Changes in trimethylamine oxide and trimethylamine in muscle of wild and farmed cod (Gadus morhua) during iced storage

Trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) is found at high levels in wild Atlantic cod. Trimethylamine oxide is reduced to trimethylamine (TMA) during iced storage. In this study, the levels of TMAO and TMA in wild and farmed cod and the impact of storage, gender and season on these levels were investigated. Wild cod had higher levels of TMAO than farmed cod. Wild cod also had higher levels of TMA after 15 days of iced storage. Farmed cod were found to have levels of TMA‐N <5 mg/100 g after 15 days of iced storage, which is below the maximum permitted level for fresh fish. Therefore, TMA appears to be an unsuitable measure of freshness in farmed cod. Female farmed cod had higher levels of TMAO than male farmed cod; no such difference between genders was found in wild cod. Female and male farmed cod had similar levels of TMA after post‐mortem iced storage. The hepatosomatic index (HSI) of female farmed cod was higher than that seen in male cod and this may be the underlying reason for the differences in muscle TMAO. Levels of TMAO in male farmed cod were higher during the autumn and were correlated with a larger HSI during the same period.     

Muscle Quality and Proteolytic Enzymes of Farmed Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) During Storage: Effects of Pre-Slaughter Handling and Increased Storage Temperature

ABSTRACT

In the present experiment, the characteristics of minimally handled, directly slaughtered farmed Atlantic cod were compared to cod subjected to 2 h preslaughter handling stress. The results strongly indicate that increasing the storage temperature from 0 to 5°C had a larger negative impact on the quality characteristics than the handling stress applied. Further, there may be interaction effects between handling, storage temperature, and storage time.     

Effects of Packaging Method on Salt-Cured Cod Yield and Quality During Storage

Different packaging conditions of salt-cured cod fillets were studied during 2-years chilled storage. Yield and quality of salt-cured Atlantic cod fillets packed in sealed polystyrene boxes or in traditional cardboard boxes were compared. After 4 months, yield decreased by approximately 10% and decreased further when packed in cardboard boxes. Lipid oxidation was low after 12 months, and no microbiological spoilage was registered. The total amount of bacteria in the fish reduced with storage time, independent of packaging. The reddish color of halophilic bacteria was detected after 7–8 weeks at 18°C, but not if packed with MAP.     

Electrical stunning of farmed Atlantic cod Gadus morhua L.: a comparison of an industrial and experimental method

An industrial and experimental electrical method for stunning farmed Atlantic cod in air and seawater (SW), respectively, were compared. The impacts of sedation with AQUI‐S^? and exercise to exhaustion before electrical stunning were also assessed to monitor the possible depletion of rested muscle energy levels by electrical stunning. Stress (blood glucose, haematocrit, muscle pH, muscle excitability, high‐energy phosphates and rigor mortis) and flesh quality (fillet texture, colour, liquid leakage (LL), gaping, residual blood and K‐value) were assessed. For the industrial stunning method, an average of 41 V, 0.2 A dc was applied to individual cod for 18–27 s. For the SW method, a bipolar square wave current (170 Hz, 33% duty cycle) was applied for 5 s. After stunning, recovery was prevented by exsanguination in chilled SW. There were no differences (P>0.05) between the two stunning methods except for a higher ultimate fillet pH for cod stunned in air 8 days postmortem. Exercise before stunning depleted muscle energy levels at slaughter, increased LL and fillets had redder and darker flesh after storage on ice for 8 days. Electrical stunning (in air) of AQUI‐S^?‐treated fish partly depleted muscle energy levels (pH 7.3, ATP 18.7 μmol g^?1, PCr 70.1 μmol g^?1). However, flesh quality was not affected. Unless pre‐rigor filleting is the chosen processing strategy, electrical stunning of cod seems to be a promising stunning method.     

Antioxidant Properties and the Preservative Effect of Whole Radish Extract on Quality of Deccan Mahseer (Tor khudree) Steaks during Chilled Storage

ABSTRACT

The effect of dip treatment with solvent-free whole radish extract (WRE) on quality characteristics of Deccan mahseer steaks was evaluated during the chilled storage. In-vitro antioxidant activities of the extract were evaluated based on total phenolic and flavonoid contents, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and metal chelating ability prior to the dip treatment. The quality parameters, including total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N), trimethylamine nitrogen (TMA-N), and free fatty acid (FFA), were significantly (p < .05) reduced in WRE treated steaks compared to the control (CT) steaks. WRE treatment of fish steaks significantly controlled the lipid oxidation parameters of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and peroxide value (PV). Total plate count (TPC) of CT sample was higher than the treated sample and remained within the limit of 7 log₁₀ cfu/g at the end of storage. As per the sensory analysis, shelf life of Deccan mahseer was determined to be 15 days for WRE treated steaks and 9 days for control steaks during chill storage. Based on the results, it can be concluded that WRE treatment can limit the progress of fish spoilage bacteria in fish steaks and can be used as a substitute for synthetic additives.     

Lipid Degradation of Cod Liver During Frozen Storage as Influenced by Temperature,Packaging Method,and Seasonal Variation

ABSTRACT

Lipid degradation of cod liver during frozen storage was studied, where the effects of storage temperatures (?18/?24°C), packaging methods (vacuum packing/regular plastic bag and waxed cardboard box), and seasonal variations (March/June/September) were evaluated. For this, the formations of free fatty acids (FFA) and peroxide value (PV) were analyzed. Lipid degradation within different parts of the liver (middle/surface) was also investigated. Increase in FFA and PV was observed for most of the samples throughout the frozen storage period. Vacuum packaging and lower storage temperature had a significantly stronger preservative effect on lipid degradation in all seasons. Higher FFA content was observed in cod liver captured in June than in its counterparts from September and March. More intense increase in PV was observed for liver collected in June compared to September. Furthermore, significant difference in PV was observed in different layers of the liver while FFA showed minimum variation between the surface and the middle part of the cod liver. Based on the present results, packaging method and storage temperature have a significant effect on lipid hydrolysis and oxidation in frozen cod liver.     

Quality of Filleted Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber Scombrus) During Chilled and Frozen Storage: Changes in Lipids,Vitamin D,Proteins, and Small Metabolites,including Biogenic Amines

Quality changes of vacuum-packed Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) fillets during 12 months’ frozen storage at ?27°C and 9 days’ chilled storage at +4°C were evaluated. Freezing at ?27°C preserved the long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFAs), both in light and dark muscle, vitamin D, and the low molecular weight metabolites (LMW) (studied by high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, HR NMR). Protein oxidation took place, especially between 1 and 7 months, decreasing water holding capacity and protein extractability. During chilled storage, no lipid or protein oxidation was observed, but lipolysis increased, and several LMW metabolites relevant for sensory and nutritional quality degraded into non-favorable compounds. The content of biogenic amines was high at day 9 (e.g., 18 mg histamine/100 g), jeopardizing safety. Preservation of mackerel fillets by freezing at ?27°C is thus a better option compared to prolonged chilled storage at +4°C; the quality was well preserved for 12 months’ frozen storage.     

Effects of Dietary Mineral Supplementation on Quality of Fresh and Salt‐Cured Fillets from Farmed Atlantic Cod,Gadus morhua

The aims of this study were to investigate effects of dietary mineral supplementation on chemical and sensory quality parameters of fresh farmed cod fillets and on the quality of salt‐cured farmed cod. Farmed cod were fed three experimental diets with different levels of mineral supplements (no supplementation, supplementation without zinc and copper, full supplementation) for approximately 2 yr. After slaughter, one‐third of the experimental fish were subjected to chemical and physical analysis, another third were used for sensory analysis and the remaining fish were salt cured. Potassium, copper, and muscle protein were higher in muscle tissue of cod fed full supplementation than cod fed without supplementation. Instrumental color analysis showed that the cut side of fresh fillets of cod fed full supplementation were slightly more green and yellow than fillets of cod fed without extra supplements. A sensory panel could, however, not detect any differences between heated fresh cod given feed with or without mineral supplements. However, the quality of salt ripened cod which had received a complete mineral supplement in the diet was reduced because of increased yellowness, probably caused by the increased level of copper in the muscle.     

Effects of Modified Atmospheric Packaging Conditions on the Quality Changes of Pasteurized Oyster (Crassostrea belcheri) Meat during Chilled Storage

ABSTRACT

The effects of different atmospheric conditions on the quality and the shelf life of pasteurized oyster meat in chilled storage were investigated. The alternatives tested for pasteurized oyster meat were normal air (Control), 75% CO₂/25% N₂ (MAP-1), 75% CO₂/25% O₂ (MAP-2), 75% CO₂/5% O₂/20% N₂ (MAP-3), and vacuum packing (VP). The various observations of microbiological (total viable count (TVC), Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and hydrogen sulfide–producing bacteria), physical (color coordinates L*, a*, and b*, and cutting strength), chemical (moisture, pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), peroxide value (PV), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)) and sensory properties were performed every 3 days over a total of 27 days. During storage across all the treatments, L*, a*, cutting strength, pH, moisture content, and sensory scores decreased; whereas, b*, TVB-N, PV, TBARS, and microorganisms increased. However, among the various alternatives, MAP-1 had the best retention of oyster quality during storage. Based on sensory and microbiological qualities, the shelf lives in chilled storage were 9 days for control, 15 days for VP, 21 days for MAP-2 and MAP-3, and 24 days for MAP-1-treated cases.     

Textural Changes During Iced Storage of Salmon (Salmo salar) and Cod (Gadus morhua)

Abstract

Textural properties, protein solubility, water holding capacity and activity of collagenolytic enzymes of salmon (Salmo salar) and cod (Gadus morhua) fillets were measured during iced storage. Breaking strength and hardness of fillets were reduced during iced storage. Elasticity of cod fillets was reduced, while cohesiveness of salmon increased during storage. Salmon was softer and less elastic than cod. During storage, total amount of extracted proteins was reduced for cod, and increased followed by a reduction for salmon. The fraction of salt soluble proteins increased during storage, and values for cod were higher than those for salmon. The activity of collagenolytic enzymes was higher in cod than salmon during the whole storage period.     

Effect of Soluble CO2 Stabilization on the Quality of Fillets from Farmed Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata) and European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

ABSTRACT

Soluble gas stabilization (SGS) is a relatively recent methodology of active packaging that has been proposed to extend the shelf life of packaged fish. The aim of the present work was to study the effect of SGS applied at different extents (2 bars: 30 and 60 min) on the shelf life of sea bream and sea bass fillets packed in air during chilled storage. Quality changes were evaluated by sensory assessment, microbiological analysis (TVC), TBARs, pH value, TVB-N, and TMA-N. No significant extension of sensory shelf life was visible as a function of SGS treatment. The treatment of fillets in CO₂ at 2 bars during 60 min had a positive effect on the microbiological shelf life of both species. On the other hand, TMA-N and TVB-N showed similar changes during storage period and were not affected by the CO₂ treatment. Sea bream treated with SGS always presented higher TBARs than control samples. Nevertheless, oxidation of sea bream and in particular, of sea bass fillets, did not appear to be a significant problem during chilled storage.     

Chilled Storage of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus Fillets Coated with Plant Oil Incorporated Alginate Gels: Effect of Clove Leaf,Clove Bud,Rosemary and Thyme Oils

Essential oil incorporated alginate coating provides a novel way to improve the safety and shelf life of pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) fillet. Oils from the leaves and buds of clove, flowering tops of rosemary, and dried seeds of thyme were incorporated separately in alginate coating. All the plant oils showed antibacterial activity, but the zone of inhibition was relatively larger for thyme oil. Alginate coating was performed using sodium alginate (1.5%), glycerol (10%), and calcium chloride (2%) and plant oil at 1% (v/v). The coated fillets were stored under chilled conditions and samples were analyzed for bacteriological, chemical, sensory, color, and texture parameters. Psychrotrophic counts crossed 7 log cfu/g by the 13^th day and 15^th day of chilled storage in control and plant oil treated fillets, respectively. The peroxide value of treated fillets was relatively low. Texture profile analysis indicated that plant oil incorporated alginate coating reduced the rate of loss of texture (softening) during chilled storage. Plant essential oil incorporated alginate gels were relatively better compared to control fillets in preserving pangasius fillet quality during chilled storage, and incorporation of thyme oil was relatively better compared to clove leaf oil, clove bud oil, and rosemary oils.     

Three-Way Modelling of NMR Relaxation Profiles from Thawed Cod Muscle

Abstract

Low-field ¹ H nuclear magnetic resonance transverse relaxation was used to measure water mobility and distribution in cod stored at ?20°C or ?30°C for up to 12 months and subsequently from 0 to 21 days in modified atmosphere at +2°C. The relaxation profiles were decomposed by parallel factor analysis resulting in four first-order relaxation curves from which the relative water pool sizes and the transverse relaxation times (T2) were calculated. The T2-values of the four identified water pools were 37 ms, 56 ms, 126 ms and 361 ms, respectively. The relative size of the water pools, but not the relaxation times, depended on the frozen storage temperature and on the chilled storage period.     

Oxidative Stability of a Cod-Canola Oil Model System

ABSTRACT

The oxidative stability of a cod muscle-canola oil model system as affected by the order of tocopherol and canola oil addition to the cod muscle was studied. Oxidation was monitored by the measurement of TBARS and sensory score. The addition oftocopherol to the cod muscle before oil addition significantly (p < 0.01) increased the oxidative stability of the model system compared to the reverse order of addition. Irrespective of the order of tocopherol and canola oil addition, 300 ppm tocopherol significantly increased (p < 0.01) the oxidative stability of the model system compared to 100 ppm tocopherol.     

Effect of Antarctic krillmeal on quality of farmed Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.)

Farmed Atlantic cod with a mean weight of 4.8 kg were maintained for 9 weeks in sea cages and fed diets where the dietary fishmeal component was substituted with increasing proportions (0%, 22%, 63% and 100%) of meal from Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba. Wild‐caught cod were included in the study as external control. At termination of feeding, all fish were slaughtered and muscle pH was immediately recorded. The fish were then stored on ice for three days and assessed for muscle pH and objective (skin and fillet colour, and fillet texture) and subjective (sensory evaluation) quality criteria. Replacement of fishmeal with krillmeal in the diets resulted in the skin colour above and below the lateral line to be more red than the control group without krillmeal substitutions, even though this difference was not significant, and with more yellow hue. Additions of krillmeal increased the muscle whiteness and yellow hue compared with the control group and wild fish. There was no difference in red hue between the groups. Muscle pH, texture or sensory attributes were unaffected by dietary inclusion level of krillmeal. Wild‐caught cod deviated in several aspects from the farmed cod. It is concluded that the replacement of fishmeal with Antarctic krillmeal in the diets two months before slaughter did not move the sensory attributes more towards wild fish.     

Artemia enriched with high n-3 HUFA may give a large improvement in performance of Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.) larvae

Atlantic halibut larvae were fed Artemia enriched with two different oil emulsions (cod liver oil and 2050TG) from first feeding to 70 days after first-feeding (dpff). Larvae fed 2050TG enriched Artemia had better growth, survival and eye migration than larvae fed the cod liver oil enriched Artemia, while pigmentation rate was similar in the two groups. In addition to the difference in fatty acids, the two emulsions differed in lipid class composition, since 2050TG is a synthetic oil and a mixture of mono-, di- and tri-acylglycerol, while cod liver oil is a tri-acylglycerol. Total lipid level, estimated as fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) was similar in the two Artemia types, but sum of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids, arachidonic acid (20:4n-6, ARA), docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3, DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3, EPA) were higher in Artemia enriched with 2050TG than in the cod liver oil enriched Artemia. However, the main difference in fatty acid composition in the larvae, was a higher DHA (% of total fatty acids) in 2050TG larvae than in cod liver oil larvae. The lipid level measured as FAME was up to four times higher in the 2050TG larvae than in the cod liver oil larvae, and the reason for this may have been a better bioavailability of the partly digested lipid in the 2050TG emulsion. The correlation between a high level of lipid in the larval tissues (e.g. high energy status) and improved eye migration in larvae fed the 2050TG enriched Artemia supports the hypothesis that energy limitation on the larval stage may be a cause of the impaired eye migration commonly observed in farmed Atlantic halibut juveniles.     

Movements and spatiotemporal distribution of escaped farmed and local wild Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.)

Commercial farming of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) is now being developed in several countries. The ecological consequences of cod culture are poorly understood, but recent research suggests that Atlantic cod are more prone to escape from net pens than Atlantic salmon. Here, we describe the movements and the spatiotemporal distribution of farmed cod after escape relative to wild cod, both during and outside the natural spawning season. The experimental design included simulating escape incidents of farmed cod tagged with acoustic transmitters and using an array of automatic listening stations to monitor their dispersal and distribution. For comparison, local wild cod were monitored using the same array of receivers. The farmed cod dispersed rapidly after a simulated escape, they randomly distributed over large areas and their distribution overlapped with local wild cod. Moreover, escaped farmed fish were found at local cod spawning areas during the spawning season. The study also indicated that the recapture rate of escaped farmed cod was high compared with that of escaped farmed salmon. Thus, while our results showed that there is a considerable potential for ecosystem effects caused by escaped farmed cod, mitigating actions such as an efficient recapture fishery for escapees may be possible.     

Restructured Gel Products from Farmed Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) Muscle: Effect of Low Salt Levels,Psyllium Fiber,and Chilled Storage

New heat-induced gel products prepared from farmed meagre (Argyrosomus regius) and psyllium dietary fiber (DF; up to 4.0%, w/w) with reduced salt content (from 2.5 to 1.0%, w/w) were studied. The effect of chilled storage time (15 days vs. 1 day) was also measured. Psyllium DF worsened breaking force and deformation as well as springiness, but it did not affect the remaining textural properties and improved water holding capacity (WHC). Salt reduction from 2.5 to 1.0% (w/w) decreased breaking force and deformation, cohesiveness, and WHC. The textural, color, and WHC properties of heat-induced meagre gels were unaffected by chilled storage time. Results pointed to the feasibility of using psyllium DF addition up to 4.0% (w/w) as a strategy not only to improve nutritional value of the gel products, but also to countervail some of the negative effects of a lower salt content.     

The Influence of Cooking Parameters and Chilled Storage Time on Quality of Sous-Vide Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of various sous-vide time–temperature regimes and their interactions on quality parameters of Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) during chilled storage. The mackerel ?llets were exposed to sous-vide treatment at 60, 75, and 90°C for 10, 15, and 20 min and further stored for 1, 3, and 7 days at 4 ± 1°C before analysis. Changes in pH, water content and cook loss, amount of water- and salt-soluble proteins, texture, and color parameters, as well as accumulation of lipid oxidation products in sous-vide-cooked mackerel were assessed. Sous-vide cooking time and temperature had the lowest contribution to the formation of primary and secondary products of lipid oxidation, as well as increase in yellowness of the fish flesh due to their accumulation; whereas duration of chilled storage led to a significant increase in oxidation and yellowness (p < 0.05). Duration of chilled storage also affected structural and textural properties of the fish muscle, leading to a decreased cook loss. At the same time, sous-vide cooking decreased the firmness of the fish muscle. Duration of chilled storage was found to have the highest significant effect (p < 0.001) on all physicochemical characteristics of sous-vide-cooked mackerel.