Application of cold oxygen plasma for the reduction of Cladosporium cladosporioides and Penicillium citrinum on the surface of dried filefish (Stephanolepis cirrhifer) fillets

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cold oxygen plasma (COP) on the reductions of Penicillium citrinum and Cladosporium cladosporioides on the surface of dried filefish fillets (Stephanolepis cirrhifer). The counts were significantly (P<0.05) reduced with the increase in the treatment time (3-20min) of COP on the fillets. However, no significant (P>0.05) differences were observed in the counts between 3 and 5min of COP. The average decrease in the counts of C.cladosporioides and P.citrinum caused by 3-20min of COP was 0.91 and 1.04log(10)CFUg(-1), respectively. A reduction of >1-log(10)CFUg(-1) was observed on the fillets treated with COP for >10min. Decimal reduction time (d(R)) by Weibull model was 9.32 and 7.42min of COP for C.cladosporioides and P.citrinum, respectively. The fillets exposed to 20min of COP displayed increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and decreased overall sensory acceptance. However, the fillets treated with 10min of COP received satisfactory TBARS and consumer acceptance. Therefore, a 10-min COP could be effective in reducing >90% and inactivating of the mould without causing any deleterious changes to the physicochemical and sensory qualities of the fillet.