Denaturation of Labeo rohita (rohu) actomyosin on frozen storage: preventive effect of dicarboxylic acids

The preventive effect of fumarate, maleate, tartrate and oxalate on the denaturation of frozen rohu actomyosin at -20°C in 0.7 M KCl for 7 weeks was examined using an in vitro test model. The rate of denaturation was followed by estimating percentage salt extractability, Ca²+ ATP-ase activity and the clearing response test. Fumarate, maleate and tartrate showed cryoprotective effect for higher concentration of pre-rigor rohu actomyosin of 10 mg/ml and 20 mg/ml. At actomyosin concentration of 6 mg/ml, maleate and tartrate showed some preventive effect whereas fumarate enhanced denaturation. Oxalate showed poor cryoprotective action. Post-rigor rohu actomyosin was preserved frozen without denaturation to a greater extent than pre-rigor actomyosin.

Discriminant analysis of selected variables in the adoption of fish curing

Discriminant functions were worked out for adoption or non-adoption of five improved practices in fish curing. Four variables measured quantitatively formed the basis for discrimination. In four out of five equations, the selected variables were found to discriminate significantly between the adopters and non-adopters.

Antioxidant effect of betel leaf extract on dry-cured fish

The effect of betel leaf (Piper betle Linn.) extract on control of autoxidation of fat in dry fish has been studied. Oil sardine has been selected for experiments since it contains very high amount of fat. The treatments were given with 5% (w/v) betel leaf extract in water at different stages of salt curing. FFA, PV and TVN values of the samples were determined periodically to assess the keeping quality and autoxidation. The sample, prepared by dipping the fish in the extract immediately after salting and then drying as usual, was found to have better keeping qualities.

Canning of edible oyster meat

Results of experiments carried out on canning edible oyster (Crassostrea madrasensis) meat from farmed as well as wild specimens are discussed. The canning yield of meat was 15% higher from farmed oysters compared to wild specimens. The meat from wild oysters was highly slimy and therefore required an additional pre-treatment of washing in brine containing acetic acid to prevent formation of lumps of meat in the can causing problems for proper heat penetration while processing.

Studies on the effect of colour of webbing on the efficiency of gill nets for hilsa and pomfret off Veraval

Influence of colour of webbing on the catch of gill nets for commercially important hilsa (Hilsa toli and Hilsa ilisha) and pomfret (Pampus argenteus and Parastromateus niger) has been studied in the coastal waters off Veraval. Among the colours tested yellow and white are recommended for hilsa and pomfret gear. Influence of fishing depth, surface water temperature and turbidity on catch are also discussed.

Arylsulfatase activity in marine polychaetes

Marine polychaetes, collected from the Vellar Estuary exhibited arylsulfatase activity. Lumbriconeries sp. Polydora sp. Monojis sp. and Heteromastus sp. were selected for this study. Of these, Heteromastus sp. showed maximum enzymatic activity and it has been chosen for the enzyme kinetic studies such as pH, optimal temperature, period of incubation and the effect of DDT. Enzyme activity showed single peak at pH 6.2 possibly indicating the presence of one type of arylsulfatase. Maximum activity was attained after 12h of incubation at 29°C. DDT has an inhibiting effect on the arylsulfatase activity even at the concentration of 10 p.p.m. and the activity was completely lost at 100 p.p.m.

Studies on frozen storage characteristics of sole fish Cynoglossus macrolepidotus

Fresh sole fish (Cynoglossus macrolepidotus) was quick frozen at -40°C and stored at -18°C. Shelf life was evaluated by following biochemical, bacteriological and organoleptic changes occurring during storage. Rapid decrease was noted in the water extractable nitrogen and salt soluble nitrogen fractions. Samples of frozen sole fish remained in acceptable condition for 20 weeks.

Studies on depuration of live clams (Villorita sp.)

Live clams collected from their natural beds were depurated by starving them in water. Water from their natural environment, potable water from municipal water supply and sodium chloride solution made up to the strength of natural brackish water as well as all these chlorinated at 5 p.p.m. level were used. The acid insoluble ash could be brought down to insignificant level by depuration in natural water for a period of 16-18 h. Bacterial quality of the meat also could be improved by this method. Chlorination of the system at the end of depuration further improves the bacterial quality of the meat.

Preparation and storage of cutlet from low-priced fish

Cutlets have been prepared from the minces of lizard fish (Saurida tumbil), threadfin bream (Nemipterus japonicus), jew fish (Johnius dussumieri) and miscellaneous fish. The storage characteristics of cutlet (both raw and flash fried) at 4°C, -8°C and -20°C were studied. Cutlets prepared from the minced lizard fish showed the highest acceptability. Flash fried cutlets were found to be superior in quality compared to raw cutlets. The raw cutlet had storage life of 6 days, 11 weeks and 19 weeks at 4°C, -8°C and -20°C respectively and flash fried cutlets had a shelf life of 22 weeks at -20°C.

On the problem of nonadditivity in two-way analysis of variance of data for comparing the efficiency of fishing gears

To bring out the relative efficiency of various types of fishing gears, in the analysis of catch data, a combination of Tukey's test, consequent transformation and graphical analysis for outlier elimination has been introduced, which can be advantageously used for applying ANOVA techniques, Application of these procedures to actual sets of data showed that nonadditivity in the data was caused by either the presence of outliers, or the absence of a suitable transformation or both. As a corollary, the concurrent model: X sub(ij) = µ + α sub(i) + β sub(j) + λ α sub(i) β sub(j) + E sub(ij) adequately fits the data.

Isolation of Salmonella roan for the first time in India

The isolation of Salmonella roan for the first time in India is reported.

Changes in the muscle of three Indian major carps during frozen storage

Chunks of Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala and Catla catla wrapped in polythene film were stored at -8 to -10°C in the freezer cabinet of the refrigerator. It was found that L. rohita and C. mrigala were acceptable up to 33 days and C. catch up to 35 days. Total volatile base nitrogen, free fatty acids and degree of sponginess of the samples showed increasing trend during frozen storage.

Observations on the ingression and distribution of larval prawns in the Nethravati-Gurupur estuary, Mangalore

The spatial and temporal distributions of larval prawns of penaeids and non-penaeids in the estuarine waters of Mangalore were studied. Larvae appear to be passively brought in by the incoming flood tides to the estuary, enjoy a wider distribution throughout the estuarine complex with abundance towards the mouth. The distribution of larval prawns was more in Nethravati than in the Gurupur stretch. The influence of temperature, hydrogen-ion-concentration, salinity and dissolved oxygen on the distribution of larvae in the estuaries is discussed. Inference on spawning seasons of commercially important prawns in the neighbouring waters has been arrived at based on their larval abundance.

A new high opening trawl for Veraval waters

The newly developed 25m high opening trawl possesses the properties of a high rising bottom trawl and a semi-pelagic trawl. The new gear is effective for the capture of demersal and semi-pelagic fishes. The net offered more horizontal opening and less resistance with significantly high catch of ribbon fish when compared with bulged belly trawl.

Evaluation of organoleptic qualities of fish grown in ponds treated with different organic manures

Catla, rohu, silver carp and common carp raised employing different organic manures were subjected to organoleptic evaluation, both in raw and cooked form. The combination treatment of poultry manure and silkworm faecal matter had positive effect on colour and glossiness of skin and colour of flesh in the case of common carp. Though no significant difference was observed in the overall quality, odour of flesh and texture of meat of rohu were found to be better in sewage treated and poultry manure treated ponds respectively. From the results, it can be discerned that treated sewage has no adverse effect on the acceptable qualities of the carps studied.