Post-harvest loss of farm raised Indian and Chinese major carps in the distribution channel from Mymensingh to Rangpur of Bangladesh.
Post-harvest loss of catla (Catla catla), rohu (Labeo rohita), mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and sarpunti (Puntius sarana) in a single distribution chain from harvest in Mymensingh to retail sale Rangpur town were determined, in order to obtain information on quality deterioration and existing handling and icing conditions so that suggestions for improving such practices can be made. Quality defect points of the fish at different steps of distribution channels were determined using a sensory based quality assessment tool. Percent quality loss of fish at each step of distribution was calculated from the number of cases that crossed sensory quality cut-off points. Neither of the fish lost their quality when they were in the farm gate, during transportation and in wholesale markets in Rangpur but most of the fishes lost their quality at the retail fish shops. The quality loss was 8, 12, 8, 6, 10 and 14% in case of C. catla, C. mrigala, L. rohita, H. molitrix, C. idella and P. sarana respectively in the retail markets. Fishes were not properly handled, bamboo baskets wrapped with polythene sheet were used as carrying container and inadequate ice was used during transportation. Retailers were found to be more proactive in the use of ice. However, most of the fishes were deteriorated during retail sale. The losses of farmed fishes could be minimized by adopting good handling practices like using insulated container and adequate icing.
Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.
M Motaleb
MM
Hossain
Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.
Mahabubur
M
Rahman
Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.
M Nazmul
MN
Hassan
Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.
A A K M
AA
Nowsad
D000818:Animals; D001459:Bangladesh; D002347:Carps; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003132:Commerce / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D005398:Fisheries / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D005511:Food Handling / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D005519:Food Preservation / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D005523:Food Supply / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D011786:Quality Control; D017747:Seafood / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D013997:Time Factors; D014186:Transportation / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards