Effects of chitosan and apple polyphenol coating on quality and microbial composition of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) during ice storage.

BACKGROUND Large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) has important commercial value because of its high nutritional value and delicious taste. However, large yellow croaker is readily affected by microorganisms during storage, which causes the corruption of muscle tissue. Both chitosan (CS) and apple polyphenols (APs) are bio‐preservatives, which can effectively inhibit the growth of microorganisms and improve the quality of large yellow croaker. The effects of 10.0 and 20.0 g L–1 CS combined with 1.0 g L–1 AP coating on the quality and microbial composition of large yellow croaker during ice storage were investigated respectively. RESULTS: CS + AP coating restrained the increase of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N) and biogenic amines, slowed down the rise of K‐value and retarded the growth of microorganisms. The bacteriostatic effect was positively correlated with the concentration of CS. Through the analysis of high‐throughput sequencing (HTS), the microbial diversity was changed respectively. The proportion of Shewanella was significantly decreased by CS + AP coating treatment and Pseudomonas was the dominant microorganism in spoiled samples. Compared with the shelf‐life of the control group (8 days), 20.0 g L–1 CS combined with 1.0 g L–1 AP coating treatment could extend the shelf‐life of large yellow croaker for another 8 days. CONCLUSIONS: CS combined with AP coating may be considered a promising method to delay the biochemical changes of ice stored large yellow croaker and extend its shelf life. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]