Fish Products and Byproducts Technology

Unit 5- Hurdle technology in fish preservation

5.1. Concept of Hurdle Technology
What is hurdle technology?
Hurdle technology (also called combined methods, combined processes, combination preservation, combination techniques or barrier technology) advocates the deliberate combination of existing and novel preservation techniques in order to establish a series of preservative factors (hurdles) that any microorganisms should not be able to overcome.
Why hurdle technology should be used in fish preservation?
Spoilage and poisoning of fish and fishery products by micro-organisms is a problem that is not yet under adequate control, despite the range of preservation techniques available (e.g. freezing, blanching, pasteurizing and canning). In fact, the current Consumer demand for more natural and fresh-like foods, which urges food manufacturers to use Only mild preservation techniques (e.g. refrigeration, modified-atmosphere packaging and biopreservation), make the preservation even greater difficult task.