effects of modified atmosphere packaging on microbiological load and physico-chemical properties of barramundi (lates calcarifer bloch) fillets at 8°c

Different modified atmosphere conditions with various co2 concentrations on microbial load (psychrophile, mesophile aerobic and anaerobic bacteria) and physico-chemical properties of barramundi (lates calcarifer bloch) fillets stored at 8°c were compared to determine the best packaging conditions. the gas conditions evaluated were 100% co2 (m1), 75% co2/25% n2 (m2), 50% co2/50% n2 (m3), 25% co2/75% n2 (m4) and 100% n2 (control). high co2 concentration (m1 and m2) of fish fillets delayed the psychrophilic bacteria growth compared to low co2 concentration (50% and 25% co2) as well as the mesophilic, anaerobic and histamine forming bacteria. we concluded that the atmosphere with 75:25% and 100:0 (co2:n2) had the most appropriate gas composition to inhibit the microbial growth and prolong the shelf life of barramundi fillets (p < 0.05).