LAUSR

ABSTRACT This study was to investigate the piezotolerance and diversity indices of microflora of Indian white prawn (Fenneropenaeus indicus) after high pressure (HP)-treatment. Indian white prawns subjected to HP-treatments and its effect was studied up to species level and compared with unpressurized samples. The bacterium was identified by using bacterial identification schemes, biochemical tests and API kits (bioMérieux, Marcyl’Etoile, France). Diversity analysis was performed using PRIMER (Plymouth Routines in Multivariate Research) software v 5.2.2. The significant elimination of microflora was found to be proportional with the pressure level. In the case of spore formers, mere destruction was noticed after HP-treatment. Arthrobacter spp., Listeria grayi and Corynebacterium spp. were the most piezotolerant bacteria in HP-treated samples. Diversity indices revealed a significant reduction of microflora of Indian white prawn. The apparent reduction of microflora with pressure level was clearly evident from the diversity indices; moreover a diminished piezotolerance of Gram negative spoilage bacteria was also observed.