The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of various hurdles such as aw and pH as well as the storage atmosphere on the microbiological and sensory changes of minimally processed (lightly brined or marinated with acetic or citric acid) European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fillets. The results indicated that the shelf-life of brined fillets stored aerobically was 6 d while that of vacuum and MAP-stored was 12 d, since a reduced growth rate of spoilage bacteria was recorded. The physicochemical characteristics such as aw and water phase salt (WPS) were not considerably changed, while the oxygen levels into the packages ensure the microbiological safety of the product. The fillets marinated with acetic acid exhibited a longer shelf-life at 30 and 40 d under aerobic and reduced oxygen conditions, respectively, while the products marinated with citric acid were at 25 and 35 d respectively. A low pH resulted in reduced or even limited microbial levels, especially for the fillets marinated with acetic acid; something that ensures microbiological safety as well. The low or limited microbial levels in conjugation with the sensory attributes indicated that spoilage may be due to other mechanisms such as autolysis rather than microbial activity. Overall, the present work highlights the potential for further research and development of minimally processed, microbiologically safe and stable with extended shelf-life value added seafood to satisfy the corresponding consumer demands.
Keywords: MAP; brining; marinating; microbiological safety; microbiological spoilage; minimal process; sea bass; shelf-life; vacuum.