Growth Reduction of Vibrionaceae and Microflora Diversity in Ice-Stored Pacific White Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) Treated with a Low-Frequency Electric Field

Abstract

A novel storage technique that combines the low-frequency electric field (LFEF) and ice temperature was used to extend the shelf life of Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). The study investigated the effect of LFEF treatment on the quality and microbial composition of Penaeus vannamei during storage at ice temperature. The results showed that the LFEF treatment significantly extended the shelf life of shrimp during storage at ice temperature. The total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) and pH of samples increased over time, while the total viable count (TVC) showed a trend of first decreasing and then increasing. Obviously, shrimp samples treated with LFEF had a lower pH, TVB-N and TVC values than the untreated samples (p < 0.05) at the middle and late stages of storage. LFEF treatment increased the diversity and altered the composition of the microbial communities in Penaeus vannamei. Additionally, the treatment led to a decrease in the relative abundance of dominant spoilage bacteria, including Aliivibrio, Photobacterium and Moritella, in Penaeus vannamei stored at ice temperature for 11 days. Furthermore, correlation analysis indicated that TVB-N and pH had a significant and positive correlation with Pseudoalteromonas, suggesting that Pseudoalteromonas had a greater impact on shrimp quality. This study supports the practical application of accelerated low-frequency electric field-assisted shrimp preservation as an effective means of maintaining shrimp meat quality.