7. Modified atmospheric packaging
Fresh fish is highly susceptible to spoilage from post mortem autolysis and microbial growth. The high ambient
temperature of our country favours rapid growth of microorganisms. Presently ice and mechanical refrigeration are
the most common means of retarding microbial and biochemical spoilage in freshly caught seafood during
distribution and marketing. However, as ice melts it tends to contaminate fish accelerating spoilage and reduces
shelf life. Modified atmosphere packaging, a technologically viable method has been developed as a supplement to
ice or mechanical refrigeration to reduce the losses and extend the storage life of fresh seafood products. In modified
atmosphere packaging air is replaced with different gas mixtures to regulate microbial activity and /or retard
discolouration of the products. The proportion of each component gas is fixed when the mixture is introduced into
the package; however, no control is exercised during storage. The composition of the gas mixture changes from its
initial composition as a result of chemical, enzymatic and microbial activity of the product during storage. It is
primarily the enrichment of Carbon dioxide in the storage atmosphere as a means of controlling microbial growth,
which results in the extension of shelf life of products.