RIASSUNTO
ABSTRACT
Fish protein concentrates (FPC's) may be defined as those products obtained from fish in which the protein is more concentrated than in the original raw material. FPC's may range from light-colored, bland powders to dark powders having intensely fishy tastes, or they may be pastes with a similar wide range of colors and tastes. Both powders and pastes may be water soluble or insoluble and may be high in nutritive value or low in nutritive value.
FPC's may be prepared by a variety of methods which can be classified as chemical (solvent extraction) or biological (enzymatic and microbial) procedures.
During the last 20 years most efforts to make FPC's have involved the use of solvents, usually isopropyl alcohol, and several pilot plants and a few full-scale industrial plants have been constructed. Some of these plants are now in operation. Others were operated for a short time and then, for various reasons, operations ceased.
The biological procedures for making FPC's, in general, have not advanced beyond the laboratory or small pilot-plant stage.
This paper reviews FPC efforts to date and the major problem areas encountered in its utilization.
INTRODUCTION
Fish protein concentrates (FPC's) may be defined as any products obtained from fish having higher protein contents than the original raw material. FPC's may range from light-colored, bland powders to dark powders having intensely fishy tastes, or they may be pastes with a similar wide range of colors and tastes. Both powders and pastes may be water soluble or insoluble and may be high in nutritive value or low in nutritive value.
FPC's may be prepared by a variety of methods which can be classified as chemical (solvent extraction) or biological (enzymatic and microbial) procedures.
During the last 20 years most efforts to make FPC have involved the use of solvents, usually isopropyl alcohol, and several pilot plants and a few full-scale industrial plants have been constructed. Some of these plants are now in operation. Others were operated for a short time and then, for various reasons, which will be presented in this paper operations ceased. The type of FPC produced by solvent extraction of raw fish is usually a bland nearly odorless, lightly-colored, water insoluble but highly nutritive powder, intended for use as a protein supplement.
The biological procedures, in general, have not advanced beyond the laboratory or small pilot-plant stage. The forms of FPC produced by biological methods have the advantage of being water soluble and would likely to be lower in cost than solvent extracted products. However, they may be lower in nutritive value, depending on the process and often retain a higher lipid level with a corresponding stronger flavor and odor.
This paper reviews FPC efforts to date and the major problem areas encountered in its utilization.