Effects of ethyl lauroyl arginate hydrochloride on microbiota, quality and biochemical changes of container-cultured largemouth bass (Micropterus salmonides) fillets during storage at 4 °C

Abstract This study aimed to investigate preservative effects of ethyl lauroyl arginate hydrochloride (LAE) on microbiota, quality, and physiochemical changes of container-cultured largemouth bass fillets stored at 4 °C. The results showed LAE treatment was effective in reducing bacterial growth and attenuating physiochemical changes (flesh color, trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-soluble peptides, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), ammonia concentration, and biogenic amines) of bass fillets, while had relatively weak effect on the degradation of ATP-related compounds. As a result, LAE treatment retarded the deterioration of sensory attributes, and thus prolonged the shelf-life of largemouth bass fillets for 4 days. In addition, LAE treatment decreased the relative abundance of Pseudomonas in bass fillets, and thus changed the microbial composition. Moreover, correlation analysis between physiochemical changes and bacterial genera showed that Pseudomonas was well correlated with TCA-soluble peptides, TVB-N, ammonia, putrescine and histamine, while Aeromonas tended to have strong potentials in producing ammonia and cadaverine.