Nutrient Composition of Demersal, Pelagic, and Mesopelagic Fish Species Sampled Off the Coast of Bangladesh and Their Potential Contribution to Food and Nutrition Security-The EAF-Nansen Programme

Revolutionizing seafood packaging: Advancements in biopolymer smart nano-packaging for extended shelf-life and quality assurance

Food packaging is one of the most important strategies to prevent food damage or spoilage during storage and the supply chain. Among various food types, seafood, a high-value product, is particularly vulnerable to post-harvest quality loss and microbial contamination during storage. Although current plastic-based packaging materials are durable, they pose a serious threat to the environment. Therefore, research on natural biopolymers for packaging is a top priority for scientists, industries, and government bodies. Additionally, nanoengineering concepts enhance the physicochemical and functional properties of biopolymers, thereby revolutionizing the packaging industry. This review provides a comprehensive discussion on smart nano-packaging for seafood products. It focuses on advancements in biopolymer smart nano-packaging as a transformative solution for extending the shelf life and ensuring the quality of seafood products. Existing knowledge highlights the functionality of biopolymers and nanotechnology, but gaps remain in addressing practical applications, such as scalability, cost-efficiency, and consumer safety. This review bridges these gaps by providing a detailed analysis of biopolymer-based active and intelligent packaging systems, which integrate antioxidant, antimicrobial, and freshness-indicating properties. It emphasizes the unique contributions of nanoengineering to enhance biopolymer properties, offering innovative solutions to the seafood packaging industry while promoting environmental sustainability.

Characterization of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated From Rotting Oranges and Use of Agropastoral Processing By-products as Carbon and Nitrogen Sources Alternative for Lactic Acid Production

This study investigated the ability of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from oranges to use fish by-products (FB) and chicken by-products (CB) as nitrogen sources alternative to yeast extract for lactic acid (LA) production in a papaya by-product medium as a carbon source. Once the fermentation agents had been isolated, they were subjected to biochemical and molecular characterization. Inexpensive nitrogen sources, precisely CB and FB, were prepared, freeze-dried, and yield evaluated. Also, before to the fermentation experiments, the Total Kjehdahl Nitrogen (TKN) of these by-products and that of the yeast extract were determined. Then, three production media differing in terms of nitrogen source were formulated from these nitrogen sources. From the 22 LAB isolated from orange, two isolates of interest (NGO25 and NGO23) were obtained; all belonging to the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum species based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Furthermore, the production yield powder obtained after lyophilization of 1 L of CB and FB surpernatant were, respectively, 16.6 g and 12.933 g. The TKN of different nitrogen sources powder were 71.4 ± 0.000% DM (FB), 86.145 ± 0.001% DM (CB), and 87.5 ± 0.99% DM (yeast extract). The best kinetic parameters of LA production (LA (g/L): 31.945 ± 0.078; volumetric productivity (g/L.h): 1.331 ± 0.003; LA yield (mg/g) 63.89 ± 0.156; biomass (g/L) 7.925 ± 0.035; cell growth rate (g/L.h): 0.330 ± 0.001) were recorded by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NGO25 after 24 h of fermentation. The latter data were obtained in the production medium containing CB as nitrogen sources. In addition, this production medium cost only $0.152 to formulate, compared to yeast extract which required $1.692 to formulate. Thus, freeze-dried CB can be used as an alternative to yeast extract in large-scale production of LA.

Designing nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) interventions with multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA): a review

Despite the efforts to end malnutrition through intensive agriculture of caloric crops, micronutrient deficiencies and other forms of malnutrition persist in vulnerable communities worldwide. Nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) interventions are recognized as chances to address the causes of malnutrition. In this work, the different types of NSA interventions were explored, as well as the pathways through which they can improve nutrition (e.g., increasing biofortified crops and income generation via agricultural sales for a positive impact on access to nutritious foods, and simultaneously involving nutrition education to improve care practices and eventually nutritional status). Some NSA interventions focus on one pathway. Well-designed interventions, however, should follow multi-pathway approaches targeting the underlying causes of undernutrition within the selected population. The circumstances in which certain indicators should be used to measure the impact of an NSA intervention in each stage of the full pathway were also explained, as well as the need of enhancing the design of such interventions. Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) has been employed to solve agriculture-related issues, but it has not been used to identify the optimal types of NSA interventions, metrics, and indicators based on the context of the community, priorities and objectives of the project managers and designers, etc.

Nutritional value of the marine fish in Bangladesh and their potential to address malnutrition: A review

Marine fish are good source of essential macro- and micronutrients and major food items in coastal areas in Bangladesh. However, there is no review that details the nutritional value of marine fish in Bangladesh. Therefore, this review focuses on the nutrient composition of marine fish in Bangladesh and how the marine fish can address common nutrient deficiencies among women and children. Nutrient composition data was collected through literature searching in databases and source, including PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, WorldFish, and Bangladesh-based database Banglajol. Calculation was carried out to present how one serving marine fish could potentially meet the daily requirement of protein, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin A, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for pregnant and lactating women and children aged 6-23 months. A total of 97 entries covering nutrient composition analysis of 67 individual fish species were extracted from 12 articles published between 1993 and 2020. Included articles contained analysis of proximate composition, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acid. Twelve minerals and nine vitamins were analyzed and reported. The average energy, protein, fat, and ash content per 100 g edible raw marine fish was 343.58 kJ, 16.76 g, 4.16 g, and 2.22 g, respectively. According to available data, marine fish are good sources of protein, zinc, calcium, and DHA. Pelagic small fish, which are mainly captured by artisanal small-scale fishers, had more nutritional value than other categories of fish. Furthermore, marine small fish were found more nutritious than commonly consumed freshwater fish types in Bangladesh, including major carps, introduced carps, and tilapia. Therefore, the study concludes that marine fish have high potential to address malnutrition in Bangladesh. There was scarcity of literature regarding the nutrient composition of marine fish in Bangladesh and in South Asia as a whole, so more comprehensive quality research in this area is recommended.

Arsenic species in mesopelagic organisms and their fate during aquafeed processing

A responsible harvest of mesopelagic species as aquafeed ingredients has the potential to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, which calls for sustainable use of marine resources. Prior to utilization, the levels of undesirable substances need to be examined, and earlier studies on mesopelagic species have reported on total arsenic (As) content. However, the total As content does not give a complete basis for risk assessment since As can occur in different chemical species with varying toxicity. In this work, As speciation was conducted in single-species samples of the five most abundant mesopelagic organisms in Norwegian fjords. In addition, As species were studied in mesopelagic mixed biomass and in the resulting oil and meal feed ingredients after lab-scale feed processing. Water-soluble As species were determined based on ion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS). This was supplemented by extracting arsenolipids (AsLipids) and determining total As in this fraction. The non-toxic arsenobetaine (AB) was the dominant form in mesopelagic crustaceans and fish species, accounting for approximately 70% and 50% of total As, respectively. Other water-soluble species were present in minor fractions, including carcinogenic inorganic As, which, in most samples, was below limit of quantification. The fish species had a higher proportion of AsLipids, approximately 35% of total As, compared to crustaceans which contained 20% on average. The feed processing simulation revealed generally low levels of water-soluble As species besides AB, but considerable fractions of potentially toxic AsLipids were found in the biomass, and transferred to the mesopelagic meal and oil. This study is the first to report occurrence data of at least 12 As species in mesopelagic organisms, thereby providing valuable information for future risk assessments on the feasibility of harnessing mesopelagic biomass as feed ingredients.

Investigating fish contamination scenario and community willingness to adopt consumption advice proposing an advisory option

Consumption advice to ensure the health and safety of fish consumers remains urgent to handle the ever-increasing panic over heavy metal toxicity. Moreover, studies of fish consumption rarely focus on the perceptions and awareness of consumers. Considering this, the present study examines the factors determining the willingness to follow fish consumption advice as well as calculate the risk-benefit ratio and produce the vulnerability map followed by formulating fish consumption advice for consumers of two commercially important fish species, tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and mudfish (Ophiocephalus striatus), in the Laguna de Bay area of the Philippines. Primary data on consumers' perceptions were collected through a questionnaire, whereas heavy metal contamination data were compiled from the best available literature. We concluded that people's willingness to adopt consumption advice is mostly dependent on their existing level of fish consumption (P = 0.000). There was no discernible difference in the mean concentration of heavy metals in fish between the dry and wet seasons, with the exception of As concentrations in the samples (t15.75 = 3.72, p < 0.001). The hazard quotient (risk-benefit ratio) for fish consumption (HQefa) was an order of magnitude higher in the mudfish samples (0.05 and 28.28) compared to tilapia (0.04 to 16.02). Binangonan and Taguig from the Northern West Bay (1A, 1B) were clearly recognised on the vulnerability map as the most vulnerable regions in the lake. In general, it was determined that As and Pb were the elements causing consumption restrictions on tilapia collected from various parts of Laguna Lake. As with tilapia, locations with a high-risk advisory for mudfish were identified as the Northern West Bay and Central Bay, with a consumption limit of five meals per month due to excessive mercury pollution. This empirical study can serve as an option for the future development of fish consumption advice in the region.

Optimization of Lactic Acid Production from Pineapple By-Products and an Inexpensive Nitrogen Source Using Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain 4O8

Lactic acid (LA) is used in food, cosmetic, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries and has recently attracted much attention in the production of biodegradable polymers. The expensive substances including carbon and nitrogen sources involved in its fermentative synthesis and the increasing market demand of LA have prompted scientists to look for inexpensive raw materials from which it can be produced. This research was aimed at determining the optimum conditions of lactic acid (LA) production from pineapple by-products and an inexpensive nitrogen source using Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain 4O8. After collection and preparation of the carbon source (pineapple by-products) and nitrogen sources (by-products from fish, chicken, and beer brewing industries), they were used for the formulation of 4 different media in terms of nitrogen sources. Then, the proximate compositions of promising nitrogen sources were determined. This was followed by the screening of factors (temperature, carbon source, nitrogen source, MgSO₄, MnSO₄, FeSO₄, KH₂PO₄, and KHPO₄) influencing the production of LA using the definitive plan. Lastly, the optimization process was done using the central composite design. The highest LA productions (14.64 ± 0.05 g/l and 13.4 ± 0.02 g/l) were obtained in production medium supplemented with chicken and fish by-products, respectively, making them the most promising sources of nitrogen. The proximate analysis of these nitrogen sources revealed that their protein contents were 83.00 ± 1.41% DM and 74.00 ± 1.41% DM for chicken by-products and fish by-products, respectively. Concerning the screening of factors, temperature, nitrogen source, and carbon source were the factors that showed a major impact on LA production in the production medium containing chicken by-products as nitrogen source. A pineapple by-product concentration of 141.75 g/l, a nitrogen source volume of 108.99 ml/l, and a temperature of 30.89°C were recorded as the optimum conditions for LA production. The optimization led to a 2.73-fold increase in LA production when compared with the production medium without nitrogen source. According to these results, chicken by-products are a promising and an inexpensive nitrogen source that can be an alternative to yeast extract in lactic acid production.

Metal Contents in Fish from the Bay of Bengal and Potential Consumer Exposure-The EAF-Nansen Programme

Fish represent an important part of the Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi diet. However, fish is also a source of contaminants that may constitute a health risk to consumers. The aim of this study was to analyse the contents of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead in 24 commonly consumed marine fish species from the Bay of Bengal and to assess the potential health risk associated with their consumption. Mercury and lead contents did not exceed the maximum limits for any of the sampled species, and consumer exposure from estimated daily consumption was assessed to be minimal for adults and children. Numerous samples exceeded the maximum limit for cadmium (58%), particularly those of small size (≤25 cm). However, consumer exposure was insignificant, and health assessment showed no risk connected to consumption. These data represent an important contribution to future risk/benefit assessments related to the consumption of fish.

Characterization and comparison of the digestive physiology of two scombrids, Katsuwonus pelamis and Sarda sarda, in the Gulf of Cádiz

Fish and other marine animals have a unique and intimate interaction with their surrounding environment. Diet type or trophic level play significant roles in modulating species digestive physiology. However, little is known about how the trophic niche influences digestive activity and gut microbiota in scombrids species. The aim of the present study was to analyse and describe the digestive physiology of the skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) and the Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda) as bioindicator of the feeding ecology and trophic niche for both species in the Gulf of Cádiz (Spain). For that, fish proximate composition, pH of digestive organs and digestive enzymes activity levels were analysed in 10 individuals of each species to gain insight into the digestive physiological adaptations of the two species of scombrids. In addition, intestinal microbiota composition was determined for the skipjack tuna. The integration of the results suggested a clear trophic niche segregation between both species. Stomach pH was associated in both species with infrequent feeding events. Body proximate composition and digestive lipases activity patterns pointed to a high predominance of lipids in the Atlantic bonito diet, suggesting oily fish as main prey. On the other hand, results supported the skipjack tuna as a highly opportunistic feeder with a more varied diet, including fish but also crustaceans as preys. The gut microbial community in the latter species is dominated by Firmicutes and Tenericutes at phylum level, and by Mycoplasma, Blautia and Dorea at genus level. The present study contributes to advance the knowledge on the feeding behaviour and physiology diversity in fish species as a result of adaptation to a particular habitat.

Coping or adapting? Experiences of food and nutrition insecurity in specialised fishing households in Komodo District, eastern Indonesia

BACKGROUND

There is growing recognition of the need for fish to be better integrated into nutrition-sensitive strategies for addressing malnutrition. Fish are overwhelmingly produced by the small-scale sector, which supports food and nutrition security directly through the provision of fish and indirectly through the generation of income which can be used to purchase other desired foods. However, there has been relatively little research on the extent of food and nutrition security in specialised fishing communities. This study assessed food and nutrition security among households in specialised fishing communities in Komodo District, eastern Indonesia.

METHODS

We assessed the seasonal nutrition quality of household diets using the Food Consumption Score for nutritional analysis and food insecurity using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale in 66 households across three communities, using a modified cluster sampling strategy. We calculated and generated descriptive statistics for these indicators with Microsoft Excel and ran a logistic generalized linear mixed model to determine factors associated with severe food insecurity using SPSS. We used semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions to understand perceptions of, change over time, and strategies for dealing with food shortfalls.

RESULTS

While most households have acceptable access to nutritious foods, especially protein and heme iron-rich foods, nearly one half of households consumed vitamin A rich foods on less than 3 days of the 7-day recall period in either season. More than half of households reported experiencing a moderate or severe level of food insecurity, with higher food insecurity in the wet season. Low maternal education (OR: 3.8, 95%CI 1.5-9.9) and lower household wealth (OR: 0.5, 95%CI 0.3-0.9) were found to be associated with a severe level of food insecurity. Household's consumptive and non-consumptive response strategies reflect adaptation to chronic food insecurity but are nutritionally and economically unsustainable.

CONCLUSION

Households in specialised fishing communities in Komodo District consumed diets with low diversity and experienced high levels of food insecurity. There is a need for culturally-appropriate nutrition-sensitive strategies to enhance food and nutrition security in vulnerable fishing communities.

Aquatic Foods and Nutrition in the Pacific

National rates of aquatic food consumption in Pacific Island Countries and Territories are among the highest in the world, yet the region is suffering from extensive levels of diet-related ill health. The aim of this paper is to examine the variation in consumption patterns and in nutrient composition of aquatic foods in the Pacific, to help improve understanding of their contribution to food and nutrition security. For this examination we analysed nutrient composition data and trade data from two novel region-specific databases, as well as consumption data from national and village level surveys for two Melanesian case studies, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. Results demonstrated that consumption depends on availability and the amount and type of aquatic food consumed, and its contribution to nutrition security varies within different geographic and socio-demographic contexts. More data is needed on locally relevant species and consumption patterns, to better inform dietary guidelines and improve public health both now and into the future. Advice on aquatic food consumption must consider the nutrient composition and quantity of products consumed, as well as accessibility through local food systems, to ensure they contribute to diverse and healthy diets.

Composition of nutrients, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and microbiological quality in processed small indigenous fish species from Ghana: Implications for food security

The triple burden of malnutrition is an incessant issue in low- and middle-income countries, and fish has the potential to mitigate this burden. In Ghana fish is a central part of the diet, but data on nutrients and contaminants in processed indigenous fish species, that are often eaten whole, are missing. Samples of smoked, dried or salted Engraulis encrasicolus (European anchovy), Brachydeuterus auritus (bigeye grunt), Sardinella aurita (round sardinella), Selene dorsalis (African moonfish), Sierrathrissa leonensis (West African (WA) pygmy herring) and Tilapia spp. (tilapia) were collected from five different regions in Ghana. Samples were analyzed for nutrients (crude protein, fat, fatty acids, several vitamins, minerals, and trace elements), microbiological quality (microbial loads of total colony counts, E. coli, coliforms, and Salmonella), and contaminants (PAH4 and heavy metals). Except for tilapia, the processed small fish species had the potential to significantly contribute to the nutrient intakes of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. High levels of iron, mercury and lead were detected in certain fish samples, which calls for further research and identification of anthropogenic sources along the value chains. The total cell counts in all samples were acceptable; Salmonella was not detected in any sample and E. coli only in one sample. However, high numbers of coliform bacteria were found. PAH4 in smoked samples reached high concentrations up to 1,300 μg/kg, but in contrast salted tilapia samples had a range of PAH4 concentration of 1 μg/kg to 24 μg/kg. This endpoint oriented study provides data for the nutritional value of small processed fish as food in Ghana and also provides information about potential food safety hazards. Future research is needed to determine potential sources of contamination along the value chains in different regions, identify critical points, and develop applicable mitigation strategies to improve the quality and safety of processed small fish in Ghana.

Variation in Nutrient Composition of Seafood from North West Africa: Implications for Food and Nutrition Security

Fish and seafood may play an important role for nutrition and food security as they contain essential vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. The aim of this study was to describe the nutrient composition, including fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, in commonly consumed fish species (fillet- and whole fish samples) sampled off the Northwest African coast. Furthermore, we assessed the species' contributions to the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) values from the World Health Organization (WHO). Samples of commercially important fish species (Sardina pilchardus, Engraulis encrasicolus, Trachurus trachurus, Pagellus acarne) were collected using trawling on the R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen in May 2017 and analyzed for nutrients at the Institute of Marine Research as individual and composite samples. All the analyzed fish species were good dietary sources of several vitamins and minerals and whole fish were substantially more nutrient dense than fillet samples, especially with regard to vitamin A, iodine, zinc, calcium, and iron. Including 100 g of sardine or anchovy (whole fish) in the diet, would contribute substantially to the RNI for vitamin B12, vitamin D and vitamin A, EPA and DHA as well as the minerals iodine, zinc, and calcium. This study shows that fish consumed with skin, bone, and viscera may be very nutrient dense and important for local food and nutrition security.

Sampling protocol for the determination of nutrients and contaminants in fish and other seafood - The EAF-Nansen Programme

Seafood plays a central role in global food and nutrition security. However, there is a lack of data on the concentration of nutrients and contaminants in fish and other seafood, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In order to assess the potential risks and benefits associated with seafood intake, reliable and up-to-date food composition data is crucial. The quality of food composition data is affected by several factors, such as sampling protocols and the suitability and quality of the methods applied for sample preparation and analysis. In this paper, we describe the sampling methodology and protocols related to the sampling of fish and other seafood and the corresponding analytical methods used to analyse the nutrient and contaminant content of such species. For nutrients, the determination of protein, fat, ash, energy, fatty acids, cholesterol, and amino acids is described, in addition to analyses for determination of the vitamin and mineral content in fish and other seafood. For contaminants, analyses for the determination of organic pollutants and microplastics are described. The methodology described in this paper is used for sampling data through scientific surveys in low- and middle-income countries with research vessel Dr. Fridtjof Nansen under the EAF-Nansen Programme. The Programme aims to improve knowledge on the nutritional composition of fish and ensure the fish is safe to consume.•

In this paper, we describe the sampling protocols used for sampling fish and other seafood during scientific surveys under the EAF-Nansen Programme.

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This paper describes the methodology and quality control for analysing nutrients and contaminants in fish and other seafood.

Nutrient and Chemical Contaminant Levels in Five Marine Fish Species from Angola-The EAF-Nansen Programme

Fish is a rich source of several important nutrients and an important part of the otherwise plant-dominated diet present in Angola. However, fish may also be a source of contaminants. The aim of this study was to analyse the nutrient contents and the levels of chemical contaminants, including arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead, in five commonly consumed marine fish species sampled during a survey with the research vessel Dr. Fridtjof Nansen in Angola. The species' contribution to recommended nutrient intakes (RNI) for women and children was assessed and compared to that of food products of terrestrial animal origin. All the sampled species are good sources of protein and micronutrients if included in the diet, and inter-species variation is evident. The species were identified to contribute 5-15% of the RNI for calcium, iron, iodine, and zinc and exceeded the contribution to protein and iron intakes of food products of terrestrial animal origin. Furthermore, the potential consumer exposure to chemical contaminants in the species was assessed. None of the species exceeded the maximum levels for cadmium, mercury, and lead, and the potential consumer exposure to cadmium and methylmercury was considered low. The data presented in this study represent an important contribution to African food composition tables.