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 The effect of edible chitosan and chitosan-gelatin coating on the quality of fish finger from silver carp during refrigeration was assessed. Fish fingers were immersed separately in coating solutions of chitosan 1% and chitosan 1%-gelatin 4%, packed and stored in refrigerator (4±1˚C) for 30 days, then their chemical (TVB-N, PV, TBA) and microbiological characteristics (TVC and PTC) were analysed. Total volatile basic nitrogen value of coated sample with chitosan was lowest while there was no significant difference between the thiobarbituric acid value of coated treatments (p<0.05). Among the coated samples, chitosan coating effectively reduced  the total viable count (TVC) and psychrotrophic count (PTC). This reduction was 3.2 and 2.6 log₁₀ cfu/g for TVC and PTC at 12 day, respectively, in comparison with control. Thus it can be considered that fish fingers coated with chitosan coating solution was more effective than chitosan-gelatin coating and uncoated samples and increased the shelf life of fish fingers for 18 days.

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  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of edible gelatin coating on the quality characteristics and shelf life of fish finger of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix during refrigerated storage. Fish fingers were immersed in coating solutions of gelatin 4% and then dried, packed and stored in refrigerator (4˚C). Chemical (moisture, protein, fat, ash, pH, PV, TBA and TVB-N) and microbial parameters (TVC and PTC) were measured at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 days. According to the obtained results by increasing of storage time moisture and fat content decreased and pH value were significantly increased (P < 0.05). While there was no significant difference between the ash content of control and coated samples (P < 0.05). Peroxide value and thiobarbitoric acid of coated samples were lower than the control. The TVB-N value of control and coated samples were 27.80 and 27.46 mg N/100g of flesh fish in 12 days of storage that higher than acceptable value. The total viable count (TVC) and psychrotrophic count (PTC) of fish fingers were significantly increased (P < 0.05) during refrigerated storage. The results of this research indicate that the gelatin coating reduces the oxidation, but has no effect in reducing the value of microbial count.