Fig. 1 shows the textural results for the skin strength and
elasticity of the prawns. It is shown that the skin strength of
the raw samples (292.8 33.9 g) stored at 20 8C, was less
compared to the cooked samples (396.9 30.4 g) stored at
20 8C. This is because prawns when cooked provide firm and
crunchier texture. After 7 days of storage at 20 8C, the skin
strength of the raw sample decreased significantly ( p < 0.05) to
201.4 35.5 g. Similarly the skin strength of the cooked
sample also decreased significantly ( p < 0.05) over the 7 days
of storage at 20 8C to 51.7 26.3 g for the cooked-chilled
samples, 38.9 20.8 g for the gas-flushed samples and
87.4 32.8 g for the vacuum-packed samples. This shows
that out of the three methods of preservation vacuum
packaging was appropriate for retaining the skin strength of
prawns. The difference between the skin strength of the fresh
samples and samples after 7 days storage was less when