The effects of ozonated slurry ice treatment on microbial, physicochemical, and quality of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) during cold-chain circulation

Abstract

Cold chains are effective in maintaining the quality of aquatic products and reducing food losses, especially for dynamic transportation. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the effects of different ice treatments on the microbial, physicochemical, and quality characteristics of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) during cold-chain circulation. Different ice treatments (flake ice (FI), slurry ice (SI), and ozonated slurry ice (OSI)) were used during circulation, respectively. Changes in microbial (total viable count (TVC), psychrophilic bacteria count (PBC), H2S-producing bacteria count, pseudomonas bacteria count), physicochemical (pH, K-value, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), biogenic amines (BAs) content, color difference, texture profile analysis (TPA)) was measured. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were also measured to evaluate the feasibility of preservation methods. The results demonstrated that compared with SI treatment, the growth of psychrophilic bacteria, H2S-producing bacteria, and pseudomonas bacteria was inhibited by OSI treatment on the 21st day (0.55, 0.24, and 0.73 log CFU/g reduction, respectively). Besides, OSI treatment exhibited inhibitory activity toward K-value and BAs during storage, along with texture softening. Compared with FI treatment, OSI could retard the water migration and extend the shelf-life of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) for another 6 days. Therefore, ozonated slurry ice will be a promising long-term preservation method for maintaining the quality of large yellow croaker.