Dynamic monitoring of the shelf life of Cobia (Rachycentron canadum): a study on the applicability of a smart photochromic indicator.

To ensure the marketing of fresh fish-based products, it is necessary to develop fast methods that assess its freshness in real time. This study therefore evaluated the applicability of a photochromic time?temperature indicator (TTI) to monitor the time and temperature history during the period of validity of the whole fish of the cobia specimen stored in ice. The TTI response was both visibly interpreted as well as adaptable to measurement using suitable equipment. The results showed that the smart indicator activated during 6 s of ultraviolet light showed a similar rate of deterioration of the analysed product visual response, proving to be a dynamic shelf life indicator that can assure consumers the ultimate quality point of the entire cobia easily, cheaply and accurately