Use of the voltammetric tongue in fresh cod (Gadus morhua) quality assessment

• Published in: Innovative food science & emerging technologies 2013-04, Vol.18, p.256-263
• Main Authors: Ruiz-Rico, María, Fuentes, Ana, Masot, Rafael, Alcañiz, Miguel, Fernández-Segovia, Isabel, Barat, José Manuel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Assessments; Cod; Cold storage; Fish; Microorganisms; Physico-chemical and microbial analyses; Pulse voltammetry; Quality control; Shelf-life assessment; Spoilage; Supply chains; Tongue; Voltammetric tongue
• ISSN: 1466-8564; 1878-5522
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ifset.2012.12.010

The aim of this work was to evaluate the use of the voltammetric tongue in the shelf-life assessment of fresh cod in cold storage. For this purpose, physico-chemical and microbial analyses were carried out, as well as measurements with the electronic tongue. The samples exceeded the acceptability limits of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), mesophilic and Enterobacteriaceae on the fourth day of storage, which means that the fish had a shelf-life of less than 4days. The voltammetric tongue was able to differentiate between days 0 and 1 of storage from the other days. These results are in accordance with those obtained in the physico-chemical and microbial analyses, which showed a clear loss of freshness from day 0 to day 4. In the models obtained with partial least squares for TVB-N and mesophilic counts, the predicted values were successfully fitted to the experimental values, which confirm the potential usefulness of the voltammetric tongue for assessing cod spoilage. Shelf-life assessment of fresh fish is of great interest for consumers, industries and authorities. The current methods used for this purpose are tedious, expensive, time-consuming and require skilled personnel. Therefore, the development of rapid non-destructive quality control techniques, which can be applied at any stage of the supply chain, could be highly interesting. This paper describes the possible application of a voltammetric tongue to assess cod spoilage during cold storage. This technique could be used as a rapid and non-destructive method applicable to routine quality control at any stage of the supply chain. ► A voltammetric tongue was used in the shelf-life assessment of cod in cold storage. ► Physico-chemical parameters and microbial counts indicated the fish spoilage. ► The voltammetric tongue was able to discriminate between fresh and spoiled fish. ► This technique could be a useful tool in assessing the shelf-life of fresh cod.