Vacuum curcumin infusion in cooked oysters (Crassostrea gigas) to increase their shelf life

Curcumin solutions were infused into cooked oysters by vacuum and the best solution was chosen to inhibit growth of total mesophilic and total psychrophilic bacteria in oysters during storage. Shelled cooked oysters were immersed in three different curcumin solutions (130 mu g/mL): tween, ethanol (3.5% of alcohol), and white wine (3.5% of alcohol). Oysters immersed in curcumin solution were subjected to vacuum-infusion at 200 mbar for 20 min. Raman spectra showed that curcumin was present in all solutions. However, the oysters infused with curcumin white wine solution showed best results. After that, oysters were immersed in curcumin white wine solution and vacuum-infused under 200 mbar for 1, 3, and 20 min, packaged and stored at 4 degrees C for 14 days. 27.30 mu g of curcumin/g of oyster infused into oysters for 20 min was the most effective concentration against mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria during storage. The physicochemical characteristics of oysters were preserved. Practical Application Curcumin is a bioactive compound with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and was used in this research. Positive antimicrobial effect was observed through increased shelf life of cooked oysters, opening up possibilities for industrial purposes. In addition, the vacuum infusion can be an alternative for incorporation of natural additives in food products as a substitute with chemical additives.