Paulo Roberto Campagnoli de Oliveira Filho

Manufacture of Biquara (Haemulon Plumierii - Lacepède, 1801) Fishburger with Addition of Wheat Bran

ABSTRACT Biquara is one of the main fish species caught in the northeast coast of Brazil but presents low commercial value. Therefore, the elaboration of biquara-based products with the addition of plant bran as a source of dietary fiber should be studied as a way to add value to biquara. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory aspects of fishburgers made with biquara fillet with the addition of wheat bran (WB) (0, 1, 2, and 3%). The increase in WB decreased moisture and increased protein levels, ash, fiber, carbohydrates, and energy value. In addition, the inclusion of WB increased the cooking shrinkage and decreased hardness and cohesiveness of the samples. The fishburgers with the greatest WB levels presented a reddish-yellow hue. The microbial counts of the products were below the maximum limit allowed by the Brazilian legislation. The overall acceptance of the fishburgers improved with the addition of 0 to 2% WB. Therefore, the biquara fillets have a potential for the elaboration of fishburgers with the addition of 2% WB, once the products presented suitable physicochemical composition, sensory acceptance, and hygienic sanitary control according to the current national legislation.

Comparison of Stunning Methods on the Physicochemical Properties of Frozen Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Fillets

ABSTRACT This study compares how CO2 narcosis and thermal shock affect the physicochemical aspects of Nile tilapia fillets held frozen (−18°C) for up to 6 months. The characteristics of tilapia fillets subjected to CO2 narcosis were those of higher lightness and whiteness and lower redness. The hardness values of fillets of tilapia subjected to thermal shock were lower than those subjected to CO2 narcosis. During frozen storage to both treatments, the drip loss, denaturation of myosin, and lipid oxidation increased, while fillet water holding capacity and hardness decreased. The physicochemical properties of frozen fillets of tilapia stunned by CO2 narcosis were considered more desirable; therefore, the method can be a potential replacement to thermal shock.