Some aspects of curing of sharks and rays

A simple method for eliminating urea almost completely from elasmobranch muscle consists in desalting the initially salted muscle in 5% brine. The initial salting removes about 58% of the urea, which occurs to the extent of 5.8 to 7.5% D.W.B. in the fresh muscle, and the desalting further reduces the urea content to negligible quantities (0.2%).

Smoke curing of mussels

Substantial quantities of green mussels are available on the Kerala coast particularly from Calicut to north. But these are not properly exploited at present. Simple and economic methods of processing like drying and smoking can go a long way towards market promotion and better returns to the fishermen. This paper reports the method of preparation of smoked mussels which have a great potential for export as well as local marketing.

Time lag between catching and curing of fish and its influence on the finished product. 1. Mackerel

A study is made to determine the maximum permissible time lag both under iced and not iced storage conditions between the catching of mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) and its curing, so that the quality of the finished product is within tolerable limits. Based on physical, chemical, bacteriological and taste panel studies the maximum time lag permissible is fixed as 8hrs under not iced condition and 3 days under iced condition. Icing of fish is also found to affect the tasting qualities of the finished product.

Studies on smoke curing of tropical fishes

Fresh mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta), catfish (Tachisurus dussumeri) and sole (Cynoglossus dubis) were gutted, cleaned, washed, brined, and smoked. Though it contributes to the quality of the smoked products, salt does not appear to prevent bacterial growth or spoilage at low concentration. In heavily salted products, salt is found to have a definite preservative action. Smoking lasted roughly 5 hrs for mackerel and 4 hrs for sole. Increasing the smoking time gave the product an unpleasant taste. Fish were then sun-dried to 20% moisture. The fish had been prepared in three groups, (1) turmeric-treated, (2) propionate-treated and control. Turmeric treated samples had a very attractive appearance, especially sole. The course of spoilage, as measured by following changes in total volatile nitrogen content, is tabulated. All controls were spoiled within 3 months; the others remained in good condition for 6 months. Turmeric is considered to be an ideal preservative.

Studies on Colombo-curing of mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta)

Results of investigations carried out to improve the process of 'Colombo-curing' of mackerel are presented in this paper. Optimum composition of salt and gorujka puli (malabar tamarind, Garcinia cambogea) to be used in the pickle mixture to give a product of good organoleptic and chemical characteristics have been worked out. Sodium benzoate is used as a preservative against the attack of molds, 'red' etc.

Pickle curing of fish using tartaric acid and garlic as preservatives

Tartaric acid and garlic have proved highly satisfactory as pickling agents when used in combination, giving fishery products of good appearance, texture, taste and shelf life. Full details of the pickling method are given.

Smoke curing of catfish (Tachysurus dussumieri)

The results deals with studies undertaken on the preparation of smoked catfish (Tachysurus dussumieri). The proximate composition of raw and smoked fillets are given.

The 66 k-Da protein identified as a light meromyosin is involved in the setting of surimi

The 66 kilo-Dalton (k-Da) protein split off from the cross linked myosin heavy chain (CMHC) formed due to the setting of Alaska pollack surimi, frozen-storage of Pacific cod flesh, and vinegar-curing of Pacific mackerel mince was identified as a light meromyosin (LMM). Puncture and stress-relaxation tests showed that the actomyosin subunits (AMS) of Alaska pollack surimi, upon setting at 30°C, transformed into gel, although the elasticity of this gel was very low when compared to the gels from surimi or actomyosin (AM). Electrophoretic studies showed that the band due to LMM in the gel from AMS gradually disappeared with the progress of setting but higher molecular weight polymer did not form. The intensity of the bands due to other myosin sub-fragments decreased a little. The findings suggest that at setting temperature, LMM of MHC molecule leads to an unfolding resulting in an intramolecular aggregation through non-covalent interactions, and thus plays a significant role in the crosslinking of MHC.

Effects of rapid decompression and exposure to bright light on visual function in black rockfish (Sebastes melanops) and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis)

Demersal fishes hauled up from depth experience rapid decompression. In physoclists, this can cause overexpansion of the swim bladder and resultant injuries to multiple organs (barotrauma), including severe exophthalmia (“pop-eye”). Before release, fishes can also be subjected to asphyxia and exposure to direct sunlight. Little is known, however, about possible sensory deficits resulting from the events accompanying capture. To address this issue, electroretinography was used to measure the changes in retinal light sensitivity, flicker fusion frequency, and spectral sensitivity in black rockfish (Sebastes melanops) subjected to rapid decompression (from 4 atmospheres absolute [ATA] to 1 ATA) and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) exposed to 15 minutes of simulated sunlight. Rapid decompression had no measurable influence on retinal function in black rockfish. In contrast, exposure to bright light significantly reduced retinal light sensitivity of Pacific halibut, predominately by affecting the photopigment which absorbs the green wavelengths of light (≈520–580 nm) most strongly. This detriment is likely to have severe consequences for postrelease foraging success in green-wavelength-dominated coastal waters. The visual system of Pacific halibut has characteristics typical of species adapted to low light environments, and these characteristics may underlie their vulnerability to injury from exposure to bright light.

Studies on smoke curing and preservation of oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps)

A method is reported for smoke curing of oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps) by dry salting in the ratio of 1:6 (salt to fish), followed by smoking in the traditional smoke chamber in two stages, (1) at 45°C for 3h hand (2) at 75°C for 2h with smoke generated from coconut husk, wood shavings and saw dust in 2:2:1 proportion. The product obtained had good odour, flavour, golden yellow colour and a shelf-life of 8 weeks at room temperature (26 to 28°C)

The study of maturational progress in the whitespotted rabbitfish (Siganus sutor) under different photoperiod and light intensity conditions

The rule of light on the timing of maturation and spawning in tropical and subtropical regions is not clear well, because the reproductive cycle in these systems is lunar synchronized. In this study, thus, the effects of different light regimes were investigated on maturational progress of whitespotted rabbitfish, Siganus sutor, the commercial species in Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. During prespawning season, 50 adult fish were randomly divided into ten 300-l tanks (n=5). The fish in control tank received indoor light condition and the fish in each other tanks were exposed to nine different combinations of photoperiod (8L: 16D, 12L: 12D, 16L: 8D) and light intensity (1000, 2000, 3000 lux). After 60 days, GSI and HSI values, serum levels of estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), 17-α hydroxyprogestrone (OHP), calcium (Ca2+) and gonad histology were evaluated for females and males. In females the GSI mean values of exposed fish increased in comparison with control except for fish were kept under 8L, 2000 lux (tank 8). These differences were significant only for fishes in tank 7 (8L, 3000 lux). In the cases of HSI, the results were converse, so that, the most of thanks showed significant decreasing than fishes reared under indoor condition. Morphology and histology study of Ovaries showed three developmental phases including 3, 4 and chiefly 5 that were parallel with GSI values. Fortheremore the serum levels of E2 was recorded between 0.54-15.8 ng/ml in different fish and their mean values were lower than control in all treatmants (P> 0.05). In males, the similar results were obtained. The GSI and HSI mean values in experimental regimes compared with control were upper and lower, respectively, except for fishes were reared in tank 1 (16L, 3000 lux). Testes histology of fishes were reared under different regimes showed signs of stage 5, since no blood vessels observed and thick milt exuded on slight pressure. The mean values of testosterone consentration in fishes were kept in tanks 1 and 6 (12L, 1000 lux) were higher and in other ones were lower than control group. It is also noted that the OHP and Ca2+ had diverse results including increasing and decreasing mean values than control. So, these factors contrary to E2 and T were not suitable to evaluation of maturity in both sexes. On the basis of ovarian structure in stage 5, oocyte development pattern in this species was group synchronous. So, increased mean of GSI versus decreased values of HSI, E2 and perhaps Ca2+ were the signs of improved maturation. But in males, reduced levels of T and similarity of testes morphology in all samples caused that GSI mean value was the only indicator for differentiating among treatments. These findings suggest that alternations were used in light regimes have been the reason of improved maturity in all treatments except fishes reared in tank 8. The ١٠٧ rule of light intensity on induction of maturity was cleared by comparision between fishes in tanks 4, 5, 6 and control group. Because day length was the same whereas fishes in tanks 4, 5 and 6 were exposed to increased light intensity compared with control. This fact verified by results was obtained from fishes in tanks 9 and especially 7, since photoperiod in this group was lower than control. So, higher intensity was considered as the reason of alternations. Contrasting with indoor condition, Induced maturity was also cleared for fishes were kept in tanks 1, 2 and 3, where both of light duration and intensity were increased. But, the rule of photoperiod was individually demonstrated when obtained results were compared with similar light intensities in other treatments. In conclusion, with comparison among different light regimes it is declared that siganids were kept under light condition of tank 2 including 16h light duration combined with 2000 lux intensity showed the best signs of sexual maturation in both sexes. On the basis of this study, setting up the spring light condition during prespawning season induces maturation in withspotted rabbitfish. This improvement not only by influence of photoperiod or light intensity, separately, but obtained through interaction between them. Thus, determination of threshold and resistance to light be recommended before exposure, although using proper regime during suitable time are necessary to achieve purposes considerably.