Changes in lipids, lipoxygenase activity and fishy odour development in the skin of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) during iced storage of 18 days were monitored. Triacylglycerol content of skin decreased with coincidental increases in free fatty acid, monoacylglycerol, diacylglycerol and phospholipid contents during storage (p<0.05). During iced storage, peroxide value increased at day 9 and subsequently decreased up to 18 days (p<0.05). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values and lipoxygenase activity increased throughout 18 days of iced storage (p<0.05). With increasing storage time, a progressive formation of hydroperoxide was found as evidenced by the increase in amplitude of peak at 3600-3200 cm(-1) in Fourier transform infrared spectra. Those changes indicated that lipid oxidation took place during iced storage. The increase in fishy odour of skin was observed as the storage time increased. The development of fishy odour in Nile tilapia skin during iced storage was mostly governed by lipid oxidation via autoxidation or induced by lipoxygenase. Thus, the extended storage time of whole fish resulted in the pronounced changes in lipids and the increased fishy odour in the skin.
Keywords: Fishy odour; Lipids; Nile tilapia; Oxidation; Skin.
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