Nutritional quality of the fresh and processed grey mullet (Mugilidae) products: a short review including data concerning fish from freshwater

Abstract

This short review compiles the data concerning the quality of flesh, processed roe and smoked fillets of grey mullets (Mugilidae), including when available the data concerning the fish from freshwater and in particular those from Tunisian reservoirs. The biochemical and mineral composition of the fish, the nutritional benefits and the potential health risks related to the consumption of fish products are discussed with regard to human health, taking into consideration the nutritional recommendations and normative toxicological limits defined by leading health authorities. Flesh proximal compositions of fish from freshwater are relatively scarce, but the few available lipid data are within the very large proximal range (from less than 1% to more than 11%) reported for grey mullets in general. Most of the studies reveal the predominance of unsaturated fatty acids with a substantial proportion ω3 type not only for fish from marine environment but also for those from freshwater. Flesh constitutes a source of essential amino acids and mineral nutrients too. The mullets are generally reported to be safe for human consumption except the fish from heavily contaminated zones. Globally, it should be regarded as an interesting contribution to a healthy diet. The mullets are also greatly appreciated for the production of salted and dried roe as well as smoked fillets, which allow increasing their economic value while preserving products health beneficial attributes. Data concerning processing mullet's roe from freshwater are missing, but it may be supposed that these roes have acceptable texture, taste and flavour as they are highly sought by connoisseurs. It is recommended to perform studies on the qualities of freshwater mullet's roe and to look for labelling the origin for both the roes and the smoked fillets of mullet from Tunisian reservoirs dedicated to the production of drinking water as it would guarantee that the fish come from unpolluted environments.

Feeding ecology of Ellochelon vaigiensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) living in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

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The square mullet [Ellochelon vaigiensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825)] is an oily fish with few bones (Brian, 2017). However, their value products are not fish fleshes but bait fisheries and the roe-carrying females (Ben Khemis et al, 2019). Dried and salted roe has become a highvalue product with increasing demand globally (Bledsoe et al, 2003).Ellochelon vaigiensis is a suitable candidate for brackish aquaculture

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Distribution Patterns of Grey Mullet in the Taiwan Strait in Relation to Oceanographic Conditions

“…The suitability of grey mullet roe as a delicacy in Taiwan and Japan has been observed in several studies. Khemis et al (2019) [30] assert that the ingestion of this particular species confers advantageous effects on human health due to its substantial nutritional composition. Additionally, it has the potential to improve the sediment quality in agricultural systems that involve the cultivation of many crop varieties [31].…”

The reproductive biology of Ellochelon vaigiensis from the Vietnamese Mekong Delta

“…Still, mullets are essential dietary components that contribute significantly to the protein intake of coastal and marine communities. Mullets are considered oily fishes, with relatively few bones (Brian, 2017 ), but the greater economic worth of mullets are as bait fisheries and the roe‐carrying females (Ben Khemis et al., 2019 ). Salted and dried roe has become a highly valued product with growing global demand (Bledsoe et al., 2003 ).…”