Assessment of post harvest loss of wet fish: a novel approach based on sensory indicator assessment

Abstract

As a very common feature of fish marketing, small-scale fisheries in tropical countries suffers from huge post-harvest loss every year. A method was proposed to quantify the post-harvest quality loss of wet fish using sensory based assessment tool. The assessments were conducted on four fish species (rohu Labeo rohita; Ilish Tenualosa ilisha, catfish Pangasius sutchi and tilapia Oreochromis niloticus) in different steps of major distribution channels in Bangladesh for a year. Sensory quality defect point data were standardized with corresponding biochemical and microbiological quality parameters through interval estimate based on regression analysis, where a “near to actual” sensory quality breaking point was found to be DP 3.3. High value of goodness of fit 2 R indicated a highly fitted regression model for all the fishes tested, with highly significant (p<0.01) estimated regression coefficients. Percent quality loss of fish at each step of distribution channel was determined using DP 3.3, constructing a (1-?) confidence interval for average percentage of defective fish. The loss assessment study indicated that fish did not lose quality during handling by the fishermen, and fish farmers or at landing centers and primary fish markets, except fresh T. ilisha destined for consumer market. While, T. ilisha used for salting during glut catch suffered substantial loss. Most of the quality losses were initiated at the transporters and commission agents, from 4% in P. sutchi to 11% in O. niloticus. When fish come to retailers, a 16% loss was recognized in L. rohita and O. niloticus, but 7% in P. sutchi and 9% in T. ilisha. Higher loss was observed in fish vendors, from 10% - 19%. Considering the retailers as the end-point stake in the fish distribution chain, study revealed the range of fish quality loss was 7-16% in four major consumed species in Bangladesh. The method was further validated in assessing the quality of 24 other major commercial fish species in different seasons and locations country-wide for two consecutive years and found identical results. The results suggest that the new method can be applied to any fish in quantifying the qualitative loss.SAARC J. Agri., 13(1): 75-89 (2015)

Synergistic effect of ultraviolet radiation and high hydrostatic pressure on texture, color, and oxidative stability of refrigerated tilapia fillets

“…Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) is one of the most popular freshwater fish species, and strongly contributes to increasing worldwide demand and consumption of white fish from aquaculture systems . In spite of the wide popularity of tilapia, the yield of commercial fillets is low (approximately 30%), and spoilage and loss of quality prior to retail display (34%) result in substantial economic losses due to lower price or the need to discard fillets . To minimize or prevent this problem, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has encouraged the use of additional preservation methods, especially emerging nonthermal techniques such as high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and ultraviolet‐C (UV‐C) radiation, which leads to longer shelf life of refrigerated fish …”

Impact of UV‐C Light on the Fatty Acid Profile and Oxidative Stability of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Fillets

“…In addition, approximately 20% of the fish species lose their quality before reaching the market, thereby obtaining a lower price or even being discarded (Toppe and others ). For Nile tilapia ( O. niloticus ), 5%, 16%, and 13% of quality loss occurs during transport, at the retailer, and at the fish vendor, respectively (Nowsad and others ), which highlights the importance of quality control for tilapia fillets to minimize losses. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has encouraged better knowledge and technology in the food production chain to minimize economic losses due to quality loss during processing and storage.…”

Effect of Dadon on the Catch, Quality and Post-harvest Loss Reduction of Open Water Fisheries in Kishoreganj Haor

“…During the BL survey, the quality conditions of haor fishes while landing or at boat were assessed using a sensory based Fish Freshness Assessment Tool [11,17]. The qualitative loss was quantified in per cent by a regression model developed by [17]. The sensory indicators were adjusted based on physical conditions of local fish (Table 1 and Table 2).…”

“…Therefore, the exact or near to actual sensory quality breaking point needs to be understood to calculate the ultimate percent quality loss. Based on a regression model analysis through correlating various biochemical and bacteriological quality parameters of fish with sensory defect qualities, the actual quality breaking point was determined to be 3.3 [11,17]. Fish quality loss (%) was calculated from the number of assessed cases that crossed DP 3.…”