Technological aspects of preservation and processing of edible shell fishes III. Factors influencing the keeping quality of crab (Scylla serrata) during freezing and frozen storage

The possible factors leading to the loss of flavour and general quality of crab during freezing and frozen storage have been studied. The preprocess ice storage condition of the raw material was found to be one such important factor while the fresh frozen crab meat remained in good organoleptic condition for about 51 weeks at -23°C, the 7 days iced material held frozen was found to have a shelf life of about 21 weeks. The fall in myofibrillar protein noted during frozen storage together with the loss of myosin ATPase activity correlated well with the loss of organoleptic qualities.

Eradication of predatory fishes in fish ponds and nursery ponds using electricity

Prior to stocking economic species in tanks and nursery ponds, all the unwanted and predatory fishes in them will have to be removed. Even though most of them can be caught with ordinary gear such as cast net, drag net, scoop net etc. Total or absolute eradication is not possible and those left over are sufficient to destroy all the fingerlings introduced. Development of an electrical method for killing predatory fishes at reasonable cost is therefore, expected to provide a solution. This paper deals with a few methods, based on the use of electricity and which are suitable for different ponds.

Technological aspects of preservation and processing of edible shell fishes IV. Comparative efficiency of different glazes in the preservation of frozen crab meat

The present work was undertaken to enlighten upon the comparative efficiency of different glazes in improving the quality of frozen crab meat (Scylla Serrata).

Technological aspects of preservation and processing of edible shell fishes V. Cold storage changes in mussels (Mytilus edulis) and clams (Villortia [i.e. Villorita] sp.)

The changes in chemical, bacteriological and organoleptic qualities of mussels and clams during freezing and subsequent frozen storage have been studied in relation to the holding time in ice prior to freezing and the shelf-life of the product is determined.

On the resources of demersal fishes for bottom trawling in inshore waters off Kakinada by small mechanised boats

An attempt is made to assess the available resources of demersal fishes for bottom trawling off Kakinada, in inshore waters. From the experimental fishing operation during 1964-66, the average catch per hour was 52.79 kg for 9.13 m (30') OAL mechanised boat. The catch composition was dominated by prawns and sciaenids forming 45% of the total catch. The average catch per trawling hour was more during the quarter April - June. An assessment on productive depth range has indicated that catch rate is increasing with increase in the depth of fishing.

Fatty acid composition of three species of freshwater fishes

Fatty acid composition of freshwater fish tilapia, (Tilapia mosambica), barbus (Barbus carnaticus) and Varal (Ophicephalus) is determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Varal contained the highest amount of C sub(20:5) acid compared to other 2 spp. Of the odd-numbered fatty acids C sub(17) was the predominant fatty acid present. Palmitic acid was found to have a lower level in these fish compared to marine fish. Barbus recorded unusually high percentage of 23.3% of C sub(18:2) acid.

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.

The free alpha amino acid nitrogen contents of some common food fishes of Kakinada region, Andhra Pradesh

The moisture and free alpha amino nitrogen contents of some important food fishes and shell fishes of Kakinada region have been studied. Crustaceans and molluscs contain free alpha amino acids in quantities several times higher than all other aquatic animals examined in this study. Their probable role in the physiological activities of these animals has been discussed.

Reaction of fishes to the underwater A.C. field

A comparative study on the effect of A.C. field on Puntius ticto, Heteropneustis fossilis and Tilapta mossambica was carried out using a slowly rising field intensity. Well defined reactions appeared in the species of fish with slight specific variations, depending on their orientation in the electrical field, on reaching the field intensity to specific value. These reactions can be distinguished as first reaction, when the fish perceive the surrounding field, jerky swimming when parallel to the current lines (longitudinal oscillotaxis), the static position finally adopted by the fish sooner or latter depending on the potential gradient (transverse oscillotaxis), and a state of muscular rigidity (tetanus). After switching off the current, a hypnotic condition prevailed in the treated fishes before returning to their normal swimming condition. The orientation of fish body in the field had an important bearing on the behaviour reactions and current thresholds necessary for those reactions. Initial reaction, jerky swimming between electrodes and hypnosis after stoppage of current appeared in fishes earlier when the fish body was in parallel to the current lines, whereas fishes responded to transverse oscillotaxis quickly when perpendicular to current lines.

Response of fishes to the underwater D.C. field

Response to external electric field (D. C.) of three different varieties of fish namely Puntius ticto, Heteropneustis fossilis and Tilapia mossambica having different anatomical and behavioural characteristics were studied. Clearly distinguished reactions occurred one after another m all the varieties of fish with the increase in field intensity with minor specific variations. These reactions can be broadly classified into initial start (first reaction), forced swimming (galvanotaxis), slackening of body muscle (galvanonarcosis) and state of muscular rigidity (tetanus). The orientation of the organism (projection of nervous element) to the surrounding field has been found to have important bearing on the behaviour reactions. Clearly differentiated anodic taxis and true narcosis set in when fish body axis was parallel to the lines of current conduction. But with greater angle between the body axis and the current lines, fish did not show well marked reactions. Fish body, when perpendicular to current lines responded for anodic curvature and off balance swimming followed by tetanus.

Freezing characteristics of tropical fishes III. Spotted seer (Scomberomorus guttatus)

Skin-on fillets of spotted seer were frozen individually with different pre-freezing ice storage periods, and stored at -23°C and -l0°C. The frozen storage shelf life was evaluated, with respect to holding time in ice prior to freezing, by examining the extent of oxidative rancidity, protein denaturation, organoleptic changes etc. Fillets with pre-freezing ice storage periods of 0, 3, 5 and 7 days had frozen storage shelf-life of 32, 24, 20 and 16 weeks respectively at -23°C. The fillets stored in ice for more than 7 days are unsuitable for further processing. Storage temperature greatly affected keeping quality of frozen fillets. Freshly frozen fillets stored at -10°C became unpalatable at 16-20 weeks as compared to 28-32 weeks for the fillets stored at -23°C.

Productivity and seasonal abundance of commercially important fishes of Gobindsagar Reservoir

Fishing experiments with gill nets were carried out at different centres of Gobindsagar reservoir through the years 1964-70. The seasonal abundance of main species of fishes and their zone of distribution were studied. Labeo diplostoma, Labeo bata, Barbus tor and Mystus seenghala are the main fish species of the reservoir. The abundance of the above species were observed to be the highest towards the Lunkhar arm of the reservoir.

Nucleotide degradation and production of hypoxanthine in some Indian marine and freshwater fishes

Changes in nucleotides and production of hypoxanthine in rohu (Labeo rohita), mrigal (Cihhrina mrigala) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) during storage at 2-4°C were examined. Differences were observed between common carp and others. Production of hypoxanthine in pomfret (Stromateus argenteus), cat fish (Arius macronotacanthus), shark (Scoliodon spp.), seer fish (Scomberomorus guttatus), ray fish (Dasyatis imbricata) and prawns (Parapenaeopsis stylifera) was examined during storage at 2-4°C and -28°C. At 2-4°C hypoxanthine increased regularly but at -28°C there was no increase during storage over 28 weeks.

Microbiological evaluation and keeping quality of fishes reared in livestock sewage fed ponds without artificial feed

Livestock sewage has been utilized for fish culture. There is lack of information on microbiological evaluation and keeping quality of these fishes. This paper reveals the incidence, types of micro-organisms and keeping quality of fishes reared in livestock sewage fed ponds without artificial feed. These fishes revealed microbial incidence and keeping quality comparable to other fishes. Initial mesophilic and psychrophilic counts varied from 3.38 to 5.56 and 2.47 to 4.74. On an average, the counts reduced by about 40% after evisceration and washing. Whole as well as washed fishes had refrigerated (8 ± 1°C) life of not more than 4 days. The average psychrophilic and mesophilic counts of ice (0 to 1°C) stored whole fishes up to 10th day varied from 3.66 to 4.81, 4.61 to 5.24 and in eviscerated and washed fishes 2.17 to 3.69 and 2.78 to 4.41. Both remained acceptable till the 10th day. Qualitative study of surface slime and gills revealed presence of Aerobacter (Enterobacter), Aeromonas, Alcaligenes, Bacillus, Clostridia, E. coli, Klebsiella, Micrococci, Proteus and Pseudomonas.

On the vertical distribution of seers and other commercially important fishes in the surface drift nets

This note highlights the author's attempts to determine the vertical height for catching seers (Scomberomorus sp.) and other commercially important fish off Kakinada coast.