Advances in Storage, Preservation, Processing and safety of Aquatic Products: Innovations in Raw Material Handling Technologies

Aquatic products are vital sources of high-quality nutrition; however, their high moisture content, neutral pH, and delicate tissue structures make them exceptionally perishable. Effective storage, preservation, and processing are therefore critical to minimizing post-harvest losses, ensuring food safety, and delivering nutrient-dense products to consumers. This field integrates fundamental science with applied technology to mitigate spoilage driven by microbial growth, enzymatic activity, and oxidative deterioration. Furthermore, ensuring food safety by mitigating chemical contaminants (e.g., heavy metals, antibiotics, microplastics) and pathogenic microorganisms is paramount for consumer health and market trust.This Research Topic focuses on contemporary advances and emerging challenges in extending shelf life, enhancing product value and guaranteeing safety. Key areas of interest include innovative low-temperature preservation techniques—such as rapid freezing and superchilling—designed to control ice crystal formation and maintain structural integrity. Equally important are novel non-thermal sterilization and microbial control methods, including high-pressure processing (HPP), pulsed electric fields (PEF), and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation—which inactivate pathogens while preserving sensory and nutritional attributes better than traditional thermal treatments. Additionally, strategies for the detection, reduction, or elimination of chemical hazards in aquatic products are of great interest. Furthermore, this topic encompasses the high-value utilization of raw materials, ranging from the development of convenient ready-to-eat (RTE) products to the sustainable extraction of bioactive compounds from by-products, aligning with circular economy principles.The goal of this Research Topic is to bridge the gap between harvest and consumption. By showcasing the latest breakthroughs in preservation science, processing technology, quality monitoring, and food safety assurance, it seeks to support the aquatic industry in enhancing efficiency, reducing waste, mitigating contamination risks, and meeting the growing global demand for safe, high-quality, and sustainable food.Specific themes of interest include, but are not limited to:• Novel Processing Technologies: Applications of low-temperature plasma, microwave, radio frequency, ultrasound, high-pressure processing, and supercritical fluid extraction to improve the sensory and nutritional profiles of aquatic products.• Advanced Preservation Techniques: Development of physical methods (e.g., superchilling, modified atmosphere packaging, irradiation) and biological preservatives to extend shelf life and maintain peak freshness.• Food Safety and Contaminant Control: Research focuses on the detection, mitigation, and risk assessment of chemical contaminants (e.g., heavy metals, veterinary drug residues, biotoxins, microplastics) and microbial hazards (e.g., pathogenic bacteria, viruses, parasites) throughout the aquatic product supply chain.• High-Value Utilization and Deep Processing: Technologies such as enzymatic hydrolysis and microbial fermentation for extracting functional components (e.g., peptides, polysaccharides, unsaturated fatty acids) and developing high-value-added products.• Live Transportation and Cold Chain Logistics: Strategies for the live transport of aquatic species (e.g., controlled dormancy, anesthesia, anhydrous transport) and the optimization of cold chain infrastructure to mitigate spoilage and ensure safety.• Smart Packaging Technology: Innovations in active and intelligent packaging materials and methods to ensure product safety and monitor quality throughout the supply chain, including active and intelligent packaging for safety monitoring. Topic editors: Qinxiu Sun, Zefu Wang Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77682/advances-in-storage-preservation-processing-and-safety-of-aquatic-products-innovations-in-raw-material-handling-technologies