treatments

Myofibrillar, sarcoplasmic (SAR) and total extractable proteins (TEP) were isolated from the same lot of frozen cod (Gadus morhua) fillets stored at -30°C, -22°C, -15°C, and -12°C and a simulated industrial fluctuating temperature (SIFT) program. HPLC and SDS-PAGE showed that myofibrillar and SAR of the fillets stored at -12°C and -15°C exhibited low and high molecular weight changes similar to the SIFT. A new indicator of myofibrillar frozen storage quality was developed using SDS-PAGE. TEP profiles by HPLC were time and temperature dependent. These observations by SDS-PAGE and HPLC were further evidence that changes in frozen stored cod muscle were partially due to covalent S-S crosslinking.     

Shelf Life and Clostridium botulinum Toxin Development during Storage of Modified Atmosphere-packaged Fresh Catfish Fillets

Shelf life (onset of sensory spoilage) and potential for toxin production by Clostridium botulinum type E in retail type packages of fresh catfish fillets in high barrier film were investigated under selected atmospheres when stored under refrigeration and temperature-abuse conditions. Shelf life of fillets in all atmospheres decreased with increase of storage temperature from 4°C to 16°C. Trimethylamine content associated with onset of spoilage was different for each storage temperature and atmosphere. Surface pH and K-values were not good indicators of onset of sensory spoilage. Toxin development coincided with sensory spoilage at 16°C storage for fillets packaged in either atmosphere. At 4°C, none of the MA-packaged fillets became toxic, even after 37 days of sensory spoilage.     

The function of endogenous cathepsin in quality deterioration of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) fillets stored in chilling conditions

Changes of textural properties and cathepsin activity of grass carp fillets during storage in superchilling (?1.5 ± 0.2 °C) and ice (0.2 ± 0.1 °C) was investigated, and the function of cathepsin in quality deterioration of grass carp fillets was discussed. Results showed that shear force of superchilled and ice‐stored fillets decreased by 50% and 55% after 6 days of storage, respectively. The cathepsin activies in different fractions changed significantly during storage at both conditions. Cathepsin B, B+L activities in sarcoplasma, myofibrillar and heavy mitochondrial fraction significantly increased during the early 3 days postmortem, accompanied by remarkable reduction of corresponding activity in lysosome. Cathepsin D activity in sarcoplasma and myofibrillar significantly increased during 6 days of storage with corresponding decrease in lysosome and heavy mitochondria. Correlation analysis showed that changes of shear force of grass carp fillets were significantly correlated with integration of cathepsin B, D and B+L throughout storage time (r² > 0.94). As derived from the first‐order exponential decay model, the enzyme efficiencies (k_a) of cathepsin B and B+L were more than twofold higher than those of cathepsin D, suggesting the major role of cathepsin B and B+L in textural deterioration of grass carp fillets in chilling storage.     

Structure of northern snakehead (Channa argus) meat: Effects of freezing method and frozen storage

This study was conducted to investigate the potential of cryogenic freezing with liquid nitrogen in the shelf-life extension of northern snakehead (Channa argus) and clarify the effects of temperature fluctuations after freezing on the quality attributes and tissue microstructure during frozen storage. The fish fillets were frozen by three methods including freezing using an ultra-low-temperature freezer (?80°C) to the core temperature of ?60°C (T1) or ?18°C (T2), or liquid nitrogen (T3) followed by storage at ?20°C for five months. Cryogenic freezing with liquid nitrogen postponed the decrease in pH and protein extractability. Temperature fluctuations after freezing might promote the accretion of ice crystals and resulted in the loss of tissue integrity and disorganization of myofibrils. The microstructural changes contributed greatly to the increased thawing loss and decreased resilience, as indicated by the enlarged extracellular spacing and the flakiness of myofibrils. Cryogenic freezing with liquid nitrogen showed no superiority in maintaining the microstructure of northern snakehead fillets, which was supposedly attributed to the cracking in tissue during freezing and the accretion of ice crystals during frozen storage.     

Effects of Vacuum Packaging and Wrapping with Chitosan-Based Edible Film on the Extension of the Shelf Life of Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Fillets in Cold Storage (4 °C)

In the present study, we assessed the possibility of improving the shelf life of fresh sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fillets by using vacuum packaging and wrapping with chitosan-based edible films during cold storage at 4 °C. Sea bass fillet samples were periodically evaluated to assess chemical (pH, trimethylamine and total volatile basic nitrogen) and microbiological (presence of mesophilic aerobic bacteria and psychrotrophic bacteria) quality. Chemical spoilage (trimethylamine and total volatile basic nitrogen) and growth of microorganisms (total mesophilic and total psychrophilic aerobic bacterial counts) were significantly reduced (P?≤?0.05) in vacuum-packaged chitosan film wrapping during cold storage at 4 °C. The results showed that the shelf life of the control and vacuum-packaged groups ended within 5 days, whereas that of vacuum-packaged chitosan film-wrapped samples ended at 25 to 30 days. Therefore, the shelf life of sea bass fillets wrapped in chitosan was prolonged by about 20 days.     

Superchilled,chilled and frozen storage of Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) fillets – changes in texture,drip loss,protein solubility and oxidation

Changes in quality characteristics in relation to protease activity and protein oxidation in chilled, superchilled and frozen mackerel fillets during storage were studied. The solubility of sarcoplasmic proteins was quite stable in mackerel samples for all storage experiments, whereas the solubility of myofibrillar proteins decreased in both superchilled and frozen samples. A significant correlation (r = 0.983, P < 0.05) between the increased activity of cathepsin B+L in chilled fillets and softening of the fish flesh during storage was revealed. Contrary with chilled samples, the texture of superchilled mackerel fillets became tougher along the storage period, which can be explained by a higher rate of myofibrillar oxidation (r = 0.940, P < 0.05). The hardness and drip loss decreased slightly at the end of frozen storage. Superchilling preserved the quality of mackerel fillets with the least side effects in relation to protein solubility, drip loss and softening of the fish tissue as compared to chilled and frozen storage.     

Effect of freezing conditions and storage on ice crystal and drip volume in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus): Evaluation of pressure shift freezing vs. air-blast freezing

Turbot fillets were frozen either by pressure shift freezing (PSF, 140 MPa, −14°C) or by air-blast freezing (ABF), and then stored at −20°C for 75 days. Smaller and more regular intracellular ice crystals were observed in fillets frozen by PSF compared with air-blast frozen ones. Ice crystals area in PSF samples was approximately 10 times smaller than that of ABF samples, on average. The PSF process reduced thawing drip compared with air-blast freezing. Conversely to this classical freezing process, the storage time did not adversely influence the thawing drip of PSF samples. In addition, PSF appeared to reduce cooking drip after 45 days of storage at −20°C. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed a significant reduction of the total enthalpy of denaturation for the pressure shift frozen samples compared to fresh and conventional frozen samples. Besides, a new melting transition appeared on the thermogram of PSF samples at approximately +40°C.     

Peroxidase and Polyphenoloxidase Activities in Papaya During Postharvest Ripening and After Freezing/Thawing

Changes in peroxidase (POD) and polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activities of papaya (Caricu papava), cv Sunrise, during ripening, freezing and short frozen storage were studied. Fruits were stored at 14°C and 85 90 % RH until maturity for processing was reached (about 21 days). Fruit were frozen cryogenically and frozen slices were stored at — 18°C. POD activity increased in pulp tissue up to the ripe stage, showing a maximum value after 7 days cold storage. Similarly, PPO activity showed an important increase (4 × initial value) on the same date. The quantity of extractable proteins was at a maximum after 15 days storage at 14°C. Freezing and frozen storage (-18°C) produced an increase of POD activity while EPO activity was only slightly affected.     

Changes in Electrophoretic Patterns of Gadoid and Non-gadoid Fish Muscle during Frozen Storage

Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamidc gel electrophoresis of fish muscle during frozen storage showed that a crosslinked protein of 280,000 daltons formed with gadoids, whereas this band did not occur with non-gadoid fish species. For cod, 20 days at -7°C are needed for the crosslink to appear, whereas for whiting only 3 days arc needed. Formaldehyde (FA) may be responsible for the crosslinking. Adding ascorbic acid to cod mince prior to freezing accelerated dimcthylamine and FA formation during frozen storage and accelerated the formation of the crosslinked protein, while leaving cod fillets on ice for 10 days prior to freezing, reduced the Instron hardness and the crosslinked protein did not appear with 50 days of frozen storage at -7°C.     

Effect of gelatin coating incorporated with cinnamon oil on the quality of fresh rainbow trout in cold storage

Cinnamon essential oil was used in gelatin coatings to maintain the quality of refrigerated rainbow trout fillets over a period of 20 days. Fish fillets were coated with a solution of 4% gelatin incorporated with cinnamon essential oil and then stored in refrigerator (4 ± 1 °C). Coating’s preservative effect was assessed periodically (every 5 days) by microbial analyses (aerobic plate count and psychrotrophic count), chemical determinations (total volatile basic nitrogen, thiobarbituric acid, free fatty acid) and sensory characteristics. When gelatin coating with cinnamon applied to the preservation of trout fillets, a reduction in the growth of total bacteria was observe after 15 days of storage. Fish fillets with gelatin coating containing 1%, 1.5% and 2% v/v cinnamon oil produced significantly lower (P < 0.05) total volatile basic nitrogen then gelatin‐coated fillets and control until 15 days of storage period (35, 22.86, 30.33, 57.76 and 53.26 mg per 100 g of fillet, respectively). The obtained results indicate that gelatin in the form of coating enriched with cinnamon oil is suitable for the preservation of rainbow trout fresh fillets and to efficiently maintain the quality attributes to an acceptable level during storage.     

Effects of Chilling and Partial Freezing on Rigor Mortis Changes of Bighead Carp (Aristichthys nobilis) Fillets: Cathepsin Activity,Protein Degradation and Microstructure of Myofibrils

To investigate the effects of chilling and partial freezing on rigor mortis changes in bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis), pH, cathepsin B, cathepsin B+L activities, SDS‐PAGE of sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins, texture, and changes in microstructure of fillets at 4 °C and –3 °C were determined at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after slaughter. The results indicated that pH of fillets (6.50 to 6.80) was appropriate for cathepsin function during the rigor mortis. For fillets that were chilled and partially frozen, the cathepsin activity in lysosome increased consistently during the first 12 h, followed by a decrease from the 12 to 24 h, which paralleled an increase in activity in heavy mitochondria, myofibrils and sarcoplasm. There was no significant difference in cathepsin activity in lysosomes between fillets at 4 °C and –3 °C (P > 0.05). Partially frozen fillets had greater cathepsin activity in heavy mitochondria than chilled samples from the 48 to 72 h. In addition, partially frozen fillets showed higher cathepsin activity in sarcoplasm and lower cathepsin activity in myofibrils compared with chilled fillets. Correspondingly, we observed degradation of α‐actinin (105 kDa) by cathepsin L in chilled fillets and degradation of creatine kinase (41 kDa) by cathepsin B in partially frozen fillets during the rigor mortis. The decline of hardness for both fillets might be attributed to the accumulation of cathepsin in myofibrils from the 8 to 24 h. The lower cathepsin activity in myofibrils for fillets that were partially frozen might induce a more intact cytoskeletal structure than fillets that were chilled.     

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.     

湿热地区不同贮藏温度对热鲜牛肉品质变化的影响

本文研究了湿热地区不同温度热鲜牛肉贮藏过程中食用品质、新鲜度、肌糖元含量和肌原纤维小片化指数的变化,旨为热鲜牛肉的食用提供参考。选取20月龄左右锦江黄牛6头,宰后立即取背最长肌作为原料,分别贮藏在温度为5℃、15℃、25℃和35℃和湿度为80%恒温培养箱。测定不同贮藏温度处理对热鲜牛肉贮藏过程中pH、感官指标(色泽、风味、弹性、组织状态和总体可接受性)、菌落总数、肌糖元含量和肌原纤维蛋白降解的变化规律。结果表明;随着贮藏时间长,不同贮藏温度热鲜牛肉pH呈先降低后升高,肌糖元含量和感官评分降低,菌落总数和MFI增加。综合分析;贮藏温度对热鲜牛肉的pH值、感官评分、菌落总数、肌糖元含量以及MFI变化具有一定影响。贮藏温度越高,失水率越高,微生物生长繁殖越快,肌原纤维蛋白降解程度越大。     

The impact of collagen on softening of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) fillets stored under superchilled and ice storage

The objective of this work was to study the impact of collagen on softening of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) fillets during chilled storage. The fillets were stored under superchilling (?1.5 ± 0.2 °C) and with ice (0.2 ± 0.1 °C) for 21 days, and texture properties, collagen and the related enzyme activities were measured. Results showed that firmness and collagen content were strongly influenced by storage temperature and time. Fillet firmness decreased by 32.3% (superchilling) and 49.6% (ice stored) of the initial values after 3 days of storage, respectively. Total collagen content decreased with time, but different collagen fractions showed variations. Collagen degraded to different extents depending on storage conditions as indicated by SDS‐PAGE and amino acid analysis. In addition, collagenase activity declined significantly during the first 3 days, followed by a slow increase. This study demonstrated that collagen degradation was involved in grass carp fillet softening and provided useful information for fillet quality improvement.     

Effect of cold pre‐treatment duration before freezing on frozen bread dough quality

The effect of cold pre‐treatment (CT) duration prior to freezing on the quality of a standard bread dough was investigated. Doughs held at 0 °C or 10 °C for 1 h or 3 h before air‐blast freezing were compared with standard dough frozen after 0.5 h at 0 °C (0 °C/0.5 h) and fresh (unfrozen) dough. Cumulative gas production measured in a risograph was used to quantify the dough quality after storage at ?18 ± 0.1 °C for 1, 7 or 17 days. Relative to fresh dough, gas production significantly reduced after freezing for all treatments. The doughs with CT at 0 °C for 1 or 3 h or 10 °C for 1 h had significantly higher gas production after freezing and less rapid decline in gas production during frozen storage than the doughs with the 0 °C/0.5 h CT. The 10 °C/3 h CT gave no gas production benefit after freezing and had the most rapid decline in gas production during frozen storage.     

Changes in biogenic amines of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) fillets stored at different temperatures and their relation to total volatile base nitrogen,microbiological and sensory score

BACKGROUND: Biogenic amines have received considerable attention owing to their undesirable effects in humans. There are few studies of changes in biogenic amine contents related to freshwater fish. Silver carp is an important freshwater fish species in China. This study aimed to investigate the changes in biogenic amines and their relation to total volatile base nitrogen (TVB‐N), microbiological and sensory score of silver carp fillets stored at 0, 3 and 15 °C. RESULTS: The total biogenic amine contents of all silver carp fillets (regardless of storage time and temperature) ranged from 13.05 to 318.10 mg kg^?1. Putrescine and histamine were the main biogenic amines in silver carp fillets during storage. Cadaverine was only detected after 12 days at 3 °C and after 2 days at 15 °C. Spermidine and spermine contents increased during the early storage period and then slightly decreased. CONCLUSION: Low temperature could control the quality of silver carp fillets by inhibiting the contents of biogenic amines. Putrescine showed significant correlation with TVB‐N, total aerobic content, sensory score, tryptamine and phenylethylamine. Putrescine was a good quality marker of silver carp fillets in the cold chain. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry