The use of Pulsed Energy (Flashbasttm) Technology (PET) to extend the shelf life of fresh fish fillets was studied. Unskinned fillets from fresh sea trout (Cynoscion regalis) and hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops x ~ saxatilis) were treated with 7.45 Joules/cm² of PET, stored individually in sterile polyethylene bags, and kept in ice for 21 days at 3°C. Sensory data showed no significant differences (pâ ¤ 0.05) in the appearance, odor, texture, or taste of cooked samples from treated and control fillets, regardless of species. Raw sea trout fillets developed "alien" odors upon treatment which disappeared within the first week of storage and were not detected in cooked samples. These off-odors were significant (pâ ¤ 0.05) in the freshwater species only during the first three days post-treatment. Microbiological analyses revealed that PET reduced bacteria growing on the flesh surface and skin at significantly higher (pâ ¤ 0.05) rates than those in the flesh. Total coliforms were the most susceptible bacteria to PET. / Ph. D.

Thermally processed menhaden products were evaluated as potential food products. Nine canned menhaden products judged to be satisfactory in pilot studies were canned or pasteurized and evaluated by a six member semi—trained panel. Panelists scored product characteristics of menhaden products and commercially canned tuna in oil, tuna in water and mackerel. Three canned menhaden products were incorporated in "pizza" sauce and in fish salad recipes that were scored for preference by consumer panelists. Objective measurements for drained weight and total fluid were recorded. Descriptive analysis of the nine canned menhaden products indicated that the dressed and filleted menhaden products were similar in the firmness, flakiness, chewiness, moisture, and fish flavor characteristics. Canned minced menhaden products were significantly different from the dressed and filleted fish products in the texture characteristics: firmness, flakiness and chewiness. Plots drawn for comparison of mean characteristic scores of each menhaden product and the three comparison products (tuna in oil, tuna in water, mackerel) indicated that the canned filleted menhaden in oil was judged by a semi—trained panel to be similar to the two commercially canned tuna products. Consumer preference scores for the menhaden products were significantly different from the scores for comparison products used in the pizza sauces and fish salads. The menhaden fish salads and the menhaden pizza sauce were scored lower. Objective measurements indicated that the use of an alum and citric acid brine increased percent weight loss and percent fluid loss. The minced menhaden product brined in alum and citric acid had the highest recorded percent weight loss and percent fluid loss. Pilot study and consumer preference panelists indicated that the alum and citric acid brine imparted a metallic aftertaste to the canned menhaden products. / Master of Science

Studies of historic fish archaeofaunas can contribute to our understanding of Victorian-era consumer choice and agency. However, most zooarchaeological work focuses on interpreting large mammal remains such as cow (Bos taurus). That fish are overlooked is particularly striking in the Pacific Northwest, where fishing was a major facet of both the bourgeoning industrial economy and local household practices. My thesis addresses this gap through study of archival records (mainly newspapers) and zooarchaeological fish records from a neighborhood in Vancouver, Washington focusing on the period between 1880 and 1910. My particular goals were to examine how fishes were acquired and their economic role in a market economy. I conducted archival research through systematic and qualitative reviews of The Oregonian and other newspapers in Oregon and Washington. I recorded 105 different named fishes, which I linked to 46 Linnaean taxa; 76 fishes were listed with price information in advertisements. I connected these fishes to market acquisition, and the remaining fishes to personal catch. I ranked the sixteen most prominent fishes by their price. Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) was the most expensive, and Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) was the least expensive. Five ranked fishes were introduced; all of these were in the top 50% of the ranking. Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) was advertised the most frequently, but was in the lower 50% of the ranking. Some fishes (e.g., common carp [Cyprinus carpio]) were heavily promoted by federal entities and private entrepreneurs, but viewed negatively by consumers. The zooarchaeological portion of my study focused on privies from the Esther Short neighborhood (Vancouver, WA), which, between 1880 and 1910, was a predominantly middle- and working-class community, occupied by people of European ancestry. The fish fauna (total NISP: 1,282) had previously been documented by Krey Easton. I reanalyzed ~30% of the fish remains to verify identifications; our results were highly correlated. Ten fish families representing 16 taxa were recorded in the assemblage. Both introduced fishes (n = 6 taxa) and native fishes (n = 10 taxa) were present. Catfish (Ictaluridae) dominated the assemblage (76%). Salmonids represented 15%. I recorded five new taxa from specimens previously noted as "unidentified". I documented body part representation and butchering marks to establish the fish portions Esther Short residents acquired. Finally, I compared archaeofaunal fish representation against the fish rank obtained from archival research. Residents acquired fishes both as market purchases and through personal catch. Eight fish taxa in the assemblage represented market purchases. Four were nonmarket fishes. An additional four could represent either market or nonmarket fishes. Nine taxa recovered from the neighborhood were also fishes included in the ranking. Neighborhood residents were predominantly eating low-cost purchased catfish heads, which were likely incorporated into soups, stews, or chowders. I found some evidence for higher-cost purchases and fish steaks, which I loosely connected to conspicuous consumerism. Evidence of personal catch (sport and subsistence angling) illustrates agency and potential resistance to the systemic Victorian model, in which the middle class generally did not participate in such activities. My thesis shows that interpreting fish use provides valuable insights into historical-era consumer choice and agency. On a systemic level, fish use was driven by sources of authority and monied interests. Expression of identity was visible in structural responses to systemic forces, both through consumer choice within the markets, and rejection of the market economy. Fish use in the Esther Short neighborhood showed some household patterns of "purchasing within one's means", as well as several expressions of agency that conformed to or rejected Victorian-era ideals.

Ma Wing-chi, Joyce. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-148). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract (in English) --- p.i / Abstract (in Chinese) --- p.iv / Acknowledgement --- p.vi / Contents --- p.viii / Abbreviation --- p.xii / List of Tables --- p.xiii / List of Figures --- p.xv / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 2. --- Literature review --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1 --- Fisheries in Hong Kong --- p.5 / Chapter 2.2 --- Flavor of seafood --- p.6 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Lipid-derived volatile aroma compounds --- p.7 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- "Alcohols, aldehydes and ketones" --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Enzymatic conversion of sulfur- and nitrogen-containing precursors --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Thermally generated compounds --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Bromophenols --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2.5.1 --- General properties of bromophenols --- p.11 / Chapter 2.2.5.2 --- Threshold of bromophenols --- p.14 / Chapter 2.2.5.3 --- Toxicity of bromophenols --- p.17 / Chapter 2.2.5.4 --- Previous studies about bromophenols --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2.5.5 --- Bromophenols in aquacultured seafood --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2.5.6 --- Possible dietary sources of bromophenols --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2.5.7 --- Possibility of increasing bromophenol content in aquacultured fish --- p.23 / Chapter 2.3 --- Criteria for selecting experimental fish model --- p.24 / Chapter 3. --- Distribution of Bromophenols in selected Hong Kong seafoods --- p.27 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.27 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.28 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Sample collection and preparation --- p.28 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Simultaneous steam distillation-solvent extraction (SDE) --- p.30 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (GC/MS) --- p.30 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Compound identification and quantification --- p.31 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Recoveries --- p.33 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Moisture determination --- p.34 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Statistical analysis --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results and discussion --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Distribution of bromophenols in seafoods --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3.1.1 --- Bromophenols in marine fishes --- p.49 / Chapter 3.3.1.2 --- Bromophenols in mollusks --- p.49 / Chapter 3.3.1.3 --- Bromophenols in crustaceans --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Seasonal variations of TBCs --- p.51 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Bromophenols in diet contents --- p.52 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Bromophenol contents of freshwater fish --- p.53 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Relationship between the living habitats and bromophenol contents --- p.56 / Chapter 3.3.6 --- Bromophenols as flavor compounds in seafoods --- p.58 / Chapter 3.4 --- Conclusion --- p.59 / Chapter 4. --- Distribution of Bromophenols in selected Hong Kong seaweeds --- p.61 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.61 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.62 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Sample collection and preparation --- p.62 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Simultaneous steam distillation-solvent extraction (SDE) --- p.63 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (GC/MS) --- p.64 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Compound identification and quantification --- p.65 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Recoveries --- p.66 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Moisture determination --- p.67 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results and discussion --- p.67 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Distribution of bromophenols in marine algae --- p.67 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Seasonal variations --- p.76 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Functions of bromophenols in marine algae --- p.79 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Marine algae as sources of bromophenols in marine environment --- p.80 / Chapter 4.4 --- Conclusion --- p.81 / Chapter 5. --- Enhancement of bromophenol contents in aquacultured fish by the development of bromophenol-rich fish feeds --- p.83 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.83 / Chapter 5.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.85 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Preparation of fish feeds --- p.85 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Storage conditions of fish feeds --- p.88 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Experimental animals --- p.88 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Solvent and chemicals --- p.90 / Chapter 5.2.5 --- Extraction and quantification of bromophenols --- p.90 / Chapter 5.2.5.1 --- Simultaneous steam distillation-solvent extraction (SDE) --- p.90 / Chapter 5.2.5.2 --- Gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (GC/MS) --- p.91 / Chapter 5.2.5.3 --- Compound identification and quantification --- p.92 / Chapter 5.2.5.4 --- Recoveries --- p.93 / Chapter 5.2.6 --- Moisture determination --- p.94 / Chapter 5.2.7 --- Statistical analysis --- p.94 / Chapter 5.2.8 --- Sensory test --- p.95 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results and discussion --- p.96 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Bromophenol contents in wild-harvested and aquacultured fish --- p.96 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Development of bromophenol-rich fish feed --- p.99 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Effect of feeding the fish with the fish feed developed --- p.105 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Sensory evaluation on the flesh of the fish fed with different fish feeds --- p.121 / Chapter 5.3.5 --- Growth of the fish fed with different fish feeds --- p.124 / Chapter 5.4 --- Conclusion --- p.126 / Chapter 6. --- General conclusion and significance of the study --- p.128 / References --- p.131

M.Sc. (Environmental Management) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

The self-recruiting species (SRS) are aquatic animals that can be harvested regularly from a farmer managed system without regular stocking as described by Little (2002a, b). The potential and current role of self-recruiting species from farmer managed aquatic systems (FMAS) is often overlooked, whilst much attention has been given to stocked species (often associated in conventional culture ponds and cages) as well as the fisheries sector (often relates to large water bodies i.e. river lakes and reservoirs). Using the combination of qualitative and quantitative research approaches, the current status, the important contribution of SRS and factors undermining this contribution to the livelihoods of rural households in mainland Southeast (SE) Asia were investigated. The overall analysis of this research was done based from the sustainable livelihood (SL) framework (Scoones, 1998; DFID, 1999) in order to have a broader understanding of the importance of SRS as well as the rural livelihoods in selected areas of mainland SE Asia which often benefit from this resource. The research was carried out in rural villages of southeast Cambodia (SEC), northeast Thailand (NET) and Red River Delta in northern Vietnam (RRD). The sites (region of the country) were selected based from the intensity of aquaculture practices (less established and mainly relying on natural production, aquaculture established but also relying on natural production and mainly aquaculture dependent) as well as the agriculture i.e. intensiveness of rice production. Eighteen villages (6 villages/ country) were selected to represent the two agro-ecological zones (i.e. LOW and DRY areas) of the study sites. In order to fully assess the situation and meet the objectives of the research, the study was carried out using three stages which dealt with different approaches and sets of participants/respondents; i) participatory community appraisal (PCA), ii) baseline survey and iii) longitudinal study. The different stages of the research were carried out during the period of April 2001 until September 2004. During the first stage, a series of community appraisals using participatory methods were conducted in all of the participating villages in the three study sites. The participatory appraisal was conducted in order to understand the general rural context in the villages as well as the importance of aquatic resources. Moreover, the PCA in a way helped build rapport between the researcher and the communities. The series of appraisals were conducted with different wellbeing and gender groups (better-off men, better-off women, poor men and poor women). The various shocks, trends and seasonality that influenced the status of living in the community, diversified livelihoods and the differences in preference of socioeconomic and gender groups were analysed in this stage. The important aquatic animals (AA) and the local criteria for determing their importance were the highlights of this stage of the research. The important AA identified were composed of large fish (Channa spp., Clarias spp., Hemibagrus sp, Common, Indian, Silver and Grass carps), small fish (Anabas testudineus, Rasbora spp., Mystus spp., Carassius auratus) as well as non-fish (Macrobrachium spp., Rana spp., Somanniathelpusa sp., Sinotaia spp.) which were particularly important to poorer groups in the community. The local criteria used were mainly food and nutrition related (good taste, easy to cook, versatility in preparation), abundance (availability, ease of catching) as well as economic value (good price). Significant differences were found between various interactions of sites, agro-ecological zones, gender and wellbeing groups. The second stage of the research was the baseline survey (cross-sectional survey) which was also carried out in the same communities and collected information from a total of 540 respondents (30 respondents per village or 180 per country). This stage of the study was carried out in order to generate household level information (mostly quantitative) regarding the socio-economic indicators to triangulate the information generated during the participatory appraisal and the different aquatic systems that existed in the community as well as the various management practices used (not limited to stocking hatchery seed and feeding). The different livelihood resources (human, physical, financial, natural and social capital) and the diversified strategies of rural households in SE Asia were analysed in this phase. Another highlight of this phase was the understanding of the various aquatic systems that rural farmers managed and how they related to the existence of self-recruiting species. The common aquatic resources identified during this phase included farmer managed aquatic systems (FMAS) and openwater bodies (OWB) where rural households usually obtained their aquatic products. The various types of FMAS which included ricefields, trap ponds, household ponds, culture ponds and ditches were identified as important aquatic resources which mainly provide food as well as additional income to the rural poor. All of these FMAS were being managed at various levels which directly affected the SRS population. Different types of farmers were identified based on their attitudes towards and management of SRS: i) SRS positive, farmers who allow and attract SRS into the system, ii) SRS negative, farmers who prevent or eliminate SRS and iii) SRS neutral, farmers doing nothing that would encourage or prevent SRS from entering into the system. Variations were related to the main factors (i.e sites, agroecological zones, wellbeing groups) and their interactions. The final stage of this study was the year-long household survey (longitudinal study) that investigated the seasonality of various aspects of rural livelihoods, status of the different aquatic systems and the important contribution of AA in general, and SRS in particular, to the overall livelihood strategies employed by rural farmers. This phase involved a total of 162 households (9 per village or 54 per country) selected based on the aquatic systems they managed and had access to. Other socio-economic factors (gender and wellbeing) were also considered during the selection of participants in this phase of the study. The results of the year long household survey highlighted the important contributions of SRS: i) to the total AA collections which were utilised in various ways, ii) contribution to overall food consumption in general and AA consumption in particular (which was found to be the most important contribution of SRS), iii) contribution to household nutrition (as a major source of animal protein and essential micro nutrients in rural areas), iv) contribution to income and expenditures, and v) improving the social capital of rural households (through sharing of production and mobilizing community in local resources user group management). Moreover, the social context and the dynamics of inter and intra household relationships were understood, especially the gender issues on division of labour (where women and children played an important part on the production), access and benefits (how women and children were being marginalised in terms of making decision and controlling benefits). The various results of the combined approaches that were utilised in all stages of the research were analysed and presented in this thesis. The results of the community appraisals and the baseline survey were used in setting the context (background) of each topic (e.g. livelihood activities, AA importance, etc). Meanwhile, the results of the longitudinal survey were used in illustrating the trends and highlighted the seasonality of particular issues. Overall the study contributed to knowledge by elucidating the status and roles of self-recruiting species in maintaining/ improving the overall livelihoods of rural farmers in Southeast Asia.

CNPq; CAPES / A carne de pescado possui composição química particular que lhe confere elevado valor nutricional. Entretanto, esse alimento é identificado pela alta perecibilidade, aspecto esse muitas vezes apontado como barreira ao consumo de pescado. A região Sudoeste do Paraná, paralela à realidade do país, é caracterizada pelo baixo consumo de pescado; e uma das estratégias apontadas para o aumento do consumo dessa importante fonte proteica é o incentivo à produção de outras espécies além da tilápia. Dentro desse contexto, faz-se necessário o conhecimento a respeito das características da carne de pescado. Nesse sentido, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o potencial tecnológico das espécies pacu, carpa capim e catfish. Em um primeiro momento realizou-se a avaliação química, frescor e biométrica, sob dois métodos estatísticos descritivos distintos, das três espécies; e avaliou-se a capacidade discriminante das variáveis em estudo. Em um segundo momento buscou-se avaliar os efeitos de dois processos distintos de lavagem (ácida e alcalina) no que diz respeito à remoção de nitrogenados e pigmentos e na capacidade emulsificante das proteínas da base proteica obtida. A terceira fase deste trabalho objetivou-se otimizar a metodologia em CG-EM para análise de compostos geosmina e MIB (2-metilisoborneol), compostos esses responsáveis pelo sabor/odor a terra e mofo em pescados de água doce. Os resultados revelaram altos teores de proteína e baixos teores de lipídios para as três espécies. A comparação entre médias e medianas revelaram simetria apenas para os valores de proteínas e medidas biométricas. Os lipídios quando avaliados apenas pelas médias superestimaram os teores para todas as espécies. Correlações entre medidas corporais e rendimento de filé apresentaram baixa relação, independente da espécie analisada, sendo a melhor equação de predição a que relaciona peso total e peso de filé. As variáveis biométricas foram as melhores discriminantes entre as espécies. Quanto à avaliação das lavagens, verificou-se que os processos ácido e básico foram igualmente (p ≥ 0,05) eficientes (p ≤ 0,05) na remoção dos compostos nitrogenados nas polpas de pescado. No que diz respeito à extração de pigmentos, eficiência de remoção foram registradas apenas para a espécie pacu, quando os dados foram avaliados pelos parâmetros L*, a*, b*. Quando avaliados pela diferença total de cor (ΔE) antes e após as lavagens, para ambos os processos (ácido/alcalino), os ΔE revelaram factível percepção a olho nu para todas as espécies. Catfish foi caracterizado como o pescado que apresenta a carne mais clara e a lavagem básica foi apontada como a mais eficiente para remoção de pigmentos para essa espécie. As bases proteicas obtidas pela lavagem alcalina apresentaram maior capacidade emulsificante (p ≤ 0,05) quando comparadas às polpas sem lavar e lavadas em processo ácido. A metodologia aplicada para quantificação de MIB e geosmina permitiu constatar que o método de extração e purificação dos analitos apresentou baixa recuperação e que estudos futuros devem ser desenvolvidos para identificação e quantificação de MIB e geosmina em amostras de pescado. / The fish meat has a particular chemical composition which gives its high nutritional value. However, this food is identified for being highly perishable and this aspect is often named as a barrier to fish consumption. The southwestern Paraná region, parallel to the country's reality, it is characterized by low fish consumption; and one of the strategies aimed at increasing the consumption of this important protein source is encouraging the production of other species besides tilapia. Within this context, it is necessary to know about the meat characteristics. In this sense, the objective of this study was to evaluate the technological potential of pacu, grass carp and catfish species. To do so, at first, it was discussed the chemical and biometric assessment under two distinct descriptive statistical methods, of the three species; and it was also evaluated the discriminating capacity of the study. In a second moment, an evaluation of effects done by two different processes of washing (acid and alkaline) regarding the removal of nitrogen compounds, pigments and the emulsifying ability of the proteins contained in the protein base obtained. Finally, in the third phase, it was aimed to realize the methodology optimization in GC-MS for the analysis geosmin and MIB (2-metilisoborneol) compounds that are responsible for taste/smell of soil and mold in freshwater fish. The results showed a high protein and low lipid content for the three species. The comparison between means and medians revealed symmetry only for protein values and biometric measurements. Lipids, when evaluated only by the means, overestimate the levels for all species. Correlations between body measurements and fillet yield had low correlation, regardless of the species analyzed, and the best prediction equation relates the total weight and fillet weight. The biometric variables were the best discriminating among the species. The evaluation of the washings, it was found that the acidic and basic processes were equally (p ≥ 0.05) efficient (p ≤ 0.05) for the removal of nitrogen compounds on the fish pulps. Regarding the extraction of pigments, a removal efficiency was recorded only for the pacu species, the data were assessed by the parameters L *, a *, b *. When evaluated by the total color difference (ΔE) before and after washing for both processes (acid/alkaline) the ΔE proved feasible perceived by naked eye for all species. The catfish was characterized as the fish that presents the clearest meat with the basic washing considered the most effective in removing pigments for this species. Protein bases obtained by alkaline washes have higher emulsifying capacity (p ≤ 0.05) when compared to unwashed and washed in acid process pulps. The methodology applied for the quantification of MIB and geosmin, allowed to establish that the method of extraction and purification of analytes had low recovery and future studies should be developed for identification and quantification of MIB and geosmin on fish samples.

CNPq / O Brasil é um país caracterizado pelo baixo consumo de pescado. Com registros de consumo de 10,6 kg/habitante/ano, encontra-se abaixo do recomendado pela ONU de 12 kg/habitante/ano. O consumo regular de pescado propicia ganho em saúde para as pessoas e sua introdução na alimentação escolar é estratégia importante para inserção do hábito de consumo desse alimento em uma população. Dentro desse contexto, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi compreender a percepção de pescado com crianças da rede pública de ensino por meio das técnicas Mapeamento Projetivo (MP) e Associação de Palavras (AP); e avaliar a aceitação de derivado de pescado na alimentação escolar. Em um primeiro momento com a intenção de melhor entender a percepção de crianças de diferentes idades com relação a produtos à base de pescado, aplicaram-se as técnicas MP através do uso de figuras de alimentos e AP. Um total de 149 crianças de três escolas públicas da cidade de Pato Branco, estado do Paraná, Brasil, participaram deste estudo. Três grupos de crianças com idades entre 5-6 anos, 7-8 anos e 9-10 anos foram entrevistados individualmente por seis monitores com experiência nos métodos sensoriais aplicados. Dez figuras adesivadas com desenhos de alimentos saudáveis (Sushi, Salada, Frutas, Pescado, Frango), e alimentos menos saudáveis (Pizza, Pudim, Bolo, Hambúrguer, Batata frita), foram distribuídas para as crianças, as quais foram orientadas a colar os adesivos em folha A3, de modo que os produtos que elas considerassem parecidos ficassem próximos uns dos outros, e aqueles alimentos que fossem considerados muito diferentes ficassem distantes. Após, as crianças descreveram as imagens e os grupos de imagens (Perfil Ultra Flash). Os resultados revelaram que a técnica MP foi operada e compreendida facilmente por todas as crianças e que o uso das imagens facilitou a sua implantação. A análise dos resultados revelou também diferentes percepções vindas de crianças com diferentes idades e que percepções hedônicas com relação aos produtos à base de pescado tiveram um peso maior no percentual das crianças mais velhas. A técnica de AP provou ser ferramenta importante para entender a percepção do pescado pelas crianças, e reforçou os resultados obtidos previamente pelo MP. Em um segundo momento avaliou-se a aceitação de hambúrguer de pescado (tilapia) na alimentação escolar. Para isso merendeiras escolares foram capacitadas à elaboração dos hambúrgueres. Para a avaliação da aceitação utilizouse escala hedônica com 5 classificações faciais (1 = desgostei muito à 5 = gostei muito). Estudantes de ambos os gêneros, entre 5 e10 anos de idade (n = 142) provaram os hambúrgueres em horário de almoço, representando a porção proteica da refeição. Os derivados de tilápia elaborados revelaram ser alimentos com importante valor nutricional e baixo teor calórico. Pela aplicação da análise de regressão logística multinomial verificou-se efeito não significativo das variáveis idade e gênero na aceitação pelas crianças. Entretanto, significância estatística foi apurada na interação entre essas duas variáveis. Com índice de aceitação de 87% verificou-se potencialidade de consumo de hambúrgueres de pescado na merenda escolar. / Brazil is a country that is characterized by its low consumption of fish. With consumption records of 10.6 kg/ inhabitant/ year, it is lower than the recommended by the UN, that is 12 kg/ inhabitant/ year. The regular consumption of fish provides health gain for people and their introduction into the school feeding is an important strategy for the insertion of this food consumption habits in a population. In this context, the objective of this study was to understand the perception of fish with children from the public school system through the technical Projective Mapping (MP) and Association of Words (AP); and evaluate the acceptability of fish derivative in school meals. In the first instance with the intention to better understand the perception of children from different ages about the fish-based products, Projective Mapping techniques were applied through the use of food figures and word association. A total of 149 children from three public schools from Pato Branco, Paraná State, Brazil, took part in this study. Three groups of children aged 5-6, 7-8 and 9-10 years old were interviewed individually by six monitors experienced in applied sensory methods. Ten figures with healthy foods drawings (sushi, salad, fruit, fish, chicken), and less healthy foods (pizza, pudding, cake, hamburger, fries) were distributed to the children, who were asked to paste the figures in A3 sheet, so that the products they considered similar stayed near each other, and the ones considered very different stayed apart. After this, the children described the images and the image groups (Ultra Flash Profile). The results revealed that the MP technique was easily operated and understood by all the children and the use of images made its implementation easier. The results analysis also revealed different perceptions came from children from different ages and hedonic perceptions regarding the fish-based products had a greater weight in the percentage from older children. AP technique proved to be an important tool to understand the perception of fish by children, and strengthened the results previously obtained by the MP. In a second step it was evaluated the acceptance of fish burger (tilapia) in school meals. For this task, the school cooks were trained to prepare the hamburgers. For the evaluation of acceptance, the hedonic scale was used with 5 facial ratings (1 = disliked very much to 5 = liked a lot). Students from both genders, between 5 to 10 years old (n = 142) proved the burgers at lunchtime, representing the protein portion of the meal. The tilapia derivative products shown to be foods with important nutritional value and low calorie value. For the application of the multinomial logistic regression analysis there was no significant effect from the age and gender variation in the acceptance by children. However, statistical significance was determined in the interaction between these two variables. With 87 % acceptance rate there was potential for consumption of fish burgers in school meals.

CNPq; CAPES / A carne de pescado possui composição química particular que lhe confere elevado valor nutricional. Entretanto, esse alimento é identificado pela alta perecibilidade, aspecto esse muitas vezes apontado como barreira ao consumo de pescado. A região Sudoeste do Paraná, paralela à realidade do país, é caracterizada pelo baixo consumo de pescado; e uma das estratégias apontadas para o aumento do consumo dessa importante fonte proteica é o incentivo à produção de outras espécies além da tilápia. Dentro desse contexto, faz-se necessário o conhecimento a respeito das características da carne de pescado. Nesse sentido, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o potencial tecnológico das espécies pacu, carpa capim e catfish. Em um primeiro momento realizou-se a avaliação química, frescor e biométrica, sob dois métodos estatísticos descritivos distintos, das três espécies; e avaliou-se a capacidade discriminante das variáveis em estudo. Em um segundo momento buscou-se avaliar os efeitos de dois processos distintos de lavagem (ácida e alcalina) no que diz respeito à remoção de nitrogenados e pigmentos e na capacidade emulsificante das proteínas da base proteica obtida. A terceira fase deste trabalho objetivou-se otimizar a metodologia em CG-EM para análise de compostos geosmina e MIB (2-metilisoborneol), compostos esses responsáveis pelo sabor/odor a terra e mofo em pescados de água doce. Os resultados revelaram altos teores de proteína e baixos teores de lipídios para as três espécies. A comparação entre médias e medianas revelaram simetria apenas para os valores de proteínas e medidas biométricas. Os lipídios quando avaliados apenas pelas médias superestimaram os teores para todas as espécies. Correlações entre medidas corporais e rendimento de filé apresentaram baixa relação, independente da espécie analisada, sendo a melhor equação de predição a que relaciona peso total e peso de filé. As variáveis biométricas foram as melhores discriminantes entre as espécies. Quanto à avaliação das lavagens, verificou-se que os processos ácido e básico foram igualmente (p ≥ 0,05) eficientes (p ≤ 0,05) na remoção dos compostos nitrogenados nas polpas de pescado. No que diz respeito à extração de pigmentos, eficiência de remoção foram registradas apenas para a espécie pacu, quando os dados foram avaliados pelos parâmetros L*, a*, b*. Quando avaliados pela diferença total de cor (ΔE) antes e após as lavagens, para ambos os processos (ácido/alcalino), os ΔE revelaram factível percepção a olho nu para todas as espécies. Catfish foi caracterizado como o pescado que apresenta a carne mais clara e a lavagem básica foi apontada como a mais eficiente para remoção de pigmentos para essa espécie. As bases proteicas obtidas pela lavagem alcalina apresentaram maior capacidade emulsificante (p ≤ 0,05) quando comparadas às polpas sem lavar e lavadas em processo ácido. A metodologia aplicada para quantificação de MIB e geosmina permitiu constatar que o método de extração e purificação dos analitos apresentou baixa recuperação e que estudos futuros devem ser desenvolvidos para identificação e quantificação de MIB e geosmina em amostras de pescado. / The fish meat has a particular chemical composition which gives its high nutritional value. However, this food is identified for being highly perishable and this aspect is often named as a barrier to fish consumption. The southwestern Paraná region, parallel to the country's reality, it is characterized by low fish consumption; and one of the strategies aimed at increasing the consumption of this important protein source is encouraging the production of other species besides tilapia. Within this context, it is necessary to know about the meat characteristics. In this sense, the objective of this study was to evaluate the technological potential of pacu, grass carp and catfish species. To do so, at first, it was discussed the chemical and biometric assessment under two distinct descriptive statistical methods, of the three species; and it was also evaluated the discriminating capacity of the study. In a second moment, an evaluation of effects done by two different processes of washing (acid and alkaline) regarding the removal of nitrogen compounds, pigments and the emulsifying ability of the proteins contained in the protein base obtained. Finally, in the third phase, it was aimed to realize the methodology optimization in GC-MS for the analysis geosmin and MIB (2-metilisoborneol) compounds that are responsible for taste/smell of soil and mold in freshwater fish. The results showed a high protein and low lipid content for the three species. The comparison between means and medians revealed symmetry only for protein values and biometric measurements. Lipids, when evaluated only by the means, overestimate the levels for all species. Correlations between body measurements and fillet yield had low correlation, regardless of the species analyzed, and the best prediction equation relates the total weight and fillet weight. The biometric variables were the best discriminating among the species. The evaluation of the washings, it was found that the acidic and basic processes were equally (p ≥ 0.05) efficient (p ≤ 0.05) for the removal of nitrogen compounds on the fish pulps. Regarding the extraction of pigments, a removal efficiency was recorded only for the pacu species, the data were assessed by the parameters L *, a *, b *. When evaluated by the total color difference (ΔE) before and after washing for both processes (acid/alkaline) the ΔE proved feasible perceived by naked eye for all species. The catfish was characterized as the fish that presents the clearest meat with the basic washing considered the most effective in removing pigments for this species. Protein bases obtained by alkaline washes have higher emulsifying capacity (p ≤ 0.05) when compared to unwashed and washed in acid process pulps. The methodology applied for the quantification of MIB and geosmin, allowed to establish that the method of extraction and purification of analytes had low recovery and future studies should be developed for identification and quantification of MIB and geosmin on fish samples.

[Truncated abstract] The role of fish consumption and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the prevention of disease has been the subject of much investigation in recent years. A clue that these factors might be of importance was the observation that populations consuming high levels of marine omega-3 PUFAs had lower rates of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. From there, research in this area has expanded to include a range of chronic diseases and their prevention. An area of particular interest is the role of fish consumption in the prevention of various cancers. In Australia, one in three men and one in four women are expected to be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 75. Identifying preventive factors that can be translated into constructive health promotional messages is of great importance in addressing this group of diseases that has such a large impact on the health and wellbeing of the population. ... Results and conclusions Analysis of the data from the population-based case-control study suggests a protective effect of preserved fish consumption, possibly due to the high oil content of these fish. The developed questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool for measuring fish and seafood consumption as determined by regression analysis with an independent biomarker and reliability analysis using intra-class correlation. Importantly, reliability can be maintained despite asking a high level of detail from participants. For ranking according to overall fish consumption, detailed questioning is probably not necessary, however inclusion of variables representing multiple categories of fish and seafood consumption in a regression model enables us to better account for variation in blood omega-3 PUFA levels than a single variable representing overall consumption. For the purpose of questionnaire validation, plasma phospholipid and erythrocyte membrane levels of EPA and DHA are equivalent biomarkers of fish and seafood consumption. The choice between them by future investigators will be based on more practical aspects such as convenience and the fasting state of subjects. The tangible product of this thesis is additional evidence to support a protective association between fish consumption and prostate and breast cancers, and a valid and reliable questionnaire v for measuring habitual consumption of fish and seafood in a West Australian population, that could also be applied to other populations after minor adjustment for local fish and seafood consumption patterns.