Influence of 10-MeV E-Beam Irradiation and Vacuum Packaging on the Shelf-Life of Grass Carp Surimi.

The effects of 10-MeV E-beam (0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 kGy) irradiation and vacuum packaging on extending the shelf-life of grass carp surimi stored at 4 °C were evaluated basing on the total viable counts (TVC), physiochemical 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), total base nitrogen (TVB-N), biogenic amines (BAs), texture (TPA) and color, and sensory changes in surimi samples. The results showed that comparing the control samples, the TVC and TVB-N content in surimi were significantly ( p < 0.05) decreased by irradiation with different doses. Irradiation significantly ( p < 0.05) inhibited the increase of putrescine (PUT), cadaverine (CAD), histamine (HIM), and tyramine (TYM) contents during storage. However, these parameters were significantly ( p < 0.05) increased with storage time. After irradiation, the samples generally had higher lightness and lower a and b values and lower hardness and chewiness significantly ( p < 0.05). Based on the sensory analysis, unfavorable 'metal odor' or 'irradiated odor' was observed in surimi irradiated at 5 and 7 kGy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]