A Study on Different Hurdle Factors of Nano Metal Vitamin Complex for the Prevention of Microbial Spoilage in Seafood

Abstract

Hurdles that have a positive effect by inhibiting microorganisms may have a negative one on other parameters such as nutritional properties or sensory quality, depending on their intensity. In order to lower the preservative level, the hurdle technology concept has been developed, consisting in using combined hurdles to establish an additive antimicrobial effect, and even sometimes a synergetic one, thus improving the safety and the sensory quality of food. The antibacterial and anti-oxidant potential of copper oxide nano particles coupled with vitamin-E (CuONPs+VE) was investigated by applying the novel hurdle factors against seafood pathogens and by studying the cell viability using MTT assays. The hurdle method is proposed to explain the significance of combined use of different preservation factors as synergistic effects instead of using a large-intensity preservation factor. Effect of CuONPs+VE and chilling temperatures (-18°C and +4°C); and Effect of CuONPs+VE and brine salts at various concentrations (5%, 10%,) were evaluated. CuONPs+VE with different chilling temperatures and brine salt concentration showed significant results on compared to control temperatures. Thus CuONPs+VE due to their bacteriostatic activity can be efficiently used in hurdle technology which reduces the food spoiling organisms. Thus CuONPs+VE in combined with hurdle technology can be used as alternatives for chemical preservatives in preservation techniques.