Abstract Bivalve molluscs are important fishing resources for human consumption around the world. However, for safe consumption, good hygiene conditions must be ensured throughout the production chain. Eating bivalve molluscs, particularly raw, can pose a significant health risk to consumers because they can act as vectors of infectious pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological quality of mussels from Niterói, RJ and the use of cooking to ensure food safety, as well as assessing the susceptibility of Escherichia coli and coagulase-positive Staphylococcus strains to different antimicrobials. Therefore, microbiological analyzes were performed on mussels Perna perna before and after thermal processing, the impact of cooking on the microorganisms was verified. Cooking the mussels in water at 95°C for 1 (one) minute reduced product contamination. The use of the time x temperature binomial was sufficient to reduce pathogenic microorganisms to acceptable levels according to Brazilian legislation, although the pathogens were only completely eliminated after five minutes. The bacteria investigated had a high antibiotic resistance index: 66% of E. coli strains and 34.78% of coagulase-positive Staphylococcus strains were found to be resistant to multiple drugs.

Abstract As they have an effective filter-feeding mechanism, bivalve molluscs can be used in the assessment of contamination of marine environments to measure parameters related to microbiological contaminants. Given this public health problem, a depuration system is necessary. This study aimed to conduct a literature review on depuration, the systems used, the water disinfection processes combined with a sanitizing agent, such as chlorine, ultraviolet light (UV) or ozone. Therefore, depuration can be an efficient way to reduce pathogenic bacteria in molluscs, but more studies should be conducted to confirm the efficiency of this process under non-experimental conditions and on an industrial scale.

Abstract Mussels can be used in the assessment of contamination of marine environments because of their filtering particles. Since they are used as a food source, this study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the (experimental) depuration process for the microbiological quality of mussels obtained from two regions of the Baixadas Litorâneas in Rio de Janeiro. Samples of cultivation water and mussels were collected seasonally from March 2019 to February 2020, in a total of 240 animals from both regions to perform the Most Probable Number of coliforms at 35 °C, at 45 °C (E. coli), Enterococcus spp., research Salmonella spp., count of heterotrophic aerobic mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria in control samples and debugged. A low count of E. coli was observed for the cultivation water, but in mussels the counts were high in the winter period in Armação de Búzios, exceeding the limits established in accordance with the current legislation. However, the depuration technique adopted after collection provided a reduction in bacteriological counts, proving to be an effective process. Therefore, if there is a bacterial reduction with the adoption of the depuration process, there is a need for mitigation measures adopted by mariculturers and city halls regarding the safety of marine waters and molluscs.

Abstract This study investigated the depuration time of tilapia in saline and freshwater environments and its influence on animal performance and meat quality. Depuration until the seventh day resulted in significant reductions in average weight, condition factor, viscerosomatic index, hepatosomatic index and fillet yield in both environments. Regarding proximate composition, the saline environment promoted the maintenance of crude protein, moisture and ash percentages. Depuration in the freshwater environment resulted in reduced percentages of crude protein, ash and energy and increased humidity. Total lipids were reduced in both environments, but with a significantly lower in saline. Maximum rigor index occurred in up to three and nine hours for fish depurated in freshwater and saline environments, respectively. During the post-rigor period, the rigor index experienced a sharp drop in the freshwater environment, while in the saline environment it remained similar to that of the pre-depuration group. Depuration in a saline environment for up to seven days was efficient at maintaining of proximate composition and rigor mortis, however, depuration until the fifth day is indicated to maintain performance indices.

Abstract Aquaculture of cobia (Rachycentron canadum) is still incipient in Brazil, as well as the sale of its meat. However, there is a market demand for this product in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The salting process for the meat of cultivated cobia is a way of preserving and marketing the product for the growers. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the chemical properties of salted cobia meat. Market-sized cobia grown in net-tanks located in Baía de Ilha Grande, Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil were used. The fish were eviscerated (gutted), beheaded and lightly flattened. The fillets “charutos” were then subjected to brine salting for 6 days, immersed in saturated brine at refrigeration temperature. After the preparation of the product, analyzes of percent composition, chloride content and lipid profile were performed. The product had high concentrations of protein (20.16%), lipids (19.88%) and 6.56% of total chloride. Lipid profile assessment showed significant percentages of palmitic (6.66%) and oleic (4.99%) acids. Therefore, it is concluded that the salted meat of cobia has good nutritional quality, and the product is a source of palmitic and oleic acids that help preventing cardiovascular diseases and lowering cholesterol levels.

Abstract The decreasing stock of the main species consumed in Brazil has stimulated studies regarding the use and development of products using low commercial value species. The shrimp trawling modality produces a large volume of a “mix” category comprising low commercial value fish. However, it is necessary to develop products with greater practicality to meet the current demands of the Brazilian consumer. The aim of the present study was to develop a sausage using a low commercial value fish, the Brazilian flathead (Percophis brasiliensis ), caught in the fish trawling “mix” category landed in Niterói/RJ, and perform physico-chemical, microbiological, toxicological and sensorial analyses. The centesimal composition of the analyzed fish were as follows: humidity 73.78%, proteins 16.17%, carbohydrates 3.75%, total lipids 4.41% and ash 1.78%. The microbiological and toxicological results were within the legislation standards. Twenty varieties of fatty acids (AG) were detected, with the most frequent being palmitic acid (22.81%). Among the omega-3 series, the most frequent were eicosapentaenoic acid (5.36%) and docosahexaenoic acid (15.95%). Regarding minerals, the most noteworthy were sodium, calcium and iron (1114.24 mg, 112.32 mg and 1.73 mg respectively). The sausage showed 87.30% acceptability. The results demonstrate that the low commercial value fish Brazilian flathead resulted in a viable product for use in fish technology, with excellent nutritional results.

A preocupação com a qualidade do pescado sempre foi um tema recorrente, visto que é um alimento de alto valor nutricional para toda população, porém com grande susceptibilidade à deterioração e formação de substâncias prejudiciais ao homem, caso não sejam obedecidas as condições de conservação. Um exemplo de substância formada é a histamina, uma diamina biogênica primária e heterocíclica, não volátil, termoestável, originada pela descarboxilação da L-histidina, quando as condições de manuseio e estocagem são inadequadas, favorecendo a multiplicação da microbiota natural do pescado. A histamina possui potencial alergênico, podendo causar um quadro de intoxicação no ser humano e, em casos graves, levar à morte. Para tal problema, um sistema de rastreabilidade poderia ser a solução. Seu objetivo é garantir ao consumidor um produto seguro e saudável por meio do controle de todas as fases da produção, industrialização, distribuição e comercialização, possibilitando uma perfeita correlação entre o produto final e a matéria-prima que lhe deu origem. Em diversos países existem atualmente sistemas de rastreabilidade controlando a cadeia de pescado. No Brasil, vários entraves podem ser apontados para a não obrigatoriedade da rastreabilidade em pescado. A divisão de regulamentação do setor entre diferentes órgãos, tais como Ministério da Pesca e Aquicultura (MPA), Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (MAPA) e a Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA), a falta de articulação entre esses órgãos fiscalizadores, a baixa capacitação de mão de obra e a desvalorização dos produtos da pesca, o que trazem a descapitalização da base da cadeia produtiva. De tal maneira, pode-se afirmar que há uma série de desafios para que ocorra a implantação de um sistema de rastreabilidade em território nacional. De acordo com o exposto, este estudo objetivou, através de uma revisão bibliográfica sistemática da literatura, informar a situação atual da escombrotoxicose e da rastreabilidade da histamina em pescado.

ABSTRACT Concern about the quality of the fish has always been a recurring theme since it is a food of high nutritional value for the whole population, but with greater ease of formation and decay of harmful substances to man, if not well maintained. An example of a substance formed is histamine, a biogenic diamine primary and heterocyclic, non-volatile, thermoestable, originated by the decarboxylation of L-histidine when the conditions of handling and storage are inadequate, favoring the multiplication of natural microbiota. It has allergen potential and can cause intoxication in humans and, in severe cases, lead to death. For this problem, a traceability system could be the solution. The aim is to ensure the consumer a safe and wholesome product by controlling all stages of production, processing, distribution and marketing, enabling a perfect correlation between the final product and the raw material. In several countries, there are currently traceability systems controlling the chain of fish. In Brazil, several factors can be identified as barriers to the adoption of traceability: different regulatory agencies such as the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MPA), Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), and the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), the lack of coordination between these sectors, the lack of training of skilled labor and the devaluation of fishery products, which brings decapitalization of the base of the production chain. According to this, there are a number of challenges to deploy a traceability system in the country. This study aimed, through a systematic literature review of the literature, to report the current status of escombrotoxicose and traceability of histamine in fish.