Effect of different packaging materials on the shelf life of modified atmosphere packaged red tilapia (Oreochromis mossambica) fillets

The effect of four different packaging films: (1) linear low density polyethylene/ethylene vinyl alcohol/ linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE/EVOH/LLDPE, 60 μm); (2) oriented nylon/polyethylene (ONy/PE, 70 μm); (3) oriented polypropylene/polypropylene (OPP/PP, 60 μm); and (4) high density polyethylene (HDPE, 50 μm) on the shelf life of modified atmosphere packaged Red Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambica) fillets were studied. pH, K-value, microbial growth, as well as sensory alterations during storage under modified atmosphere of 80% CO2 : 20% N2 at 2 ± 2°C were monitored. Fillets packaged in LLDPE/EVOH/LLDPE and ONy/PE showed a further inhibition of biochemical, microbiological and sensory deterioration compared with OPP/PP and HDPE-packaged fillets. pH, K-value, and total plate counts of LLDPE/EVOH/LLDPE and ONy/ PE-packaged fillets were significantly lower (p 0.05) than OPP/PP and HDPE-packaged fillets throughout the storage periods. The shelf life of tilapia fillets packaged in LLDPE/EVOH/LLDPE and ONy/PE were 14 days, whereas fillet in OPP/PP was 9 days, and 6 days when packaged in HDPE.