Quality Evolution and Flavor Characteristics of Large Yellow Croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) Under Different...

Aquatic products are highly susceptible to quality deterioration during short-term distribution prior to consumption. In practice, expanded polystyrene (EPS) boxes combined with cold-chain conditions are widely used to maintain product quality; however, the high cost and inherent limitations of conventional cold-chain systems restrict their application in short-term distribution. In this study, the preservation performance of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) under four short-term distribution preservation systems was evaluated by integrating muscle quality parameters, freshness indicators, microbial safety, and flavor characteristics. The results clarified the upper limits of preservation time under different preservation systems. Compared with the EPS-only preservation system, incorporation of the vacuum packaging-ice pack (VI) strategy significantly extended the preservation time at both 30°C and 4°C, indicating its potential as a cost-effective alternative to conventional cold-chain distribution. Flavor analyses further showed that although the VI strategy extended the preservation limit to 72 h at 30°C, its ability to maintain flavor quality was limited, as reflected by the accumulation of bitter amino acids and the presence of off-flavor volatiles such as E-2-hexenal, 2-nonanone, and trimethylamine. In contrast, the 4°C-VI system exhibited the best overall performance, achieving both prolonged preservation time and superior flavor quality. Overall, this study provides a practical framework for selecting economical and effective short-term distribution strategies for high-value marine fish. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study offers actionable guidance for optimizing the short-term distribution of fresh large yellow croaker using standard expanded polystyrene (EPS) boxes. The results demonstrate that integrating vacuum packaging with ice packs effectively extends product usability and maintains acceptable quality during short-distance transport, providing a reliable solution even where full cold-chain infrastructure is unavailable. These findings equip seafood producers and distributors with a scientifically grounded framework for selecting cost-effective preservation strategies tailored to real-world distribution scenarios.