Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

IMPROVEMENT IN THE KEEPING QUALITY OF CROAKER FISH DRIED BY DIFFERENT METHODS

P.S. Khanolkar, V.P. Joshi, J.M. Koli, S.T. Sharangd her, M.T. Shavandhar and Y.V. Salvi

Abstract

Keeping quality of croaker fish dried by different methods was studied.The biochemical, microbiological and organoleptic quality of croaker fish Otolithoides biauritus, dried by different methods namely solar panel drier (SPD) and Solar Tent Drier (STD) was compared with traditionally dried croaker fish. Moisture and acid insoluble ash was within the limit specified by is for SPD dried and STD dried croaker fish, whereas, traditionally dried croaker fish crossed this limit. SPD and STD dried croaker fish showed lower microbial count than traditional method. Fish dried in SPD and STD was completely free from pathogenic organisms. Croaker fish dried by traditional method showed the presence of pathogenic organism Staphylococci indicating unhygienic conditions during drying. Organoleptically,. the SPD and STD dried croaker fish were rated as 'slightly good' and traditionally dried were rated as 'acceptable'.