Physicochemical Evaluation of Cachama Fillets (Piaractus brachypomus) Preserved with Propolis during Storage

Abstract

The bioactive compounds that propolis contains present diverse components that can diminish the deterioration of compounds such as fat and certain microorganisms that can affect fish fillets during refrigerated storage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preserving capacity of ethanol extracts of propolis (EEP) in cachama fish fillets (Piaractus brachypomus). The treatments carried out were: (1) ethyl alcohol (96%) as the control; (2) 0.8% EEP; (3) 1.2% EEP; and (4) liquid smoke. Analyses were carried out for total volatile base nitrogen (TVBN), thiobarbituric acid reactive species-TBARS, pH and water loss for 0, 8, 16 and 24 days of storage at 4 ºC with vacuum packaging. The results presented the highest values of the TBARS and TVBN analyses for the liquid smoke treatment and the lowest values for the EEP treatments, demonstrating a significant difference between the treatments (P<0.05); however, the best water retention capacity was seen in the fillets treated with liquid smoke. The results for pH did not present significant differences between the treatments (P>0.05) during the storage period. The results suggest that EEP can preserve physicochemical characteristics during the shelf life of refrigerated, vacuum packed cachama fillets.