Influence of lipid content and packaging methods on the quality of dried capelin (Mallotus villosus) during storage.

Capelin annual catch exceeds half a million tons in Iceland, with only a small quantity (<20%) of female with roe used for human food. There is a potential to use dried male capelin as a new product for human consumption, but its lipid content varies considerably (4-20% body weight). Earlier studies were more concentrated on the influence of drying conditions than the influence of storage conditions on the quality of dried fish, as dried fish are usually considered to be stable and safe during storage. Three batches of dried male capelin differing in lipid content were packaged and studied during 5 months storage at 22 ± 2 °C to establish appropriate lipid content at harvesting and product packaging method. Lipid composition, lipid hydrolysis and oxidation, sensory attributes and microbial activity were evaluated. Batches differed in composition and stability, with low lipid capelin constituting higher proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (22% lipid) than high lipid (18% lipid) capelin. Lipid oxidation was influenced by lipid content and packaging method, as accelerated oxidation occurred in high lipid and open packed capelin. Lipid hydrolysis was less influenced by packaging and was greater in low lipid capelin. High lipid capelin in open bags scored the highest for rancid odor. All batches were micro-biologically stable with colony-forming unit counts increasing less than log 1 (log 5-6) during 5 months storage.

Sensory analysis and consumer surveys of fat- and salt-reduced meat products and their use in an energy-reduced diet in overweight individuals.

Meat and meat products are of high nutritional value; however, they frequently provide salt and fat in high amounts, which can have negative health effects when consumed in excess. We investigated salt- and fat-reduced meat products, i.e. sensory evaluation and consumer surveys were carried out as well as a dietary intervention study was carried out in overweight individuals who used salt- and fat-reduced products as a part of an energy-restricted diet. Although differences were detected in the sensory evaluation between reduced and regular meat products, the participants in the consumer surveys and in the dietary intervention study gave good ratings for the fat and fat-reduced meat products. The intervention study led to weight loss and improved cardiovascular risk, but did not reveal side effects associated with the consumption of these products. Our study indicates that such products are well accepted by potential consumers and can be included successfully in a weight loss programme.

Solubility and viscosity of herring (Clupea harengus) proteins as affected by freezing and frozen storage.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of freezing and frozen storage at -24 degrees C on the quality of Icelandic herring fillets, focusing on protein solubility and viscosity at pH 2.7 and 11 used for pH-aided protein isolation. The evaluation of quality was based on chemical analyses, protein degradation measurements, and changes in protein solubility and viscosity at pH 2.7 and 11 after up to 6-mo frozen storage of the herring fillets. Lipid oxidation measured as TBARS values increased significantly during the frozen storage (P < 0.05). Protein solubility at pH 2.7 decreased during frozen storage for 6 mo, where the solubility was about 10% lower after 6-mo frozen storage compared to the beginning (P < 0.05). At pH 11, the solubility became approximately 15% lower after 6-mo frozen storage compared to initial solubility (P < 0.05). Viscosity, measured at pH 2.7, increased after 3 mo of frozen storage (P < 0.05). At pH 11, the viscosity increased significantly after 1-wk frozen storage, compared to fresh herring fillets, but did not increase significantly with further storage (P < 0.05). Changes found in solubility and viscosity indicated protein degradation due to freezing and frozen storage. SDS-PAGE analysis did not reveal any protein cross-linking or aggregation formation, either with frozen storage or due to exposure to low pH.

Regional variation in the hedonic evaluation of lamb meat from diverse production systems by consumers in six European countries.

This paper describes the responses of consumers in six European countries (Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Iceland and United Kingdom) tasting meat from twelve different local types of lambs produced in those same six countries. Animals represented 10 breeds and crossbreeds, three sexes, several diets composed of either milk, concentrates and various forages as main ingredients and different slaughter ages, from 1 and 12 months, and carcass weights, from 5.5 to 30.4kg. Tests were conducted by 36 volunteer families in each of the six countries involved in the study. Families were asked to roast the joints using their own cooking criteria, evaluating (from "dislike extremely" to "like extremely") flavour, tenderness, juiciness and overall liking. Also the cook was asked to rate the odour during cooking. Country and lamb type and their interaction were statistically significant for all the variables analysed. Results suggest a link between the assessments of a given lamb type and the consumers' culinary background, showing clear associations between country and lamb type preferences. It was possible to separate, independently of the country, different groups of families with similar preferences. Five family groups, which included 88 families (40.74%), had a clear Mediterranean origin and preferred types of lamb fed either milk or mainly concentrate diets. Seven family groups, which included 93 families (43.06%) with a clear northern origin, preferred types reared on grass or with grass included in the diet. The rest of the groups (four) that included 35 families (16.20%) had no clear composition (northern or Mediterranean), and they had a wider taste preference. It can clearly be seen that there are two categories of consumers of lamb in the analysed European market: those who prefer "milk or concentrate taste" and those who prefer "grass taste".