Antimicrobial Effect of Acidified Sodium Chlorite (ASC) on Whole Croaker

The antimicrobial effect of acidified sodium chlorite (ASC) solution on whole croaker skin was evaluated. Whole croaker skin was treated with ASC (50, 100, 200, 400, and 600 ppm) and distilled water. After 10-minute exposure to 600 ppm ASC, 8% of Gram-negative bacteria survived on the whole croaker sample. Treatment with 50 ppm ASC eliminated all coliforms in the initial load. Immersion treatment with 600 ppm ASC resulted in 1.3 log CFU/cm² greater kill of the initial mesophile loads of control (2.8 log CFU/cm² ) than distilled water. Fifty ppm ASC solution produced a 1.6-log reduction of psychrotrophic bacteria. ASC treatment was an effective method for reducing naturally occurring microflora on whole croaker skin.