Evaluation of Organoleptic Properties
Evaluation of Organoleptic Properties
ng Hamisu, (2024)
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the effect of some natural spices on organoleptic properties and microbial
load of smoked Clarias gariepinus. Clove, garlic, and ginger were procured and utilized in the
research. The spices were processed into powder form, with 20 grams allocated for each treatment.
The samples were divided into four groups: T1 (salt control), T2 (clove), T3 (garlic), and T4
(ginger) before undergoing hot smoking. Organoleptic evaluation was carried out using open-
ended structured questionnaires employing the 9-point hedonic scale. Data from the organoleptic
assessment and microbial analysis were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. The results of
the organoleptic assessment revealed a significant difference (p<0.05) among the scored
parameters, with the highest overall acceptance observed in T4 (ginger) scoring 8.05. Microbial
analysis indicated that T3 (garlic) and T4 (ginger) exhibited inhibitory effects on bacteria and
coliforms, with counts of 4.70 ×10³ cfu/g and 3.50×10³ cfu/g, respectively, falling within the
acceptable limits set by ICMSF. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were the only bacteria
detected after six months of storage. In conclusion, T4 (ginger) and T2 (clove) were favored by the
panelists, while T3 (garlic) demonstrated effective prevention of bacterial infestation. The spices
utilized in this study have proven to be efficacious.
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preservation and safety can be implemented to research fish farm of the Department of
inhibit the growth and activity of food-borne Fisheries and Aquaculture, Faculty of
pathogens, ensuring they remain at acceptable Agriculture, Federal University Dutse, Jigawa
levels (Yoganathan, 2020). The main goal of fish state located on latitude 11° 42’ North and
processing and preservation is to minimize the longitude 9° 22’ East and altitude of 436m above
biochemical processes (including enzymatic, sea level (Compass, 2024). It is within the Sudan
microbial, and chemical reactions) that Savannah agro-ecological zone of Nigeria and is
contribute to the spoilage of fresh fish characterized by dry climate which starts from
(Gonugodugu et al., 2017). Preservation also October to May; cold dry climate starting from
ensures that fish is available both during the November to February and hot dry climate
season and off-season (Oluborode, 2015). Fish during March to May. The rainy season usually
preservation has been part of seafaring cultures begins from June to September with mean
for centuries. Different preservation techniques annual rainfall of 638mm per annum (Climate-
are used to prevent postharvest losses and data, 2024), relative humidity of 15 to 20%
spoilage. Frying, fermentation, drying, salting, (City-population, 2024) and atmospheric
and smoking are among the traditional methods temperature of 27.1ºC and can reach up to 41ºC
of processing and preservation (Legese, 2021). during April and May and may fall below 20ºC
For many years, smoking has been used as a during December and January (Climate-data,
method to extend microbial loadsand improve 2024).
food flavor (Chakroborty & Chakraborty, 2017).
In Nigeria, the primary reasons for smoking fish Experimental Design
v a r y, i n c l u d i n g p r e s e r v a t i o n , fl a v o r The experiment consisted of four (4) treatments:
enhancement, and maintaining protein T1 (salt as control), T2 (clove), T3 (garlic), and
availability for consumers whenever needed T4 (ginger), with three (3) replicates each,
(Hoffman et al., 2017). allocated in a completely randomized design
(CRD).
Spices are consumable plant substances that
have antioxidant, antiseptic, and bacteriostatic Fish Sample Collection and Preparation
qualities. They are incorporated into foods to Fresh samples of Clarias gariepinus were
delay the onset of spoilage, such as rancidity, procured from the landing site of Kafin Gana
and serve as seasonings to enhance the flavor of Reservoir, Birnin Kudu Local Government
foods (Kefas et al., 2022). Incorporating spices Area, Jigawa State, in the early morning hours (8
into food extends its shelf life, reducing food a.m.) and transported to the Teaching and
waste due to their antioxidant and antimicrobial Research Fish Farm of the Department of
properties (Amuneke et al., 2020; Ekelemu et Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University
al., 2021). African catfish is one of the most Dutse, Jigawa State, in an icebox container. The
popular freshwater fish species in the world 24 kg (84 pieces) of purchased fish samples,
(Ayoola & Bamiro, 2017; Marimuthu et al., with an average weight of 268 g and an average
2017) and has been cultured intensively and standard length of 24.7 cm, consisting of 21
extensively in Nigeria (Adeniyi et al., 2021). pieces per treatment, were degutted, cut along
The aim of this study was to evaluate the the sides, and washed to remove external dirt.
organoleptic properties and microbial loadsof The fish samples were then soaked in a saline
smoked Clarias gariepinus treated with some solution for about 30 minutes, after which the
natural spices. solution was drained, and the fish samples were
divided into respective treatments.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Spice Preparation and Application
Study Area The natural spices—clove, garlic, and
The study was conducted at the teaching and ginger—were purchased from Dutse Ultra-
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Modern Market, Jigawa State. The spices were extremely, 8 – liked moderately, 7 – liked very
crushed into powdered form using a local mortar much, 6 – liked slightly, 5 – neither liked nor
and pestle. Twenty grams (20 g) of the ground disliked, 4 – disliked slightly, 3 – disliked very
spices were weighed using a sensitive scale much, 2 – disliked moderately, and 1 – disliked
(Digital Pocket Scale BP-N Series, with 7 extremely. The experimental process was fully
weighing modes). The samples were assigned to explained to the evaluators before allowing
each treatment: T2 (clove), T3 (garlic), and T4 them to participate in the organoleptic testing.
(ginger). The spices were mixed properly and They were briefed about the fish species they
allowed to stand for 30 minutes on a wire mesh would taste, the source of the fish, and the
sieve before smoking, to allow ample time for processing method. The study was conducted
the treatments to penetrate the fish samples before storage, within the time frame when the
(Makinde and Babalola, 2011). Each batch of fish were assumed to be in a condition that was
treatments was smoked separately in a smoking acceptable to consumers.
kiln. The department’s traditional smoking kiln,
made from a 400 L drum with a length of 90 cm Microbial Loads Determination
and a diameter of 58 cm, was used for the The microbial loads of the experimental fish
smoke-drying process. The drum was cut were determined before and after storage for a
midway, and the base was used as a combustion period of 6 months. Microbial test was
chamber with a firebox of 22 × 22 cm². The kiln conducted to assess the spices that are more
has four chambers, with a carrying capacity of effective. The appearance, color, texture, and
30–50 fish. The firing section of the kiln was smell of the smoked fish was also assessed by
filled with hardwood to produce smoke, and the regular physical examination on any signs of
stem of the Ebony (Diospyros ebenum) tree was spoilage, such as discoloration, off-putting
used as firewood. The fish samples were odors, or texture changes, might indicate that the
introduced into the smokehouse (preheated for fish has exceeded its shelf life. Microbial
30 minutes). The temperature of the smoking analysis was conducted on the sample where
chamber was maintained between 60 and 70°C bacterial and coliform were counted and
by adjusting the firewood burning in the identified.
chamber. The treated fish were smoked for 3 to 4
hours and allowed to cool overnight (Iheanacho Preparation of Media
et al., 2017). Nutrient agar (NA) and MacConkey agar was
used for enumeration of aerobic mesophilic
Samples for proximate composition, bacteria and coliforms, respectively, from the
organoleptic tests, and microbial loads were smoked fish samples. Mannitol salt agar and
selected from each treatment and separately Salmonella-Shigella agar was used to assessed
packaged in polyethylene bags, labeled the presence of Staphylococcus aureus and
according to their respective treatments (T1, T2, Salmonella species. Nutrient agar, MacConkey
T3, and T4), sealed (to prevent dust, dirt, and agar, Mannitol salt agar, and Salmonella-
flies), and stored at room temperature for six (6) Shigella agar was also prepare according to the
months. manufacturers' instructions (Ikpi and Offem,
2011). The media was dissolved in distilled
Organoleptic Assessment water, heated to dissolve the agar completely,
The organoleptic testing was conducted using and then autoclaved at 121°C for 15 minutes.
open-ended structured questionnaires with the The sterilized media was cooled and pour into
9-point hedonic scale (Iwe, 2014) and sterile Petri dishes. Except SSA which was
distributed to thirty (30) evaluators of different heated on a magnetic stirrer until it has
genders for Clarias gariepinus. Scoring of dissolved, and then dispensed on to petri dishes
flavor, taste, color, appearance, and general without autoclaving.
acceptability of the products by evaluators was
conducted by ranking as follows: 9 – liked
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their cell wall composition. A loopful of a 24h culture is picked and used to make a smear on a clean,
greased slide. The smear was heat fixed by passing over a flame and subsequently, the smear is
flooded with crystal violet for one minute ‘and rinsed under slow running tap. The smear is flooded
with iodine for one minute and rinsed under slow running water. There*after, the smear is
decolorized using 95% alcohol for 30 seconds or until smear no longer washes off if held at an angle
and rinsed with water. Furthermore, the smear is counter stain with safranin for 30 seconds and
rinsed with water. Then it is allowed to air dry. Thereafter, a drop of immersion oil is placed on the
smear and viewed under the light microscope using oil immersion objective lens. Cells that
appeared purple were recorded as Gram- positive cells while cells that appeared pink under the
microscope are taken as Gram-negative cells.
Results
Organoleptic Properties of Clarias gariepinus
The organoleptic properties of treated smoked Clarias gariepinus is shown in Table1 indicating the
difference (p<0.05) between the means, for appearance T1 (salt) was recorded with highest value
8.30 and the lowest in T2 (clove) 6.75. The highest taste/flavor score was observed in T2 (clove)
7.95 and the lowest was found in T1 (salt) 6.70. High texture percentage was in T2 (clove) 7.90
while T3 had the lowest value with 6.90. T4 (ginger) recorded 7.75 as the highest score of
aroma/smell while 6.45 from T1 (salt) had the lowest percentage. Maximum overall acceptance was
recorded in T4(ginger) 8.05 whereas the minimum was observed in T1 (salt) 6.60.
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