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.

RESUMO No Brasil, a comercialização de peixes é realizada com o produto fresco ou congelado. Para se conseguir o aumento de consumo, se faz necessário oferecer produtos de conveniência e com valor agregado. Produtos processados possuem atributos sensoriais diferenciados além de facilidade no preparo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi elaborar e caracterizar, através de análises físico-químicas, microbiológicas e sensoriais, um embutido a base de tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum). Foram desenvolvidas três formulações, que distinguiam entre si com relação ao percentual de gordura: 0%, 4,5% e 9%. Para determinação da vida de prateleira, amostras dos produtos foram armazenadas sob refrigeração 4 °C por 12 dias e realizaram-se análises microbiológicas nos dias 0, 3, 7 e 12. Foram realizadas análises de composição centesimal, força de cisalhamento, perda de peso por cocção e capacidade de retenção de água. Os atributos sensoriais avaliados foram aroma, cor, sabor, suculência, textura e aparência global. Todos os tratamentos apresentaram altos índices de aceitação, acima de 80%, porém, o tratamento com 9% de gordura apresentou as maiores medias nos atributos avaliados, 86,6%, 83,4%, 92%, 88,2%, 87,2%, e 85,8% respectivamente para aroma, cor, sabor, suculência, textura e aparência global. A composição centesimal dos tratamentos apresentou as seguintes variações em g.100 g-1: umidade 72,73 a 68,82; proteína 18,85 a 18,90; lipídeos 2,90 a 8,33 e cinza 3,86 a 4,20. A força de cisalhamento oscilou de 5,92 a 8,14 N; a capacidade de retenção de água variou de 71,83 a 74,71% e a perda de peso por cocção de 24,21 a 26,59%.

ABSTRACT In Brazil, fish are sold in retail fresh or frozen, whole, or gutted. To increase consumption, convenient products with good sensory attributes should be offered. The objective of this study was to develop and characterize, through physicochemical, microbiologica, and sensory traits, a fresh sausage of tambaqui fish (Colossoma macropomum). Three formulations, with different percentages of fat (0, 4.5, and 9%) were developed. To determine shelf life, samples of the products were refrigerated at 4 ºC for 12 days and microbiological analyses were performed on days 0, 3, 7, and 12. Analyses of centesimal composition, shear force, cooking weight loss, and water-holding capacity were carried out. The shelf life of the fresh sausages was estimated at 7 days of storage. The sensory attributes evaluated were aroma, color, flavor, succulence, texture, and overall appearance. All treatments showed high acceptance rates, above 80%. The treatment with 9% fat showed the highest mean values in the evaluated attributes, with 86.6%, 83.4%, 92%, 88.2%, 87.2%, and 85.8% for aroma, color, flavor, succulence, texture and overall appearance, respectively. The centesimal composition of the treatments showed the following variations in g.100 g-1: moisture, 72.73 to 68.82; protein, 18.85 to 18.90; lipids, 2.90 to 8.33; and ash, 3.86 to 4.20. Shear force varied from 5.92 to 8.14 N; water-holding capacity varied from 71.83 to 74.71% and cooking weight loss, from 24.21 to 26.59%.

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.