Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus is one of the most important cultured and
exported fish in Thailand. It is commonly
consumed as whole fish or as fillets. However, the
short shelf-life is a limiting factor for these
perishable flesh fish. Therefore, effective methods
have been applied to preserve and prolong the
shelf-life of fish. Nowadays, natural preservatives
such as plant extracts and natural herbs have also
been investigated to extend the shelf life of fish Plant extracts
which comprise a great diversity of compounds,
such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, lignans and
stilbenes was found and attracted attention due
to its enzyme inhibition, antiviral, antioxidant and
antimicrobial activities
because of their safe and good preservative
properties. Plant
extracts such as chaplu and rang chuet are complex mixtures They are the important
dietary spices and herbs in Thai food and
traditional medicine, which have been studied to
provide good antimicrobial and antioxidant
activity. Although, plant
extract could prevent microbial and chemical
changes of fish, but the information is limited on
the quality changes of tilapia treated with chaplu,
mulberry and rang chuet. Thus, the objective of
the present study was to investigate the effects of
plant extract treatment on the quality changes of
tilapia fillets during refrigerated storage.