EFFECT OF PRESSURE-SHIFT FREEZING VERSUS AIR-BLAST FREEZING OF CARP (CYPRINUS CARPIO) FILLETS: A STORAGE STUDY

Intact carp (Cyprinus carpio) fillets were packaged under vacuum and pressurized at 100, 140, 180 and 200 MPa at 4C for 15 or 20 min. Changes in the lipid fraction and color of the fillets as well as the electrophoretic profiles of the fish proteins were studied to establish the best conditions (time and pressure) for pressure-shift freezing the carp fillets. Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values, free fatty acid (FFA) content and color parameters (L*, a*, b*) increased as the pressure level and pressurization time were increased. After 15 min of treatment at any pressure level, the intensity of the protein band with MW   0.05) on the texture of carp fillets. PSF was more effective in reducing total drip losses in cooked samples compared to ABF treatment. Ice crystals found in the PSF fish samples were mainly intracellular, smaller and more regular in shape than those found in the ABF samples.