Studies on technological problems associated with the processing of cooked frozen prawns. Pt. 1. Preprocess storage conditions of raw material in relation to quality

The chemical and organoleptic properties of prawn held in ice for different days prior to cooking and the changes after freezing and subsequent storage were studied with three different species of prawn viz. Metapenaeus monoceros, Metapenaeus dobsoni and Parapeneopsis stylifera. The optimum period for which the prawn can be kept under ideal conditions of icing prior to cooking has been worked out.

Studies on technological problems associated with the processing of cooked frozen prawns. Pt. 2. Hygienic conditions in relation to bacteriological characteristics

The importance of sanitary practices in the processing of precooked frozen shrimps has been discussed. Several typical examples have been shown to point out the different sources of contamination of the product and the extent to which each of the factors by itself or in combination affect the bacterial quality of the final product. A scheme of processing has also been suggested for controlling the microbial quality.

Macrobenthos off Mahim (Bombay), west coast of India in relation to coastal pollution and aquaculture

Deterioration of water quality clearly indicated a moderate to severe coastal pollution around Mahim whereas a relatively healthy marine environment towards offshore was noticed. Foraminifera, polychaetes, crustaceans and pelecypods were the dominant macro faunal groups encountered in the area. The occasional inhabitants like pennatularians, nemertines, sipunculids, ophiuroids and fish larvae were mostly restricted to offshore regions. Biomass and population density of macro fauna were moderate and showed fluctuating trend. Similarity coefficients of foraminifera (0.89) and polychaetes (0.81) were high for offshore unpolluted stations (3 and 4) as compared to near shore coastal stations (1 and 2). Faunal diversity was relatively more in unpolluted zone. The diversity index (H) was more at station 3 for polychaetes (1.39) and at station 4 for foraminifers (0.54). In general, biomass was high during post monsoon excepting station 1 which was invariably under severe pollution stress throughout the study period. Foraminifera were abundant at sandy bottom while polychaetes preferred muddy (clayey silt) bottom. A noticeable ecological modification associated with faunal abundance and diversity were related to deteriorating marine water quality due to anthropogenic waste disposals. The prevailing water quality around Mahim is unsuitable for any kind of culture practices and also for harvesting economically important marine species.

Studies on the seasonal cycle of sea surface temperatures, salinities, oxygen and phytoplankton in Koddiyar Bay, Trincomalee in relation to the shore seine fishery

In Sri Lanka waters, Durairatnam (1963, 1969) had reported on the seasonal variation of plankton at Puttalam lagoon, Dutch Bay, Portugal Bay and in the inshore and off shore waters off Colombo. Similar investigations were carried out at Koddiyar Bay especially in the estuarine waters where the three tributaries of the river Mahaveli empty their waters into the bay. The estuary is perennial. The fishes constituting the estuarine fisheries are mostly shallow water marine species which can tolerate considerable variations of salinities. Prawns and crabs also constitute a very valuable fishery in estuarine waters.

Studies on fecundity of Puntius sarana (Ham.) in relation to total length, total weight and ovary weight

A total of 43 mature female of Puntius sarana (Ham.) ranging from 204 mm to 320 mm in length and 102 to 482 g in weight were used for present studies. The relationship between fecundity with respect to total length (TL), total weight (TW) and ovary weight (OW) was found to be linear. The coefficient of co-relation 'r' of the above relationships was found to be 0.5947, 0.5761 and 0.9837 respectively. All these values are highly significant (P=0.01) indicating a close relationship between these parameters. However, as indicated by value of 'r' (0.9837), the fecundity is more closely related to ovary weight and hence the ovary weight may be a better index of fecundity than the total length or weight.

Scale characteristics in relation to size in cichlid fish, Oreochromis mossambicus

Teleostean scale characteristics like length, width, number of circuli, primary radii, secondary radii and ctenii were studied to delineate its relationship with total length in a euryhaline fish, Oreochromis mossambicus (perciformes: cichlidae). Statistical analysis proved a positive correlation between the scale characteristics and fish size. The characteristics of midlateral scales indicated that these scales appeared first during squamation chronology. Further observations also indicated that differences in salinity could modify the morphometries of scales.

Studies on fecundity of Rita pavimentata (Gunther) in relation to total length, total weight and ovary weight

A total of thirty eight ripe ovaries from the specimens of Rita pavimentata, measuring 230 to 355 mm in total length (TL) and 250 to 750 g in total weight (TW), were selected to study the fecundity. The relationship between fecundity 'and total length (TL), total weight (TW) and ovary weight (OW) was found to be linear. The coefficient of co-relation 'r' of the above relationship was found to be 0.92, 0.94 and 0.96 respectively. All these values are highly significant (P=0.01) indicating a close relationship between compared parameters. However, as indicated by value of 'r' (0.96), the fecundity is more closely related to ovary weight and hence the ovary weight may be a better index of fecundity than the total body length or weight.

Seasonal dynamics of phytoplankton in relation to environmental factors in the Maheshkhali channel, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh

In total 68 phytoplankton species were identified at the mouth of the Maheshkhali channel with the Bay of Bengal, among them 41 belong to Bacillariophyceae, 17 Dinophyceae, 7 Cyanophyceae and 3 to Chlorophyceae. The highest phytoplankton production was observed in November (578.0 x 105 cells/L) and the lowest in June (37.5 x 105 cells/L). Some hydrographic parameters e.g., surface water temperature, salinity and nutrients (N03-N and P04-P) were recorded and their relationship with the occurrence and abundance of phytoplankton population were also studied. Nutrient concentration was higher during the autumn months, when rain water provided the maximum outflow of rivers discharging into the channel. During the nutrient peak period, the total phytoplankton production was maximum. Bacillariophyceae was the dominant group of phytoplankton throughout the study period except in June and September, when Dinophyceae was dominant. Cyanophyceae was abundant in spring months when temperature began to rise.

Benthic diversity of River Gomti in relation to the prevailing environmental conditions in Lucknow

To evaluate the benthic diversity of River Gomti in relation to the prevailing environmental conditions, four stations, viz., Maa Chandrika Devi, Daliganj, Ambedkar Park and Aquaduct, were identified from upstream to downstream along the course of the river in Lucknow. Dissolved oxygen was low on many occasions at all the stations except Maa Chandrika Devi and chemical oxygen demand values were high. There was a gradual increase in mean nitrite and phosphate values from up to downstream. Benthic fauna was dominated by oligochaetes and chironomus larvae. Other groups reported were leeches, nematodes, sponges, crustaceans, pelycypodes, gastropods and fish fry. Population density was exceptionally high at Daliganj (20,135 m sub(-1) ) followed by Ambedkar Park (5,199 m sub(-1)) and Aquaduct (3,287 m sub(-1)), and low at Maa Chandrika Devi (264 m sub(-1)). Oligochaete genera common at all the four stations were Lumbricillus, Limnodrillus, Branchiura, Chaetogaster, Nais and Tubifex. Odonates were reported only from Maa Chandrika Devi while sponges were encountered at Daliganj and Aquaduct. On some occasions, fish fry were also found at Ambedkar Park and Aquaduct. Seasonally, maxima for population density were observed during pre-monsoon and minima during monsoon. The organic pollution indicator benthic species reported were tubificids, chironomids, culicoid larvae, Lamellidens sp., Corbicula sp., Lymnaea sp. and leech. Branchiurans, Tubifex sp. and Chironomus larvae were reported at all the stations. Filthy condition with foul smell throughout the length of the river coupled with poor water quality and appearance of indicator organisms at all the stations indicate that the river is under severe pollution stress due to anthropogenic discharges and it has reached an alarming stage.