Effects of vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging on the biochemical and microbiological quality of sliced goonch fish (Bagarius bagarius) stored at refrigerated condition

Abstract

Vacuum packaging and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) are widely applied packaging methods for displaying refrigerated fish and fish products. This study evaluated the biochemical and microbiological quality of sliced goonch fish (Bagarius bagarius) by analysing different parameters under not sealed pack (control), vacuum pack, and MAP-1 (50% CO2 / 50% N2), and MAP-2 (50% CO2 / 50% O2) at three days interval in 15 days of refrigerated storage at 4±1°C. The total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N), peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values of the samples in four packaging systems did not cross the acceptable limit in the entire storage time. The total viable count (TVC) progressively increased with time in all packaging systems. However, TVCs were significantly (p<0.05) lower on 9th and 12th storage day in all samples compared to the control sample. Based on the bacterial counts of 7 log CFU/g, the shelflife was determined at about 6, 10, 12, and 9 days for control, vacuum, MAP-1, and MAP2 sample, respectively. All treatments offered satisfactory results during the storage period, except for the control in terms of shelf life. However, MAP-1 with 50% CO2 and 50% N2 demonstrated the promising result for shelf life extension, which can be utilised by the retail superstores for displaying the fishes.