Maintaining the freshness of shrimp is a concern to shrimp stakeholders. To improve shrimp quality
management, it is of importance to evaluate shrimp spoilage characteristics. Therefore, microbiological,
sensory, and chemical changes of naturally contaminated tropical brackish water shrimp (Penaeus
notialis) during storage at 28 C, 7 C and 0 C were assessed. H2S-producing bacteria were the dominant
group of microorganisms at 28 C and 7 C whereas Pseudomonas spp. were dominant at 0 C. Total
volatile basic nitrogen and trimethylamine correlated well (R2 > 0.90) with the sensory scores. An
empirical model to predict the shelf-life of naturally contaminated tropical shrimp as a function of
storage temperature was developed. Specific groups of organisms were isolated at the sensory rejection
times and assessed for spoilage potential in shrimps of which the endogenous flora was heat inactivated.
Isolates capable of producing strong off-odor identified by 16S rRNA sequencing were mainly lactic acid
bacteria (LAB) and Enterobacteriaceae at 28 C or 7 C and Pseudomonas spp. and LAB at 0 C. The study
contributes to the knowledge about tropical shrimp spoilage and provides a basis for the development of
methods and tools to improve shrimp quality management.