FISH Derived Nutraceuticals
… and food preservatives
BY DEEPAYAN ROY AND R.K.MAJUMDAR OF THE COLLEGE OF FISHERIES, CENTRAL
AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY(I), LEMBUCHERRA, TRIPURA, INDIA. ALSO BY DEBTANU
BARMAN OF THE CENTER FOR AQUACULTURE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
(CARD), BISHRAMGANJ, TRIPURA, INDIA
utraceutical, a term combining
nutrition and pharmaceutical, is a
food or food product that provides
health and medical benefits, including the
prevention and treatment of disease.
The
increased
awareness
of
the nutritional superiority of fish and the
development of nutraceuticals from fishery resources
is attracting worldwide attention.
The key difference between nutraceutical and
pharmaceutical products is that nutraceutical products
are not required to undergo the same testing and regulations
as pharmaceutical products. Pharmaceuticals are provided
under prescription from certified physicians for purchase
while nutraceuticals do not require the surpervision of health
professionals. Pharmaceuticals work only after the onset
of diseases and nutraceuticals help in the prevention and
retardation of diseases.
Fish is one of the sources used for nutraceutical products. Some
researchers have reported that these fish derived nutraceutical
products are also providing food preservative effects and
therefore they can also be incorporated in food as a biogenic
food preservative. Recent studies have shown that these products
can be used in food industries as food preservatives. Chemicals
are mainly used as food preservatives but there is sensitivity
regarding the use of chemicals in food. As a result, preservation
by biogenic preservatives is gaining importance.
N
Fish oil reduces serum cholesterol levels and is effective
against coronary heart disease. Omega-3 fatty acid helps in
improving braincell, retina and neural development. Fish oil
can also be used to combat dietary deficiency of vitamins A
and D.
Chitin and chitosan is made by
treating the shells
of crustaceans such
as shrimp, crab
and lobster with
the alkali sodium
hydroxide.
Chitosan
is
used in surgery
and dentistry, as
an
antioxidant
in foods and as a
fat binder. It can Chitin and chitosan made from crustacean shells is
lower cholesterol approved as a food additive in Korea and Japan
levels and has food
preservative effects. In Korea, chitosan has been approved as
a food additive since 1995 and in Japan since 1983. It is also
used as antimicrobial agent in many foods such as seafood,
and its antimicrobial activity is due to its positive charge.
Because of this property, it can bind with negatively charged
bacterial DNA and inhibit RNA synthesis.
FISH DERIVED NUTRACEUTICAL PRODUCTS
PUFA (Poly unsaturated fatty acids) and fish liver oil is
sourced from marine fishes like cobia, tuna, sardine and
mackerel.
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NZ AQUACULTURE
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013
Fish Protein Hydrolysate is sourced from minced fish meat
and used in the treatment of liver problems. Certain FPH
products have been marketed to support intestinal health,
however, the evidence is limited. FPH has been used as
a replacement for milk as well as being a bacteriological
medium.
FPH can act as a food preservative due to its ability to
scavenge lipid radicals. Hydrolysates have the ability to inhibit
iron induced lipid oxidation.
