Wenqing Xu

Prof. Dr. Wenqing Xu


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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24 December 2024 in Fishes
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
HSHunter Songy
Hunter Songy
Katheryn ParragaKatheryn Parraga
Katheryn Parraga
WXWenqing Xu
Wenqing Xu
EWEvelyn Watts
Evelyn Watts
Gelatin coatings have been shown to successfully slow the oxidation of fresh foods. Furthermore, organic acids have proven effective in the inhibition of bacteria and the extension of product shelf life. The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of gelatin and lactic acid treatment combinations on fresh and previously frozen (thawed) wild-caught shrimp. The samples were separated into four treatment groups: control (C), gelatin coating (G), lactic acid followed by gelatin coating (L), and gelatin infused with lactic acid coating (LG). Half of each group was stored at refrigeration temperature (≤4 °C), while the other half was frozen (≤−18 °C) and thawed for the thawed study. Physical, chemical, and microbiological changes were observed in refrigeration storage for 8 days. Results showed that fresh and thawed shrimp exhibited darkening in color over time. Treatments with lactic acid were more blue than yellow. Treated samples developed less oxidation than the control. Psychrophilic counts for samples L and LG remained below the 7 log CFU/g threshold throughout the study. In fresh shrimp samples, the addition of just a gelatin coating was able to increase shelf life by three days, while the addition of lactic acid successfully lowered microbial counts and extended the shelf life by six days. The freeze–thaw cycle negatively affected the extension of shelf life in the G group.