Effect of UV-C radiation on quality indicators of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) fillets stored under refrigeration

Resumo

The striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) is a fish specie, exported mainly by Vietnam, which have been widely accepted due to white meat and low cost. However, fish is a matrix higly perishable, which requires application of alternative technologies to ensure quality and safety for prolonged storage period under refrigeration. Therefore, the effect of UV-C radiation (1.95 mW/cm² for 90 s) on biochemical quality parameters of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) fillets stored at 4ºC for 9 days was investigated. Frozen striped catfish fillets were analyzed for biogenic amines, pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), ammonia and lipid oxidation. UV-C treated fillets exhibited lower (P < 0.05) TVB-N, ammonia and biogenic amines levels than untreated fillets during storage period, while lipid oxidation was increased (P < 0.05) by UV-C treatment. This technology could be an alternative for conservation of striped catfish fillets, however, other doses should be studied to prevent lipid oxidation.