Storage Characteristics of Finfish Fillets (Archosargus probatocephalus) Packaged in Modified Gas Atmospheres Containing Carbon Dioxide

Abstract

Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) fillets were stored in air and in modified gas atmospheres consisting of: 100% CO₂, 80% CO₂:20% O₂, 60% CO₂:40% O₂, 30% C0₂:60% O₂, 20% CO₂:80% O₂, 40% CO₂:60% N₂ and 44% CO₂:36% O₂:20% N₂ At regular intervals during refrigerated storage, numbers and types of microorganisms and total volatile nitrogen (TVN) were determined. Increases in aerobic plate counts of fish fillets held in air and in 20% C0₂:80% O₂ were greater than those for fillets stored in the other gas atmospheres. The most effective combinations of gas for limiting bacterial growth were 100% CO₂ and 40% CO₂:60% N₂. Total volatile nitrogen values of samples stored in air and in 20% CO₂:80% O₂ increased similarly to those of fish held on ice. At higher CO₂ concentrations, however, increases in TVN were slow and the rate of TVN production appeared inversely proportional to CO₂ tension.