Storage life of fresh whitefish fillets in grass fiber boxes and expanded polystyrene boxes

Packaging plays a crucial role in preserving the quality and extending the shelf life of fresh fish. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) packaging is widely used in storage and transportation of fresh fish. Numerous studies have declared that a significant percentage of polystyrene boxes are collected in landfills after being used and discarded which leads to environmental pollution. Therefore, the implementation of grass fiber box as an alternative to EPS packaging will significantly reduce the damage to the environment and aid in achieving sustainable desires. The objective of this study is to evaluate thermal insulation and properties of the box to industry standard. Further to determine the impact on shelf life and quality of fresh cod fillets stored in both insulated grass fiber packaging and EPS boxes. During this study, two ice melting tests were carried out to estimate thermal resistance of different packaging types. Temperature distribution of two experimental groups, grass fiber box and EPS box were evaluated under both dynamic and steady temperature conditions for 7 days of storage period. Further, analyses of total viable counts(TVC), total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) and pH were carried out to compare the effect of the two packaging types on shelf life of cod fillets. Sensory evaluation of cod fillets was performed using Torry freshness score sheet to assess the variations in shelf life and quality deterioration. The results showed that thermal insulation of grass fiber box was low compared to EPS box, thus the grass fiber box is more sensitive to temperature abuse than the EPS box. However, results from TVC, TVB-N and pH indicated that there is no significant difference between grass fiber box and EPS box during 7 days of storage. Despite the differences between temperature distribution and thermal insulation, findings of sensory evaluation concluded that there was no clear difference between the freshness period and shelf life of grass fiber box and EPS box.

Author dc:creator

• M. A. Narmada D. K. Gunasekara 1992-

Contributors dc:contributor

• Háskóli Íslands

• Matvælafræði
• Geymsla matvæla

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1946/50344

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:skemman.is:1946/50344