Effect of Zataria multiflora essential oil with absorbent pad on the quality and shelflife of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix fillet during refrigerated storage

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

The use of absorbent pads in packaged products caused the quality maintains and increase of marketability. But the nutrients accumulation in the adsorbent pad provides a environment growth for the microorganisms that cause spoilage. Therefore, the use of antimicrobial compounds in the adsorbent pad is essential for controlling the microorganisms growth. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of absorbent pad containing Zataria multiflora leaf essential oil on chemical and microbial properties of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix fillet during storage in refrigerator. 10 ml of Zataria multiflora leaf essential oil 1.5 % were added to pad and fish fillets in different treatments, then packed and stored in a refrigerator (4˚C). The chemical (pH, Peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N)) and microbial parameters (total viable count (TVC) and psychrotrophic count (PTC)) were measured on days 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15. A significant difference (P <0.05) was observed between the pH of the treatments containing the essential oil and the control in the last days of storage. The results showed that the PV, TBA and TVB-N values of treatments increased during storage. So that the least increase was observed in the fillet containing essential oil, pad containing essential oil and control respectively. The TVC and PTC count of treatments significantly increased during storage (P <0.05). But this increase was less in the fillets containing essential oil than the other treatments. According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that the absorbent pad containing Zataria multiflora leaf essential oil cause the quality preservation and shelflife increase of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix fillet during refrigerated storage.

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