Quality attributes of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) during refrigerated storage as affected by theaflavins.

Abstract

Large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) is an economical marine fish in China. Theaflavins have antibacterial and antioxidant properties. However, there is a lack of its application in the large yellow croakers during refrigerated storage. This study investigated the effect of theaflavins on the quality large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) during 12 days of storage at 4°C. The results showed that theaflavins treatment was able to inhibit microbial growth and reduce the production of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N). Meanwhile, theaflavins were beneficial in reducing the unfolding of myofibrillar proteins, decreasing the degree of protein aggregation, and improving the stability of protein structure. Therefore, the degree of protein oxidation was lower in the theaflavin-treated group compared with untreated group. In addition, theaflavins treatment effectively inhibited the increase in acid value (AV), peroxide value (PV), and malonaldehyde (MDA) content due to the ability of scavenging free radical. The effect of theaflavin was positively correlated with the increase in concentration under refrigeration conditions. Therefore, this study suggests that theaflavins handling is an auspicious and valid method to extend the preservation of refrigerated large yellow croaker. Overall, adding theaflavins to large yellow croaker can be an effective method of quality preservation during refrigerated storage. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.