Bleeding of Farmed Atlantic Cod: Residual Blood,Color, and Quality Attributes of Pre- and Postrigor Fillets as Affected by Perimortem Stress and Different Bleeding Methods

The main objectives of the study were to (a) assess the effect of perimortem stress on blood drainage, (b) compare the efficiency of gill cutting and direct gutting as bleeding methods, and (c) compare pre- and postrigor filleting strategies for presence of residual blood in Atlantic cod fillets. Anesthetized cod had significantly higher drainage of blood compared to stressed fish. Nevertheless, the visual assessments of residual blood were not affected by stress or bleeding method. Some minor, but significant, differences between pre- and postrigor fillets were found. Stressed fish were initially less light in color than those unstressed, but after ice storage there was no noticeable difference. However, initially, the largest difference in fillet color was due to different bleeding methods. Fillets cut from fish subjected to gill cutting were lighter and less red in color than those bled by direct gutting. After 7 and 21 days of storage, the color differences observed in fresh and salted fillets, respectively, were mainly due to the different rigor status when they were filleted, indicating that fillets cut postrigor were superior to fillets cut prerigor. Prerigor filleting resulted in lower water holding capacity after ice storage in anesthetized, direct gutted cod.     

The Effects of Light Salting on Physicochemical Characteristics of Frozen Cod (Gadus morhua) Fillets

Abstract

The effects of light salting by brine injection and brine immersion on physicochemical and textural properties of cod fillets were evaluated. Light salting significantly increased yield and water holding capacity. Adding brine injection to the process can be used to shorten the process time needed to obtain the desired salt content and increase yield. The effects on chemical composition were most significant in salt content, but water and protein content were also affected. Water content decreased from the tail to head direction of the fillets, both in unsalted and light salted fillets. Changes in protein content were in opposite proportion to changes in water content. This could be seen in the fresh fish and also after freezing, both in unsalted and light salted fillets. Texture of the fish was not significantly affected by salting and freezing.     

Effects of Phosphate Type on the Quality of Vacuum-Tumbled Catfish Fillets

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of various agglomerated phosphate blends on the quality of vacuum-tumbled catfish fillets. Catfish fillets were tumbled with a brine solution at 15% over initial, raw weight prior to tray-packing and storage at 4°C for 10 days. Fillets were evaluated for protein exudate, tumbling yield, color, pH, cooking loss, tenderness, purge loss, and shelf life. A specific blend of agglomerated sodium phosphates (AGSP) that contains mono-, tri-, and polyphosphates had significantly less protein (p < 0.05) exudate and significantly higher pH (p < 0.05) than other treatments. All phosphate treatments significantly increased (p < 0.05) tenderness and significantly decreased (p < 0.05) purge loss, but agglomerated phosphate blends significantly decreased (p < 0.05) cooking loss and yellowness. Psychrotrophic plate counts for all phosphate treatments were similar to the control at each storage time. All phosphate treatments improved the yield and quality of catfish fillets, but the use of AGSP may optimize quality attributes.     

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.     

Response to “Psychophysics and the Sensory Assessment of Fish”

Fillets from Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) were salted with and without polyphosphates (PP) by means of a short three-step salting process. The changes in phosphate and water content during different steps of production were determined by comparing fillets with and without addition of PP. While fillet samples after salt injection and wet-salting contained different water content, from 80.1% to 74.6% depending on processing step and PP addition or not, after dry-salting there was no significant difference in water content between fillets with (58.1%) or without PP (58.9%). Dry-salted fillets with PP addition showed a phosphate content of 6.1 mg P₂O₅/g. In the following rehydration process (48 h), the total phosphate content dropped down to 2.9 mg P₂O₅/g, which was lower than the natural total phosphate content of 4.4 mg P₂O₅/g in the raw material.     

Effects of filleting method,stress, storage and season on the quality of farmed Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.)

The effects of filleting method, pre‐slaughter stress, storage and season on drip loss, water content, water‐holding capacity, rigour contraction and colour in Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L., were examined. A total of 182 fish were sampled under commercial conditions. To test the effects of filleting method and stress, stressed (S) and unstressed (C) fish were filleted either pre (Pr) or post rigour (Po) at 1 and 48 h post mortem, receptively. The muscle pH significantly decreased from 0 to 144 h of storage in all groups. The onset of the rigour contraction was more pronounced in the Pr‐S group as compared with the Pr‐C group, but after 144 h of storage, no difference in degree of contraction was observed. Filleting method, stress and storage time influenced the colour of the fillets. Post‐rigour filleting caused a significantly increased in measured Lightness (L*) during storage. Stress caused a significant increase in measured redness (a*). No significant difference was found for water‐holding capacity. The water content was influenced by filleting method, where the Pr‐S group had a significantly lower water content compared with the Pr‐C groups; water content changed also according to season. The findings of this study show that stress, filleting method, time of storage and season had a significant effect on the drip loss, where a combination of all factors will determine the total loss.     

Using Antioxidants for Extending the Shelf Life of Frozen Nile Karmout (Claries lazera) Fish Mince

Abstract

Nile karmout (Claries lazera)fish mince was treated with 0.5% sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), 0.5% ascorbic acid, 0.5% citric acid, and 0.1% Na EDTA, then stored at -18°C for 6 months. Yield, proximate composition, thiobarbitunc acid value (TBA), free fatty acid (FFA), salt soluble protein (SSP), non-protein nitrogen (NPN), water holding capacity (WHC), and cooking loss were determined at 0, 2, 4, and 6 months of storage. The yield of skinned fillet from whole fish was 47.0%. Moisture, protein, fat and ash offish mince were 72.9%, 17.6%, 8.5% and 1.0%, respectively. TBA values and FFA levels indicated that ascorbic acid and Na₂EDTA were the most effective antioxidants. Samples treated with STPP had the highest salt soluble protein. STPP was effective in maintaining the WHC of treated sample. Samples treated with citric acid had the highest cooking loss. Results of the study suggested that karmout is an excellent source for producing fish mince for further processing. Samples treated with antioxidants retarded the rancidity during frozen storage.     

Effects of Injection of Protein Solutions Prepared from Fish By-products on Yield and Chemical Properties of Chilled and Frozen Saithe (Pollachius virens) Fillets

Fish gelatine and protein solutions prepared from saithe by-products were injected into saithe fillets. Effects on weight changes, water holding capacity, and chemical composition of the fillets were investigated after chilled (2, 5, and 7 days) and frozen (14 and 49 days) storage. The results showed that higher weight yields were obtained by adding proteins and salt to the fillets in comparison with only salt, especially in chilled fillets. The drawback of the injection was that higher drip losses were found during storage and thawing than for untreated fillets. Effects of injection on water content were only significant after 2 days of chilled storage, but differences leveled out after longer storage time and with freezing and thawing of the fillets. The procedure applied in this study seems to be promising for utilization of by-products such as trimmings as an ingredient in higher value products like fillets, in comparison to mince products.     

气调包装结合臭氧预处理保鲜鲟鱼片

本文研究了气调包装(MAP,50%CO2+10%O2+40%N2)结合臭氧处理用于鲟鱼片保鲜的效果。通过以未经过臭氧预处理的MAP做对照组,试验分别研究了臭氧预处理10min、20min和30min对鲟鱼片MAP保鲜期的影响。结果表明:臭氧预处理能有效减少鲟鱼片原始的带菌数,减缓贮藏期间细菌总数和TVB-N值的增加速度,以及减缓感官品质的下降。综合分析臭氧预处理时间对鲟鱼片贮藏期间感官品质、细菌总数、TVB-N值和肌肉持水力的影响,确定以臭氧预处理20min效果最好,与对照组比较,贮藏货架期延长3～5d。     

Physicochemical and Gel Properties of Myofibrillar Protein from Sin Croaker (Johnius dussumieri) Fish During Ice Storage

The physicochemical and gel properties of myofibrillar protein (MFP) from sin croaker fish were studied during ice storage for 18 days. Significant changes in the trends of solubility, Ca²⁺ ATPase enzyme activity, surface hydrophobicity, and water holding capacity of extracted MFP were observed by the 6th day of storage. The Ca²⁺ ATPase enzyme activity reduced significantly (p < 0.05) by the 6th day of storage. However, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) did not show a remarkable change in the concentration of myosin heavy chain. Surface hydrophobicity increased almost four times from its original value of 18.98 µg; whereas, water holding capacity showed a fluctuating trend during storage. The emulsion capacity of the MFP was in the range of 0.89- to 1.92-mL oil/mg protein during storage. The gel strength value (313.45 g.cm) of heat-induced gel prepared from fresh minced meat decreased significantly (p < 0.05) by the 6th day of ice storage. Texture profile analysis revealed that changes in hardness and gumminess were concurrent to steeply reducing breaking force up to the 6th day. The histological observation showed gradually increasing gaps between muscle fibers. The histological observations and physicochemical quality indicated that the sin croaker fish can be used for producing good quality surimi when stored for up to 6 days in ice.     

Chemometrics Approaches to Monitoring of Biogenic Amines Changes in Three Fish Species

The biogenic amine contents in fillets of three freshwater fish of kutum (Rutilus frisii), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), and Caspian salmon (Salmon caspius) were monitored during storage at 4°C for 20 days. The amounts of biogenic amines were determined at regular intervals using high performance liquid chromatography after derivatization with benzoyl chloride. Significant differences in the levels of selected biogenic amines among the fish samples were found (p < 0.05) during storage times. While the amount of putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, and tyramine in the fish fillets increased during the storage time, the changes in spermine and spermidine contents of the fish species were minor and both showed low and inverse correlations with storage time. For each of the three fish species, the sensory acceptability limit was found to be 4–8 days. The quality and biogenic amine indices of fish samples showed high correlation with storage time (r > 0.9). The principal component analysis of the results indicated that the formation of biogenic amines displays a certain behavioral pattern in all fish samples.     

Depuration and starvation improves flesh quality of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

Farmed grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) at commercial size were transported to a natural lake for long‐term depuration while being food deprived. The effect of depuration time on the quality of fish fillets was investigated based on proximate compositions, textural parameters and flavour characteristics. The results showed that protein and lipids, but not carbohydrates, were the major source of energy for grass carp during depuration and starvation. Textural parameters that included hardness, springiness, gumminess and cohesiveness increased significantly after depuration, as well as water‐holding capacity of fish muscle. Taste and odour characteristics of grass carp muscle were obviously changed by depuration based on tests by an electronic tongue and nose. Off‐flavour volatile compounds, such as nonanal and hexanal, were reduced after depuration. In conclusion, the quality of grass carp fillets was improved effectively by long‐term depuration and food deprivation. More than 20 days of depuration was appropriate for the enhancement of grass carp quality before marketing.     

The effects of salinity on reproductive performance and plasma levels of sex steroids in Caspian kutum Rutilus frisii kutum

Sexually mature kutum, Rutilus frisii kutum, captured from its natural habits, the Caspian Sea and the Khoushkrood River, reared at 0.5 g L^?1 and 8–13 g L^?1 for approximately 1 year in experimental condition, for assessing the effect of salinity on reproduction. Plasma concentrations of sex steroid hormones (17β‐estradiol, testosterone and 17α‐hydroxyprogestrone) were measured in the three stages of gametogenesis. Female kutum held at <0.5 g L^?1 or 8–13 g L^?1 had no ovulated oocytes in their ovaries. In contrast, males held in captivity were spermiated, similar to their wild counterparts. The average sperm volume of males held at <0.5 g L^?1 (2.36 ± 0.46 mL) was lower than males held at 8–13 g L^?1 (3.65 ± 0.73 mL) at the end of the experimental period. The highest concentration of testosterone was observed in mid‐gametogenesis in wild fish that was significantly higher than the concentration seen in fish held in either <0.5 g L^?1 or 8–13 g L^?1. Female kutum showed suppressed steroid hormones in captivity, resulting in failure in the gonad development. However, male kutum adapt well to captivity and showed synchrony in steroid hormone variations with the wild fish, resulting in the testicular development. Results of this study also indicate that salinity plays a minor, but vital, role in reproduction of kutum, a factor that needs to be considered for keeping broodstock of brackish water fish species like kutum.     

Textural and Sensory Properties of Fish Sausage from Rainbow Trout

The aim of this study was to determine the textural and sensory properties of fish sausage which were prepared from refrigerated and frozen rainbow trout (Onchorynchus mykiss) and stored for 14 days at 0?4 °C. These two groups of sausages were compared for texture, physical, and sensory properties by carrying out texture profile analysis (TPA), shear test, water holding capacity (WHC), cook loss, color, and sensory analyses. According to TPA and shear test, sausages prepared from frozen fillets exhibited a texture significantly (p < 0.05) weaker than those prepared from refrigerated fillets, but no difference in overall liking was observed.     

Comparison of Stunning Methods on the Physicochemical Properties of Frozen Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Fillets

This study compares how CO₂ narcosis and thermal shock affect the physicochemical aspects of Nile tilapia fillets held frozen (?18°C) for up to 6 months. The characteristics of tilapia fillets subjected to CO₂ narcosis were those of higher lightness and whiteness and lower redness. The hardness values of fillets of tilapia subjected to thermal shock were lower than those subjected to CO₂ narcosis. During frozen storage to both treatments, the drip loss, denaturation of myosin, and lipid oxidation increased, while fillet water holding capacity and hardness decreased. The physicochemical properties of frozen fillets of tilapia stunned by CO₂ narcosis were considered more desirable; therefore, the method can be a potential replacement to thermal shock.     

不同致死方式对罗非鱼鱼片品质的影响

为了改善鱼肉的品质,文章通过测定样品的挥发性盐基氮（TVB—N）、Ca^2＋-ATP酶活性以及鱼片色泽和质构指标随时间的变化情况分别评价了4种不同致死方式（I．鳃部放血;II．冰激致死;Ⅲ．敲击头部致死;Ⅳ．敲击头部后放血）对罗非鱼（Oreochromissp．）鱼肉品质的影响。结果显示,贮藏期间4个组的TVB—N显著增大,但Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组的TVB—N显著低于I组和Ⅳ组,有利于鱼片冰藏期的保鲜;4个组鱼片的Ca^2＋-ATP酶活性显著下降,Ⅲ和IV2种宰杀方式有利于保持Ca^2＋-ATP酶活性;4个组的亮度（L^＊）、红绿色值（a^＊）和黄蓝色值（b^＊）都随着贮藏时间的延长而增加,I和Ⅳ2种宰杀方法使鱼片L^＊较大而a^＊较小,但4组之间b^＊无显著差异;鱼片的硬度、咀嚼性和胶着性随贮藏时间的延长呈下降的趋势,其中Ⅲ组的质构品质保持得最好。综合以上所有指标,可以认为Ⅲ组最有利于罗非鱼片的保鲜,其次为Ⅱ组。     

响应面法优化复合咸味剂腌制罗非鱼片的工艺

为开发一种低盐健康新型的使用复合咸味剂腌制罗非鱼片的加工技术,本研究以罗非鱼片为原料,通过单因素实验,考察氯化钠分别与氯化钾、苹果酸钠、白砂糖不同添加量组合对腌制罗非鱼片的感官品质、含盐量、水分含量、蛋白水解指数和质构的影响,采用Box-Behnken响应面法优化复合咸味剂的最佳配比参数。结果显示,氯化钾、苹果酸钠、氯化钠添加量对罗非鱼片品质影响显著,白砂糖添加量对罗非鱼片品质影响不显著;通过Box-Behnken响应面法优化得到复合咸味剂腌制罗非鱼片的最佳工艺条件:氯化钾添加量为2.6%、苹果酸钠添加量为1.3%、氯化钠添加量为9.1%、白砂糖添加量为0.5%。优化后产品的感官评分为89,含盐量为2.81%,表明实验模型可以用于预测实际值。研究表明,与对照组相比,产品的钠含量降低了22.92%,从而为罗非鱼的加工提供了一种低盐低钠快速腌制的加工新技术。     

New data on the ecology of kutum, Rutilus frisii (Nordmann, 1840) from the Caspian Sea

Abstract– In the anadromous cyprinid kutum, Rutilus frisii (Nordmann, 1840) from the Anzali Lagoon, Iran, the following hitherto unrecorded characters were found. The complex life-style of juvenile kutum is reflected directly in their body size and preferred habitat, and indirectly in their growth rate and the formation of scale annuli. The early juveniles did not move downstream to the feeding grounds in the sea as they are supposed to do in populations inhabiting the Caucasian coast of the Caspian sea, but most of them spend one or two years in fresh or brackish water. Moreover, most kutum scales carried one or two juvenile marks. It appears that the time spent in fresh water is inversely proportional to the age of the kutum. On average about 43% of fish 2 years old and older, spent their first year in fresh or brackish water, while 57% spent two years there. The rate of growth in length is substantially different in both groups. Fish that enter the sea in their second year of life grew faster but their life span seems to be shorter than those which spent two years in fresh or brackish water.     

Slaughtering method and dietary α-tocopheryl acetate supplementation affect rigor mortis and fillet shelf-life of turbot Scophthalmus maximus L.

The effects of dietary α‐tocopheryl acetate supplementation and different slaughtering methods were investigated on the flesh quality of farmed market‐size turbot Scophthalmus maximus (L). Turbot were divided into three groups and fed commercial diets, supplemented with different levels of α‐tocopheryl acetate at the following dietary inclusion levels: 72 (100), 547 (500), 969 (1000) (mg of α‐tocopheryl acetate kg^?1 diet, analytical values with diet codes in brackets). After 5 months, fish (mean weight 1056 ± 19.7 g) from each dietary treatment were sampled, applying three different slaughtering methods: (A) bleeding in ice water; (B) thermal shock, no bleeding; (C) percussion followed by bleeding in ice water. The time course of rigor mortis was evaluated, using pH, rigor index and mechanical compression tests. The results showed that the three parameters corresponded very well. Percussive stunning resulted in higher initial post‐mortem pH (P < 0.01) and a significantly delayed onset of rigor mortis (P < 0.05). Diet significantly affected shelf‐life, with fillets from fish fed diets 500 and 1000 having lower TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) numbers from day 2 (P < 0.001) and less colour deterioration from day 7 of storage on ice onwards (P < 0.05). These results suggest that an increase in dietary α‐tocopheryl acetate before slaughter as well as careful selection of the slaughtering method may greatly enhance the flesh quality of market‐size turbot.     

Change in flesh quality associated with early maturation of Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus)

To determine the effect of maturation on flesh quality, 20 Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) consisting of mature and immature fish of both sexes were killed on site, exsanguinated and stored on ice. After 6 days of storage, the fish was gutted and filleted before colour, texture hardness and shear force were evaluated to determine the effect of maturation. Results show that mature males excreted black mucus from the skin during ice storage, while a greyish mucus was observed from immature fish. Mature fish had approximately 2% lower slaughter yield and 6% lower fillet yield compared with immature fish. The fillets from mature males were significantly harder compared with fillets from immature fish and the muscle structure proved to be stronger as an increased fracturability was observed in mature fish. In colour, fillets from mature fish proved to have a whiter appearance (L^*) than immature fish, while no difference was seen in a^* and b^* values. We conclude that the physiological changes associated with maturation affects the end quality, and may be related to slower growth.