Analysis of crab meat volatiles as possible spoilage indicators for blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) meat by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

TR Number
Date
2010-10-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract

Traditionally crab meat spoilage has been evaluated using sensory panels. A method was developed using solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME–GC–MS) to examine the aroma profile of blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) for chemical indicators of spoilage. The chemicals found to correlate best with spoilage were trimethylamine (TMA), ammonia, and indole over a period of 7 days. In addition, chemicals previously not identified in the aroma profile of blue crab were tentatively detected. Scan mode of the mass spectrometer was used to qualitatively determine compounds extracted from the volatile profile of spoiling blue crab by the SPME fiber. Selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode of the mass spectrometer improved resolution, identified compounds at low concentrations, and allowed spoilage related compounds to be detected in one chromatographic run without sample heating. TMA increased linearly. A significant difference in TMA concentrations were found for day 0 and day 4 samples. Indole concentrations corresponded well with sensory and microbial evaluations, in early, mid, and highly spoiled crab meat samples.

Description
Keywords
Chemistry, Applied, Food Nutrition & Dietetics, Chemistry, CHEMISTRY, APPLIED, FOOD NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Mass spectrometry, Gas chromatography, Blue crab, Solid-phase microextraction, Spoilage, Indole, Trimethylamine, SOLID-PHASE MICROEXTRACTION, PROXIMATE COMPOSITION, MULTIVARIATE-ANALYSIS, DENSITY POLYETHYLENE, SEAFOOD, AMMONIA, QUALITY, STORAGE, SHRIMP, INDOLE
Citation