Quality characteristics of fish sausages made from African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

In the context of the problem of insufficient consumption of fish products, the possibility of creating high-quality sausage products based on new types of raw materials is considered. The development of high-quality fish sausages from new raw materials will expand the range of sausage products and provide the population with seafood products. The purpose of the study is to establish the feasibility of using African sharptooth catfish in the technology of fish sausage products. The study used a complex of generally accepted organoleptic, chemical, physicochemical methods of research: moisture content – by drying the sample to a constant weight; fat content – by the Soxhlet method; protein content – by the Kjeldahl method; ash – by burning the sample. The penetration stress was determined using a penetrometer; water activity index – using a hygrometer; the hydrogen index – using a pH meter. As a result of research, the feasibility of using the African sharptooth catfish as a raw material for making fish sausages is theoretically substantiated and experimentally confirmed (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822). The effectiveness of combining catfish meat with other hydrobionts and animal raw materials is shown. New recipes for raw smoked sausages based on African catfish with the addition of mackerel, scallop, and lard have been developed. Organoleptic and physico-chemical indicators of quality and nutritional value of finished products were studied. The results of organoleptic evaluation showed the similarity of catfish sausages to conventional meat sausages. Fish flavour and aroma were poorly expressed in sample 2, which included only African catfish meat from fish raw materials, which determined its consumer preferences. Sample 3 obtained by combining African catfish meat with mackerel and scallop received high organoleptic scores. The results of a study of the chemical composition show a high nutritional value of sausage products based on the improved recipe. The moisture content in all samples did not exceed 50%, which is the standard for raw smoked sausages. The highest protein content (26.19%) was observed in sample 2, the amount of protein in other sausage samples exceeded the minimum recommended value of 19%. The fat content in all samples was in the range of 18.93-21.41%, which does not exceed the recommended standard of 25%. Based on the results of physical and chemical studies, the indicators were found to be in line with the established standards. Studies of changes in quality and safety indicators during storage determined the permissible shelf life of raw smoked fish sausages at temperatures from 0 to +5°C for no more than 15 days