In vivo study of spoilage bacteria on polyphenoloxidase activity and melanosis of modified atmosphere packaged Pacific white shrimp.

This study investigated the effect of the three spoilage bacteria (Carnobacterium maltaromaticum, Shewanella putrefaciens and Aeromonas salmonicida) on the development of melanosis by inoculating the bacteria on modified atmosphere packaged shrimp. The three bacteria, which inoculated at about 5 log cfu/g, proliferated to a maximum level of 7.49, 6.86 and 6.89 log cfu/g, respectively at the end of storage. In regards to the effect of bacteria on melanosis, it was found that C. maltaromaticum did not display a significant effect on PPO activity and melanosis, and A. salmonicida showed an inhibitory effect on PPO activity with an activity value of less than 1.5 Units/ml. However, the PPO activity of shrimp inoculated S. putrefaciens was about one time higher than other samples and greater melanosis was displayed in the first 48 h. As melanosis can cause sensory quality loss, the growth of S. putrefaciens should be limited.