Abstract Introduction regular fish consumption has been associated with health benefits and prevention of risk factors of chronic diseases; however, consumption is heterogeneous worldwide. Consumption is higher among populations that have fish as a traditional food or among people who tend to adopt a more active and healthy lifestyle. Objectives to evaluate the level of physical activity and perception of life quality among groups with higher and lower frequency of fish consumption. Material and methods quantitative and cross-sectional study carried out via the Internet using the WHOQOL- bref tools to assess perception of life quality. The IPAQ short version normal week was used to evaluate the level of physical activity and proper tool to assess fish consumption. The frequency of fish consumption stratified into two groups (higher and lower frequency) was used as predictor variable. As outcome variable, it was considered the perception of life quality and level of physical activity among groups. Results the group of participants with the highest fish consumption presented better perception of life quality and are more physically active. Discussion and conclusion the results reinforces that regular fish consumption may be related to healthier lifestyle that, consequently, lead to a better perception of life quality.

Abstract Fish consumption is low in Brazil and several factors justify this fact, among them the lack of practicality in preparation. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relation between the price and the nutritional characteristics of the processed fish products. Correlations between price and nutritional value of 18 different processed fish products were established, comparing nutritional parameters between in natura and processed fish. The results showed that protein features moderate positive correlation to price. The processed fish products analyzed showed lower protein content and higher contents of energy, lipids and sodium compared to in natura fish.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between the products' market price and attributes related to fish purchase and consumption within a university community in Brazil. A structured questionnaire consisting of a five-point Likert scale was used. It was previously tested and made available to the university community via the Internet. The sample comprised 1966 voluntaries including university students and faculty and staff members. A descriptive analysis of data was performed using Spearman's correlation analysis. The results showed that the majority of the respondents (56%) consume fish at home; some consume fish at restaurants (39%), and 5% at family or friends' houses, reinforcing the idea that variables such as culture and reference groups are fundamental determinants of purchase and consumption behavior. It was identified a significant (p < 0.001) and very strong correlation between the attributes price and nutritional value (r = 0.92); price and availability at the usual places of purchase (r = 0.92); price and packaging (r = 0.92); price and brand name (r = 0.91); and price and of the Federal Inspection stamp (r = 0.91) and a low positive correlation (p < 0.001) between the price variable and the initiative for fish traceability (r = 0.16). This study demonstrated that the price of fish is associated with the quality of the product and the attributes related to it such as packaging, nutritional value, and availability of the product in the market.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a vida útil e os atributos sensoriais da quenelle de tilápia. Os tratamentos consistiram de dois tipos de embalagens - polietileno com zíper pouch (QA) e polietileno com caixa de papel cartão encerado (QB) - armazenadas a -18ºC por 120 dias. A quenelle de tilápia apresentou-se estável quanto aos parâmetros estabelecidos pela legislação brasileira. As médias dos atributos avaliados nas diferentes embalagens, durante o armazenamento, não apresentaram diferenças significativas, exceto quanto ao sabor de "geladeira". No entanto, durante o período de armazenamento, houve diferença significativa quanto aos atributos sensoriais, como "aparência úmida", "aroma de peixe" e "aroma do produto", e sabores não naturais de "barro" e "geladeira". A manutenção da qualidade do produto quanto aos atributos sensoriais, durante o armazenamento, mostra que a quenelle de tilápia é um produto de conveniência e contribui para o aumento do consumo de pescado.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the shelf life and sensory attributes of tilapia quenelle. Treatments consisted of two types of packages - polyethylene zipper (retort pouch) (QA) and polyethylene waxed paper box (QB) - stored at -18ºC for 120 days. Tilapia quenelle was stable for all parameters established by Brazilian legislation. Average values of the evaluated attributes in different packages, during storage, showed no significant difference, except for the "refrigeration" flavor. However, during the storage period, there were significant differences for sensory attributes, as "moist appearance", fish and product aroma, and off flavors of "mud" and "refrigeration". Preserving product quality as for its sensory attributes, during storage, shows that tilapia quenelle is a convenience product and contributes to the increase of fish consumption.

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi utilizar-se da técnica de Análise Fatorial Exploratória (AFE) para a adequação de instrumento de avaliação do consumo de pescado e as características envolvidas nesse processo. A coleta de dados ocorreu durante campanha de incentivo ao consumo de pescado no Brasil e contou com a participação de membros de uma comunidade universitária. Foi construído e utilizado um instrumento de avaliação composto por questões de múltipla escolha e em escala Likert de cinco pontos para avaliar a importância de determinados atributos no processo de aquisição e consumo de pescado. A amostra contou com a participação de 224 pessoas, sendo a sua maioria (65,6%) composta por mulheres. Quanto à frequência de consumo de pescado, 37,67% dos voluntários entrevistados responderam que consomem o produto de duas a três vezes ao mês e 29,6%, uma vez na semana. A AFE foi utilizada para agrupamento das variáveis, utilizou-se a extração pelos componentes principais e a rotação pelo método Quartimax. Os resultados demonstram agrupamento em dois constructos principais, qualidade e consumo, que apresentaram valores de 0,75 e 0,69, respectivamente, para o Coeficiente Alfa de Cronbach, indicando boa consistência interna.

The objective of this research was to use the technique of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) for the adequacy of a tool for the assessment of fish consumption and the characteristics involved in this process. Data were collected during a campaign to encourage fish consumption in Brazil with the voluntarily participation of members of a university community. An assessment instrument consisting of multiple-choice questions and a five-point Likert scale was designed and used to measure the importance of certain attributes that influence the choice and consumption of fish. This study sample was composed of of 224 individuals, the majority were women (65.6%). With regard to the frequency of fish consumption, 37.67% of the volunteers interviewed said they consume the product two or three times a month, and 29.6% once a week. The Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used to group the variables; the extraction was made using the principal components and the rotation using the Quartimax method. The results show clusters in two main constructs, quality and consumption with Cronbach Alpha coefficients of 0.75 and 0.69, respectively, indicating good internal consistency.

Buscando a qualidade do mexilhão Perna perna cultivado e comercializado no município de Ubatuba, SP, foram estudados o crescimento e o controle de Staphylococcus aureus e Bacillus cereus inoculados artificialmente em mexilhões in natura e pré-cozidos, mantidos por 10 horas à temperatura ambiente (25 ± 1 °C) e sob refrigeração (7 ± 1 °C). Foram estabelecidos seis tipos de tratamentos térmicos, sendo três sob vapor (5, 10 e 15 minutos) e três por imersão em água (5, 10 e 15 minutos), buscando estabelecer o binômio que proporcionasse a diminuição da contagem microbiana. Posteriormente, foram avaliados o rendimento, os aspectos físico-químicos e sensoriais. Todos os tratamentos térmicos foram eficientes, pois reduziram a contagem microbiana em pelo menos 2 ciclos logarítmicos. Porém, o tratamento térmico por imersão em água com ebulição apresentou resultados melhores que os tratamentos a vapor. As análises físico-químicas e sensoriais não mostraram diferença estatística entre os tratamentos térmicos estudados. Os melhores desempenhos foram alcançados nos menores tempos de exposição ao calor, e os tratamentos em água com ebulição apresentaram resultados mais satisfatórios que os tratamentos a vapor.

Aiming at improving the quality of Perna perna mussels cultivated and commercialized in Ubatuba, SP, Brazil, the growth and elimination of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus artificially inoculated in mussels were studied. The inoculation was carried out in "in natura" and pre-cooked mussels for 30 min, and after that the mussels were kept for 10 hours at room temperature (25 ± 1 °C) and under refrigeration (7 ± 1 °C). Six thermal treatments were evaluated: three using steam (5, 10 and 15 minutes) and three in boiling water (5, 10 and 15 minutes), in order to find the best time/temperature binomial to provide pathogenic control. Yield and physical-chemical and sensory characteristics were evaluated. All thermal treatments were efficient to eliminate microorganisms in 2 logarithmic cycles. However, the boiling water treatments presented better results than the steam treatments. The physical-chemical and sensory analyses did not show statistical differences among the thermal treatments studied. The best performances were reached in the shortest times of heat exposure. Overall, the treatments in boiling water presented better results than the steam treatments.

O presente estudo objetivou caracterizar o mexilhão Perna perna como alimento no que se refere à estabilidade físico-química, valor nutricional e consumo. Os mexilhões avaliados foram coletados em três regiões distintas do litoral norte de São Paulo: praia da Barra Seca, praia do Engenho da Almada e costão do Cedro. Determinou-se a composição centesimal (umidade, proteína bruta, carboidrato, lipídios e cinza), o valor calórico, o pH e as bases voláteis nitrogenadas totais. Paralelamente foi realizado estudo de mercado, através de questionários não estruturados, aplicados aos comerciantes e consumidores locais. Detectou-se variação dos constituintes químicos dos mexilhões em função da sazonalidade, bem como, do local de origem destes. Estes constituem uma fonte protéica (9,1 g.100 g-1), com baixo teor lipídico (1,1 g.100 g-1) e calórico (72,7 Kcal.100 g-1). Apresentaram uma estabilidade físico-química de 4 dias, sob temperatura de 10 °C (±1), conforme aferido pelos resultados apresentados, que não se correlacionaram entre si. No geral, os estabelecimentos comerciais apontaram uma preferência pela aquisição do mexilhão sem as conchas e uma maior demanda do produto preparado na forma de vinagrete. Foi diagnosticado o desconhecimento do produto pelos consumidores e conseqüente necessidade de marketing visando sua promoção.

This research work consisted of characterizing Perna perna mussel as a food in terms of its physicochemical stability, nutritional value and consumption. Specimens of the mussel were collected from three sites off the northern coast of the state of São Paulo, namely Barra Seca, Engenho da Almada and Costão do Cedro. The centesimal composition (humidity, crude protein, carbohydrates, lipids and ash), caloric value, pH and total basic volatile nitrogen were determined. A market study was also carried out based on a nonstructured questionnaire distributed to local tradesmen and consumers. The chemical constituents of the mussels were found to vary according to the season and their site of origin. These mussels are a source of protein (9.1 g.100 g-1) with a low lipid (1.1 g.100 g-1) and calorie content (72.7 Kcal.100 g-1). The specimens displayed physicochemical stability for 4 days at a temperature of 10 °C (±1), as evidenced by the physical and chemical results, which were noncorrelated. In general, businesses prefer to purchase shucked mussels and there was a higher demand for the product in the form of vinaigrette sauce. The consumer evinced unfamiliarity with the product, indicating the need for marketing efforts to promote it.

Para efetivar o processamento dos mexilhões, o monitoramento da qualidade da matéria-prima compõe as exigências de qualidade para comercialização do produto. Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa diagnosticar parâmetros físico químicos e a incidência de S. aureus e B. cereus tanto na água de cultivo como no mexilhão. Na água do mar foram analisados pH e turbidez. Nos mexilhões, foram avaliados o pH e foi feito o exame biométrico das valvas. Foram realizadas análises de S. aureus e B. cereus tanto na água quanto nos mexilhões. O valor médio do pH da água, dos respectivos pontos de coleta estudados, variou de 8,23 a 8,65, estando os dados encontrados nesta pesquisa de acordo com a legislação (Brasil, 2001). Para a turbidez, a média geral das coletas ficou em torno de 0,67 UNT, alcançando picos de 1,15 UNT. Os valores de pH dos mexilhões variaram de 5,66 a 6,81, estando 60% dos valores encontrados, dentro do limite estabelecido pela legislação. Quanto à biometria das valvas, os valores médios ficaram enrte 4,78 a 7,81 cm. Para as análises microbiológicas, todas as amostras apresentaram-se dentro dos limites da legislação. O B. cereus foi detectado na água em apenas 6,7% das amostras. Os locais de cultivo apresentaram condição sustentável para cultivo e podem gerar alimento inócuo; os mexilhões de cultivo podem ser utilizados como matéria-prima na indústria processadora.

Mussel processing, requires the quality of the seafarm water and raw material to obtain a good commercial product. It was aimed at this research to diagnose the parameters physical chemistry and the incidence of S. aureus and B. cereus in the water as in the cultivated mussel. In the sea water pH and turbinidy were analyzed. In the mussel pH and size measures were analyzed. Analyses of S.aureus and B. cereus were accomplished. The medium value of the pH, of the respective collection points studied, it varied from 8.23 to 8.65, being the data found in this research in agreement with the legislation. For the turbinidy, the general means of the collections was around 0.67 UNT, reaching picks of 1.15 UNT. The values of pH of the mussels changed from 5.66 to 6.81, being 60% of the found values, inside of the established limit for the legislation. In relationship to the size of the valves, the medium values were among 4.78 to 7.81 cm. The presence of S. aureus was not detected in the cultivation areas studied. In relation to the mussels, all the samples were considered on the limits of the legislation. The B. cereus was detected in the water in only 6.7% of the samples. The collected points showed sustained condition to mussel cultive on seafarm and should be produce as a safety food.

O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar as características inerentes à truta salmonada (Salmo truta) e ao salmão (Salmo salar), no que se refere à coloração (CIE L*a*b*), composição centesimal, pH e atributos sensoriais, de filés in natura e defumados, visando uma possível alternativa para substituição do salmão importado pela truta salmonada brasileira, em termos de equivalência comercial para venda no varejo. Os resultados encontrados, mostraram que não ocorreu diferença estatística para a maioria dos atributos sensorias analisados e para o pH. Já a coloração dos filés apresentou diferença estatística indicando porém, uma coloração mais intensa para a truta em relação ao salmão, sendo, portanto, conveniente à agroindústria.

The objective of this study was to make a comparison between the characteristics of salmoned trout (Salmo truta) and salmon (Salmo salar) in terms of coloration (CIE L*a*b*), proximate composition, pH and sensory attributes of fresh and smoked fillets in order to obtain a possible alternative for the substitution of imported salmon for Brazilian salmoned trout as a commercial equivalent for retail sales. Results showed that no statistical difference was found for most of the sensory attributes analyzed and for pH. Although the coloration of the fillets presented a statistical difference, the trout presented a more intense coloration than the salmon, proving to be, therefore, convenient to agroindustry.