A new scientific report has highlighted the effects of temperature fluctuations on the quality and characteristics of fish during cold chain logistics.

Published in Volume 2, Issue 2 of the Food Science of Animal Products, a new study conducted by researches from Zhejiang Gongshang University has highlighted the effects of temperature fluctuations on the quality and characteristics of fish during cold chain logistics.

The study focuses on Large Yellow Croaker, a highly perishable fish that needs to be stored and transported under set conditions.

Although it was already established that Large Yellow Croaker has to be kept at the correct temperature, this new research explores the extent to which this is true – revealing that even minor fluctuations in temperature can mar fish quality.

In the following article, we will be taking a closer look at the findings of this report.

We will also explore the most effective approach to monitoring temperature during cold chain logistics. Click the button below if you would prefer to jump straight to the solution.

Jump straight to the solution

The Impact of Temperature Fluctuations on Fish Quality

The Zhejiang Gongshang research team developed a cold chain simulation model to reflect the real-world conditions of a fish processing site. The team then examined the impact of temperature fluctuations ranging from 4°C to 16°C.

Results showed that higher temperature fluctuations led to an increase in spoilage indicators. For fish, this is typically an increase in total viable counts (TVC), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and K values.

The findings of this report highlight the importance of maintaining stable temperatures during the processing, storage, and transportation of seafood.

They underscore why it is so vital for fish factories to refine their cold chain practices and enhance their approach to environmental monitoring.

Once the relevant changes have been made, fish processing sites should see a reduction in quality loss and spoilage. They should also experience a drop in food safety incidents and customer complaints.

“Our study clearly demonstrates how temperature fluctuations can dramatically affect seafood quality, reinforcing the need for stringent cold chain management.”

Dr. Yanbo Wang, Zhejiang Gongshang University

What is the best way to monitor temperature during cold chain logistics?

Transport

When monitoring the temperature of products and ingredients during cold chain logistics, there are a wide range of options to explore:

OPTION ONE: Affordable yet effective, Single-Use Data Loggers are initiated before transport, with data downloaded upon arrival. If the logger is not initiated, in-built Data Rescue Memory ensures the relevant information is still recorded. There are options available for logging periods of 110 or 200 days.

OPTION TWO: As with Single-Use Data Loggers, Multi-Use Data Loggers are initiated before transport, with data downloaded upon arrival. The main difference is that, as the name suggests, multi-use loggers can be used multiple times. Again, this is an affordable yet effective way to gather data.

OPTION THREE: Offering full visibility of your cold chain logistics, GPS Data Loggers provide real-time wireless environmental logging, with automatic alerts sent via SMS and email should the relevant parameters be breached. The data is accessible throughout the journey, then stored in the cloud, ready to be downloaded for review.

OPTION FOUR: Another option to consider is installing a mobile data access point in the driver cab of each vehicle. A sensor will then be placed inside the trailer. This sensor will communicate with the access point and the data will be updated via the cloud – creating a Real-Time Wireless Monitoring System.

Production and Storage

It is just as important to track the temperature of your products and ingredients once they arrive on site as it is during transport. Otherwise, it will be impossible for you to drive standards of food safety, quality, and audit compliance. So what is the solution?

Introducing a Real-Time Wireless Environmental Monitoring System to your site will allow you to automatically track key parameters such as temperature, humidity, concentration (ppm), and door contact.

With automatic alarm notifications sent to relevant contacts if parameters are breached, a Real-Time Monitoring system should see a reduction in food safety incidents, operator input errors, wasted stock, and product recalls. You will also be able to see how the different areas of your site are performing in real time and assess how long it takes teams or team members to deal with any incidents.

So that brings us to the end of our overview of the 2024 report highlighting the relationship between temperature fluctuations and fish quality.

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