Quality and safety of atlantic mackerel [scomber scomberus]: Effect of intermittent exposure at different temperatures

ABSTRACT

The quality and safety of fresh Atlantic mackerel [Scomber scombrus] due to repeated intermittent exposure 8 hr at 15 and 30 degree sign C prior to 16 hr ice storage was monitored. The experimental procedure simulates the handling regimes experienced in the markets of many developing countries. Histamine levels. thiobarbituric acid [TBA], hypoxanthine [Hx] and water binding potential [WBP] values as well as sensorical parameters were followed up for 4 days. Results indicated the presence of significant [P<0.01] hazardous histamine levels at day 4 for the high temperature [30 degree sign C] intermittent samples. 71 TBA values of the intermittent samples and control showed different induction trends. They reached significantly higher values at day 4 and were independent whether the intermittent temperatures were at 15 or 30 degree sign C. The Hx values of intermittent samples at 15 and 30 degree sign C were significantly higher than the control and reached their maximum peaking at day 2.The correlationcoefpcientfor both TBA and Hx values and flavour as scored by panelists showed a strongnegative correlation. The WBP values did not show distinctive significant values among different temperature exposures. Sensorical scores indicated that the odour, flavour and texture after day 3 were below the limits of acceptability. The chemical and sensory data emphasize the critical and hazardous handling regimes of fresh fatty fish at intermittent high temperatures [30 degree sign C] in the markets of many tropical developing countries