Browsing by Author "Van der Merwe, Marla"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Development of value-added products using the neck flesh of Cape Hake (Merluccius Capensis)
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002-12) Van der Merwe, Marla; Hoffman, Louwrens C.; Dalton, A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of AgriSciences. Dept. of Food Science.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The focus of this study was the development of food products produced from the neck flesh of Cape hake (Merluccius capensis) as a means of adding value to hake heads. The product prototypes that have been developed include curried fish chowder (packaged in stand-up pouches), fish spread (packaged in plastic casings) and Chakalaka hake (packaged in both cans and retortabie pouches). A formula for fish stock, which was used as a base ingredient in the three product prototypes, has also been standardised. Shelf life testing was regarded an essential part of the development processes for the refrigerated product prototypes i.e. the curried fish chowder and the fish spread. Shelf life determinations involved microbiological testing based on set microbiological standards as well as sensory monitoring and pH testing. Proximate chemical- and mineral analyses were performed on freeze-dried samples of the developed product prototypes. The efficiency of the antimicrobial peptides enterocin 1071 A and 1071 B, as biological preservatives, versus that of conventional artificial preservatives was evaluated in the fish spread prototype. Three batches of fish spread were prepared: one containing the enterocin crude extract; the second a combination of sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate, while the third batch containing no preservatives served as the control. Microbiological- and histamine tests coupled with organoleptic monitoring and pH testing were carried out over a 21-day period. It was concluded that although enterocins 1071A and 1071B had some preserving effect in the fish spread, the artificial preservative combination was the superior preserving agent. However, neither the biological preservatives nor the artificial preservative combination succeeded in providing a satisfactory shelf life. The preserving agents used in this study were however not necessarily included at optimum levels and higher levels could possibly lead to an improved shelf life. The influence of two processing temperatures [121°C (249.8°F) and 116°C (240.8°F)] and two food container types (retortable pouch and can) on the sensory quality characteristics of the Chakalaka hake-prototype was investigated. The results indicated that the shorter processing time obtained with a higher processing temperature resulted in a product of better sensory quality. The sensory quality characteristics of Chakalaka hake processed in cans at 121°C were closest to that considered desirable for the product.