Evaluation of lipid oxidation in horse mackerel patties covered with borage-containing film during frozen storage

Lipid oxidation of horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) patties covered with fish gelatin-based films containing a borage seed extract were evaluated, including commonly used analytical indexes (peroxide value, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, polyene ratio), as well as determination of volatile compounds, quantitation of oxidized triacylglycerols and analysis by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, during 240 days of frozen storage and subsequent thawing and 4 days-chilling. Vacuum packaged-patties and control uncovered patties were also tested for comparative purposes. Methods applied to evaluate lipid oxidation in extracted lipids, i.e. peroxide value, quantitation of oxidized triacylglycerols and FTIR, clearly provided a better picture of the oxidation progress and led to similar conclusions. Film had protective effects on lipid oxidation of horse mackerel patties throughout frozen storage and particularly after thawing and chilled storage. Furthermore, when compared to vacuum packaging, film was found to be similarly effective until advanced stages of oxidation were reached and exerted enhanced protection once samples were thawed and exposed to air oxygen under chilling temperature; with the additional advantage of increasing the antioxidant capacity of muscle.