Influence of Commercial Diets on Quality Aspects of Cultured Gulf of Mexico Surgeon (Ancipenser oxyrinchus desotoi)

ABSTRACT: Cultured sturgeons were fed commercially available diets formulated for hybrid bass, catfish, and trout. The impact of these diets in the quality of the edible muscle was investigated through determination of processing yields, proximate compositions, fatty acid profiles, muscle color, and sensory characteristics. Sturgeon fed the catfish diet were significantly smaller but dressed fillets (percent live weight) were similar for all feeds. Consumer visual acceptability scores were highest for fillets from fish fed the catfish diet, and color differences were determined. Sturgeon fillets from fish fed the trout diet presented a yellowish orange coloration instead of a pale pink coloration. Results show that the diets tested had no detrimental impact in the composition of sturgeon fillets.     

Performance, composition and sensory quality of adult channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fed a dried waste egg product

The growth and carcass quality of adult channel catfish (176 mm, 76 g average length and weight) fed diets (6000 fish/diet) containing 14% and 28% dried, inedible whole egg were compared to similar fish fed a commercial or a formulated diet containing fish meal as the primary protein source. After 4 months, the fish fed 28% dried egg diet were 5–8% longer and 17–31% heavier, and had consumed 0.06–1.11 1b feed per 1b weight gain less than fish fed the other diets. Fish fed the egg diets had 0.9–1.2% less dress-out and 0.3–2% more visceral cavity fat than fish fed the non-egg diets. Diets containing eggs did not affect the sensory quality or shear press values of the cooked fish fillets.     

Influence of rearing conditions and feed on the biochemical composition of fillets of the European catfish (Silurus glanis)

The biochemical composition of European catfish (Silurus glanis) fillets reared under two conditions used in France was studied. The biochemical composition of the two feeds used was also analysed, in order to establish a relationship between European catfish fillet composition and feed. Dry matter, protein, lipid and carbohydrate contents were determined. The fatty acid profile was determined by GC-FID and GC/MS. This work has established that European catfish has a biochemical composition characteristic of semi-fat fish, that the protein content is affected by water temperature, and that the lipid content depends largely on feed. This work has also highlighted that the proportions of fatty acids can be affected by rearing conditions, by feed, or by both rearing conditions and feed with a significant interaction between these two factors.     

Compositional and chill storage characteristics of microwave‐blanched sutchi catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) fillets

The effect of microwave blanching on quality characteristics of vacuum and conventional polyethylene‐packed sutchi catfish fillets was evaluated under chilled condition. Emphasis has been given to retain the sensory characteristics such as colour and textural properties, which is a major problem in sutchi catfish fillets during extended chill storage. In general, microwave blanching imposed minimum changes on fatty acid and mineral composition of fish meat. A marginal increase in fat content was recorded after microwave heating of fish fillets. The microwave‐blanched fillets showed minimum cooking loss of 3.2 mL per 100 g meat. A slower increase in spoilage parameters was obtained with microwave‐blanched samples compared with unblanched samples, demonstrating the higher storage stability of the sample under chilled conditions. Microwave heating of fish fillets coupled with quick‐chilling and packing under vacuum improved the colour and texture stability of sutchi catfish fillets to a considerable extent. Microwave blanching increased the hardness and chewiness values and decreased the stiffness values of fish fillets. The biochemical and sensory evaluation of microwave‐blanched and vacuum‐packed sutchi catfish fillets showed extended storage life of 21 days, compared with 12 days for unblanched vacuum‐packed samples.     

EFFECT OF SMOKE SOURCES ON QUALITY AND STORAGE STABILITY OF CATFISH FILLET (Clarias macrocephatus Gunther)

The effect of smoke sources, bagasse and coconut husk, on the chemical composition, acceptability and quality changes of catfish fillets was investigated. Catfish smoked with either of the sources had similar compositions. Catfish fillets smoked with coconut husk attained significantly higher preference scores for color but odor scores were lower compared with those smoked with bagasse (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences in other attributes were observed for fillets smoked by the two different kinds of starting material. Smoked fillets showed lower TBA values, ammonia content, aerobic plant count (APC), yeast and mold than the control throughout 10 weeks of storage at 4C. For the smoked fillets, nonenzymatic browning was prevalent.     

CHOLESTEROL AND PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF CHANNEL CATFISH (ICTALURUS PUNCTATUS) FILLETS – CHANGES FOLLOWING COOKING BY MICROWAVE HEATING, DEEP-FAT FRYING, AND OVEN BAKING

Effects of microwave heating, deep-fat frying, and conventional oven baking on proximate composition and concentration of cholesterol in channel catfish fillets were examined. The paired fillet technique was employed to control the variability among fish. A total of fifteen catfish were randomly assigned to the three cooking methods. All cooking procedures resulted in moisture loss. Fillets that were deep-fat fried showed the lowest moisture content but the highest fat content, respectively, among three cooking methods. The three cooking methods, on a dry weight basis, all significantly affected cholesterol concentration of cooked catfish compared with raw fillets. Deep-fat frying resulted in a significant decrease of cholesterol and showed the lowest concentration of cholesterol among three cooking methods probably due to leaching of cholesterol into frying oil.     

The effect of a flaxseed oil-enhanced diet on the product quality of farmed brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) fillets

Abstract: The effects of dietary modification with flaxseed oil‐enhanced (Flax) feed on the product quality of brook trout fillets were examined. Trout were fed a commercial feed supplemented with fish oil (CD) or flaxseed oil (Flax) for 165 d before harvesting. Proximate composition and fatty acid profile were determined on fillets. Quality parameters of the raw fillets were examined over the storage period by measuring color (L*, a*, b*), muscle pH, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances test. Evaluations on the cooked fillets included sensory evaluation with triangle tests and a paired preference test. There were no differences in proximate composition between the groups; however, the total omega‐3 fatty acids were greater in Flax fillets (P < 0.05). Diet and day were shown to interact in their effect on whiteness, pH, and lipid oxidation (P < 0.05); however, linear regression did not determine that malondialdehyde concentration was associated with time in either diet type implying that lipid oxidation in the vacuum‐packed fish was controlled at storage temperatures (4°C). Sensory panelists were able to choose the odd sample in a replicated triangle test analyzed using the β‐binomial model, and there was preference for Flax fillets (P < 0.05). Results indicate that a Flax‐enhanced diet would have favorable effects on product quality of farmed brook trout.     

Carcass traits and meat quality of male lambs fed monensin or lasalocid

Male lambs, crossbred Merino × Ille de France, were fed a diet supplemented with 31 mg monensin or 32 mg lasalocid per kg of feed dry matter from an initial body weight of 23·6–23·9 kg to the slaughter weight of approximately 40 kg.

Carcass traits and meat quality were evaluated after slaughter; the values obtained were compared with those of the control group fed the same diet without the ionophore supplement.

There were few significant differences among the individual groups in carcass value, sensoric and technological properties of meat and of its composition. However, the lasalocid-fed group seemed to be somewhat better in muscling and in the composition of meat.     

Microbial and color quality of fillets obtained from steam-pasteurized deheaded and eviscerated whole catfish

The present study reports on the microbiological quality and surface color of skinless catfish fillets obtained from steam-treated catfish. Total aerobic (APC), psychrotrophic (PPC), coliform (CPC) plate counts, and Hunter color analysis of fillets were performed after treatment and during 14 days of storage at 4°C. Results indicated that as steam treatment duration increased (15–120 s), greater reduction of fillet microflora population was achieved. Microbial counts on fillets obtained from steam-treated catfish were lower than controls at all sample times. Steam treatment for 120 s produced fillets with APC, PPC, and CPC that were 1·6, 1·7, and 1·9 log₁₀cfu g⁻¹lower than control fillets after 4 days at 4°C. Hunter color analysis of fillets revealed no color differences (L, a, b, and Whiteness) between steam-treated and control fillets. The reduction of skin microbial loads by steam prior to skinning of catfish resulted in fillets with superior microbiological quality and no Hunter surface color changes.     

Potassium acetate and potassium lactate enhance the microbiological and physical properties of marinated catfish fillets

Sodium or potassium salts such as lactate and acetate can be used to inhibit the growth of spoilage bacteria and food-borne pathogens, and thereby prolong the shelf-life of refrigerated seafood. However, minimal information is available regarding the combined effects of potassium salts (acetate and lactate) with an agglomerated phosphate blend on the quality and safety of refrigerated catfish fillets. The objective of this study was to determine the microbiological and quality characteristics of marinated catfish fillets treated with organic acid salts. Catfish fillets were vacuum-tumbled with a brine solution with and without the added organic acid salts, at 10% over initial, raw weight prior to tray-packing and storage at 4 °C for 14 d. Fillets were evaluated for yields, color, pH, tenderness, consumer acceptability, and shelf-life. No differences (P > 0.05) existed among the treated and untreated fillets with regards to solution pick-up and pH, but all treated fillets increased (P < 0.05) cooking yields and Intl. Commission on Illumination (CIE) a* values, and decreased (P < 0.05) CIE L* and b* values in the catfish fillets when compared to the untreated fillets. The fillets treated with a combination of potassium acetate and potassium lactate had lower (P < 0.05) psychrotrophic plate counts and lower spoilage scores than the control treatments on days 7, 10, and 14. In addition, consumers preferred (P < 0.05) treated catfish fillets (fried) with respect to appearance, flavor, and overall acceptability over the negative control. In conclusion, the combination of potassium acetate and potassium lactate enhanced sensory quality and extended the shelf-life of refrigerated catfish fillets.     

Effect of Soybean Meal-based Diets on the Product Quality of Rainbow Trout Fillets

ABSTRACT:  This study investigated the long-term effects of soybean meal (SBM)-based diets on rainbow trout quality. Two levels of SBM inclusion diets, 20% and 40%, were employed and compared with a fish meal control diet. Rainbow trout were fed one of the three diets for 6 mo, then harvested and filleted. Proximate composition, color, lipid oxidation and sensory quality of the fillets were evaluated. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and headspace propanal in ground fillets stored at 4 °C were measured over a 9-d period. Tristimulus color was measured on day 2 and day 13 of refrigerated storage. Sensory evaluation included discriminatory (difference) and affective (acceptance) testing. TBARS and propanal in the trout fed the highest (40%) SBM level were significantly lower than in the control and trout fed the 20% SBM diet. Significant differences in color were also recorded during refrigerated storage. Sensory difference testing revealed a significant difference between the trout fed the 40% SBM and the control. No significant differences were observed in the acceptability ratings of trout fillets from the three different dietary treatments.     

Carcass Characteristics of Channel and Hybrid Catfish, and Quality Changes during Refrigerated Storage

Channel (Ictalurus punctatus) and hybrid (channel, I. punctutus, female × blue, I. fircatus, male) catfish were harvested from the same pond. Fillets were overwrapped or vacuum-skin packaged and stored 13 days at 4°C. Carcass characteristics, chemical, microbiological and sensory qualities were compared. No significant differences in body weight and proximate composition between the two genotypes were found. However, the visceral fat of the hybrids was significantly higher than that of channel catfish. Vacuum-skin packaged fillets had significantly lower free fatty acid levels and psychrotrophic populations than did overwrapped fillets on the 13th day of refrigerated storage.     

Sensory evaluation of Atlantic salmon fed three types of herring-based diet

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were fed three different types of commercial and experimental herring-based feeds and, at the end of the feeding trials, sensory panels evaluated the acceptability of the salmon fillets. The feeds were all made from Atlantic herring but using different procedures: silage feeds were made from fermented herring, moist salmon feeds from fresh herring, and dry feeds from herring meal. Silage feeds were compared with either one or two of the other feeds in three feeding trials. Growth rates of animals fed a commercial silage feed and two dry feeds were similar, although growth on the commercial silage feed tended to be better. However, growth on commercial or experimental silage feeds was significantly lower (P < 0·001) than on either commercial or experimental moist feeds. Analysis of covariance indicated that there were no significant tank effects. At the end of the feeding trials, sensory evaluation of fish fillets by triangle test indicated no significant difference (P > 0·05) in fillet flavours or appearance between fish fed silage and fish fed the other diets.     

Retention of Oxytetracycline Residues in Cooked Channel Catfish Fillets

Catfish (mean body weight 0.87 kg) treated with oxytetracycline (OTC) at 150.0 mg/kg body weight for 10 days and slaughtered 18 hr after last feeding had higher OTC residue levels than those receiving OTC at 37.5 or 75.0 mg/kg. Individual differences in feed uptake and metabolism of OTC among catfish might contribute to variability in residue. Baking and smoking at 190°C were more effective in reducing OTC residues than frying. The reduction appeared to be related to the final temperature reached and duration of cooking. Results confirmed that common cooking procedures may not completely degrade OTC in catfish fillets.     

Fish Oil Dietary Effects on Fatty Acid Composition and Flavor of Channel Catfish

A typical channel catfish diet was supplemented with 0, 1.5, and 3% menhaden oil. Fillets were subjected to lipid, fatty acid, and TBA analyses. After 6 mo storage at ?18°C, fillets were again analyzed for TBA value and flavor panel profile. Fillets from catfish fed diets with 1.5 and 3% supplemental fish oil had elevated levels of n-3 fatty acids (P<0.05). TBA number and off-flavor attributes were not affected by treatments. Menhaden oil supplementation up to 3% enhanced the content of n-3 fatty acids in channel catfish fillets without adversely affecting flavor attributes or storage quality.     

Correlated changes in skeletal muscle connective tissue and flesh texture during starvation and re‐feeding in brown trout (Salmo trutta) reared in seawater

Quantitative and qualitative changes to muscle and collagen were analysed following starvation and re‐feeding of brown trout (Salmo trutta) reared in seawater. Fish were submitted to starvation for 2 months followed by re‐feeding for 1 month and compared with a control group continuously fed. Classical effects of starvation on growth and morphometrics traits were observed with only a partial recovery of these parameters after 1 month of re‐feeding. Muscle composition of starved fish was significantly affected (lower dry matter content and higher post‐mortem pH) compared with control fish and was partially recovered in re‐fed fish compared with continuously fed fish. Muscle structure and composition were affected with thinner muscle fibre and higher connective tissue content for the starved fish but similar thickness of myosepta compared with the control group. No difference was observed after 1 month of re‐feeding. Characteristics of the connective tissue were significantly affected by starvation (more high weight molecular collagen form, higher thermal stability of skin collagen). These differences remained significant after the re‐feeding period. Starved fish showed also higher mechanical resistance of the raw flesh compared with the control group, but no difference in rheological measurements was observed after 1 month of re‐feeding. The changes in texture and their relationships with muscle composition, muscle structure and collagen characteristics are discussed. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

The effects of fish oil-enriched diets on growth,feed conversion and fatty acid content of red hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis sp.

Juvenile, red hybrid tilapia were fed diets containing cod liver oil (0%, 4%, 8%, 12% of total diet) substituted against corn oil. After 10 weeks, no significant differences between treatments were seen in weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, whole body or dorsal muscle (fillet) proximate composition. Gas chromatography revealed significant differences in the total n-3 content and fatty acid profiles of dorsal muscle. The total n-3 content of dorsal muscle increased from 7.6% to 18.6%, total n-6 content fell from 37.5% to 12.9% and docosahexanaenoic acid increased from 5.8–16.1% of total fatty acids, in fish fed 0% and 12% fish oil, respectively. The retention of eicosapentaenoic acid was low in all dietary groups, possibly indicating selective use as a substrate for β-oxidation. The results demonstrate the potential to enhance the total n-3 fatty acids and docosahexaenoic acid in tilapia fillets by increasing dietary fish oil.     

Microbial quality of raw aquacultured fish fillets procured from Internet and local retail markets

The microbial quality of raw fillets of aquacultured catfish, salmon, tilapia, and trout was evaluated. A total of 272 fillets from nine local and nine Internet retail markets were tested. Mean values were 5.7 log CFU/g for total aerobic mesophiles, 6.3 log CFU/g for psychrotrophs, and 1.9 log most probable number (MPN) per gram for coliforms. Differences in these microbial levels between the two kinds of markets and among the four types of fish were not significant (P > 0.05), except that Internet trout fillets had about 0.8-log higher aerobic mesophiles than did trout fillets purchased locally. Although Escherichia coli was detected in 1.4, 1.5, and 5.9% of trout, salmon, and tilapia, respectively, no sample had > or = 1.0 log MPN/g. However, E. coli was found in 13.2% of catfish, with an average of 1.7 log MPN/g. About 27% of all fillets had Listeria spp., and a positive correlation between the prevalence of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes was observed. Internet fillets had a higher prevalence of both Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes than did those fillets purchased locally. L. monocytogenes was present in 23.5% of catfish but in only 5.7, 10.3, and 10.6% of trout, tilapia, and salmon, respectively. Salmonella and E. coli O157 were not found in any sample. A follow-up investigation using catfish operation as a model revealed that gut waste exposed during evisceration is a potential source of coliforms and Listeria spp.     

Proximate Composition, Mineral Content, and Fatty Acids of Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus, Rafinesque) for Different Seasons and Cooking Methods

The effect of conventional cooking methods and the influence of season upon proximate composition, mineral, and fatty acid profile was studied in catfish (Ictalurus punctatus, Rafinesque) fillets. Seasonal (August, December, and April purchased fillets) influences were minimal. As expected, fried catfish fillets had significantly altered (P ≤ 0.05) fatty acid profiles compared to the raw and baked fillets. All three cooking treatments resulted in significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in proximate composition and in the levels of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron. The information presented would be useful for nutrient data banks when dietary intake of such items is of interest.     

Assessment of Color and Sensory Evaluation of Frozen Fillets from Pangasius Catfish and Nile Tilapia Imported to European Countries

The current study was designed to assess the color and sensory evaluation of frozen fillets of Pangasius catfish and Nile tilapia imported to Poland, Germany, and Ukraine in order to evaluate the possible impact of negative media image of these fish fillets on the sensory expectations of the consumers. The study used two trials of sensory evaluation: Blind and informed, on a group of untrained respondents and additional color analysis using the Commission Internationale de l’Éclairage (CIE) L*a*b* scale. The lowest grades during sensory evaluation in all measured parameters were given to Pangasius imported to Ukraine and Poland. The grades of Pangasius and tilapia imported to Germany were similar and significantly higher than of other Pangasius groups. Generally tilapia fillets were marked as better than Pangasius fillets. Moreover the present study found that there was considerable percentage of customers which are susceptible to various commercial frauds since they marked Pangasius higher when they thought they are consuming turbot. This study also showed that the negative image of Pangasius presented through various mass-media might have a negative impact on consumer’s perspective of Pangasius consumption.