Effects of Pangasius (Pangasius hypophthalmus) and Skipjack Tuna (Sarda orientalis) mince blend on the quality of fish products: Ways to utilize resources and nutrition in Bangladesh

This study was conducted with the aims of utilizing the resources and analyzing the quality of value-added fish products, fish ball made from a fish mince blend of pangasius (Pangasius hypophthalmus) and skipjack tuna (Sarda orientalis) (ratios P₁₀₀:T₀, P₇₅:T₂₅, P₅₀:T₅₀, P₂₅:T₇₅, P₀:T₁₀₀), under two cooking processes (two-step heating and autoclaving). The textural quality (softness/firmness [S/F]; chewiness/rubberiness [C/R]; and folding test [FT]) and the nutritional quality of the fish products were determined by the sensory method and AOAC method, respectively. The results showed that tuna had higher utilization than pangasius. The products from the washed fish mince blend showed better textural properties with two-step heating (50℃ for 60 min and 100℃ for 30 min) than with autoclaving (120℃, 15Ib/Inc² for 15 min) and unwashed process. Of the five fish mince blend ratios, P₅₀:T₅₀ showed significant higher textural properties (FT, S/F, and C/R values) than the other ratios (p < .05). Further improvements in textural qualities were observed when the mince blend was washed with different salt solutions (0.1% NaCl, KCl, CaCl₂, and MgCl₂). Whitish or bright color attributes were obtained from pangasius mince, which became darker proportionately with increasing proportions of tuna mince (p < .05). The texture, color, and nutritional quality of the fish products were affected by washing, heating, and the compositional differences in the fish species. Thus, value-added fish products based on a fish mince blend could contribute to an increase in total resource utilization and nutritional security in Bangladesh.