Evaluation of salt content and effectiveness of excessive salt reduction methods in selected commercially available dried fish types in Sri Lanka

High salt intake elevates the risk of non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases and stroke worldwide. Sri Lanka has recorded in 2010 as the country with highest average fish & fish products consumption in South Asia. In the current study, salt in ten types of commonly available dried fish namely; sprats, prawns, smoothbelly sardinella, queen fish, cat fish, sail fish, shark, skipjack tuna, Bombay duck and trenched sardinella was analyzed and determined salt reduction methods with minimal protein loss. Four salt reduction methods were tested; Method 1: washed with water at Room Temperature (RT) for five times; Method 2: washed with water for five times at RT and kept in hot water for 5min; Method 3: washed with water for five times at RT and boiled for 5min; Method 4: washed with water for five times at RT and kept in coconut water for 5min. Using Volhard method, sodium chloride was analyzed while protein was determined using Kjeldahl method. All four methods showed significant reduction of salt level in tested dried fish (p < 0.05). Among the tested salt reduction methods, Method 3 showed the highest salt reduction for all types of dried fish except smoothbelly sardinella and cat fish.The highest salt mean value of 28.8% was recorded in queen fish and the lowest mean value of 12.8% was recorded in smoothbelly sardinella. The highest protein loss was recorded in Method 3. To reduce considerable amount of salt, the easiest and fairly effective method is method 1 except for prawns and Shark. Although higher salt reduction showed in method 2 and 3, they are not recommended due to high protein loss, high energy expenditure and reduction of freshness of dried fish. Method 4 can be applied for all dried fish types because it is economical and reduces considerable amount of salt, removes less amount of protein comparatively. The results revealed that all tested dried fish except smoothbelly sardinella contain significantly high amount of salt (p < 0.05) than the standard value specified (12%) by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI).Keywords: Dried fish, protein loss, salt-intake, salt reduction, non-communicable diseases

Exploring Values and Beliefs in a Complex Coastal Social-Ecological System: A Case of Small-Scale Fishery and Dried Fish Production in Sagar Island, Indian Sundarbans

The survivability of the small-scale fishery and dried fish production in Indian Sundarbans, despite increasing threats posed by climate, environmental, economic, and policy drivers, suggests that they possess certain unique strengths and capabilities. One thread of these strengths is connected to the fact that Sundarbans’ fishery system is strongly anchored in the values and beliefs of the local fishing communities. There is, however, limited empirical information available on the prevailing individual and collective attitudes, expectations, traditions, customs, and, above all, values and beliefs that strongly influence local fishing communities of Sundarbans. This manuscript aims to address this gap by drawing on qualitative data to (1) map the nature of values and beliefs associated with the Sundarbans’ Sagar Island fishing communities who are engaged in small-scale fishery and dried fish production; and (2) highlight the contributions of values and beliefs to the small-scale fishery and dried fish production systems of Sagar Island. Our study reveals that historical factors such as the patriarchal and patrilineal system prevalent in the Indian Sundarbans as well as the current drivers, including environmental and social-economic changes, create inconsistent values and beliefs among male and female members of its society. Issues around values and beliefs are heavily influenced by social-ecological realities comprising material, relational and subjective dimensions. They can range from being strictly personal to largely community-oriented as they are shaped by realities of gender, class, power dynamics, and politics. Values and beliefs are fundamental to human perception and cognition but often get neglected in mainstream literature covering human dimensions of resource management. Our research adds weight to the theoretical and place-based understanding of the contributions of values and beliefs to the small-scale fishery and dried fish production systems. We learn from the case study that values and beliefs can act as mirrors, reflecting the current as well as future realities of small-scale fisheries and dried fish production systems and provide important directions for sustainability and viability of the entire social-ecological system that hosts this sector.

Analysis of organochlorine DDT residue along with its metabolites in dry fishes from some selected markets of Dhaka city

A study was investigated to estimate the current status of health hazardous organochlorine insecticide DDT and its metabolites DDE and DDD in different species of dry fish. To achieve the goal of this experiment, ten different sun-dried fish samples were collected from different markets of Dhaka city. The concentration of DDT, DDE and DDD was determined using the capillary column coupled to Gas Chromatograph with Electron Captured Detector (GC-ECD). Most of the dry fishes, seven out of ten samples, were found to be contaminated with DDT along with its metabolites DDE and DDD ranging from 0.029-1.22 mg/kg which is a serious concern because of the nature of long persistency and bioaccumulation of DDT in the environment. The highest concentration of DDT (1.22 mg/kg) was observed in Pampus chinensis dry fish whereas low concentration was detected in Otolithoides pama (0.029 mg/kg). Asian Australas. J. Food Saf. Secur. 2021, 5 (2), 79-84

Kombinasi pengemasan vakum dan iradiasi untuk memperpanjang masa simpan ikan kayu (Keumamah)

Keumamah, or dried fish, is one of Aceh Province's traditional delicacies whose ingredient is mackerel tuna. The making of dried fish (Keumamah) is a method of preserving fish to prolong its shelf life. The study aimed to measure the storage time of dried fish (Keumamah) using vacuum packaging and irradiation. The study used an experimental design through the Randomized Control Trial (RCT) method. Statistically analyzed using ANOVA and advanced Duncan test with Confidence Interval (CI) of 95%. This study showed that vacuum irradiation could significantly preserve the colour, taste, flavour, and texture characteristics of the dried fish (p < 0,01) for all variables. The Total Plate Count (TPC) test and water, protein, and fat content analysis suggest a significantly better post-storage condition of the dried fish using a vacuum and irradiation combination. Meanwhile, the analysis of ash content did not show a significant difference between treatment and control groups (p= 0,386). In conclusion, the packaging with a combination of vacuum and irradiation could prolong the shelf life of dried fish

FORMULATION AND NUTRITIONAL EVALUATION OF HIGH PROTEIN DIET PRODUCED FROM YELLOW MAIZE (Zea mays) SOYA BEAN (GLYCINE MAX), PUMPKIN (Cucurbita pepo) SEED AND FISH (Alestes nurse) MEAL

The aim of this study was to produce high protein diet for growing children from yellow maize, soya bean, pumpkin seed and fish meal. The raw materials were subjected to different processing techniques. The yellow maize (YM) was blended with different proportions of soya bean (SB), pumpkin seeds (PS) and fish meal (FM) with a view to formulating a high protein diet to address protein Energy Malnutrition. The formulated food Blends were; Blend 1 (70 % YM: 30 % SB), Blend 2 (70 % YM: 30 % PS), Blend 3 (70 % YM: 30 % FM), Blend 4 (70 % YM: 20 % SB :10 % PS), Blend 5 (70 % YM: 15 % SB: 15 % FM), Blend 6 (60 % YM: 20 % PS: 20 % FM), and a therapeutic milk (F-100) was used as a control diet. The raw materials and the food Blends were assayed for proximate, mineral, vitamin content and amino acid profile. The data obtained were analyzed statistically. The results of the proximate composition showed significant (p<0.05) decrease in moisture, protein, total fat and fibre contents of the fermented yellow maize, roasted soya bean and pumpkin seed while that of the dried fish showed significant (P<0.05) increase. The results shows that food Blend 6 had highest values for protein (17.77±0.09 %), total fat (6.00±0.27%) and total energy (388.10±0.29 Kcal/100g). A Significant (P<0.05) difference was observed in the mineral element content of yellow maize and fish meal after fermentation and drying respectively, while an increase was observed in roasted soya bean and pumpkin seed. The food Blend 5 recorded higher value for Na, and K, while the control diet had higher value for P, Zn, Fe and Cu. An increase in B-group vitamins, and vitamin C, were observed in the samples, while decreased in fat soluble vitamins A and E were observed in fermented yellow maize and dried fish, while decrease was observed in roasted soybean and pumpkin seed. The control diet had higher value for all the vitamins analyzed compared to the food Blends, except for vitamin A and E. The result of the amino acid profile showed that the levels of the essential amino acids were increased in the fermented yellow maize, and dried fish, while a reduction was observed in roasted soya bean and pumpkin seed. However, all the prepared food Blends were enhanced in terms of essential amino acid, but more enhanced in food Blend 6, followed very closely by food Blend 5. The amino acid profile of the control Blend was higher than those of the food Blends1, 2, 3 and 4. Thus, the high energy and protein contents of the formulated diets are adequate in the management of PEM.

Efficacy of fresh crushed leaves and essential oil of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh on larvae of Dermestes maculatus De Geer insect damage to smoked dried Sardinella aurita "Kétiakh" stored in Senegal

Synthetic pesticides used to protect stored smoked and dried fish often cause enormous damageto human health and the environment. To limit the harms due to the use of these chemicals, it is necessary to find alternative methods. For this purpose, natural substances may constitute a beneficial way. The objective of this work is to study the effect of crushed fresh leaves and essential oil of Eucalyptus camaldulensis on the mortality of the larvae of an insect pest of smoked and dried fish, Sardinella aurita "Kétiakh", Dermestes maculatus (De Geer, 1774). Essential Oil was obtained by steam distillation from Eucalyptus leaves (0.8% w/w) and analyses carried out by GC/FID and GC/MS. For the biological test, fresh crushed leaves and essential oil were tested at different doses at varying treatment times again larvae Dermestes maculates. The results showed that D. maculatus was sensitive for both fresh crushed leaves and the essential oil, the efficacy of which depended on the dose and duration of treatment. The doses of 2 g and 2.5 g of freshly ground leaves showed a high efficiency of 27 to 40%, of mortality respectively. However, for the essential oil, with the increase in the duration of exposure, the highest mortality (33.3%) was recorded after 72 hours of treatment with the 40µl dose and at 120 hours with the 60µl dose. This study showed that fresh crushed leaves and essential oil of Eucalyptus camaldulensis can be considered as an alternative to the use of chemical insecticides in the conservation of smoked and dried Sardinella aurita "Kétiakh" stored in Senegal.

Dried fish in Indonesia: Problems and a Possible Solution, a Review

Dried fish has become one of the favourite food for Indonesian. The drying technology has been passed down through generations especially in the coastal communities due to its simplicity. Despite the long history of dried fish in Indonesia, some problems need to be addressed. Maintaining the quality for both domestic and global markets in an integrated and sustainable manner is still standing as the major problem. Formalin residue had been found in some dried fish products in several areas in Indonesia. This safety matter is also drawn both researcher’s and policy maker’s attention. Several possible solutions are offered to iron out the issues. The development of new technology which easy to adopt and low cost is needed. A combination drying machine can be an alternative to solve the problems. The machine is designed to be able to operate using both electrical and solar sources. The machine can yield a good quality product which can be used throughout the year.