Effects of modified atmosphere packaging on microbiological load and physico-chemical properties of barramundi (Lates calcarifer Bloch) fillets at ۸°C

Different modified atmosphere conditions with various CO۲ concentrations on microbial load (psychrophile, mesophile aerobic and anaerobic bacteria) and physico-chemical properties of barramundi (Lates  calcarifer Bloch) fillets stored at ۸°C were compared to determine the best packaging conditions. The gas conditions evaluated were ۱۰۰% CO۲ (M۱), ۷۵% CO۲/۲۵% N۲ (M۲), ۵۰% CO۲/۵۰% N۲ (M۳), ۲۵% CO۲/۷۵% N۲ (M۴) and ۱۰۰% N۲ (control). High CO۲ concentration (M۱ and M۲) of fish fillets delayed the psychrophilic bacteria growth compared to low CO۲ concentration (۵۰% and ۲۵% CO۲) as well as the mesophilic, anaerobic and histamine forming bacteria. We concluded that the atmosphere with ۷۵:۲۵% and ۱۰۰:۰ (CO۲:N۲) had the most appropriate gas composition to inhibit the microbial growth and prolong the shelf life of barramundi fillets (p<۰.۰۵). 

Keywords:

Barramundi , CO۲ concentration , Psychrophile bacteria , Histamine forming bacteria , MAP , Lates calcarifer.