Incorporation of Neolamarckia cadamba leaf extract into chitosan coating for maintaining the quality of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Neolamarckia cadamba or locally known as kelampayan or laran is traditionally used for treatments of illnesses such as diabetes, anaemia and cancer. This plant has been reported for its phytochemical compounds which include alkaloids, phenolics and flavonoids as well as various bioactivities such as antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. Despite its use as a medicinal plant, information on the possible utilization for controlling the quality of food is scarce. This study aimed at exploring the efficacy of N. cadamba leaf extract incorporated into a coating solution at different concentrations (1%, 2% and 3%) for retaining the quality of white shrimp in chilled storage. Assessment of physical, chemical, microbial quality, melanosis formation and sensory analysis of the white shrimp was performed during 9 days of storage at 4°C. Following treatment of the coating solution on white shrimp, weight loss and pH values were recorded. Total volatile base nitrogen was assessed using the distillation method, and shrimp quality and melanosis formation were scored through visual inspection. In the sensory acceptance test, panellists assessed the appearance, colour, odour, texture and overall acceptance of shrimp using a nine-point hedonic scale. This study reported that the coating solution incorporated with N. cadamba leaf extract at all tested concentrations significantly (p<0.05) retarded the percentage of weight loss, decreased total volatile base nitrogen and delayed melanosis formation in white shrimp. The application of the coating with the incorporation of N. cadamba leaf extract also showed a higher score in quality assessment and better sensory acceptance of white shrimp. Neolamarckia cadamba leaf extract in the coating also presented a positive implication towards reduced growth of microorganisms in the white shrimp. This study, therefore, showed the potential of N. cadamba leaf extract as an agent for postharvest treatment to retain the quality of white shrimp.