Evaluation of negative behaviors for single specific spoilage microorganism on little yellow croaker under modified atmosphere packaging: Biochemical properties characterization and spoilage-related volatiles identification

The objective of this study was to evaluate negative influences of single specific spoilage organism (SSO) on little yellow croaker under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) by biochemical properties characterization and spoilage-related volatile indicators identification. The assays of chemical spoilage indexes (CSIs) demonstrated that SSO would accelerate deterioration. The Shewanella glacialipiscicola (S.lgacialipiscicola)-inoculated fish samples with higher rejection degree (76.47 ± 2.15%), pH value (7.18 ± 0.03), TVB-N contents (63.21 ± 5.13 mg/100 g), K-value (93.76 ± 4.10%) and lower chewiness value (84.40 ± 14.39 g), indicated the stronger spoilage ability of S. galacialipiscicola than Carnobacterium maltaromaticum (C.maltaromaticum). Volatile compound (VOC) metabolites produced by microbial activity were characterized by GC-MS, a total of 21 and 25 VOC compounds were identified in fish sample inoculated with S. galacialipiscicola or C. maltaromaticum, respectively. The spoilage-related volatile indicators were screened through multivariate statistic analysis. The indicators of S. glacialipiscicola were indole and trimethylamine, while indole, trimethylamine and dodecanol were screened for C. maltaromaticum. Furthermore, significant correlation was observed by mathematical models between CSIs and VOC indicators. This study revealed the spoilage behaviors and related VOC production of certain SSO, providing a basis for spoilage mechanism investigation and targeted inhibition of SSO.