BACKGROUNDThis study investigates the effect of microemulsions of 0.8% Ocimum basilicum essential oil (MOBO) on the cooking quality and shelf life of snakehead fillets using different impregnation methods (air environment treatment, vacuum impregnation, ultrasonic impregnation and vacuum impregnation with ultrasonic‐assisted). Basil essential oil, recognized for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, is utilized in a microemulsion form to enhance its efficacy and application in food preservation.RESULTSThe findings of the study demonstrated that MOBO markedly enhanced the cooking quality, flavor and overall acceptability of snakehead fillets. The incidence of microbial growth was markedly diminished in the MOBO‐treated fillets in comparison to the control group. On day 9, a reduction in the total viable count of a minimum of 1.7 lg CFU/g was observed in comparison to the control group. The treated group exhibited an extended shelf life, with an increase of 3–9 days in comparison to the control group. However, there was a higher cooking weight loss in the treated group compared to the control group. This is from the findings regarding moisture content. The digestibility of the MOBO‐treated fillets was enhanced by up to 4.13% in comparison to the control group, while the particle size was reduced by up to 40 nm. MOBO reduced the production of bitter amino acids and thiobarbituric acid.CONCLUSIONIncorporating MOBO in the marination process effectively enhances the cooking quality and extends the shelf life of snakehead fillets. These results indicate the potential of basil essential oil microemulsion as a natural and efficient food preservation method, offering significant benefits for the food industry in terms of product quality and safety improvement. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
