Quality problems in fish processing

Various problems associated with the quality of the fishery products like spoilage, discolouration, microbiological problems, etc., are outlined. The reasons and remedial measures are discussed. The importance of proper handling, processing and hygiene is stressed.

Recent advances in fish processing and product development

There are good possibilities for expanding the consumer sector in both the traditional and nontraditional marine products. Frozen shrimp continues to be the item of highest demand in foreign markets. Individual quick frozen (IQF) prawns which are indeed value added products and have already penetrated international markets elicit export incentive from development agencies like the Marine Products Export Development Authority. With the projected potential of 1.8 lakh tonnes of cephalopods against the current yield of 13,000 tonnes, there are good prospects of increasing exports of frozen squid and cuttlefish. The technology of packing fish in retortable pouches as an alternative to canning has now been perfected. Salted fish mince has good market potential in India and abroad.

Some common defects in prawn processing: their sources and remedies

The processing of prawns has assumed very great importance in India because processed prawn products have become one of the most important foreign exchange earners in the country.

The Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Ernakulam

In appreciation of the pressing need for coordinated research in various aspects of fishery technology and for the overall development of fisheries industries in India, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture had decided to set up the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology. The Institute was established in 1957 at Cochin (Ernakulam). The research work at the Institute including its sub-stations and units is carried out in two wings: Craft and Gear Wing and Processing Wing. The third unit, the Extension Information and Statistics Wing, renders a service by functioning as a liaison between the research laboratories and the industry.

Investigation on sanitational aspects (microbiological) of prawn processing factories

Absence of regular cleaning has been found to result in heavy bacterial loads on the surfaces of utensils and other equipment used in prawn processing factories and peeling centers. Instance of high faecal contamination is also sometimes met with. Detailed investigations have shown that a cleaning schedule comprising of treatment of these surface with a detergent followed by application of an effective disinfectant like sodium hypochlorite would prevent such bacterial build up.

The future of shrimp processing industry in India

The future of the shrimp industry in India depends entirely on our export markets. Therefore the future of the industry must be related to the demand for shrimps in foreign markets. The most important market today for India is the United States. In the United States the domestic production of shrimps which was about 112 million pounds in 1950 has increased only slightly to 139.6 million pounds in 1965. However the consumption during the same period increased from 119.5 million pounds to 274.2 million pounds - the gap between home production and consumption is made up by imports.

Recent developments in fish processing and preservation

A review of the literature on fish processing will reveal that most of the important developments have taken place during the last twenty years. Sustained work by teams of scientists in different parts of the world, has not only contributed much to our knowledge of the chemistry and technology of fish but also resulted in revolutionary changes in the methods of preservation and processing of fishery products.

A study on the quality of prawns during processing in prawn-freezing factories

A study on the occurrence of defective pieces of prawns at three different stages of processing of headless shell on and peeled and deveined varieties was undertaken, each in one freezing factory. The average percentages of the defective prawns together with the standard deviation observed over a period of one year at the three stages are mentioned. Correlation is indicated between the occurrence of the defective pieces at the pre-freezing stage and those of earlier stages.