Application of Films Based on Chitosan and Xanthan Gum in Refrigerated Fish Conservation

: This research aims to determine the efficiency of chitosan and xanthan gum films in conservation of croaker fillets kept in refrigeration for 9 days. Proximal composition, loss of mass, color, pH, TVB-N (Total Volatile Bases) and microbiological profile were assessed. The films were prepared with chitosan and xanthan gum in varying mass proportions 100:0, m:m (C100XG0); 60:40, m:m (C60XG40); 50:50, m:m (C50XG50). They presented the respective values for moisture content, water solubility, thickness and water vapor permeability: 24.59%, 19.50%, 0.086 mm and 11.45gm -1 .s -1 .Pa -1 for C100XG0; 24.58%; 20.27%, 0.091 mm and 10.41 gm -1 .s -1 .Pa -1 for C60XG40; 22.11%, 22.06%, 0.089 mm and 10.68 gm -1 .s -1 .Pa -1 forC50XG50.The films were made in small bags format capable to hold about 20 g of fish fillets. A control sample was prepared in parallel, using polyethylene bags under the same storage conditions. The results showed that the chitosan films combined with xanthan gum had excellent antimicrobial properties, capable of preserving the quality of chilled fish fillets during the studied period, since it inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus coagulase-positive, Salmonella spp and coliforms at 45 ° C. Mass loss of the croaker fillets was not significantly affected by xanthan gum addition to the films. On the other hand, xanthan gum addition affected pH and color parameters of the corvina fillets. It was also verified that the combination of these two polymers promoted the reduction of N-BVT, being the C50XG50 film that presented the best response.