Mechanistic Insights into Fish Spoilage and Integrated Preservation Technologies

The global fish industry faces persistent challenges due to the inherent perishability of fish, driven by enzymatic autolysis, lipid oxidation, and microbial proliferation. Although numerous studies have characterized these individual spoilage pathways and evaluated discrete preservation techniques,...

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Main Authors: Xuanbo Wang, Zhaozhu Zheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/14/7639
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author Xuanbo Wang
Zhaozhu Zheng
author_facet Xuanbo Wang
Zhaozhu Zheng
author_sort Xuanbo Wang
collection DOAJ
description The global fish industry faces persistent challenges due to the inherent perishability of fish, driven by enzymatic autolysis, lipid oxidation, and microbial proliferation. Although numerous studies have characterized these individual spoilage pathways and evaluated discrete preservation techniques, practitioners still lack a unified, mechanism-based framework that links spoilage chemistry to targeted interventions. This gap prevents the rational selection and optimization of preservation methods. In this review, we first synthesize recent multi-omics and microbiological findings to delineate the molecular drivers of post-harvest fish spoilage. We then critically map a suite of preservation approaches—including low-temperature treatments (refrigeration, super-chilling, freezing), high-pressure processing, modified atmosphere packaging, nanoemulsion and essential-oil coatings, pulsed electric fields, and ozonation—onto the specific mechanisms they mitigate. By comparing efficacy metrics, practical constraints, and emerging innovations, our mechanism-driven roadmap clearly defines the problems we address and offers actionable guidance for developing more effective and sustainable fish preservation strategies.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2076-3417
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publisher MDPI AG
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series Applied Sciences
spelling doaj-art-daab40fa0162407e901d2e8a301e9e902025-08-20T03:32:31ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-07-011514763910.3390/app15147639Mechanistic Insights into Fish Spoilage and Integrated Preservation TechnologiesXuanbo Wang0Zhaozhu Zheng1National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, ChinaNational Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, ChinaThe global fish industry faces persistent challenges due to the inherent perishability of fish, driven by enzymatic autolysis, lipid oxidation, and microbial proliferation. Although numerous studies have characterized these individual spoilage pathways and evaluated discrete preservation techniques, practitioners still lack a unified, mechanism-based framework that links spoilage chemistry to targeted interventions. This gap prevents the rational selection and optimization of preservation methods. In this review, we first synthesize recent multi-omics and microbiological findings to delineate the molecular drivers of post-harvest fish spoilage. We then critically map a suite of preservation approaches—including low-temperature treatments (refrigeration, super-chilling, freezing), high-pressure processing, modified atmosphere packaging, nanoemulsion and essential-oil coatings, pulsed electric fields, and ozonation—onto the specific mechanisms they mitigate. By comparing efficacy metrics, practical constraints, and emerging innovations, our mechanism-driven roadmap clearly defines the problems we address and offers actionable guidance for developing more effective and sustainable fish preservation strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/14/7639fish spoilage mechanismslow-temperature preservationmodified atmosphere packaging (MAP)multi-hurdle systemssustainable preservation
spellingShingle Xuanbo Wang
Zhaozhu Zheng
Mechanistic Insights into Fish Spoilage and Integrated Preservation Technologies
Applied Sciences
fish spoilage mechanisms
low-temperature preservation
modified atmosphere packaging (MAP)
multi-hurdle systems
sustainable preservation
title Mechanistic Insights into Fish Spoilage and Integrated Preservation Technologies
title_full Mechanistic Insights into Fish Spoilage and Integrated Preservation Technologies
title_fullStr Mechanistic Insights into Fish Spoilage and Integrated Preservation Technologies
title_full_unstemmed Mechanistic Insights into Fish Spoilage and Integrated Preservation Technologies
title_short Mechanistic Insights into Fish Spoilage and Integrated Preservation Technologies
title_sort mechanistic insights into fish spoilage and integrated preservation technologies
topic fish spoilage mechanisms
low-temperature preservation
modified atmosphere packaging (MAP)
multi-hurdle systems
sustainable preservation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/14/7639
work_keys_str_mv AT xuanbowang mechanisticinsightsintofishspoilageandintegratedpreservationtechnologies
AT zhaozhuzheng mechanisticinsightsintofishspoilageandintegratedpreservationtechnologies