The results presented in this study show that the storage at
4 8C increases the shelf life of the prawns. Vacuum-packing
and gas-flushing the samples were effective methods to
reducing the microbial load of the prawns, extending the lag
phase to 5 days at 4 8C. The cooked-chilled samples had very
similar microbial loads as the raw samples; however, these
were not effective methods of preservation. The textural and
sensorial properties of the prawns were preserved effectively
at 4 8C compared to storage at 20 8C. At temperatures of 20 8C
textural properties changed dramatically after 7 days of
storage. The most efficient method of preserving the textural
and sensorial properties of the prawns was vacuum packing.