Combined Effect of Modified Atmosphere Package and Short-Wave Ultraviolet Does Not Affect Proteus mirabilis Growth on Rainbow Trout Fillets (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The current study investigated the effectiveness of short-wave ultraviolet (UV-C) radiation on rainbow trout fillets inoculated with Proteus mirabilis when combined with Modified Atmosphere Packaging technology (MAP). Rainbow trout were inoculated, packaged under different ratios of CO2 and N2 gases and subjected to UV-C radiation. Our study model demonstrated that at least 0.1001 J/cm2 is necessary to significantly reduce Proteus mirabilis loads (reduction of 1.8 log CFU.g-1) in trout fillet packaged without CO2 gas barrier. The rainbow trout fillet packaged with CO2 gas barrier had significantly reduced Proteus mirabilis load but not when associated with UV-C radiation exposure. The combined effect of UV-C and MAP at different radiation doses and ratios of CO2 and N2 gas did not contribute to Proteus mirabilis growth reduction. Overall, the use of MAP significantly reduces the penetration and effect of UV-C radiation when compared to the unpackaged control. The combination of these two technologies of food preservation does not seem to be a suitable model to extend the shelf life of packaged fish fillet