Effect of the UV-C Radiation on Shelf Life of Vacuum-Packed Refrigerated Pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) Fillets

ABSTRACTThe effect of Ultraviolet radiation type C (UV-C) radiation (0.100 ± 0.010 J/cm2) on shelf life of Arapaima gigas fillets stored at 4 ± 1°C for 18 days was investigated. The samples were analyzed for total aerobic mesophilic bacteria (TAMB) counts; total aerobic psychrotrophic bacteria (TAPB) counts; Enterobacteriaceae; purge loss; pH; lipid oxidation; total volatile bases (TVB-N); ammonia; biogenic amines (BAs); and L*, a*, and b* values. UV-C radiation increased (P   0.05) in detrimental effects on lipid oxidation or a* and b* values. UV-C at 0.100 J/cm2 demonstrated a good potential for use in A. gigas fillets and, therefore, it could be applied at industrial scale.