Post-harvest handling and quality loss of Indian major carps in the distribution channel of Noakhali district, Bangladesh

Abstract

Post-harvest loss of mrigal (Cirrhinus cirrhosus), catla (Catla catla), rohu (Labeo rohita) and kalibaush (Labeo calbasu) in different distribution channel of Noakhali district, Bangladesh were observed during the month of January 2015 to April 2015. Sensory evaluation method was adopted in order to gather information about quality loss of fish and existing handling condition at different stakeholder level. The observed fish were fresh at fisherman level but as the day progress along with temperature variation fish started losing quality and most of their quality found lost at retailer level. Fisherman supplied fish to beparies at 5% quality loss, further 10%, 20% and 22% loss was observed through aratder, retailer and consumer respectively. DPs varied with the month basis, compared to January–February the DPs were higher in March–April which indicates that temperature rise cause more quality loss of fish. Most of the fishes crossed DP 3.0 at retailer level because of long term exposure to open air coupled with unhygienic condition of markets. Different sizes baskets were used for transportation of fish with or without icing. Live fishes were transported with water in gallon or drum and they could retain their shelf lifelong time than that of dead fish or fish with no icing condition. The unsold fishes were preserved in refrigerator and re-icing was adopted by 70% retailer. The ice ratio of fish: ice was 1:1 in March–April and 2:1 in January February. The more quality loss of fish the more ice was used. Bad handling practices due to transportation and in markets also caused quality deterioration of some fishes. Usually post-harvest loss of fish is not taken under the consideration which eventually because economic loss coupled with food insecurity but proper steps to reduce loss can compensate the post-harvest fish loss. Keywords: post-harvest loss, Indian major carps, defect points, handling practice Cite this Article Palas Chwakravorty, Amir Hossain, Saiful Islam, Mahabubur Rahman, Abdulla-Al-Asif, Hafzur Rahman. Post-harvest Handling and Quality Loss of Indian Major Carps in the Distribution Channel of Noakhali District, Bangladesh. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Bioinformatics . 2019; 6(1): 9–19p.