The effect of different cooling techniques and temperature fluctuations on the storage life of cod fillets (Gadus morhua)
The purpose of the experiments was to examine two refrigerants on board a fishing vessel, to use different refrigeration techniques during processing, including so-called CBC (combined blast and contact) refrigeration and to examine the effect of temperature fluctuations during storage compared to continuous storage at -1 ° C. There was little difference in microbial and chemical measurements, whether plate ice or liquid ice was used for processing, but according to sensory evaluation, the group that was cooled with liquid ice had one day longer freshness and shelf life. The temperature was usually slightly higher in the group as plate ice was used for processing during the storage period. According to sensory evaluation, microbial counts and chemical measurements, CBC cooling proved to be the best for prolonging freshness and shelf life. Temperatures were found to be lower in the groups where CBC cooling was used. The number of microorganisms was similar in the two groups where CBC cooling was not used in the processing (liquid cooling and no cooling). These results were consistent with the results of sensory evaluation. TMA levels were slightly higher on storage days 12-19 in the liquid-cooled group. The results of temperature measurements during the storage period were similar. A similar number of microorganisms were found to be in groups stored at a constant temperature (about -1 ° C) on the one hand and in groups where temperature fluctuations were applied during the first part of the storage period on the other hand. During the first 15 days of storage, TVB-N and TMA values were found to be similar in the groups. The groups stored at a constant temperature did not undergo sensory evaluation. Microbial assays performed by the fast-acting method qPCR were in good agreement with culture methods for Pseudomonas spp. and Photobacterium phosphoreum.
The purpose of this experiment was to examine two different cooling methods on board fishing vessel, to apply different cooling techniques during processing at fish plant including the CBC (combined blast and contact) cooling and to compare storage of packed cod fillets kept either at steady temperature (-1 ° C) or below temperature fluctuations. No marked difference was seen in microbial and chemical measurements whether plate ice or liquid ice was used prior to filleting but according to sensory analysis, the experimental group where liquid ice was used had one day extension in freshness and shelf life compared to the group with plate ice. Temperature was usually slightly higher in the plate ice group than the liquid ice group during storage. According to sensory, microbiological and chemical analysis, the CBC cooling clearly resulted in longer freshness period and shelf life extension in comparison to the two groups where this technique was not applied during processing. Temperature was lower in these groups during the storage period. Similar microbial counts were found between the two experimental groups where CBC was not applied during processing (liquid cooling and no cooling). These results were in agreement with results from sensory analysis. TMA values were however higher on storage days 12 to 19 in the group with liquid cooling. Temperature measurements during storage of these two groups were very similar. No marked difference was seen in microbial counts between groups that were stored at a constant temperature around -1 ° C compared to groups where temperature fluctuations were used during early phases of storage. During the first 15 days of storage, TVB-N and TMA values were very similar for these groups. Sensory analysis was not done on the two groups kept at -1 ° C. The rapid qPCR analysis was generally in good agreement with the cultivation methods for Pseudomonas spp. and Photobacterium phosphoreum.
