EFFECT OF POTASSIUM SORBATE AND MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING ON THE SHELF-LIFE EXTENSION OF SEER FISH (SCOMBEROMORUS COMMERSON) STEAKS DURING ICED STORAGE

A study to evaluate the influence of potassium sorbate combined with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) at 2C on the shelf-life extension of seer fish (Scomberomorus commerson) steaks was made. The shelf life of 12 days in air pack was extended by 10 and 18 days in MAP and modified-atmosphere-packed seer fish pretreated with potassium sorbate, respectively K value was not a suitable predictor of shelf life for seer fish. Potassium sorbate treatment showed further inhibition of total aerobic mesophilic count while sulfite reducing clostridial counts were I log cfu/g in all the packs offer day 12 of storage. Potassium sorbate treated MAP samples showed higher sensory score on day 25 than those observed for MAP (P < 0.05) and CMAP steaks. Significant extension (P < 0.05) in shelf life was noticed due to MAP and treating samples with potassium sorbate.