Effect of sage seed gum film incorporating Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil on the storage quality and biogenic amine content of refrigerated Otolithes ruber fillets

The effect of an edible film based on sage seed gum (SSG) incorporating 3 % Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil (ZEO) was investigated on the storage quality and shelf life of tiger-tooth croaker (Otolithes ruber) fillets during storage at 4 +/- 1 degrees C compared to the control film (SSG film without ZEO) and the Cellophane. The SSG-ZEO film significantly decelerated microbial growth (evaluated by total viable count, total psychrotrophic count, pH, TVBN) and lipid oxidation (evaluated by TBARS) compared to the others (P < 0.05). The antimicrobial activity of ZEO was the highest and the lowest on E. aerogenes (MIC: 0.196 mu L/mL) and P. mirabilis (MIC: 0.977 mu L/mL), respectively. E. aerogenes was identified as an indicator biogenic amine-producer in O. ruber fish at refrigerated temperature. The active film significantly lowered biogenic amine accumulation in the samples inoculated with E. aerogenes. A clear relationship was observed between the release of ZEO's phenolic compounds from the active film to the headspace and the reduction of microbial growth, lipid oxidation, and biogenic amine production in the samples. Consequently, SSG film containing 3 % ZEO is proposed as a biodegradable antimicrobial -antioxidant packaging to extend the shelf life and decrease the biogenic amine production in refrigerated seafood.