The synergistic effect of gallic acid (GA) and
chitosan (CS) as edible coatings on the quality and shelf
life of Pacific mackerel (Pneumatophorus japonicus) fillets
during chilled storage was investigated in this study.
Pacific mackerel fillets were periodically evaluated to assess
their microbiological (total viable count), physicochemical
(pH, total volatile basic nitrogen, biogenic
amine, thiobarbituric acid, and K value), and sensory
characteristics. The results indicated that CS +GA was
more effective than either treatment alone in inhibiting
microbial growth, protein decomposition, biogenic amine
formation, lipid oxidation and nucleotide breakdown, and
maintaining better sensory characteristics during storage,
thereby extending the shelf life of mackerel by 6 days
compared with the control group. Therefore, a coating
with the combination of chitosan with GA represents a
promising method for maintaining the storage quality of
Pacific mackerel fillets and has broad potential applications
in the seafood industry as a food-grade
biopreservative.