The shrimp processing industry has to deal with the ever-growing costs associated with the disposal of their residuals. However, investigation into the possibility of making high-value biopolymers (chitin and chitosan) from this waste shows significant potential for developing a chitin and chitosan industry in Quebec. / The pharmaceutical and medicine industry is the target market for high-grade chitosan. Based on the related data of cellulose derivatives (the closest substitute for chitosan), the Bass model was used to forecast the sales of high-grade chitosan in Quebec. It is estimated that the potential market for chitosan in Quebec is worth 37 million dollars (in 1999 prices) cumulative for the next 20 year period and 59 million for Canada. In the first year of marketing chitosan, sales in Canada (high-grade) are expected to reach $3.2 million from which $1.55 million is expected to be generated in Quebec. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Tez (Yüksek Lisans) - Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Gıda Mühendisliği Anabilim Dalı, 2007. / Bibliyografya var.

Thesis (M.A.) -- Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1990. / Typescript. Bibliography: leaves 513-527. Also available online.

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1993. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 94-98). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 449-492).

Thesis (M.M.S.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2004. / Restricted until May 2005. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MTech (Biomedical Technology))--Cape Technikon, 2003 / Allergic conditions among workers processing seafood are most often related to inhalation of the seafood antigens or via direct unprotected handling of the seafood and its products. This can cause sensitised individuals to suffer from asthma, rhino-conjunctivitis, urticaria and protein contact dermatitis, which are IgE mediated. Food intolerance may also occur which is a non-IgE mediated reaction, however the exact mechanism is yet to be determined. There is therefore a need to develop reliable tests to identify sensitised workers processing seafood. The objective of this study was to prepare specific seafood extracts from raw and cooked lobster; raw and cooked saltwater bony fish species (mackerel, red eye, maasbanker, pilchard and anchovy) and fishmeal dust obtained from a fish-processing factory. These extracts were tested by SDS-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis to characterise the seafood proteins, and the allergenicity was confirmed by the Western blot technique. Polyclonal IgG antibodies were also successfully generated in rabbits, using the specific seafood extracts isolated from the various species. The second objective was to optimise and standardize an Enzyme Allergosorbent Test (EAST) method to quantify specific IgE antibodies in the sera of factory workers. This EAST was optimised and validated to detect allergen-specific IgE to each of the different fish species and also one crustacean species (rock lobster). Sera from a group of workers were selected and analysed for specific IgE antibodies by the optimised EAST (S) (South African laboratory), and commercial RAST techniques. Analysis was performed for the three most important extracts, pilchard (canned), anchovy, and lobster. The same samples were analysed by EAST (R) in the reference laboratory (Dr Gerald Reese; Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Germany). The different techniques, and the EAST (R) and the EAST (S) results were compared by using a statistical software package. An EAST method was successfully developed, however, compared to the results obtained by the reference laboratory the sensitivity and specificity was below 80%. The main reason for the low agreement between the two laboratories was the fact that the South African laboratory used a modified EAST method, and different data calculation methods, for categorising positive results. The South African laboratory did not use a kit-based assay and a serum dilution of 1:4 and not 1:2 were used when compared to the reference laboratory. When the EAST results were compared to the RAST results, poor agreement was found due to the fact that canned pilchard was used in the EAST while raw pilchard in the commercial RAST assay. For pilchard, anchovy and lobster EAST, different species were utilized compared to the RAST, and this can also explain the poor level of agreement. Future directions would be to further standardise the EAST method and to introduce reference sera and a standard curve to determine positive results, thereby ensuring more reproducible results between laboratories.

Thesis (MTech (Biomedical Technology))--Peninsula Technikon, 2003 / Increased seafood consumption due to its nutrition and promotion of a healthy diet has lead to more frequent reports of allergic reactions. In the seafood industry, workers are exposed to the antigens through inhalation of the vapours created during the seafood processing and cooking. Most seafood allergens are stable molecules, which are resistant to the effect of cooking and processing. The prevalence of occupational asthma varies from 7-36% among different groups of workers including seafood processing and fishmeal workers, fishermen and restaurant cooks (Jeebhay et al 2001). Purpose of Study: The purpose of the study is to determine total protein and the specific fish antigen concentrations in the environment by means of personal air sampling filters obtained from various categories of workers in the seafood processing industry. Objectives: • To determine the correlation between total protein concentrations and specific fish (pilchard and anchovy) antigen concentrations on personal air sampling filters using the linear response model of the standard curve. • To determine the correlation between total protein concentrations and specific fish (pilchard and anchovy) antigen concentrations on personal air sampling filters using the sigmoidal response model with a variable slope of the standard curve. • To identify the most efficient standard curve response model for fish antigen detection by comparing the percentage recovery of the linear standard curve response model and the sigmoidal standard curve response model. Methodology: A sample population of 195 samples was taken from workers in the seafood industry at the St. Helena Bay Fisheries and West Point Processors using personal air sampling pumps.

JS McMillan Fisheries Ltd. (JSM) is a Vancouver-based company with operations in nearly all levels of the commercial fishing industry, from supply through distribution. The heart of the operation is the processing facilities where freshly caught Pacific salmon are prepared for sale to end consumers and institutional buyers. As the operations of JSM evolved, the decision making for allocating a catch of salmon with varying characteristics amongst a set of final products has become too complex and time consuming. The focus of this study is to determine an effective and efficient method for JSM to allocate daily a fresh salmon harvest between the various products they produce on a daily basis. The goal is short-term production planning, to allocate the catch among the products in such a manner that the profit potential of the catch is maximized, i.e. prepare a production schedule that maximizes the total profit over the planning horizon. Additional goals of this project include: automation of the decision making process for the catch allocation, "what if" planning, decreasing expert dependency, reducing decision making time, and building a practical and innovative decision support tool. In order to solve this problem efficiently and effectively, optimization models were developed for allocating the catch to the end products. A corresponding decision support tool was built for the end-users at JSM. / Business, Sauder School of / Graduate

Bibliography: pages 134-147. / Pollution control regulations directed at the land-based factories of the Southern African fish processing industry do not appear to promote the required level of investment in pollution control systems. Two self-administered mail-questionnaires comprising undisguised fixed-alternative and open-ended questions were constructed to survey the opinions and viewpoints of a census consisting of twenty-seven senior managers responsible for making pollution control investments in the demersal and pelagic sectors of the fish processing industry. The first questionnaire was directed at establishing the relative importance of factors that influence waste and pollution control investment decisions as well as the perceptions and preferences of managers with regard to various pollution control policy options. Descriptive statistics such as the modal class were used to summarize the distribution of opinions and viewpoints within the research population. Rank ordered preference data was analyzed using a multidimensional unfolding computer algorithm. This structural multivariate statistical method is a special case of non-metric multidimensional scaling that generates perceptual maps which can aid in the discovery of the hidden structure underlying multidimensional decisions. Investments in waste and pollution control do not appear to have a high priority when compared to other strategic investments that the fish processing industry managers may make. The relative importance of factors that could influence the managers of the industry to invest in waste control equipment appear to be determined by the perceived financial returns that can be expected from such investments. Findings suggest that pollution control legislation is rendered ineffective due to inadequate enforcement. However, it appears that existing legislation needs to be rationalized in order to facilitate compliance. The most favoured pollution control instruments were those that lowered the cost of legally mandated expenses such as subsidies and income tax allowances. These were followed by permit systems which specified the allowable characteristics of discharges while allowing individual companies freedom of choice as to the method of achieving compliance. The second questionnaire was used to verify the researcher's interpretation of the findings and preliminary conclusions drawn from the replies to the first questionnaire.