Cold Plasma: An Alternative in Litopenaeus vannamei Shrimp Preservation

Abstract

This study aimed evaluating the effects of cold plasma on the quality attributes of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Shrimp were divided into 4 sample groups: one control and the remaining groups subjected to cold plasma at frequencies of 5, 10, and 15 kHz, respectively, during 10 minutes of application followed by evaluation of chemical, physical, microbiological, and sensorial characteristics. Cold plasma contributed significantly to the maintenance of shrimp quality during storage, delaying the melanization process, microbial growth, improving the physicochemical and sensorial qualities of the samples. Exposure of white shrimp to non-thermal plasma at 15 kHz promoted better physicochemical, microbiological, and sensorial results, and increased the shelf life of samples by 5 days, suggesting that the treatment is effective to preserve the quality of shrimp.