Evaluation of textural properties of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque) fillet with the natural contour method

A value-added channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque) product was being developed to explore more profit for this industry. Textural properties played an important role in the quality control and acceptability of both raw and processed products. Due to insufficient study on this topic a reliable method was needed for textural properties evaluations of catfish and other small-scale fish. Textural properties of raw and smoked channel catfish (I. punctatus) fillets were measured by the “finger” and “tooth” methods with a Texture Analyzer. A novel sampling technique was used to sample thickness contours on the fillets. Indentation force (g) of the “finger” method and shear force (g) of the “tooth” method were measured at different contour levels of four myomere cone bands on the fillets.Shear force and indentation force of the fresh catfish fillets increased with the increasing thickness as measured by the “tooth” and “finger” methods. Both methods could be used to measure the textural properties of catfish fillet. The “finger” method was recommended because of its non-destructive nature and applicability to both raw and smoked catfish samples. The novel sampling technique used in this study was rapid and applicable to irregular fillet shapes including catfish and other fish species. Smoked catfish had decreased indentation force with increased thickness. The dehydration effects and denaturization of fish muscle during the smoking process were main reasons for that.     

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.     

The Effects of Irradiation, High Hydrostatic Pressure, and Temperature during Pressurization on the Characteristics of Cooked-reheated Salmon and Catfish Fillets

ABSTRACT: Fully‐cooked salmon and catfish fillets were treated by ionizing radiation (0, 3, or 6 kGy), high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) (0, 414, or 690 MPa), 2 different temperatures during pressurization (ambient‐HHP approximately equal to 21 °C, or heated‐HHP = 70 °C), and combinations of the treatments. Kramer shear values increased for salmon and catfish fillets treated by HHP, heated‐HHP, and a combination treatment. Tenderness and juiciness scores of salmon and catfish fillets were lower with HHP, heated‐HHP, and a combination treatment. Irradiation decreased CIE a* values of salmon, and CIE b* values of salmon and catfish. Irradiation increased tenderness and juiciness scores of salmon and increased flavor intensity of catfish.     

Phosphate Type Affects the Quality of Injected Catfish Fillets

ABSTRACT:  Catfish fillets were injected to 115% over green weight prior to tray-packing and storage at 4 °C for 1, 4, 8, and 11 d. Fillets were evaluated for yields, surface color, pH, cooking loss, tenderness, purge loss, and shelf-life. All phosphate treatments increased ( P  < 0.05) fillet tenderness, but the agglomerated blend of sodium phosphates (AGSP) increased ( P  < 0.05) pH and yields, and decreased ( P  < 0.05) CIE  L * and CIE  b * values. Psychrotrophic plate counts (PPC) of fillets treated with the agglomerated blend of polyphosphates (AGPP) were lower ( P  < 0.05) than the control at each storage time, but PPC of all samples reached 7 log CFU/g by day 8 of storage. All agglomerated phosphates and STP (sodium tripolyphosphate) improved yields and quality when compared to the nonmarinated control. However, AGSP was the most effective phosphate at increasing pick-up and yields and decreasing cooking loss due to the pH effect that causes more water to be trapped within the food system. Major quality differences may not have occurred between STP and agglomerated phosphates (other than AGSP) since injection relies solely on pH and ionic strength for marinade pickup, whereas tumbling also relies on mechanical action, which relies more on the presence of various phosphate chain lengths and solubility to impact yields. All phosphate treatments improved the quality of tray-packed, refrigerated catfish fillets that were enhanced through multineedle injection. However, AGSP also increased fillet pH, optimized yields, and improved color.
Practical Application: Use of an agglomerated phosphate blend with a high pH (AGSP) maximized the yield of catfish fillets that were marinated through multineedle injection. In addition, STP and agglomerated phosphate blends increased the yield and tenderness of catfish fillets when compared to the nonmarinated control.     

Oxidative Stability and Textural Quality of Restructured Beef Roasts as Affected by End-point Cooking Temperatures, Storage and the Incorporation of Surimi

Restructured beef roasts containing either 0 or 3.5% surimi were cooked to end-point internal temperatures of 50, 60, and 70°C to assess treatment effects on textural and oxidative quality after 2 and 5 days of refrigerated (4°C) storage. Surimi did not improve binding, cook yield or sensory tenderness and juiciness. The sensory panel was able to distinguish a slightly more pronounced fishy flavor when surimi was added. End-point internal temperature had no effect on tensile strength, however, tenderness increased and juiciness decreased with increased endpoint temperatures. Higher end-point internal temperature enhanced lipid oxidation, which proceeded more rapidly during refrigerated (4°C) storage. Nonheme iron increased with increasing end-point temperature. During storage, phospholipid content decreased while total lipid remained constant.     

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.     

Changes in Tenderness, Color, and Water Holding Capacity of Broiler Breast Meat during Postdeboning Aging

ABSTRACT:  The impact of postharvest aging on the tenderness, color, water holding capacity, and appearance of broiler breast fillets after deboning was investigated. A total of 360 broilers were processed and deboned at either 1.5-, 3-, or 6-h postmortem (PM) and aged at 4 ± 1 °C for up to 6 d. Tenderness was predicted by the Meullenet–Owens razor shear. Drip loss, cook loss, color, and muscle-shape profiles were also evaluated during the 6-d aging duration. Deboned fillets were in the tenderness range corresponding to "neither tough nor tender" for the first 2 d of aging and changed into "slightly tender" after 3 d of aging according to the instrument-tenderness perception equivalent scale. Tenderization due to postdeboning aging seemed to be more pronounced for fillets deboned in a prerigor state (that is, 1.5- and 3-h PM). Over the aging period, tenderness improved by 6.9 and 7.4 percentage points for the 1.5- and 3-h PM treatments, respectively, while those fillets deboned in a postrigor state (6-h PM) exhibited no significant difference in tenderness. Drip and cook loss of fillets consistently increased over the aging period. The color of fillets tended to become less red and more yellow during aging although there was no significant difference in  L *. Overall, the tenderizing effects of deboned broiler breast fillets during the storage of 6 d were minimal but seemed to be affected by fillet height and length as determined through analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and K-means clustering analysis. Thicker and tougher fillets were more susceptible to the tenderizing effects during postdeboning aging.     

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.     

The function of endogenous cathepsin in quality deterioration of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) fillets stored in chilling conditions

Changes of textural properties and cathepsin activity of grass carp fillets during storage in superchilling (?1.5 ± 0.2 °C) and ice (0.2 ± 0.1 °C) was investigated, and the function of cathepsin in quality deterioration of grass carp fillets was discussed. Results showed that shear force of superchilled and ice‐stored fillets decreased by 50% and 55% after 6 days of storage, respectively. The cathepsin activies in different fractions changed significantly during storage at both conditions. Cathepsin B, B+L activities in sarcoplasma, myofibrillar and heavy mitochondrial fraction significantly increased during the early 3 days postmortem, accompanied by remarkable reduction of corresponding activity in lysosome. Cathepsin D activity in sarcoplasma and myofibrillar significantly increased during 6 days of storage with corresponding decrease in lysosome and heavy mitochondria. Correlation analysis showed that changes of shear force of grass carp fillets were significantly correlated with integration of cathepsin B, D and B+L throughout storage time (r² > 0.94). As derived from the first‐order exponential decay model, the enzyme efficiencies (k_a) of cathepsin B and B+L were more than twofold higher than those of cathepsin D, suggesting the major role of cathepsin B and B+L in textural deterioration of grass carp fillets in chilling storage.     

COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF NONMEAT ADJUNCTS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LOW-FAT BEEF BURGERS

Seventeen commercially available functional ingredients were assessed in low-fat beef burger formulations. There were differences (P<0.05) in cook yields between the different low-fat meats. The burger containing alginate/calcium lactate had the highest cook yield at 71.30% with good textural qualities, but scored low in overall flavor. Most adjuncts tested increased the WHC by comparison with the full-fat (23% fat) control, which had the lowest WHC (26.15%). Sensory analysis showed that there was a trend for higher fat beef burgers to have increased tenderness, however, no significant differences were found between the low- and full-fat controls. Beef burgers containing pectin, micro-crystalline cellulose, oat fiber and carrageenan scored high in flavor and overall quality. In contrast the burger formulated with blood protein had poor overall quality and flavor attributes. Burgers containing tapioca starch, modified food starch derived from waxy maize, and oat fiber significantly reduced Instron shear values.     

Chemical and biochemical changes of hybrid catfish fillet stored at 4 °C and its gel properties

Chemical and biochemical changes of aquacultured hybrid catfish fillet (Clarias macrocephalus × Clarias gariepinus) and its gel-forming ability as affected by age and sex of fish along with storage time were investigated. Fillets were stored at 4 °C for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days. There was no significant effect of sex and age of fish as well as storage time on fat, moisture and ash contents (P > 0.05). The total protein, water soluble protein, and salt soluble protein contents of the fillets significantly decreased with storage time (P < 0.05). On the other hand, pH, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) and autolytic degradation products (ADP) increased as storage time continued (P < 0.05). Decreases in Ca²⁺-ATPase activity and gel properties were observed as storage time increased. However, there was no significant effect of either sex or age of fish on textural properties of gel (P > 0.05). Hybrid catfish fillet stored at 4 °C should be processed within 6 days.     

Chitosan and Protein Coatings Affect Yield, Moisture Loss, and Lipid Oxidation of Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) Fillets During Frozen Storage

The effects of chitosan (CH1 = 1% and CH2 = 2% solution), egg albumin (EA), soy protein concentrate (SPC), pink salmon protein powder (PSP), and arrowtooth flounder protein powder (AFP) as edible coatings on quality of skinless pink salmon fillets were evaluated during 3 mo frozen storage. Coating with 2% chitosan (CH2) resulted in significantly higher yield than coating with PSP and AFP. The thaw yield of salmon fillets coated with CH2 was higher than those of the control and fillets coated with AFP. The noncoated, CH1‐, and CH2‐coated fillets had similar drip loss (0.4% to 1.2%), which was lower than those observed for PSP‐ and AFP‐coated fillets. All fillet samples had similar cook yield (84.2% to 88.8%). The fillet coated with CH1, CH2, SPC, and EA had significantly higher (P < 0.05) moisture content after thawing than the control noncoated fillets. Coating with CH1 and CH2 was effective in reducing about 50% relative moisture loss compared with the control noncoated fillets. Chitosan (CH1 and CH2) and SPC delayed lipid oxidation. There were no significant (P > 0.05) effects of coating on a*, b*, and whiteness values for cooked fillets after 3 mo frozen storage.     

Consumer assessment of beef palatability from four beef muscles from USDA Choice and Select graded carcasses

Consumer sensory analysis was conducted to determine differences in beef palatability between two quality grade categories [Upper 2/3 (Top) Choice and Select] and four muscles [longissimus lumborum (LL), gluteus medius (GM), serratus ventralis (SV), and semimembranosus (SM)]. Generally, tenderness, flavor, and overall liking scores were more desirable for Top Choice compared to Select, regardless of muscle. Consumers rated LL as more tender (P < 0.05) than SV and SM, but similar to GM (P = 0.52). Overall and flavor acceptability were similar (P > 0.05) between LL, GM, and SV, regardless of quality grade. Consumer overall liking was most highly correlated with flavor liking (r = 0.85). When tenderness was acceptable, flavor and juiciness played a major role in determining overall acceptability. Overall liking of GM and SV from Top Choice carcasses was superior to LL from Select carcasses and comparable to LL from Top Choice carcasses.     

CONSUMER EVALUATION OF THE PALATABILITY OF USDA SELECT,USDA CHOICE AND CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF STRIP LOIN STEAKS FROM RETAIL MARKETS IN LUBBOCK,TEXAS, U.S.A.

ABSTRACT

Select, Choice and Certified Angus Beef (CAB) strip loin steaks were sold in Lubbock, TX to determine consumer acceptability. A home survey was attached to each package of steaks (return = 191 steak evaluations). Consumers did not detect differences in tenderness or flavor, but rated CAB steaks juicier (P < 0.05) than Select or Choice. However, 68% of CAB consumers rated steaks as extremely or very tender, but less than half rated Choice and Select steaks the same way. Consumer tenderness and flavor scores for Select steaks were more variable, but consumer satisfaction and tenderness acceptability did not differ (P > 0.05) between grades. Trained sensory panelists rated CAB steaks higher (P < 0.05) than Choice or Select for all palatability traits except flavor intensity. Shear force decreased (P < 0.05) by quality grade as CAB steaks sheared with the least resistance. These results showed marbling influenced objective palatability measures and decreased the variation in both objective and consumer measures of palatability.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Quality grades were established to predict beef palatability, but marbling can be an unreliable predictor of tenderness. Branded beef programs, such as Certified Angus Beef (CAB), have been developed to distinguish higher palatability products and provide more consistent products for consumers. Consumers can distinguish between levels beef tenderness and are willing to pay a premium for tender beef. Moreover, consumers find product consistency is moderately important when purchasing fresh beef. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine consumer acceptability based on in‐home evaluations of strip loin steaks from United States Department of Agriculture Select and Choice grades and CAB purchased from a retail supermarket environment.

     

Rancidity in Selected Sites of Frozen Catfish Fillets

Gas chromatographic volatiles and TBA values for three external fillet sites (lateral line, visceral-side and skin-side) and the fillet interior were compared with sensory evaluations of baked fillets to determine rancidity development. A sampling technique was developed that allowed procurement of the various fillet site tissues from whole fillets after storage at -20°C for up to 6 mo. The lateral line had the most rancidity while internal tissues had the least. Instrumental examination of the lateral line proved effective for predicting sensory detection of rancidity. Correlation coefficients for lateral line total volatiles and TBA values with flavor were 0.98 and 0.95, respectively.     

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.     

Effects of Oregano Oil Brine Enhancement on Quality Attributes of Beef Longissimus dorsi and Semimembranosus Muscles from Various Age Animals

ABSTRACT: The study reports whether or not oregano oil can reduce lipid oxidation and evaluate palatability variations in beef longissimus dorsi and semimembranosus muscles from various age animals (approximately 18 mo; 18 M, 30 to 60 mo; 30 M, and >60 mo; 60 M). Six muscles of each age group were halved and enhanced with a control brine containing no antioxidants (CN) or a brine containing oregano oil (OR), cut into steaks, and stored in modified atmosphere packaging for 0, 4, 7, and 11 d. Each sampling day, surface color (Minolta L*, a*, b*), lipid oxidation (TBARS), cook yield, sensory analysis, and Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF) were measured. OR enhancement decreased TBARS values and slowed the rate of decline in a* values (P < 0.05), but had no effect on WBSF, or sensory tenderness and juiciness scores (P > 0.05) compared to CN steaks. OR steaks had less rancidity detection, more off-flavor, lower overall acceptability in sensory analysis (P < 0.05). This indicated oregano oil can effectively reduce lipid oxidation and extend shelf-life of meat products, but further investigation would be needed to avoid off-flavor and acceptability of product quality. Practical Application: Decreases in meat consumption have led the meat industry to become more innovative in product development. Reducing lipid oxidation is a viable method to reduce rancidity, and improving product acceptability. Our research indicated that although oregano oil did reduce lipid oxidation, the adverse effects of flavor were too great, and thus would not be tolerable in fresh meat products at this concentration. However, there is potential to use oregano oil at lower concentrations and in a variety of processed products which could be beneficial to further the use of natural antioxidants.     

Lipid stability during the frozen storage of fillets from silver catfish exposed in vivo to the essential oil of Lippia alba (Mill.) NE Brown

BACKGROUND: Lippia alba is effective in sedating and reducing stress to fish during transportation. Because some in vitro studies have demonstrated the antioxidant activity of L. alba, we hypothesized that its use in vivo could result in antioxidant effects post mortem. Therefore, in this study we evaluated whether the essential oil of L. alba (EO) used as sedative for fish transport would increase the lipid stability of fillets from silver catfish during frozen storage. RESULTS: The exposure to the EO in vivo did not affect conjugated diene values. However, EO (30 and 40 µL L^?1) delayed the peak formation of peroxides (from the third to the sixth month of storage) and thiobarbituric reactive substances (from the ninth to the twelfth month of storage) when compared to control fillets. After exposure to 40 µL L^?1 EO the free fatty acid content was higher than for control at the start of fillet storage, with no differences among groups thereafter. CONCLUSION: The essential oil of L. alba used as sedative in the water to transport silver catfish can delay lipid oxidation of fillets during frozen storage. Thus L. alba may be a promising source of natural active compounds for use in aquaculture and the food industry. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluation of a Modified pH‐Shift Process to Reduce 2‐Methylisoborneol and Geosmin in Spiked Catfish and Produce a Consumer Acceptable Fried Catfish Nugget‐Like Product

Abstract: Muddy and/or musty off‐flavors in farmed‐raised catfish occur as a result of the absorption of geosmin (GEO) and 2‐methylisoborneol (MIB), compounds produced by algae. Previous research suggests the acid pH‐shift method may be able to reduce off‐flavors to produce a consumer acceptable product. The objective of this research was to evaluate application of the acid pH‐shift method using a shaker sieve for protein recovery and to evaluate consumer acceptability of a resultant batter‐coated fried nugget‐like catfish product. Farm‐raised catfish were either allowed to depurate (control) or treated with 1 ppb GEO or MIB. Fillets from each replicate were collected and ground and treated by the acid pH‐shift process. Samples from all treatments and replicates were evaluated for residual GEO and MIB. In addition, batter‐coated fried catfish samples were prepared for a consumer sensory evaluation. Results demonstrated that the pH‐shift process decreased moisture, ash, and collagen content of catfish fillet tissue (P < 0.05). Flavor of control samples was preferred (P < 0.05). Texture of catfish samples treated by the pH‐shift process was preferred (P < 0.05). Results demonstrate the pH‐shift process can be utilized to reduce off‐flavors and increase the acceptability of a processed catfish product. Practical Application: Use of a sieve as an economic alternative for the pH‐shift process was evaluated for removing off‐flavors from catfish. Difficulties were encountered with regard to protein recovery using the sieve and suggestions are made to, perhaps, make the process more applicable for a sieve‐based recovery step. The process as described reduced off‐flavors, but only 2‐fold suggesting the process would work best on catfish near or just over off‐flavor thresholds. Results also indicated the pH‐shift process could be used to improve texture of a fried catfish product designed to be similar to chicken nuggets.