The combined effect of various gas packaging atmospheres (air, vacuum and gas packaging), films of different oxygen transmission rate (OTR) and storage temperature (4 and 12°C) were investigated on the shelf-life and safety of flesh rainbow trout fillets. / Preliminary studies were done to determine the optimum packaging atmospheres to maintain the bright pink color of trout packaged in a high gas barrier film. Both vacuum and gas packaging (85% CO2:15%N2) resulted in the longest shelf-life (~28 days) in terms of color at 4°C. Based on these optimum gas atmospheres for color, shelf-life studies were performed at both refrigerated and temperature abuse conditions (12°C). / Challenges studies were also done with Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium botulinum type E, two psychrotrophic pathogens of concern in modified atmosphere packaged (MAP) fish. / Subsequent studies were done to determine the effect of various levels of headspace oxygen (0--100%, balance CO2) or film OTR on the time to toxicity in trout stored at 12°C. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

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