Impact of atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) on maintaining bolti fish (Tilapia nilotica) freshness and quality criteria during cold storing

Abstract

Atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) is a novel non-thermal technique that provides the ability to denaturate enzymes without damaging main components. The first purpose of this research is to evaluate the impact of ACP produced via dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) on endogenous enzymatic activity and tilapia quality characteristics. The second is to investigate the impact of DBD-ACP on tilapia fish quality throughout storage at 4 ± 1°C. DBD (40, 50, and 60 kV) voltage and duration of exposure (1,2,3, and 4 min) were used. Our findings revealed that the duration and voltage of therapy were significantly impacted on enzymatic activities, total viable counts (TVC), total sulfhydryl (TSH) and carbonyl contents of tilapia fish. The optimum voltage and duration of exposure for this therapy is 60 kV and 4 min, respectively. The obtained results indicated that the DBD-ACP treatment increased the tilapia fish shelf life to 10 days, whereas control specimen were unsuitable for human consumption after 4 days. Novelty impact statement DBD-ACP has been proven to be a possible therapy for commanding the endogenous enzyme, contributing to a prolongation in shelf-life and protection of quality. Our findings suggest that voltage and duration of exposure applied throughout treatment have a significant impact on the inactivation of the endogenous enzymes. The carbonyl content and TVC were greatly reduced by the DBD-ACP, whereas a small decrease in total -SH group amount was observed. This non-thermal technique could maintain the ideal organoleptic quality of tilapia fish for extended preservation through slowing down the multiplication of bacteria and decreasing the formation of TVBN and oxidation compounds. Scanning electron microscopy verified that DBD-ACP could efficiently slow myofibrillar protein degradation and increase tissue structural integrity. From these observations, we infer that DBD-ACP may be used as a positive technology to retain product quality and extend shelf life.