The effect of powdered thyme sprinkling on quality changes of wild and farmed gilthead sea bream fillets stored in ice

The effect of powdered thyme sprinkling on the quality characteristics of fresh and ice-stored wild and farmed gilthead sea bream fillets was assessed. Initially, significant differences in proximate composition and quality attributes were found between wild and farmed fresh sea bream flesh. Throughout ice storage, biochemical alteration appeared more pronounced in farmed fish fillets with significantly higher levels of TVB-N, TMA-N, and TBA; and a lower liquid-holding capacity (LHC). Thyme powder addition (1% w/w) exhibited a preservative effect in both fish lots since significant lower levels of TVB-N, TMA-N, free amino acids (NPS), TBA and LHC were observed in thyme-treated fillets during ice storage. However, thyme inhibitory effect was more marked in wild than farmed fish. As revealed by partial least square regression, LHC in both groups was positively influenced by storage time and trimethylamine accumulation factors, while it was negatively influenced by thyme treatment and fish origin. Hence, LHC was suggested to be related to spoilage bacterial growth. The use of dried thyme extended the shelf life of fish fillets by about 5 days and appeared to be highly valuable to the fish industry as a natural preservative.