Shelf-life determination of tiger-toothed Croaker (Otolithes ruber) during flake ice storage

Quality of tiger-toothed croaker stored in flake ice was studied for 19 days by sensory, chemical (total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N)), (thiobarbituric values (TBA)), pH and microbial (total viable count, TVC) methods. Sensory scheme was modified according to the panelists perception and a specific schema was created for this fish. Sensory analyses showed that: "gills color and odor", "convexity of eyes", "peritoneum" and "elasticity of flesh" are the best sensory parameters. Results of sensory and microbial analyses had high correlation. Total viable count of flesh was 2.86 log cfu g-1 at first day and reached the limiting level of TVC (106) after 15 days of storage (P<0.05). TVB-N levels were 15.31mg/100 g tissue at the first day of storage and reached 36.52mg/100 g at the end of storage day (P<0.05). Measuring amounts of TVB-N showed that total volatile basic nitrogen is a good quality index for tigertoothed croaker during ice storage. The initial level of TBA was 0.83mg of malondialdehyde per kg flesh (mg MDA/kg) and increased to 3.75mg MDA/kg at the end of storage. TBA levels were less than limiting level (5mg MDA/kg) over the period of storage. According to the results, shelf-life of tiger-toothed croaker was determined 15 days during ice storage.