The results of the weighings carried out on our sample of flour made from fish waste reveal a significant reduction in weight between the fresh state and the dry state, particularly for the intestines (-70.93%), with a minimum weight loss noted for the swim bladders (-26.64%) (Table 1).
As for the fresh-weight fish sample, it experienced a decrease of more than half of its weight (-58.75%). This indicates a significant loss of water due to evaporation.
Evaluation of the physicochemical and microbiological quality of the fishmeal
The results obtained reveal an overall significant physicoc-hemical composition (Table 2), characterized by low moisture (4.07%) and a pH close to neutrality (6.65). However, the product showed high ash (29.46%) and fat (40.33%) levels, along with low protein compared to
FAO (2018).
Furthermore, the
FAO (2018), recommends maintaining fishmeal moisture below 10% to limit microbial develop-ment, prevent oxidation and ensure proper preservation. The ash content in the fish waste meal analyzed in this study is relatively high, reaching 29.46% (Table 2). This reflects a significant concentration of minerals, mainly due to the presence of bone fragments, particularly the spines, contributing to the enrichment of the product in calcium and phosphorus.
Rahim et al., (2017), report a fishmeal ash content varying between 12.32 and 18.32%. These results also remain lower than ours. Regarding fat content, our sample stored at room temperature showed a high value of 40.33%. This value can be beneficial by constituting a source of energy for the animal, but these lipids can be subject to oxidation, thus affecting the nutritional quality of the meal in the long term, following the appearance of unpleasant flavors during storage. Finally, the protein content of our sample is 19.32%, it is considered significantly lower than the standard recommended by the
FAO (2023), which fluctuates between 68 and 70% for fishmeal intended for animal feed. As reported by
Tiwari et al., (2023), the prepared fish powder from
Labeo bata, a minor carp species from Assam, recorded moisture, protein , fat and ash contents of 4.62, 63.87, 13.04 and 2.96 g/100 g respectively. This product also demonstrated good shel life, as assessed through changes in moisture, free fatty acids, total plate count and pH during 90 days of storage.
The total aerobic mesophilic flora was found to be too numerous to count (Table 3), suggesting a high level of microbial contamination in the fishmeal. Similar findings have been reported in previous studies, where high microbial loads were associated with poor handling and storage conditions of fish
(Hatha et al., 2013).
In contrast, coliforms were not detected, indicating the absence of fecal contamination and pathogenic bacteria of intestinal origin in the marine environment. However, the high counts of yeasts and molds indicate favorable environmental conditions for fungal growth and proliferation, consistent with earlier observations by
Vieira et al., (2020).
Results of physicochemical and microbiological quality stability tests during storage
Data analysis (Table 4), indicates that samples exposed to room temperature and the incubator (55
oC) have a high dry matter content of approximately 95%, a level close to that obtained initially. This content is followed by a significant decrease in the average moisture content of our flour sample, thus limiting alterations in the product’s nutritional quality and promoting its better preservation.
According to
Biswas (2024), the fish preservation in a portable solar cooler is pratical and economical for up to 7 days, showing similar results to houserhold refrigeration at controlled temperature.
It should be noted that at a temperature of 55
oC, increased evaporation of moisture from fishmeal may occur. However, under these conditions, the meal may reach a new hygroscopic equilibrium, different from that initially achieved during storage at room temperature. However, prolonged storage at 55
oC is generally not recommended due to the increased risk of deterioration of the chemical, physical and organoleptic qualities of fishmeal, which is mainly manifested by altered odor and taste, often perceived as indicators of poor storage. Conversely, at 4
oC, the fishmeal produced experienced a gradual increase in moisture content, estimated at approximately 2% compared to its initial content.
This increase is likely due to moisture absorption from the surrounding air, inadequate packaging conditions, or the intrinsic hygroscopic properties of this meal. However, slight moisture retention under control may be relevant for specific applications. For comparison,
Ponce and Gernat (2002) reported a value of 5.4% for the moisture content of Tilapia flour, which is close to our estimated results after 2 weeks of storage at room temperature. The results of the work of
Hariyono et al., (2021) indicate that if the moisture content of the fillet is too high, it becomes vulnerable to deterioration during storage. This instability is caused by the water vapor produced during the metabolic activity of the fungi and the longer the fermentation time, the higher this moisture content, leading to a degradation of the product quality.
After 7 and 15 days of storage, the fishmeal exposed to different temperatures showed changes in fat stability, as shown in Table 4.
At low temperatures (4
oC and room temperature), the average fat content remained relatively stable at around 13%. Over the weeks (1
st, 2
nd and 3
rd), with increasing storage temperatures, the fat content of the fishmeal gradually decreased due to oxidation and hydrolysis phenomena. This was observed during the high temperature (55
oC) where this content significantly decreased (p≤0.05) from an initial 41% to 7.66% after the 3
week of storage. It should be noted that heat accelerates the action of lipolytic enzymes, particularly phospholipase, according to
Kaneniwa et al., (2000), even when they are present in small amounts. Lipids can then undergo hydrolysis, leading to the breakdown of triglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerol, thus compromising product stability.
This is in contrast to low-temperature storage conditions, where the fat present in fishmeal is less likely to oxidize rapidly. According to
Ashton (2002), lipolysis is a common post-mortem characteristic in fish muscle, resulting from the enzymatic hydrolysis of esterified lipids. However, these changes generally remain limited if fishmeal is stored properly at 4
oC under airtight, dry conditions, thus preventing enzymatic activity and oxidation.
In the study conducted by
Hariyono et al., (2021), it was found that the lowest lipid content was obtained during the 50 hours fermentation process, dropping from 19.38% to approximately 0.9%. This result suggests that fermentation treatment results in a significant reduction in the fat fraction. Furthermore, seasonal variations in the chemical composition of capelin flour were observed.
Bragadóttir et al. (2004) report that the lowest lipid content was recorded in spring (8.4%), but it reached between 10.9 and 11.9% during other seasons (p<0.05), with an inverse relationship to moisture content. However, the lipid content of cappelle flour did not vary from one season to the next in another study by
Bragadóttir et al. (2002), unlike that of cappellin, which decreased from approximately 14% in autumn to nearly 3% in spring. Regarding the effects of different heat treatments,
Hilmarsdottir et al., (2020) studied the impact of cooking on lipid composition during the production of pelagic fishmeal, demonstrating that cooking temperatures of 85°C reduce the final lipid content while preserving the quality of the remaining lipids.
Furthermore, research conducted by
Ruyter et al., (2003) on lipid metabolism in Atlantic salmon showed that temperatures of 5
oC combined with the presence of linoleic acid promote the synthesis of certain essential fatty acids in hepatocytes. Furthermore,
Sissener et al., (2017) highlighted the effect of temperature on lipid accumulation in Atlantic salmon liver. Low temperatures (6
oC) lead to a greater accumulation of reserve lipids compared to 12
oC.
Pourashouri et al., (2013), when evaluating the quality loss in ready-to-eat fish-based foods during refrigerated storage, highlight a significant development of lipid oxidation despite low microbial growth, hence the sensitivity of lipids even at low temperatures.
A decrease in protein content after 3 weeks of storage at different temperatures was observed compared to the initial value. The drop exceeded 5% at room temperature and more than 15% at 55
oC. However, it should be noted that storage at room temperature allows for the preservation of a relatively large amount of protein (13.67%), while high temperatures (55
oC) lead to a marked degradation of proteins (4.1%) in the fish waste meal analyzed in this work.
This protein alteration could be linked to chemical reactions such as oxidation or to enzymatic activity favored by storage conditions (temperature and duration) (
Poojary and Lund, 2022). In addition, Maillard reactions occur between amino acids and reducing sugars, thus causing a loss of essential amino acids and a loss of the nutritional value of the meal
(Xiang et al., 2021). Furthermore, proteins subjected to high temperatures tend to denature or coagulate, making the drying process, when poorly controlled, responsible for the deterioration of their nutritional and functional properties (swelling capacity, water retention) (
Poojary and Lund, 2022).
Analysis of weekly measurements of microorganisms present in fishmeal stored under different temperature and duration conditions highlights various aspects related to its microbiological quality. Table 5 reveals significant contamination, particularly by total aerobic mesophilic flora, regardless of the experimental storage conditions.
The same is true for yeasts and molds, whose contamination only progressed from the first week of storage, with a notable intensification at 55
oC. This rapid fungal growth results from inadequate storage conditions or insufficient initial quality of the resulting flour.
Indeed, yeasts and molds in “piracuí” fishmeal were only observed after 15 days of storage, with a rate of 3 x 10
2 CFU/g in the study conducted by
Lourenço et al. (2011). As for coliforms, their total absence was noted under the various storage conditions tested. A marginal appearance of total coliforms was observed after one week of storage. However, the absence of fecal coliforms is a good indicator of the sanitary quality of our fishmeal sample, indicating its effective exposure to heat treatments, thus eliminating all environmental bacteria and ensuring good microbiological quality of the fishmeal (
FAO, 2019).
Asif et al., (2019) highlighted the presence of various pathogenic bacteria in samples of raw, cooked and frozen fish, with the presence of fecal coliforms in raw fish, highlighting the health risk caused by poor hygiene.
Juliana et al., (2021) study of dry salted shrimp marketed in Brazil showed that yeasts and molds, including
Aspergillus,
Penicillium and
Cladosporium, reached significant levels, requiring increased hygiene measures and sanitary controls.
Nguyen et al., (2018) made the same observation on the microbial risks associated with refrigerated catfish fillets. They observed a significant growth (p<0.05) in aerobic bacterial populations (7.446 log CFU/g) after only 4 days of storage. Yeasts and molds also proliferated, reaching 2.97 log CFU/g after 3 days of refrigerated storage, while pathogenic bacteria such as
Listeria monocytogenes and
Clostridium sporogenes were not detected until the 6th day of refrigerated storage at 5 to 7
oC.
Furthermore,
Albaris et al., (2022), in their research on microorganisms responsible for the deterioration of aquatic products, highlighted that yeasts of the genera Candida and Rhodotorula are frequently encountered spoilage agents, particularly at low temperatures. A fungal load assessment conducted by
Ibrahim et al., (2015) on 100 samples of imported frozen fish revealed the predominance of molds of the genera
Aspergillus spp and
Penicillium spp. In addition to the presence of other mold and yeast isolates, according to
Malimon et al., (2018), high levels of mesophilic microorganisms were present in 25% of the samples analyzed. Furthermore, psychrotrophic organisms were detected in 60 to 70% of samples with a load exceeding 50000 CFU/g, often exceeding the accepted microbiological standards for fresh fish.