Changes in microbiological, physicochemical and muscle proteins of post mortem large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea)

This study was devoted to the identification of changes in microbiological, physicochemical and proteins which could be used as freshness indicators in large yellow croaker. The parameters that proved to be most sensitive to variations over storage time were total viable count, Shewanella putrefacents, Photobacterium phosphoreum, TVB-N, PV and K value. They might therefore be considered as good indicators for evaluating spoilage of large yellow croaker during refrigerated storage for 20 days. The proteins including MHC, actin, tropomyosin, protein bands of 14 ～ 15 kDa, 32 ～ 33 kDa, 35 ～ 36 kDa and 41 ～ 42 kDa could be used as the potential freshness markers of large yellow croaker. The results of these analyses indicated optimal quality for large yellow croaker stored under these conditions and established a shelf-life of 12 days.