A comparison of biochemical changes in cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) fillets during frozen storage

Changes in the muscle proteins of frozen cod fillets, which produce significant amounts of formaldehyde, and frozen haddock fillets, which produce negligible formaldehyde, were compared. Protein extractability and hydrophobicity and the amino acid contents of soluble and insoluble proteins, as well as formaldehyde formation, were investigated in matching pairs of cod and haddock fillets stored at ?10 and ?30 °C (control). Formaldehyde production in cod was much higher (845 and 1065 nmol g^?1 at 20 and 30 weeks respectively) than in haddock (93 and 101 nmol g^?1 after 20 and 30 weeks respectively) at ?10 °C. However, a rapid decrease in solubility of proteins, increase in hydrophobicity and decrease in the amino acid content of salt‐soluble proteins at ?10 compared with ?30 °C were observed in both species. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the nature of the protein changes between these two species, thus indicating that factors other than formaldehyde were involved in the denaturation of proteins and the formation of aggregates during frozen storage of cod and haddock fillets, especially at ?10 °C. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Elucidation of protein aggregation in frozen cod and haddock by transmission electron microscopy/immunocytochemistry,light microscopy and atomic force microscopy

Polyclonal antibodies raised to both native cod myosin and actin as well as to aggregated proteins obtained from frozen cod stored for 11 months at ?10 °C were used to investigate disposition of muscle proteins in frozen cod and haddock fillets by transmission electron microscopy. Specimens from cod and haddock fillets, stored at ?10 °C, treated with anti‐aggregate antibody as the primary antibody, showed significantly more gold particles, especially around the protein aggregates and muscle fibres compared with fish stored at ?30 °C. Samples that were treated with anti‐myosin or anti‐actin antibody showed opposite results. Similar binding properties were observed in ELISA experiments involving the reaction of actin and myosin to both native and aggregate antibodies; thus immunological tests can be used for monitoring aggregate and texture changes in frozen stored fish. In addition, atomic force microscopy images obtained from cod muscle also indicated structural changes in frozen cod muscle proteins. The mica surface was covered with a continuous layer of muscle proteins comprising mainly small globular particles and a few large particles for the control cod sample stored at ?30 °C for 11 months. In contrast, cod fillets stored at ?10 °C showed a thin layer of proteins with small holes and an increased number of large particles denoting aggregates. Formation of ice crystals between the muscle fibres of frozen cod and haddock muscle was monitored without thawing by light microscopy at ?20 °C. The micrographs showed a greater proportion of large ice crystals and extensive protein fibre changes in fillets stored at ?10 °C compared with the control at ?30 °C. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of storage time and temperature on lipid deterioration during cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) frozen storage

Lean fish deterioration during frozen storage (−30 and −10 °C) for up to 1 year was studied by the assessment of lipid changes. Comparison between a formaldehyde (FA)-forming species (cod) and a non-FA-forming one (haddock) was carried out. Lipid damages were measured on the basis of free fatty acids (FFA), peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid index (TBA-i) and fluorescent compounds. In both species at −30 °C, most lipid damage indices showed significant correlations with the storage time. However, at −10 °C, only the FFA and fluorescence detections provided significant correlations with the storage time. Comparison between the fish species showed higher lipid oxidation (PV and TBA-i) and hydrolysis (FFA content) in haddock than in cod at −10 °C; however, a higher fluorescence development was observed in cod at the same temperature. At −30 °C, little differences in lipid damage indices were detected between the two species. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Deterioration of European hake (Merluccius merluccius) during frozen storage

European hake (Merluccius merluccius (L)) was frozen as whole fish and as fillets and stored at ?18°C, ?24°C and ?30°C for up to 39 weeks. Sensory properties, peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid value, lipid fatty acid composition, adenosine nucleotide degradation products, dimethylamine and formaldehyde were measured at intervals during storage. Changes at ?30°C were negligible, otherwise fillets deteriorated faster than whole fish. Hedonic rating gave a storage life of around 9 months for whole fish stored at ?18°C.     

Storage Quality of Fresh and Frozen-thawed Fish in Ice

The objective was to determine whether traditional quality indexes of fresh (unfrozen) fish like sensory analysis, bacterial counts and trimethylamine content could be applied to thawed whole cod, cod fillets and ocean perch fillets kept in ice. Freezing and short-term freezer storage (≤5 wk at ?25°C) had very little effect on bacterial counts. During long-term freezer storage (≥14 wk at ?25°C) total counts were reduced as well as counts of trimethylamine oxide-reducing bacteria in cod fillets but not in ocean perch fillets. When the thawed fish was unacceptable the trimethylamine was <1 mgN/100g. Trimethylamine as a spoilage indicator was of no value when evaluating spoilage of thawed whole cod, cod fillets and ocean perch fillets kept in ice.     

TEMPERATURE ACCLIMATION OF ATLANTIC COD (GADUS MORHUA) AND ITS INFLUENCE ON FREEZING POINT AND BIOCHEMICAL DAMAGE OF POSTMORTEM MUSCLE DURING STORAGE AT 0° and -3°C

The freezing point of muscle fluid from Newfoundland Atlantic cod held at ambient sea water temperature was as low as - 1.30°C in March and as high as - 0.80°C in July. Muscle fluid from cod held live at 0°C for 3 weeks had a freezing point of - 1.02°C in contrast to a muscle fluid freezing point of - 0.90°C for cod acclimated at 10°C prior to sacrifice. Muscle fluid from cold acclimated cod exhibited 0.40°C thermal hysteresis indicating freezing point depression was influenced by antifreeze substances. The following indices of deterioration were measured in muscle sections stored at 0°C or - 3°C for 21 days: extractable protein (EP), free drip (FD), extracellular area (EA), trimethylamineoxide (TMAO), trimethylamine (TMA), dimethylamine (DMA), free amino acids (AA), and pH. Muscle sections at the anterior end of fillets, from myotomes 9–20, prepared using aseptic technique and treated with antibiotic showed less evidence of biochemical deterioration: (a) when stored at - 3°C compared to 0°C with respect to EP, AA, EA; (b) when prepared from fish acclimated at 0°C compared to at 10°C and stored at 0°C or - 3°C with respect to EP, EA, FD, AA. Negligible changes in pH, TMA and DMA occurred during 21 days storage at either temperature. TMAO decreased more during storage at-3°C than at 0°C.     

Effect of Early Gutting on Shelf Life of Saithe (Pollachius virens), Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) and Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) Stored in Ice

Comparative ice storage experiments were performed to study the influence of early gutting on the shelf life of gutted and ungutted saithe, plaice and haddock. The investigation included the rating of the external quality attributes according to the EU-quality grading scheme, the sensory assessment of cooked fillets, the chemical analysis of changes in the contents of the total volatile bases (TVB), trimethylamine (TMA) and dimethylamine (DMA), of total viable counts (TVC) and the number of specific spoilage bacteria (SSO) Shewanella putrefaciens on skin and tissue samples. The study demonstrated that immediate evisceration after catch resulted in a longer shelf life in ice. However, in cases where haddock, saithe or plaice are destined to be consumed within the first 4 days after catch, gutting is not necessary when stored in ice under optimal conditions. Received: February 14, 2007     

Prediction of Quality in Frozen Cod (Gadus morhua) Fillets

Physical and chemical indices were determined on frozen cod (Gadus morhua) fillets stored for ca. 90 days at either - 12°C, - 15°C, - 22°C, - 30°C or under a set of simulated industrial fluctuating temperature conditions (SIFTC). Univariate and multivariate statistics on the quality indices gave a relationship between frozen storage textural deterioration and the chemical parameters as influenced by storage temperature. Results on the SIFTC resembled the - 12°C and - 15°C storage treatments. Chemical indices had lower activation energy values than those for the physical parameters. Ammonia, determined enzymatically, can be used as an index of frozen fish quality. The quadratic equations developed using the dependent variable of Instron raw peak force, independent of time and temperature, can predict the textural quality of frozen cod fillets.     

Effect of frozen storage on the quality of whole fish and fillets of horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) and mediterranean hake (Merluccius mediterraneus)

 Whole fish and fillets of horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) and mediterranean hake (Merluccius mediterraneus) were assessed for quality (physical, chemical and sensory attributes) changes throughout 12 months of frozen storage at −18 °C. The pH, expressible water (EXW), quantities of trimethylamine (TMA), dimethylamine (DMA), formaldehyde (FA), the total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) the thiobarbituric acid number (TBA), peroxide value (PV) and amount of free fatty acids (FFA) increased, while sensory attributes (odour, taste, texture) decreased during the frozen storage period. A comparison of quality scores between whole fish and fillets of horse mackerel and mediterranean hake showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in attribute scores. There were, however, significant differences (P<0.05) in pH, EXW, TMA, DMA, FA, TVB-N, TBA, FFA and PV. Received: 19 April 1996/Revised version: 7 September 1996     

Effect of Phosphate Blends on Stability of Cod Fillets in Frozen Storage

Atlantic cod fillets were dipped in commercial tripoly or metaphosphate solutions, frozen and stored at either –12 ° 0.5°C or –30°C (constant or with daily programmed fluctuations to ?26°C) for up to 26 wk. Phosphate treatments at both storage temperatures decreased thaw drip and cooked drip and yielded a product with higher raw and cooked moisture. Protein content of cooked drip from fillets stored at –12°C was reduced by phosphate treatment; no significant difference was found between treated and control samples at –30°C. Although salt extractable protein was lowered, phosphate treatment did not affect dimethylamine/formaldehyde formation. Sensory evaluation of treated fillets stored at –30°C (with daily fluctuation to –26°C) revealed phosphated fillets to be the most tender and, after 26 wk storage, the most highly acceptable. Tripolyphosphate treatment significantly retarded the increase of expressible fluid under abusive conditions of frozen storage.     

Rheological and differential scanning calorimetry studies on structural and textural changes in frozen Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

The viscoelastic behaviour and thermal stability of Atlantic mackerel fillets stored at ?20 and ?30 °C for up to 2 years were investigated. An increase in elastic (G′) and viscous (G″) modulus values, reflecting protein aggregation, was observed in samples stored at ?20 °C compared with those stored at ?30 °C, as well as with storage time. The results indicate that toughening on frozen storage is not just limited to lean gadoid fish but also occurs in fatty fish, leading to texture deterioration. Differential scanning calorimetry of fillets stored at ?20 °C showed a shift to a lower transition temperature (T_m) and a decrease in enthalpy (ΔH) compared with control fillets stored at ?30 °C; this change was enhanced when fillets were stored for a longer period of time, confirming protein denaturation and the formation of aggregates reported previously by the authors (J Sci Food Agric 82: 579–586 (2002)). The contribution of lipid oxidation to protein aggregation was shown by storing minced mackerel with or without the antioxidant vitamin E at ?10 °C. The G′ and G″ values were higher in samples stored without vitamin E than in samples stored with vitamin E; thus antioxidants may be used to minimise protein aggregation in fatty fish. The role of lipid oxidation in promoting protein aggregation and deterioration in the texture of fatty fish has not been reported hitherto. Antioxidants such as vitamin E may be used not only to prevent lipid oxidation but also to minimise protein damage in order to prolong the shelf‐life of fatty fish. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Texture Changes of Frozen Stored Cod and Ocean Perch Minces

During frozen storage, minced cod and ocean perch were examined by expressible moisture (EM), water binding potential (WBP) and computerized texture profile analysis (TPA). The results suggested that a microcomputer interfaced with the Instron efficiently performed TPA. The texture and water loss of all fish minces changed more rapidly at -7°C storage than at -20°C and -40°C. Furthermore, cod, a gadoid with the ability to degrade trimethylamine oxide to dimethylamine and formaldehyde, deteriorated faster than ocean perch, which did not have this ability. EM was useful for examining the water loss of frozen fish at - 7°C only during the first two weeks of storage. The WBP at -7°C storage showed a good correlation with storage time for cod and ocean perch. This suggests that WBP might be a good indicator for examining water holding ability of fish proteins.     

Separation of Cod (Gadus morhua) Fillet Proteins by Electrophoresis and HPLC after Various Frozen Storage Treatments

Myofibrillar, sarcoplasmic (SAR) and total extractable proteins (TEP) were isolated from the same lot of frozen cod (Gadus morhua) fillets stored at -30°C, -22°C, -15°C, and -12°C and a simulated industrial fluctuating temperature (SIFT) program. HPLC and SDS-PAGE showed that myofibrillar and SAR of the fillets stored at -12°C and -15°C exhibited low and high molecular weight changes similar to the SIFT. A new indicator of myofibrillar frozen storage quality was developed using SDS-PAGE. TEP profiles by HPLC were time and temperature dependent. These observations by SDS-PAGE and HPLC were further evidence that changes in frozen stored cod muscle were partially due to covalent S-S crosslinking.     

Comparative rates of spoilage of fillets and whole fish during storage of haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) and herring (Clupea harengus) as determined by the formation of non-volatile and volatile amines

The concentrations of the non-volatile and volatile amines that formed in herring ( Clupea harengus ) and haddock ( Melanogrammus aeglefinus ) during storage as fillets and as whole fish in ice and at 5°C were determined. Comparison of the rates of formation of the major non-volatile amines (histamine, cadaverine and putrescine) and trimethylamine showed that haddock fillets deteriorated more rapidly than the whole gutted fish and that ungutted herring spoiled more rapidly than fillets. The value of amines as indices of spoilage in fish is discussed.     

Effect of Delayed Filleting on Quality of Cod Flesh

A study was undertaken to determine the effect of delayed filleting on overall shelf life of cod. One lot of gutted cod was divided into three groups for iced storage and filleted 1,4 or 7 days postmortem. Quality of fillets during subsequent storage at 1–2°C was assessed by physical characteristics, trimethylamine values, and total aerobic plate counts. After day 7, comparison of fillets of the same postmortem age showed that fish which had been most recently filleted was superior to that processed one day after landing, and stored subsequently in plastic trays. Results indicated that maximum overall shelf life could be attained by minimizing time stored as flllets, i.e. delaying filleting.     

Relevance of trimethylamine oxide demethylase activity and haemoglobin content to formaldehyde production and texture deterioration in frozen stored minced fish muscle

Minces were prepared from white muscle or fillets of gadoid and non-gadoid fish species. After the addition of blood, kidney or formaldehyde the minces were stored frozen for 6 months at ?8 and ?30°C. Blood and kidney of the gadoid species contained trimethylamine oxide demethylase (TMAOase), whereas in the tissues of the other species no activity of this enzyme could be detected. The formation of dimethylamine (and formaldehyde) was correlated with the TMAOase activity of the added tissues. The concentration of haemoglobin in the minces had no influence on the dimethylamine and formaldehyde production during frozen storage. The formaldehyde production was accompanied by an increase in the firmness of the texture as measured by mechanical and sensory tests.     

液氮/液氨速冻鮰鱼片理化性质与组织结构变化

研究分析液氮与液氨速冻对斑点叉尾鮰鱼肉品质的影响。新鲜斑点叉尾鮰分割鱼片后分别进行工业隧道式液氮喷淋速冻（－90 ℃、35 min）、隧道式液氨速冻（－35 ℃、90 min）,速冻样品置于－18 ℃下贮藏90 d。分析比较新鲜鱼肉以及速冻鱼肉在不同冻藏时间解冻损失率、蒸煮损失率、加压失水率、剪切力、pH值、K值、挥发性盐基氮（total volatile basic nitrogen,TVB-N）含量、三甲胺（trimethylamine,TMA）含量与硫代巴比妥酸反应物（thiobarbituric acid reactive substance,TBARs）值,应用荧光显微镜观察鱼肉组织微观结构变化。结果表明：与新鲜鱼肉相比,速冻鱼肉蒸煮损失率增加,加压失水率、剪切力、pH值降低,K值、TVB-N含量、TMA含量、TBARs值均呈上升趋势;随着冻藏时间延长,速冻鱼肉理化性质发生劣变;鱼肉速冻后肌肉细胞面积减小,细胞间隙增大;相比液氨速冻,液氮速冻更有利于保持鱼肉持水性、新鲜度以及组织结构完整性,可有效抑制鱼肉冻藏期间的品质劣变。综上,液氮速冻可以有效保持冷冻鱼肉品质,冻藏30 d内,液氮速冻鱼肉品质特性更接近于新鲜鱼肉。     

Synthesis and degradation of adenosine triphosphate in cod (Gadus morhua) at subzero temperatures

This study has demonstrated that the extraction step is very important when analysing ATP and its degradation products. An important factor is whether the sample is fresh, frozen or thawed when homogenised since thawing of the sample will lead to rapid loss of ATP. During frozen storage it was found that ATP in cod (Gadus morhua) was stable at −40 °C in small samples for at least 12 weeks. At −20 °C it was found that ATP content increases initially and thereafter falls. It was demonstrated that degradation of ATP in small samples occurs faster at 0 °C than at −2 and −5 °C. Furthermore, it was found that in whole cod ATP could be synthesised at a significant rate at −7 °C. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Texture changes in frozen cod mince measured by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Studies were carried out on changes in water proton relaxation, Instron parameters, dimethylamine (DMA) content and sensory texture scores during storage of cod mince at -10°C, -20°C and -70°C. The longest transverse proton relaxation time measured by pulsed low-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy increased with temperature and duration of frozen storage. These variations in the NMR parameter paralleled changes observed with analytical methods commonly used for evaluating fish texture, ie Instron measurements, as well as dimethylamine and sensory analyses. It is concluded that the NMR method can be an alternative tool to study textural modifications of cod during frozen storage. © 1997 SCI.     

Freezing and Freezing-Thawing Cycles on Textural and Biochemical Changes of Meagre (Argyrosomus regius,L) Fillets During Further Cold Storage

The effects of freezing and freezing-thawing cycles during cold storage have been studied in meagre (Argyrosomus regius) fillets. Fillets were subjected to three conservation protocols: fresh, freezing at –20°C, and repeated freezing-thawing cycles. Fresh fillets were stored (4°C, 15 days), and the same protocol was followed for freezing and freezing-thawing after the freezing period. Freezing and freezing-thawing fillets were softer and presented lower water holding capacity than fresh, mostly attributable to collagen solubilization, and partial myofibrillar protein degradation. Cold storage (4°C) during 15 days caused softening in fresh and frozen fillets attributable to myofibrillar protein hydrolysis. Freezing-thawing cycles increased proteolysis, this leading to unacceptable softening even from early stages of further cold storage, and this was also revealed by SDS-PAGE.