Characteristics and Physicochemical Properties of Gelatin Extracted from Scales of Seabass (Lates calcarifer) and Grey Mullet (Mugil cephalus) in Vietnam

In this study, gelatin was obtained from the scales of seabass (Lates calcarifer) and grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) collected in Vietnam by using Alcalase® 2.4 L FG for pretreatment and electrochemically activated water with pH 2.0–2.5 for extraction. The characteristics and physicochemical properties of gelatin were investigated. The results indicated that the gelatin had a high protein content (88.6–90.0%) with ash (1.43–1.55%) and no fat. The gelatin was identified as type A due to its pH value. The yields of gelatin were 14.1–15.2%. The gel strength and melting point were 270.3 g and 26.7°C, respectively, for gelatin from seabass scales and 249.1 g and 25.9°C, respectively, for samples from grey mullet scales. In contrast, the viscosities of gelatin were found to be 6.97 cP for seabass and 8.73 cP for grey mullet. Both gelatins contained α-chain and β-chain as the major components. Circular dichroism spectra indicated that the triple helical structure in collagen was almost transformed to the random coil structure in gelatin. The proportion of imino acids was high (197–205 residues/1,000 residues). So, gelatin from seabass and grey mullet scales could be used as a potential replacement for mammalian gelatin.     

Causes for Soft Flesh in Giant Grenadier (Albatrossia pectoralis) Fillets

Abstract

The causes of soft flesh in giant grenadier (Albatrossia pectoralis) were investigated. The softness of giant grenadier flesh was related to its high moisture and low protein content, averaging 91.4% and 6.8%, respectively, and its muscle structure. The ratio of water to protein (13.4) was almost three times higher than for Dover sole (5.9) and Alaska pollock (4.7). Compared to Alaska pollock, giant grenadier muscle had large myotomes in loose bundles, characteristic of soft fleshed fish. Protease activity was low and as in Alaska pollock not considered a factor in soft flesh.     

Characteristics of Gelatin Extracted from the Swim Bladder of Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacores) as Affected by Alkaline Pretreatments

ABSTRACT

Gelatins extracted from the swim bladder of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacores) using various alkaline pretreatments were characterized. Alkaline mixtures (Na₂CO₃:NaOH) at different ratios (9:1, 8:2, 7:3, and 6:4) with a concentration of 4% (w/v) were used. The corresponding gelatins termed “G1,” “G2,” “G3,” and “G4” had yields of 9.78, 14.91, 35.96, and 13.60% (dry weight basis), respectively. All gelatins had α-chains as the major components. Fourier transform infrared spectra of obtained gelatins revealed the significant loss of molecular order of the triple-helix. G3 having the highest imino acid content and exhibited the highest gel strength (p < 0.05), compared with others. The microstructure of G3 gel was finer with smaller voids, compared with others. With increasing proportion of NaOH, the L*-value of gelatin gel increased with coincidental decrease in ΔE*-value. Gelling and melting temperatures of swim bladder gelatin were 12.3–15.1 and 21.3–22.3°C, respectively.     

Characterization and Functional Properties of Gelatin Extracted from Chinese Giant Salamander (Andrias Davidianus) Skin

The characteristics and functional properties of gelatin obtained from Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) skin were investigated. After alkaline and acetic acid pre-treatment, yield of the gelatin by hot water extraction (60°, 8 h) was 17.63 g/100 g (wet basis), and the gelatin contained 89.46 g/100 g protein, 0.3 g/100 g fat, and 0.41 g/100 g ash (dry basis). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) results of the gelatin showed clear band pattern for collagen subunits,β- and α-chains. The gelatin contained 18.85% imino acids, 28.62% hydrophobic amino acids, and 19.68% essential amino acids, which is slightly lower than porcine skin gelatin (PSG). The gelatin exhibited thermo-reversible properties, with gel strength of 192.50 ± 11.47 g, rupture distance of 10.17 ± 0.20 mm, gelling temperature of 4.98°, and melting temperature of 18.04°, Emulsifying activity index (EAI) of the gelatin diminished with increasing concentrations from 10 to 40 mg/mL (p < .05), whereas the emulsifying stability index (ESI) improved significantly (p < .05). Higher concentrations (30 and 40 mg/mL) could significantly enhance the gelatin’s foam expansion (FE) and foam stability (FS) (p < .05). Water absorption ability and oil absorption ability of the gelatin were 7.1 g water/g gelatin and 9.8 g oil/g gelatin, respectively. These results imply that the gelatin with good interfacial properties could potentially be used as a novel ingredient in food emulsion systems.

Abbreviations: CGSS, Chinese giant salamander skin; CSG, Chinese giant salamander skin gelatin; PSG, porcine skin gelatin; EAI, emulsion activity index; ESI, emulsion stability index; FE, foam expansion; FS, foam stability; WAC, water absorption capacity; OAC, oil absorption capacity.     

Effect of Microbial Transglutaminase,Dietary Fiber,and Low-Salt Levels Upon Heat-Induced Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) Gels

The effects of microbial transglutaminase (MTGase; 5 g/kg, w/w) and dietary fiber (40 g pea fiber/kg product and 20 g carrageenan + 20 g konjac flour/kg product) on heat-induced meagre (Argyrosomus regius) gels with 25 and 10 g salt/kg, w/w were analyzed.

MTGase addition increased the magnitude of texture variables. Inner pea fiber had an increasing effect on gel texture. The combination of carrageenan and konjac hardened meagre gels (from 22.2 ± 1.4 to 47.3 ± 4.5 N) and enhanced water-holding capacity. Salt reduction with MTGase ensured a gelling quality similar to that of gels from Alaska pollock surimi.     

Characterization and Film-Forming Properties of Gelatins from Whitemouth Croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) Skin and Bones

The Whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), due to its abundance, is considered one of the most traditional and important species fished in the coastal waters and estuaries of South America. The aim of this work was to produce biopolymeric films of gelatins obtained from skin and bones of Whitemouth croaker. The fish gelatins were characterized through the yield, chemical composition, physiochemical, and rheological properties. The films were characterized by tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EAB), water vapor permeability (WVP), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and optical properties. The values of protein yield, hydroxyproline content, gel strength, melting temperature, gelling temperature, and viscosity of the skin gelatin were higher than the values of the bone gelatin. The films obtained of skin gelatin showed all properties and thermal analysis superior in relation to the films of bone gelatin; this can be justified by the best physicochemical and rheological characteristics of the skin gelatin.     

Effect of ocean conditions on the cross-shelf distribution of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) and capelin (Mallotus villosus)

Acoustic trawl surveys were conducted in 2000 and 2001 in two troughs located off the eastern coast of Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska as part of a multiyear, multidisciplinary experiment to examine the influence of environmental conditions on the spatial distribution of adult and juvenile walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) and capelin (Mallotus villosus). Continuous underway sea surface temperature samples and water column profiles collected in 2000 and 2001 showed the presence of a sharp shelf‐break front in Chiniak Trough and a mid‐trough front in Barnabas Trough. At distances <22 km from shore, the water column was well mixed, whereas a well‐defined mixed layer was present beyond approximately 22 km from shore. Satellite drifter tracks in Barnabas Trough entered along the upstream edge of the trough and appeared to follow the frontal boundary across the middle portion of the trough. A storm in 2001 weakened stratification and cooled surface water temperature by 1.6–2.1°C. Wind mixing associated with the storm event mixed subsurface chlorophyll a to the surface and enhanced nutrients in the surface waters. The storm event revealed spatial partitioning of summer production in Barnabas Trough, with production concentrated in regions inside the mid‐trough front. In contrast, post‐storm summer production was distributed throughout Chiniak Trough. The spatial distribution of walleye pollock and capelin differed and appeared to be related to differences in habitat characteristics. Acoustic survey data identified four acoustic sign types: age‐1 pollock, adult pollock, capelin, capelin–age‐0 pollock mix. The spatial distribution of these four sign types appears to be influenced by the oceanographic and topographic features of the two troughs. Adult pollock were broadly distributed throughout Chiniak Trough, whereas adult pollock were aggregated on the coastal side of the frontal system in Barnabas Trough. In 2000, capelin occurred with age‐0 pollock. In Chiniak Trough, capelin were most abundant along steep topographic gradients at the edges of the trough and in a deep region near Cape Chiniak, whereas the capelin–age‐0 mix (2000) or capelin (2001) concentrations were observed in slope water intrusions over the outer shelf in Barnabas Trough. Results suggest that habitat selection of walleye pollock and capelin are controlled by different processes. Capelin distributions appear to be limited by oceanographic conditions while other factors appear to be more important for pollock.     

How “The Blob” affected groundfish distributions in the Gulf of Alaska

We investigated the distributional shifts of groundfish in response to anomalous ocean conditions, particularly the recent anomalously warm period (2014–2016; “The Blob”), based on data from ten Gulf of Alaska bottom trawl surveys conducted by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center during 1996–2015. Six groundfish species were considered: Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus), arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias), walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus), Pacific ocean perch (Sebastes alutus), northern rock sole (Lepidopsetta polyxystra), and southern rock sole (Lepidopsetta bilineata). Ontogenetic differences were examined by dividing data for each fish species into size classes. Our study demonstrated that after accounting for size‐specific depth preferences, the spatial responses of groundfish to anomalous ocean conditions differed by species and foraging guild in the central Gulf of Alaska. Pacific cod and arrowtooth flounder showed similar responses to ocean warming, but different responses to cooling. In general, Pacific cod moved to deeper depths in warmer years and moved to shallower depths in colder years. Arrowtooth flounder also moved deeper in warmer years. However, in colder years, large arrowtooth flounder (>40 cm) shifted toward shallower depths while smaller‐sized fish shifted toward deeper depths. In warmer years, large pollock (>30 cm) moved to deeper waters while smaller pollock (10–20 cm) moved to shallower waters. Pacific ocean perch exhibited an opposite response to thermal changes in habitat compared with Pacific cod and arrowtooth flounder. They moved deeper in colder years, but there was no clear change in depth as a function of size in response to warmer habitat.     

Species identification of Alaska pollock,Gadus spp., and Micromesistius spp. in cod roe products using a PCR-based method

Fish species identification techniques for authentic food labeling were developed using species-specific PCR primers for cod roe products. A salted, seasoned fish roe product, karashimentaiko (chilli cod roe), is produced from the eggs of Alaska pollock, Theragra chalcogramma, according to the fair trade competition agreement authorized by the Fair Trade Commission of the Japanese government. To examine whether Alaska pollock ovaries or those of other fish species are being used as raw materials for the fish roe products, we developed species identification techniques using PCR amplification of a 255-bp fragment encoding the mitochondrial ATP synthase Fo subunit 6 (ATP6) gene with a species-specific primer set for Alaska pollock mitochondrial DNA. We also designed two species-specific primer sets corresponding to the mitochondrial ATP6 and cytochrome b (cytb) for Gadus spp. and Micromesistius spp. by PCR amplification of 332- and 223-bp fragments, respectively. We examined the species specificity of these PCR-based methods among nine commercially important Gadidae species.     

Determination of Volume of Alaska Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) by Image Analysis

The objective of this study was to develop two methods to predict the volume of whole Alaska pollock and to compare the results with the experimentally measured volumes. One hundred fifty-five whole pollock, obtained from a Kodiak processor, were individually immersed in a graduated cylinder equipped with an outflow tube to catch the displaced water as a result of immersion. The weight of the water was recorded. Then the fish were placed in a light box equipped with a digital video camera, and the side view and top view recorded (2 images for each fish). A reference square of known surface area was placed by the fish. A cubic spline method to predict volume by integration of cross-sectional area slices based on the top and side views and an empirical equation using dimensional (length L, width W, depth D) measurements at three locations of the fish image were developed. The R² value for the correlation between the L × W × D versus measured volume was 0.987. The best R² for the correlation of the predicted volume by the cubic spline method versus the measured volume was 0.99. Image analysis can be used reliably to predict the volume of whole Alaska pollock.     

Retention efficiency and release of nutrients in the digestive tract of larval shrimp (Penaeus japonicus Bate) using different microencapsulated diets

Retention efficiency and release of the nutrients in the digestive tract of larval shrimp (Penaeus japonicus) using the diets microencapsulated with gelatin and ethyl cellulose respectively were evaluated. The microencapsulated diets were produced using the fluidized bed coating process. 7.8 % gelatin and 4.2 % ethyl cellulose to the whole microencapsulated diet were respectively adopted as coating material. After immersion in 35 ‰ NaCl solution for 1 h, the nitrogen retention efficiency was significantly lower in the diet microencapsulated with gelatin compared with the diet microencapsulated with ethyl cellulose. Free amino acid retention efficiency of the diet microencapsulated with gelatin and ethyl cellulose was 12.9, 17.2 %, respectively. The mysis II larval shrimp (P. japonicus) 10 days after hatch were fed two different microencapsulated diets for 20 days and grew significantly more than the control larval shrimp fed with Artemia and shrimp flake. The nutrient components in intermediate intestine of larval shrimp were increased gradually in the order of the control (50 % shrimp flake + 50 % Artemia), Group I (50 % diet microencapsulated with gelatin + 25 % shrimp flake +25 % Artemia), Group II (100 % diet microencapsulated with gelatin), and Group III (100 % diet microencapsulated with ethyl cellulose). This study confirmed that the microencapsulated diets with slow and controlled release characteristic in the digestive tract of the larval shrimp (P. japonicus).     

Extraction Optimization and Characterization of Gelatin from Half-Smooth Tongue Sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis Gunther) Skin

Half-smooth tongue sole is a popular warm-water fish, and its skin may be an available resource for gelatin extraction. Response surface method was used to optimize the extraction of gelatin from the fish skin. The most suitable conditions for maximum gelatin yield (24.2%) were pretreatment with 1.9 g/L NaOH, followed by hot water extraction at 63.54ºC for 4.81 h. The obtained gelatin had a high imino acid content (185 residues/1,000 residues), with a high content of crude protein and low levels of ash, fat, and moisture. The predominant sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis bands revealed that the gelatin contained low-molecular-weight peptides, α-, β-, and γ chains. As compared with bovine gelatin, the fish skin gelatin solution had lower values of strength and clarity and higher levels of L* and viscosity. Additionally, Fourier-transform infrared spectra showed that gel from the gelatin had four amide bands (amide A, amide I, amide II, and amide III) similar to commercial gelatin. The results suggest that half-smooth tongue sole skin could be a promising source of gelatin in view of the comparability between its gelatin and commercial gelatin in physicochemical properties.     

Tumours and microbial diseases of marine fishes in Alaskan waters

Abstract. In an effort further to define the current health status of demersal fish in the Bering Sea, 36 618 fish captured by otter trawl during 1976 were examined for pathological conditions. Of the 26 species examined, 22 were found to have no detectable abnormalities. The four species with abnormalities were Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus Tilesius with pseudobranchial tumours and skin lesions, walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma (Pallas) with pseudobranchial tumours, yellowfin sole Limanda aspera (Pallas) with lymphocystis, and rock sole Lepidopsetta bilineata (Ayres) with epidermal papillomas. The prevalence, geographical distribution and biological and pathological characteristics of affected individuals were determined.
Pseudobranchial tumours of both Pacific cod and walleye pollock were occasionally found to be invasive. Fish bearing these tumours were distributed throughout the sampling area. The epidermal papillomas on rock sole resembled similar tumours found on several flatfish species along the West Coast of North America. The distribution of this disease appeared to be depth related. The virus-caused lymphocystis growths were located on the 'blind' side of yellowfin sole. The highest frequencies of fish with lymphocystis were in the south-eastern Bering Sea. Two main types of skin lesions were seen on Pacific cod: ulcers and ring-shaped lesions. Isolates of bacteria ( Pseudomonas sp.) were routinely obtained from the cod ulcers and may be the cause of this disease. The ring-shaped skin lesions, when examined microscopically, contained unidentified epidermal basophilic bodies.     

Yield and Gel Strength of Gelatin Extracted from Smoked Salmon (Salmo salar) Skins

The gelatin yield and gel strength of gelatin extracted from the skins of smoked salmon were determined. The skins had a crude protein content of 43.5 ± 1.2% and an estimated collagen content of 23.6 ± 1.0%. Following an alkali extraction process under varying extraction conditions, the protein content varied from 2.78% to 32.1%, and the gelatin yield ranged from 2.23% to 22.4% of the initial skin weight. The gelatin purity (gelatin/protein) ranged from 55.4% to 100%, with the highest Hyp/protein sample arbitrarily designated as being 100% pure, i.e., an assumption of pure gelatin. Statistical analysis showed that HCl concentration, pretreatment temperature, and extraction temperature significantly affected the protein yield and gelatin yield. The wide range of gel strengths indicates that the gelatin might have been hydrolyzed to different extents during the different extraction and cooling processes. Statistical analysis did not show that any of the factors studied affected the gel strength. However, the data indicated that low NaOH concentrations and HCl concentrations might not prevent hydrolysis during the extraction process. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) showed that the gelatins contained α- and β-chains and that the gelatins composed of higher concentrations of larger molecular weight polypeptide chains had higher gel strengths.     

Comparison of the behavior of skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) and bigeye (T. obesus) tuna associated with drifting FADs in the equatorial central Pacific Ocean

We evaluated the behavior of skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) and bigeye tuna (T. obesus) associated with drifting fish aggregating devices (FADs) in the equatorial central Pacific Ocean. A total of 30 skipjack [34.5–65.0 cm in fork length (FL)], 43 yellowfin (31.6–93.5 cm FL) and 32 bigeye tuna (33.5–85.5 cm FL) were tagged with coded transmitters and released near two drifting FADs. At one of the two FADs, we successfully monitored the behavior of all three species simultaneously. Several individuals remained around the same FAD for 10 or more days. Occasional excursions from the FAD were observed for all three species, some of which occurred concurrently for multiple individuals. The detection rate was higher during the daytime than the nighttime for all the species, and the detection rate for bigeye tuna was higher than for yellowfin or skipjack tuna. The swimming depth was deeper during the daytime than nighttime for all species. The fish usually remained shallower than 100 m, but occasionally dived to around 150 m or deeper, most often for bigeye and yellowfin tuna during the daytime. The swimming depth for skipjack tuna was shallower than that for bigeye and yellowfin tuna, although the difference was not large, and is probably not sufficient to allow the selective harvest of skipjack and yellowfin tuna by the purse seine fishery. From the detection rate of the signals, bigeye tuna is considered to be more vulnerable to the FAD sets than yellowfin and skipjack tuna.     

Changing usage and value in the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) program

An important element in the U.S. management of fisheries in the North Pacific is the existence of Community Development Quotas (CDQs) which grant community corporations the right to fish in many fisheries off the coast of Alaska. The eastern Bering Sea pollock fishery is the largest of these fisheries, with 10 % of the quota allocated to CDQs. The CDQ program evolved from a partial catch share program that existed from 1992 to 1999 within a limited-entry fishery to a full catch share program with separate spatial rights. In this paper I examine the temporal and spatial uses of CDQ rights and how these uses have changed since the implementation of catch shares throughout the fishery. I also discuss the dispersion of CDQ royalties since the program’s inception and examine the prices of CDQ fishing rights from 1992 to 2005 when data on quota value were reported to the government. I compare quota prices to information about walleye pollock fishing and examine the evolving use of CDQ rights. The use of the CDQ right has changed from extending the season to enabling fishing in otherwise closed areas during the season. The number of vessels fishing with CDQ rights has declined substantially, with all pollock CDQ fishing now done by at-sea processors.     

Thermal and Chemical Properties of Gelatin from Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Scale

ABSTRACT

Gelatin from the scale of Nile tilapia was extracted and characterized chemically, thermally, and structurally. Scales of Nile tilapia were subjected to acid pretreatment and extraction with water at 60°C. The process yielded 12.1% (m/m) on a dry basis. The 6.67% gelatin solution had a gel strength of 233.5 ± 14g. The amino acid composition revealed that 20.02% was comprised of imino acids and glycine (34.49%) as the most abundant amino acids. The scale gelatin had α1, α2, and β subunits and was thermally stable up to 200ºC. The Fourier transform infrared spectrum showed absorption in the regions of amides A, I, II, and III. The characterization of tilapia scale gelatin showed that the obtained product was similar to commercial gelatin, thereby demonstrating its potential application.     

The influence of pelagic habitat selection and interspecific competition on productivity of juvenile walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) and capelin (Mallotus villosus) in the Gulf of Alaska

Here we investigate processes affecting productivity of capelin and walleye pollock in the Gulf of Alaska. We examine pelagic habitat selection by comparing the distribution of juvenile fish and their prey with oceanographic properties and we evaluate the potential for interspecific competition by comparing diets and measures of foraging. The primary field study was conducted in Barnabus Trough, Kodiak Island, Alaska, during September 2005. The distribution of fish was assessed acoustically and trawls were used to collect individual fish for stomach content analyses. Physical and biological data were collected with conductivity–temperature–depth probes and zooplankton tows. Age‐0 pollock were distributed in cool waters offshore of a mid‐trough front, coincident with the distribution of euphausiids, their preferred prey. In contrast, capelin and their prey (copepods) were distributed throughout the trough. We observed that sympatric capelin (occurring with pollock) often had reduced foraging success compared to allopatric capelin (occurring alone). Results of a bioenergetic model also suggest that the exclusion of capelin from foraging on euphausiids can have negative consequences for capelin growth.     

Ichthyophonus‐infected walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma (Pallas) in the eastern Bering Sea: a potential reservoir of infections in the North Pacific

In 2003, the Alaska walleye pollock industry reported product quality issues attributed to an unspecified parasite in fish muscle. Using molecular and histological methods, we identified the parasite in Bering Sea pollock as Ichthyophonus. Infected pollock were identified throughout the study area, and prevalence was greater in adults than in juveniles. This study not only provides the first documented report of Ichthyophonus in any fish species captured in the Bering Sea, but also reveals that the parasite has been present in this region for nearly 20 years and is not a recent introduction. Sequence analysis of 18S rDNA from Ichthyophonus in pollock revealed that consensus sequences were identical to published parasite sequences from Pacific herring and Yukon River Chinook salmon. Results from this study suggest potential for Ichthyophonus exposures from infected pollock via two trophic pathways; feeding on whole fish as prey and scavenging on industry‐discharged offal. Considering the notable Ichthyophonus levels in pollock, the low host specificity of the parasite and the role of this host as a central prey item in the Bering Sea, pollock likely serve as a key Ichthyophonus reservoir for other susceptible hosts in the North Pacific.