Effect of chitosan coating on chemical and microbiological properties of Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda) fillets

Chemical [(pH, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)] and microbial (psychrotrophic, mesophilic aerobic bacteria and Enterobacteriacae counts) changes in Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda) fillets coated with chitosan solution (2%, w/v) or packaged with vacuum or modified atmosphere (100% CO2), or air were determined during storage at 4 +/- 1 degrees C for 12 days. Chitosan coating did not significantly affect pH and TVB-N values. TBARS value increased rapidly after 3 days in chitosan groups. Chitosan group showed generally lower bacterial counts than the control group during storage. However, modified atmosphere packing demonstrated better inhibition than chitosan treatment or vacuum packing.