Figures (2)  Tables (2)
    • Figure 1. 

      Schematic diagram of different components in phytochemicals.

    • Figure 2. 

      Schematic diagram showing the effect of various phytochemicals on quality aspects of fish and fish products.

    • Fish and fish productsPhytochemical usedParameters studied Key findingsReferences
      Salted sardines
      (Sardina pilchardus)
      Lemon essential oil (EO) micro-emulsion at 3 and 10 g/kgChemical, microbiological and sensory parameters of salted sardines during the entire period of ripening (150 d)• Retarded the growth of Enterobacteriaceae by 0.95 CFU/g, Staphylococci by 0.59 CFU/g, and rod lactic acid bacteria by 1.5 log cycles
      • Lowered the accumulation of histamine
      • Registered highest scores for flavor and overall acceptability
      [46]
      Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) filletsCinnamon essential oil (1 g/kg)Physicochemical, spoilage microbes and sensory attributes of fillets stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 14 d• Decreased the relative abundance of Macrococcus (51.8% vs 33.4%)
      • Effective in inhibiting the increase of TVB-N and the accumulation of biogenic amines.
      • Extended the shelf life of vacuum-packed fillets
      [40]
      Fillets of Sardinella longiceps and Rastrelliger kanagurtaColeus aromaticus and Sargassum wightii leaf pasteProximate, microbiological, and sensory characters of fillets under chilled storage (4 ± 1ºC) conditions for 7 d• Significantly (P ˂ 0.05) improved proximate parameters with reduced moisture and TVC content as compared to control
      • Treated fillets had the best appearance, smell, color, texture, and taste compared to control
      S. wightii proved to be a better preservative than C. aromaticus
      [27]
      Smoked tilapia
      (Oreochromis niloticus) fish
      Ginger, garlic and clove powder
      (5 g/kg)
      Microbial activity, shelf life and safety of fish during 8 weeks of storage• Preservatives treated samples had reduced microbial load, and longer shelf-life (8 weeks)
      • Treated samples recorded zero/no total coliform count (TCC) growth and were accepted by the consumers
      [47]
      Frozen rainbow trout filletsClove oil (5 and 10 g/kg) used as natural preservative
      Microbiological and sensory quality of frozen and vacuum-packed rainbow trout fillets stored at -18 °C for six months
      • Microbial growth was high for frozen storage for control samples
      • Samples with clove oil had longer shelf life than normal
      • Clove oil can be used as a natural protective and influential antibacterial in conjunction with a vacuum pack to augment the quality
      [64]
      Founder (Paralichthys orbignyanus) filletsFillets packed in agar film with fish protein hydrolysate
      (FPH) (500g FPH/ kg agar) or with film containing clove EO (500 g EO/kg agar)
      Microbiological quality and shelf life of fillets stored at 5 °C for 15 d• Fillets packaged with film containing clove EO had better microbiological quality than packaged in agar film with FPH
      • Both the films effective in extending the shelf-life of fillets
      [65]
      Fish surimi from
      O. niloticus
      Treating of surimi gel by immersion with colored plant extracts- CPEs
      (2.5 g/L)- Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces, Curcuma longa rhizomes, and Rhus coriaria fruits
      Microbiological and sensory attributes of samples aseptically packaged into polyethylene bags and stored at 4 °C for 7 d
      H. sabdariffa extract was the most effective antimicrobial
      • CPEs enhanced sensorial attributes of surimi during storage study
      • CPEs application as colorants and antibacterial and quality enhancing agents recommended for biopreservation of seafood
      [54]
      Fish patties from Hake fillets (Merluccius capensis, Merluccius paradoxus)Extract from pomegranate peel, rosemary, citric, and hydroxytyrosol (obtained from vegetable waters of olive tree)
      (@ 0.2 g/kg)
      Physicochemical, microbiological properties, sensory analysis, and shelf life of patties under chilled storage for 14 d• Patties with rosemary extract had a high level of protein (140 g/kg),
      α-linolenic acid (up to 400 g/kg), selenium minerals, and low fat
      (< 20 g/kg) compared to the control
      • Extracts effective against protein oxidation of patties than commercial preservatives added to the control
      • Patties with pomegranate extract had a longer life (7 to 11 d) than others (4–6 d)
      [28]
      Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) filletsTreatment with essential oils (EOs)- oregano (Origanum vulgare), thyme (Thymus mongolicus Ronn.), and star anise (Illicium verum) @ 1 g/L for 30 min at room temperatureMicrobial composition and quality of fillets stored at 4 ± 1 °C• EOs effective in inhibiting microbial growth (TVC) by 0.59 log CFU/g, delaying lipid oxidation, and retarding the increase of TVB-N, putrescine, hypoxanthine, and K-value
      • Samples with EOs had a less fishy smell and firmer texture compared to the control
      • EOs extended the shelf-life of fillets by 2 more days compared to the control
      • Treatment with EOs can effectively inhibit the degradation of ATP and maintain a high quality of fish products
      [4]
      Sea bream (Sparus aurata) fresh filletsApplication of oregano essential oil (OEO) in the vapor phase (67 µL/L) under vacuum (5–10 hPa) immediately before MAP fillet packagingMicrobial and sensory product quality of fish fillets stored at 4 ºC for 28 d• OEO vapor treated samples had better physicochemical parameters (pH, TMA-N and WHC) as well as freshness compared to dipping
      • Shelf life of vapor OEO treated MAP fish fillets was extended up to 28 d compared to control (7 d)
      • Microbial quality of fish fillets is well preserved with the innovative OEO vapor injection under vacuum
      [23]
      Sardine (Sardinella albella) muscleBetel leaf (Piper betle) extracts (BLE)
      @ 0.5 and 1 g/kg in the ice medium
      Microbial, biochemical, and sensory score of fish during 14 d of chilled storage• BLE at both concentrations inhibited the microbial proliferation and fish deterioration and extended the shelf life of fish for at least 3 d compared to the control sample
      • BLE incorporated into ice improved the sensory score and chemical (pH, TVB-N, and TMA-N) quality
      [30]
      Indian mackerel (R. kanagurta)Methanolic extract of the red alga Gracilaria verrucose-GC @ (0.67 and 2.5 g lyophilized alga/L aqueous solution) in the icing mediumMicrobial, chemical, and sensory study of fish chill stored for 15 days• GC significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited the mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria and chemical markers (pH, TVB-N, TMA-N, and biogenic amines) of fish deterioration relative to the control
      • Icing medium containing GC extract improved the sensory acceptability, quality, and safety of fish compared to control
      • The seafood industry can explore icing medium containing GC as a biopreservative
      [66]
      Hairtail fish ballAqueous solution containing 1 g/kg sage extract, 1 g/kg oregano extract and
      0.1 g/L grape seed extract (GSE)
      Quality and volatile flavor component of
      fish balls stored at 4 °C up to 15 d
      • GSE stabilized meatball pH of hairtail fish
      • The extract also reduced fishy odor, TBARS values, and TVB-N
      • Inhibited bacterial growth compared to control
      [67]
      Wallago attu fish nuggetsTreated with guava (Psidium guajava L.), bael (Aegle marmelos L.) pulp and dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus L.) peel powder @ 15 g/kgVarious physicochemical,
      textural and sensory attributes of fish nuggets refrigerated stored up to 10 d
      • Fruits powder @ 15 g/kg significantly reduced the pH of the nuggets compared to control
      • Increased emulsion stability, cooking yield, moisture, fat, and protein percentage
      • Slowed down the lipid peroxidation of fish nuggets
      • Textural attributes were improved in treated nuggets
      [25]
      Minced meat of Indian mackerel (R. kanagurta)Pomegranate peel extract (PPE)
      @ 1, 1.5, and 2 g/kg
      Oxidative stability of samples packed in polythene bags and stored at 4 °C• PEE @ 2 g/kg ppm increased oxidative stability of minced meat
      • Improved shelf life of fish meat up to 8 days compared to 4 d in control
      [41]
      Canned common barbel (Barbus barbus) fish burgersCystoseira compressa and Jania adhaerens powder @ 5, 10, and
      15 g/kg
      Texture and sensory characteristics of fish burgers stored at 4 ºC for further analyses (8 months)• Treated formulations had improved nutritional content WHC, and enhanced texture stability
      • Burgers containing 10 g/kg algae had better texture and sensory properties (P < 0.05)
      • Algae could be considered as nutritious additives and natural flavoring and coloring agents to produce fish-based products
      [68]
      Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) filletsPsidium guajava extract (PGE)
      @ 0.3 g/kg (w/v) for 30 min
      Physicochemical and microbiological changes in fillets packed and stored in ice for 15 d• PGE @ 0.3 g/kg showed a significantly lower increment of pH values during storage
      • Treated fillets showed significantly higher sensory properties, lower PV and TBARs compared to the control
      [24]
      Bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) filletsAqueous pomegranate peel extract (APPE) @ 0.5 g GAE/L and ethanolic pomegranate peel extract (EPPE)
      @ 0.5 g GAE/L
      Microbiological and quality changes in fillets stored at 4 °C for 8 d• PPE decreased the TVC of fish spoilage bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, and Shewanella
      • APPE is more effective in retarding the
      increase of TVB-N and K-value
      • EPPE was relatively better in inhibiting biogenic amines
      [52]
      Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) filletsFillets immersed in 10 g/L of rosemary or basil essential oils (EOs) for 30 min at 2 °CPhysicochemical quality of fillets stored at 2 °C up to 15 d• Rosemary and basil treatments effectively inhibit the formation of TVB-N and lipid oxidation products during storage.
      • Significantly lower pH values were observed for the basil group than others, indicating antimicrobial effects
      • Compared to the control group, fillets treated with rosemary and basil EOs had extended shelf life by 2 and 5 d
      [69]
      Common Carp (C. carpio) filletsEdible coating (C + EC), edible coating +, 5 g/kg chitosan (C + ECCh) and edible coating + 15 g/kg chitosan + 100 g/kg peppermint (C + ECChP)Quality and shelf life of common carp (C. carpio) during refrigerated storage (4 ± 1 °C) for 9 d• ECChP coating treatment extended the shelf life of carp by about 4 days compared with the control
      • (C + ECCh) and (C + ECChP) significantly effective (P < 0.05) in delaying hydroperoxide production of fillets during refrigerated storage, reducing lipid oxidation
      [36]
      Fish (S. scombrus) minceGreen tea
      extract (GTE), grape seed extract (GSE), and pomegranate rind extract (PRE) at a level of 0.1 g/kg equivalent phenolics
      Changes in quality of fish mince during frozen storage at −18 ± 1 °C for 6 months
      • PRE effectively inhibited lipid oxidation with lower peroxide and TBARS values
      • Minced fish containing PRE had lower carbonyl and higher sulfhydryl contents
      • GTE was not effective against lipid and protein oxidation
      • PRE could be utilized as an antioxidant to extend the storage period in raw minced fish tissue
      [34]
      Fried fillets of Nile tilapia (O. niloticus)Fillets treated with rosemary extract-RE (1, 2, 3 g/kg) and Vitamin E 1 g/kgPhysicochemical and sensory quality of fried fillets stored for 15 d at
      4 ± 1 °C and 3 months at −18 ± 2 °C
      • TMA-N and TVB-N, values of RE and vitamin E treated samples were significantly lower than control samples (P < 0.05)
      • R.E. @ 3 g/kg retarded oxidative changes in chilling and frozen fried fillets
      • Significant (P < 0.05) enhancement in sensory quality attributes in samples treated with RE and vitamin E
      [59]
      Whole rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)Effect of ice coverage comprised of Reshgak (Ducrosia anethifolia) extract (RE) @ 3 mg/L and Reshgak essential oil (REO) @ 15 g/LChemical, microbiological and shelf life study during a 20-day storage period.• Treated samples had lower bacterial counts and chemical indices than ice coverage without extract
      • Fish stored in ice containing REO had a longer shelf-life (> 16 d) than RE (16 d) and lot stored in traditional ice (12 d)
      [70]
      TMA-N = Trimethylamine; TVB-N = Total volatile basic nitrogen; TVC = Total viable count; TBARS = Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; WHC = Water holding capacity; MAP = Modified atmosphere packaging.

      Table 1. 

      Effect of phytochemicals as bioactive compounds on physicochemical, microbiological and sensory quality of fish and fish products.

    • Component of plantsFish productsMIC values Target microorganismsReferences
      Curcuma longa rhizome powder (200 g/L of 70 % aqueous ethanolic solution)
      Surimi gel of tilapia2.2 g/L
      1.8 g/L
      1.8 g/L
      1.2 g/L
      Salmonella Typhimurium
      Staphylococcus aureus
      Escherichia coli
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa
      [54]
      Gabsi pomegranate peel powder (5 g powder in
      150 mL methanol for methanol pomegranate peel extracts)
      fresh fish152 g/LE. coli
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae
      [71]
      Olive leaf extract (OL), olive cake (OC), black
      water (BW)
      Fresh anchovy, mackerel, sardine3.0 g/L
      6.0 g/L
      12.5 g/L
      E. coli
      Salmonella Paratyphi A
      S. aureus
      [48]
      Betel leaf (Piper betle) powder (water extract)Sardine fish meat0.5 g/LPsychrophilic bacterial count[30]
      Hibiscus sabdariffa
      Calyces powder (200 g/L of 70% aqueous ethanolic solution)
      Surimi gel of tilapia1.6 g/L
      1.0 g/L
      1.2 g/L
      1.6 g/L
      S. Typhimurium
      S. aureus
      E. coli
      P. aeruginosa
      [54]
      Thyme essential oilMinced fish meat8 g/kgListeria monocytogenes[72]
      Lavender essential oilCatfish2 g/L,
      1–1.2 g/L
      E. coli,
      S. aureus
      [73]
      Kakadu plum bark powder (methanol extract)
      Chilled fish1 g/LS. aureus[74]
      Fruits and culinary herbs of Australian plant powder (methanolic extract)Fresh fish5 g/LShewanella putrefaciens[75]
      Dried, fragmented leaves of rosemary, thyme and
      dried fruits of anise (Pimpinella anisum)
      Canned fish10 g/L (rosemary)
      1.25 g/L (thyme)
      10 g/L (anise)
      Clostridium perfringens[76]
      Simira ecuadorensis leaf powder (ethanol extract)Fish hamburger80 g/LCampylobacter jejuni
      and S. putrefaciens
      [56]

      Table 2. 

      Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of phytochemicals against fish spoilage microorganisms.