The preserving effects of chitosan, chitosan and citric acid, chitosan and licorice extract on fresh Japanese
sea bass fillets stored at 4 C for 12 days were studied. Results showed that citric acid or licorice extract
can enhance the preserving function of chitosan significantly by retarding lipid oxidation and inhibiting
microbial growth as reflected in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and total plate count, respectively.
Both total volatile basic nitrogen values and sensory scores indicated chitosan and citric acid or
licorice extract can significantly reduce the quality loss and extend the shelf life of Japanese sea bass fish
fillets during refrigerated storage. Citric acid or licorice extract with chitosan could thus be applied in the
seafood industry to enhance quality of fish fillets as natural preservatives.