Chitosan films for the microbiological preservation of refrigerated sole and hake fillets

• Published in: Food control Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 61 - 68
• Main Authors: Fernández-Saiz, P., Sánchez, G., Soler, C., Lagaron, J.M., Ocio, M.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: air; Antimicrobial films; Biocides; Biological and medical sciences; Chitosan; cold storage; Enterobacteriaceae; fish fillets; Food engineering; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; hake; Hygiene and safety; lactic acid bacteria; Listeria monocytogenes; Merluccius merluccius; packaging; packaging materials; Pseudomonas; Refrigerated fish; Shelf-life; Solea solea; Shelf-life; Refrigerated fish; Chitosan; Antimicrobial films; Edible fish; Microbiology; Preservation; Film; Shelf life; Antimicrobial agent; Hake; Food preservation; Refrigeration
• ISSN: 0956-7135; 1873-7129
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2013.03.047

The effect of chitosan films for shelf-life extension of fresh fillets of hake (Merluccius merluccius) and sole (Solea solea) was evaluated over a 15-day storage at 4 ± 1 °C. Fish fillets wrapped in a chitosan matrix were individually packaged in air (AP) and under vacuum (VP). Microbiological analyses (total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, Pseudomonas, H2S-producing bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae and Listeria monocytogenes were carried out during the shelf-life. The microbial species were inhibited (p < 0.05) by the presence of chitosan films, especially under VP conditions. A significant (p < 0.05) increase of the lag phase and a reduction of the final microbial population were detected mainly for total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, H2S-producing bacteria and Pseudomonas. The present work demonstrates the biocide effectiveness of chitosan as an internal layer of the packaging material, offering a promising alternative which would enhance the quality of fish during refrigerated storage. •Chitosan films showed bactericidal effects as an internal layer on fish.•Fish bacteria was considerably inhibited by the presence of chitosan.•Greater inhibition of the microbial growth occurred under vacuum packaging.