Lipid oxidation and fishy odour development in protein hydrolysate from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) muscle as affected by freshness and antioxidants

Lipid oxidation and fishy odour development in protein hydrolysate from fresh and ice-stored Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were investigated. During iced storage of 18 days, heme iron content decreased with a concomitant increase in non-heme iron content (P < 0.05). Peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values increased. Phospholipid content decreased with a corresponding increase in free fatty acid content. The results suggested that lipid hydrolysis and oxidation took place during storage. When protein hydrolysates were produced from fresh and 18 days ice-stored Nile tilapia muscle, higher lipid oxidation and fishy odour/flavour along with higher amount volatile compounds were obtained in hydrolysate for unfresh sample (P < 0.05). However, the addition of mixed antioxidants during hydrolysis process markedly lowered lipid oxidation, b^∗, ΔC^∗, ΔE^∗ values, fishy odour/flavour as well as the formation of volatile compounds in the resulting hydrolysates prepared from both fresh and unfresh samples. Therefore, hydrolysate from Nile tilapia muscle with reduced fishy odour and lighter colour could be prepared by using fresh fish and incorporation of mixed antioxidants during hydrolysis.     

Changes in heme proteins and lipids associated with off-odour of seabass (Lates calcarifer) and red tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus × O. niloticus) during iced storage

Changes in heme proteins and lipids associated with off-odour development in seabass (Lates calcarifer) and red tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus × O. niloticus) muscles during 15 days of iced storage were studied. Fresh seabass contained the higher contents of myoglobin and heme iron, compared with red tilapia (P < 0.05). An increase in metmyoglobin proportion was observed during storage. After 3 days of storage, a decreased heme iron content and a concomitant increase in non-heme iron content were noticeable in both fish (p < 0.05). Oxidation of myoglobin and released non-heme iron were associated with lipid oxidation. The increases in oxidation products and free fatty acids were observed as the storage time progressed. Fishy and rancid odours were detected at day 6 of storage for both fish and a higher intensity was found in seabass muscle. Thus, the off-odour in fish muscle was mostly governed by lipid oxidation and species specific.     

Isolation and characterisation of acid-solubilised collagen from the skin of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Acid-solubilised collagen (ASC) was extracted from the skin of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and characterisation was studied. The results indicated that the yield of ASC was 39.4% on the basis of dry weight. This ASC was rich in glycine (35.6%). The amount of imino acids, proline and hydroxyproline, in ASC was 210 residues per 1000 residues. The ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectrum of ASC showed that the distinct absorption was at 220 nm. ASC showed transition curve at maximum temperature (T_max) of 32.0 °C in 0.05 M acetic acid, about 12 °C lower than that of calf skin collagen. Maximum solubility (0.75 mg/ml) in 0.5 M acetic acid was observed at pH 3. Solubility reached the minimum at pH 7. A sharp decrease in solubility was observed in 2% (w/v) NaCl or above. Biochemical studies indicated that ASC was composed of the α1α2α3 heterotrimers.     

Effect of pretreatment on lipid oxidation and fishy odour development in protein hydrolysates from the muscle of Indian mackerel

Impact of different pretreatments on chemical compositions of Indian mackerel mince was studied. Mince prepared using washing/membrane removal/alkaline solubilisation process (W–MR–Al) contained the lowest remaining myoglobin and haem iron content and also showed the lowest total lipid and phospholipid contents. When mince and W–MR–Al were hydrolysed using Alcalase for up to 120 min, a higher degree of hydrolysis (DH) was found in W–MR–Al after 30 min of hydrolysis. Furthermore, hydrolysate from W–MR–Al had lower peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and non-haem iron content throughout hydrolysis period (P < 0.05). When hydrolysate powder produced from mince and W–MR–Al (0–0.3% w/v) were fortified in milk, the former resulted in the lower likeness score (P < 0.05) at all levels used. The addition of the latter, for up to 0.2%, had no effect on likeness of all attributes, compared with milk without fortification (P > 0.05). Therefore, the appropriate pretreatment of mince yielded hydrolysate with lower fishy odour.     

The effect of recirculating aquaculture systems on the concentrations of heavy metals in culture water and tissues of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

To date, farming fish in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) is one of the most environmentally friendly ways of producing fish. However, with the trend towards intensification, and consequently decrease in water exchange rates, these systems may accumulate substances, such as heavy metals, in the water and fish. Inductively-coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscope (ICP-MS) were used to determine Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, in the water and fish (Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus). Three RAS were used, differing in daily water exchange rates (30, 70 and 1500 l/kg feed/d). The concentrations of As, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn in the water increased with decreasing water exchange rates, suggesting an accumulation of heavy metals as more water was re-used. Such accumulation in the water was, however, not translated into accumulation in the liver and muscle. Accumulation of heavy metals was always higher in the liver than in the muscle; however, As reached 1.61 mg/kg wet weight in the muscle of fish farmed in RAS-70 l/kg feed/d. However, these levels are considerably lower than permissible safety levels for human consumption.     

Physicochemical changes of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) muscle during salting

The effect of wet and dry saltings on the physicochemical changes of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) muscle was investigated. Dry salting resulted in the higher rate of salt uptake into tilapia muscle facilitating the faster decrease in A_w (p < 0.05). The pH of both dry and wet salted fish muscles tended to decrease throughout the salting time and the lower pH was found in dry salted fish (p < 0.05). The increase in the protein content in the salting medium was found during wet salted tilapia production (p < 0.05). The TCA-soluble peptide content tended to decrease with increasing the salting time in both salting methods (p < 0.05), suggesting a leaching effect of the salting medium or the exudative loss occurred in salted tilapia. Wet salting caused the greater formation of metmyoglobin in tilapia muscle when compared to dry salting at all time points (p < 0.05) and the content of metmyoglobin increased as salting time increased in both salting methods (p < 0.05). A lowered metmyoglobin with a lowered redness index of dry salted tilapia muscle was found, indicating the continuous oxidation of metmyoglobin to other hypervalent derivatives and hence the discolouration of salted tilapia. Lipid hydrolysis and oxidation of tilapia meat occurred with varying degrees in both salting methods and these changes depended on salting time. Dry salting resulted in a higher oxidation of tilapia muscle lipid as indicated by the higher PV and TBARS throughout the salting period when compared with that of wet salting (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the physicochemical changes of tilapia muscle during salting are governed by the salting method and the salting time applied.     

Characterization of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) skin gelatin extracted with alkaline and different acid pretreatments

Tilapia production is growing worldwide and to better utilize wastes from the processing industry, one important application is production of high quality fish gelatin to meet the needs of markets that are not amenable to beef or porcine gelatin. The extraction process from tilapia skin gelatin was optimized through the use of a combination of alkali (0.3 M NaOH) with different types and concentrations of acids before thermal hydrolysis. The effects of acid pretreatments on the protein yields and the physicochemical properties of tilapia gelatin were investigated. Acid concentrations (0.01–0.20 M) influenced gelatin protein recovery: 10.52%–22.40% for citric acid, 1.92%–21.55% for acetic acid, and 4.47%–24.35% for HCl. It was possible to increase gelatin yield for each of the tested acids by adjusting the acid concentration. Gelatin viscosity and the molecular weight distribution of gelatin proteins were related to the acid concentration used. Gelatin prepared using too low a concentration (e.g. 0.01 M acetic acid or HCl) or too high a concentration (e.g. >0.05 M HCl or citric acid) yielded an extract with a smaller ratio of large molecule components, such as β-chains, and exhibited lower viscosity. The film forming properties of gelatins extracted from three acid-optimized pretreatments showed no significant difference in transparency, tensile strength and elongation at break; though the gelatin film made from 0.03 M citric acid pretreated gelatin had somewhat better water barrier property than those made with HCl or acetic acid.     

Tocopherol in the lipid stability of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) hamburgers

Presence of tocopherol is effective for fish preservation during frozen storage, inhibiting lipid degradation by oxidation. This work evaluated the antioxidant effects of α-tocopherol in diet and postmortem addition on the final quality of hamburgers produced from tilapia fillets kept frozen for zero, 30, 60, and 90 days. Chemical composition varied within the values found for tilapia fish. The increase in α-tocopherol levels reduced the values of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the samples at all time intervals. Tocopherol supplementation in diets protected the hamburgers from lipid oxidation more effectively than postmortem addition.     

Characterisation of thermostable trypsin and determination of trypsin isozymes from intestine of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.)

Trypsin from intestinal extracts of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) was characterised. Three-step purification – by ammonium sulphate precipitation, Sephadex G-100, and Q Sepharose – was applied to isolate trypsin, and resulted in 3.77% recovery with a 5.34-fold increase in specific activity. At least 6 isoforms of trypsin were found in different ages. Only one major trypsin isozyme was isolated with high purity, as assessed by SDS-PAGE and native-PAGE zymogram, appearing as a single band of approximately 22.39 kDa protein. The purified trypsin was stable, with activity over a wide pH range of 6.0–11.0 and an optimal temperature of approximately 55–60 °C. The relative activity of the purified enzyme was dramatically increased in the presence of commercially used detergents, alkylbenzene sulphonate or alcohol ethoxylate, at 1% (v/v). The observed Michaelis–Menten constant (K_m) and catalytic constant (K_cat) of the purified trypsin for BAPNA were 0.16 mM and 23.8 s⁻¹, respectively. The catalytic efficiency (K_cat/K_m) was 238 s⁻¹ mM⁻¹.     

Roles of lipid oxidation and pH on properties and yellow discolouration during storage of film from red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) muscle protein

Protein-based films prepared from red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) washed and unwashed mince solubilised at pH 3 and 11 were prepared and characterised. Tensile strength (TS) of films from washed mince was greater than that of films prepared from unwashed mince for both pH used (P < 0.05). TS of films prepared at pH 3 was higher than that of films prepared at pH 11 for both of washed and unwashed mince (P < 0.05). Film from washed mince with pH 3 showed the highest TS, while that from unwashed mince with pH 11 had the lowest TS with the highest elongation at break (EAB) (P < 0.05). Films from washed mince had the lower value of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) than did those from unwashed counterpart, regardless of pH used. Nevertheless, TBARS was much higher in films prepared at acidic pH, compared with those prepared at alkaline pH. During storage of 20 days at room temperature, films became yellowish as evidenced by the increases in b^∗ and ΔE^∗-values. Films prepared at pH 11 showed the higher b^∗ and ΔE^∗-values than did those prepared at pH 3, especially for those from unwashed mince. However, films prepared from washed mince at pH 3 showed higher b^∗ and ΔE^∗-values than did those prepared at pH 11 (P < 0.05). Films generally had the increase in TS but the decreases in water vapour permeability (WVP), film solubility and protein solubility after 20 days of storage (P < 0.05). Therefore, lipid oxidation more likely played a role in yellow discolouration of fish muscle protein film, mainly by providing the carbonyl groups involved in Maillard reaction, while pH regulated the rate of reaction.     

Effects of brine concentration on shelf-life of hot-smoked tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) stored at 4 °C

This work evaluated the effect of brine concentration on the shelf-life of hot-smoked tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) stored at 4 °C. The fish were brined in solutions of 5%, 10%, and 15% NaCl and unsalted fish were used as controls. The fish were then smoked, cooled and stored at 4 °C. Oxidative rancidity measured by the peroxide value (PV), and thiobarbituric acid number (TBA) showed increases with the storage time and also as a result of the increasing salt content in fish muscle. Hot smoked tilapia can be stored safely under refrigerated conditions for over 35 days, and 5% brine was found to be optimal for storage.     

The influence of feed supply time on the fatty acid profile of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed on a diet enriched with n-3 fatty acids

The purpose of the study was to examine the fatty acid profiles of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) submitted to different feeding times (0, 10, 20 and 30 days) on a diet enriched with n-3 fatty acids, by addition of flaxseed oil in substitution for sunflower oil. The main fatty acids detected were palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0), oleic (C18:1n9), linoleic (C18:2n6) and -linolenic (C18:3n3) in all the treatments. The 30 day-fed fish presented the best values for total n-3 fatty acids, with a prominence of -linolenic acids, showing that the flaxseed oil as well as the feed supply time influenced the fatty acid profiles.     

Fatty acid profile and stability of oil from the belly flaps of Nile perch (Lates niloticus)

Oil extracted from the belly flaps of Lake Victoria Nile perch (Lates niloticus) was evaluated for fatty acid composition, contents of vitamin A, β-carotene and α-tocopherol, and oxidative stability. The oil was found to contain substantial amount of palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic fatty acids (FAs) and had high vitamin A content (3.94 ± 0.02 to 5.90 ± 0.02 mg/100 g of oil). Docosahexaenoic acid (10.45 ± 0.38%), docosapentaenoic acid (5.30 ± 0.60%) and eicosapentaenoic acid (3.63 ± 0.05%) were the most dominant polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Ratios of PUFAs to saturated FAs were in the range 0.68 ± 0.02 to 0.74 ± 0.03, while the ratio of total ω-3 FAs to total ω-6 FAs was 0.85 ± 0.02 to 0.95 ± 0.08. The oils showed exceptional resistance to accelerated oxidation at 65 °C probably because of its high content of β-carotene (2.93 ± 0.03 to 4.69 ± 0.01 mg/100 g of oil) and α-tocopherol (2.11 ± 0.03 to 11.4 ± 0.92 mg/100 g of oil). From the results, it can be concluded that Nile perch oil is a rich source of essential fatty acids and vitamin A.     

Effect of chitosan–Jicama starch coating on changes in qualities of fresh Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fillets during ice storage

The effect of chitosan (0.5%)/Jicama starch (0%–4%)‐based edible coating on the quality of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fillets was evaluated over ice storage time. All samples were periodically analysed for pH value, thiobarbituric acid (TBA), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N), electrical conductivity (EC), total viable counts (TVC), total psychrotrophic counts (TPC), drip loss, colour, hardness and sensory characteristics. Results demonstrated that the quality of Nile tilapia fillets was preserved by the film containing chitosan and/or Jicama starch. Compared with chitosan coating alone (0.5% chitosan/0.25% glycerol) (P < 0.05), T3 (0.5% chitosan/1% Jicama starch/0.25% glycerol) had a better effect on the drip loss, TBA, TVC, TPC, hardness and sensory characteristics of the samples, thus indicating that low Jicama starch concentration (1%) enriched the coating ability of chitosan in extending the shelf life of Nile tilapia fillets.     

Original article: Optimisation of extraction conditions and characteristics of skin gelatin from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Response surface methodology was used to optimise gelatin extraction conditions from the skin of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), and characteristics of the gelatin were determined. Concentration of NaOH (%, X₁), alkaline treatment time (h, X₂), concentration of HCl (‰, X₃) and acid treatment time (min, X₄) were chosen for independent variables. Dependent variable was yield of gelatin (%, Y). Optimal conditions were X₁ = 3.2 (%), X₂ = 2.3 (h), X₃ = 0.7 (‰) and X₄ = 84 (min), and predicted value of response optimal conditions was Y = 20.4%. Actual value was 19.3% by verification experiments under optimal conditions. Crude protein content of the tilapia skin gelatin was 88.5%. The content of imino acids including proline and hydroxyproline in the gelatin was 185 residues per 1000 total amino acid residues. Its gel strength was 260 g. The gelling and melting points were 18.0 and 22.4 °C, respectively.     

The bacteriology of fresh and spoiling Lake Victorian Nile perch (Lates niloticus)

A total of 177 bacterial cultures isolated from Lake Victorian Nile Perch (Lates niloticus) were investigated. The flora on newly caught Nile perch consisted of organisms belonging to the genera Moraxella, Alcaligenes, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, Micrococcus and other Gram-positive organisms. 39% were identified as Gram-positive species and 61% were negative in the Gram-reaction. Three cultures out of 53 investigated caused weak rotten off-odours in sterile fish broth and one culture, an Aeromonas spp. produced strong rotten, fishy, hydrogen sulphide off-odours. From Nile perch spoiled at ambient temperature, 15 of the 42 strains isolated caused rotten, fishy, hydrogen sulphide off-odours. These specific spoilage bacteria were all identified as Aeromonas and all reduced trimethylamine oxide to trimethylamine and produced hydrogen sulphide. From spoiled iced Nile perch, 74 out of 82 (90%) of the bacteria isolated were identified as Pseudomonas. A small proportion of these (13 out of 74) produced off-odours in sterile fish broth resembling the spoiling fish. These specific spoilers could not be separated from the non-spoilers based on biochemical activities used in classical taxonomy. While the Pseudomonas spp. isolated did not produce trimethylamine or H₂S, a few of the remaining isolates (two Shewanella putrefaciens and five Aeromonas spp.) did produce these compounds. The role of Shewanella putrefaciens in the iced spoilage of Nile perch was, however, insignificant, since they only very late in the storage reached numbers where their spoilage could be detected.     

Changes in conformation and in sulfhydryl groups of actomyosin of tilapia (Orechromis niloticus) on hydrostatic pressure treatment

Actomyosin extracted from tilapia muscle was subjected to hydrostatic pressure treatment (50–300 MPa, 10–60 min, 4 °C) to investigate the changes in sulfhydryl groups and on conformation. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the structure of actomyosin was aggregated and disrupted above 100 MPa, and more regular network aggregates were observed as pressure increased. Moreover, pressurisation at 50 MPa for 10 min did not change actomyosin structures. Using SDS–PAGE analysis, molecules larger than the myosin heavy chain were observed when actomyosin was treated at and above 200 MPa. Below 200 MPa actomyosin formed aggregates, mainly with hydrogen bonds. Surface sulfhydryl group content of actomyosin increased with increased pressure, up to 250 MPa. However, total sulfhydryl group content of actomyosin decreased with increased pressure and time. According to this study, 200 MPa would be the critical pressure that induced actomyosin to form regular network structures.     

Quality assessment of wild European eel (Anguilla anguilla) stored in ice

The quality assessment of wild European eel (Anguilla anguilla) stored in ice and in boxes without ice (3 ± 1 °C) was investigated by the sensory analysis, levels of nucleotide breakdown products and biogenic amines for up to 19 days. Sensory analysis was assessed using the Tasmanian Food Research Unit Scheme. K and related values (K_i, G, P, H and F_r) were used as freshness indicators. Linear regressions (r²) obtained from K, K_i, G, P, H and F_r were 0.95, 0.96, 0.83, 0.96, 0.99 and 0.96, respectively, for eel stored in ice whereas, for eel kept in boxes without ice, the values were 0.86, 0.86, 0.96, 0.91, 0.98 and 0.86, respectively. When eel stored in ice and in boxes without ice were considered at the limit of acceptability by assessors at ∼12–14 days and ∼5–7 days, respectively, the average K, K_i and P values were ∼70–85%, H values were ∼60% and F_r values were ∼10% for both storage conditions. The level of histamine exceeded the legal limit (5 mg/100 g fish) in eel stored without ice after 6–7 days and, in ice, after 13–14 days of storage, at which time eels were rejected by the sensory panel. The concentrations of biogenic amines were higher in eel stored in boxes without ice than in eel kept in ice. The levels of histamine in the muscle of eel kept in boxes without ice and in ice increased to the maximum levels of 17.9 mg/100 g on day 12 and 12.6 mg/100 g on day 19, respectively.     

Thin layer drying model for simulating the drying of Tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) in a solar tunnel dryer

Mathematical models for predicting the plenum chamber temperatures developed by a solar tunnel dryer and the drying of Tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) in the solar tunnel dryer was developed, and simulated in Visual Basic 6 (Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0™). Based on Student’s t-test, the simulated and actual data for both plenum chamber temperature and moisture ratio did not differ significant at 5% level of significance. In addition, the simulated and actual moisture ratios showed similar trends, and reduced exponentially with drying time. Further, the performances of models at 10% residual error interval were 83% and 81% for plenum chamber temperature and moisture ratio, respectively. Finally, strong linear correlations existed between simulated and actual data for plenum chamber temperature (R² = 0.961), and for moisture ratio (R² = 0.995). Therefore, the model can be used to predict the drying of Tilapia fish in a solar tunnel dryer.     

Effects of binary organic solvents and heating on lipid removal and the reduction of beany odour in Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean) flour

Effects of various binary organic solvents at different temperatures on the removal of lipids and beany or grassy odour of Bambara groundnut flour were studied. The highest lipid removal was achieved at 60 °C (P < 0.05), regardless of binary organic solvents used. Under the optimal temperature, chloroform/methanol showed the highest lipid removal (87%), followed by hexane/isopropanol (78%). All binary solvents containing methanol had higher efficiency in removal of phospholipids, and inactivation of lipoxygenase and trypsin inhibitors, as compared to isopropanol containing solvents (P < 0.05). Based on FTIR spectra, lipids removed by methanol containing solvents had high content of phospholipids. The flours defatted by methanol containing solvents exhibited the lowest peroxide value, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and beany odour intensity than the non-defatted flour and those defatted by isopropanol containing solvents throughout the storage (P < 0.05) of 30 days at refrigerated and room temperatures. In general, chloroform/methanol was the most effective in inactivating lipoxygenase and trypsin inhibitors, retarding lipid oxidation as well as beany odour development in flour. Therefore, chloroform/methanol could be used to lower beany or grassy odour in Bambara groundnut flour.