Microbiological, chemical and sensory spoilage analysis of raw Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) stored under modified atmospheres

During fish spoilage, microbial metabolism leads to the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), characteristic off-odors and eventual consumer rejection. The aim of the present study was to contribute to the development of intelligent packaging technologies by identifying and quantifying VO...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Food Microbiology
Main Authors: Kuuliala, L., Al Hage, Y., Ioannidis, A. G., Sader, M., Kerckhof, F. M., Vanderroost, M., Boon, N., De Baets, B., De Meulenaer, B., Ragaert, P., Devlieghere, F.
Other Authors: Tampere University, Materials Science
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2018
Subjects:
Online Access:https://trepo.tuni.fi/handle/10024/126340
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fm.2017.10.011
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Summary:During fish spoilage, microbial metabolism leads to the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), characteristic off-odors and eventual consumer rejection. The aim of the present study was to contribute to the development of intelligent packaging technologies by identifying and quantifying VOCs that indicate spoilage of raw Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) under atmospheres (%v/v CO2/O2/N2) 60/40/0, 60/5/35 and air. Spoilage was examined by microbiological, chemical and sensory analyses over storage time at 4 or 8 °C. Selected-ion flow-tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) was used for quantifying selected VOCs and amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used for the characterization of the cod microbiota. OTUs classified within the Photobacterium genus increased in relative abundance over time under all storage conditions, suggesting that Photobacterium contributed to spoilage and VOC production. The onset of exponential VOC concentration increase and sensory rejection occurred at high total plate counts (7–7.5 log). Monitoring of early spoilage thus calls for sensitivity for low VOC concentrations. Peer reviewed