Fish Processing Plants Research Articles

Modernization of small-sized drying plant for searching optimal modes with thermovision control

The climatic features of the Murmansk region (low average annual temperature; insignificant number of sunny days) do not contribute to the effective use of natural methods of drying aquatic organisms and determine the use of artificial dehydration methods using appropriate equipment. The capabilities of ship fish processing complexes are limited; highly productive coastal fish processing plants are required to supply the population with fish products. The development and testing of new drying modes has been carried out using a small-sized drying unit UPOR-M2. In the course of the study, a drying unit modernization project has been developed, equipment has been selected (thermal imaging system; damper and fan control modules), the system has been modernized and a number of experiments has been conducted to determine the effectiveness of the work performed. The modernization of the drying unit has made it possible to increase the accuracy of the data obtained by 25 % (temperature), 20 % (relative humidity), 18 % (weight), to implement remote control of the processes and to ensure reliable operation of the drying system. Further research of different drying modes for aquatic organisms should include upgrading the air supply control system and improving communication equipment.

Valorization of fish waste for sustainable biofuel production: A case study in Ghana

Fish processing plants generate significant waste annually, which harms the environment. To tackle this, the waste can be converted into biofuel, pharmaceuticals, fertilizer, and animal feed. Biofuels, specifically biogas and biodiesel, are emphasized for their eco-friendly properties that help combat global warming. The study focuses on producing biodiesel through transesterification and biogas via anaerobic digestion of fish waste. Analyses of the rate constant (K), activation energy (Ea), entropy (ΔS), enthalpy (ΔH), and Gibbs free energy (ΔG) at varied temperatures show highest Ea, K, ΔH, and ΔS values of 60.74 kJ/mol, 31.43 s−1, 66.01 kJ/mol, and 30.99 kJ/mol K, respectively. The biodiesel was also characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and kinematic viscosity. Additionally, the properties; relative density, viscosity, oxidation stability, pour point, cloud point, flash point, and cetane number were found to be 0.669, 5.090 mm2s−1, >7, −7 °C, 0.999 °C, 151 °C, and 51, respectively. Biogas production using varying ratios of fish waste and cow dung (1:1,1:2, 1:3, and 1:4) indicates that a 1:4 ratio yields optimal results with 69% methane (CH4) and 21.5% carbon dioxide (CO2), suitable for scalable biogas production. The process is efficient at a neutral pH (7.1–7.3) and 27 °C, offering a viable solution to reduce fish waste pollution while generating renewable energy. Finally, a proposed model of a biodigester for optimum biogas production is discussed.

To Study the Need of Systemic Formwork for Waste Water Treatment at Fish Processing Plant' (A Review)

Waste water from angle preparation enterprises originates from several sources, including emptying angles, dressing, liquefying water from ice dissolution, washing equipment and utensils, treating with additional substances, and cleaning and disinfecting offices and spaces. Water is used not only to clean angles but also to wash blood, sludge, and offal from the surfaces of various handling equipment, utensils, floors, and sump pumps. The majority of computerized handling supplies come with a water shower framework that may clean hardware and remove offal. The emergence of these forms in tall water use also leads to the mixing of blood and offal in the wash water. Fish handling waste water is full of significant pollutants that are colloidal, soluble, and particulate. Features of waste water produced depend on the type of angle used for preparation, the preparation method, and the final object placed. When handling operations such as minor (angle washing or cleaning), mild (angle filet preparation), and severe (surimi planning), the degree of defilement can change. Fish waste water must have exceptionally high levels of nitrogen, fat, oil, and oil (Mist), as well as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). In order to reduce shameful waste transfer in the environment, this extended show introduces angle waste management processors to the concepts of fishery waste categorization and the many types of treatment used. This topic includes many aspects of angle waste, separate management of fluid angle waste and strong waste using chemicals, Indore composting technique, and suitable transfer.

Prolonged multi‐country outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes ST173 linked to consumption of fish products

Abstract Between 2012 and 2024, a prolonged outbreak of 73 cases of L. monocytogenes ST173 infections (‘My2’ ‐cluster) has been ongoing in Belgium (5), Czechia (1), Germany (39), Finland (2), Italy (1), the Netherlands (20), and the United Kingdom (UK) (5). Fourteen deaths have been recorded as associated with this outbreak. Males aged over 60 years represent the most affected population group. Most patients with available information from case interviews report consuming various fish products before illness. Among 73 cases, an ongoing ‘My2’ sub‐cluster 1 was identified with 38 cases reported in six EU countries and the UK. The ‘My2’ sub‐cluster 1 includes 83 non‐human isolates, of which 48 are food isolates and six are environmental isolates with traceability data corresponding to 37 fish products (different typologies) and 12 fish manufacturers (located in six EU countries and one third country). The epidemiological and traceability information did not allow identification of a single common point or food business operator in the traceability of all products. Five countries reported the implementation of control measures. The whole genome analysis (WGS) analysis, the tracing evidence, and the detection in fish products between 2017 and 2024 suggest that the strain has been geographically spread in Europe for several years, most likely originated from a past single source high up in the production chain, and has been established in different fish processing plants. Overall, the evidence supports the hypothesis of fish products as the vehicle of infections. Given the detection of the outbreak strain in multiple types of fish products and its wide circulation in the EU/EEA fish production chain, new cases are likely to be reported. Corrective measures should be implemented in the plants where the contamination is detected, and further investigations should be carried out to identify the point of entry and prevent possible re‐contamination.

COMPLEX TITANIUM-CONTAINING REAGENTS IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT PROCESSES OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY

The issues of removing nutrients from wastewater from various industries have recently received more and more attention. Traditional coagulants based on aluminum and iron salts can effectively remove phosphate ions from water, but these reagents are not effective against ammonium ions. As part of the work done, the possibility of using complex titanium-containing coagulants in the processes of dephosphatization of wastewater from the fish processing industry was considered. It has been proven that the use of magnesium titanium reagents makes it possible to carry out the coprecipitation of ammonium and phosphate ions in the form of the complex compound of magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite) with high efficiency. To implement the purification process, a 10–20% stoichiometric excess of magnesium compounds from the calculated value is required, while the efficiency of precipitation of ammonium compounds exceeds 50%, and phosphate anion 95%. The optimal pH range for the process of coprecipitation of ammonium and phosphate ions in the form of a complex compound is 10.0 – 10.5. The results of studies conducted on real water from a fish processing plant demonstrated the increased efficiency of complex titanium-containing reagents compared to traditional coagulants based on aluminum, iron and magnesium salts. The possibility of using magnesium-containing waste from the production of refractory materials has been established both as a precursor for the production of complex coagulants and as an individual reagent. It has been proven that the use of complex titanium-containing reagents makes it possible to significantly intensify the processes of sedimentation (15%) and filtration (20%) of coagulation sludge. The use of complex reagents will significantly increase the level of environmental safety of production and reduce the anthropogenic load on the hydrosphere. For citation: Kuzin E.N. Complex titanium-containing reagents in wastewater treatment processes of the fishing industry. ChemChemTech [Izv. Vyssh. Uchebn. Zaved. Khim. Khim. Tekhnol.]. 2024. V. 67. N 7. P. 127-135. DOI: 10.6060/ivkkt.20246707.6997.

ЭКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛЬНОЕ ОБОСНОВАНИЕ РАЦИОНАЛЬНОГО СПОСОБА ВЫДЕЛЕНИЯ ЖИРА ИЗ ОТХОДОВ ИКОРНОГО ПРОИЗВОДСТВА

The purpose of the study is to substantiate a rational method for isolating fat from caviar production waste to obtain a biologically active lipid composition. Objectives: to conduct an experimental substantiation of a rational method for isolating lipids from caviar production waste; to develop an experimental installation for the extraction of the lipid part from the studied secondary fish raw materials. The research material is caviar production waste generated and collected during the punching of chum salmon shells at a fish processing plant located in the Khabarovsk Region. Sampling of raw materials and their preparation for analysis were carried out according to standard methods (GOST 31339-2006, GOST 7631-2008). Protein content was carried out according to GOST 7636-85 “Fish, marine mammals, marine invertebrates and their processed products. Methods of analysis". The mass fraction of lipids was determined using the Bly and Dyer method. Fatty acids were determined on a capillary gas-liquid chromatograph Shimadzu GC-16A (Supelcowax-10). The choice of an extraction method for separating fat from biologically valuable secondary raw materials of caviar production, which is waste after punching Pacific salmon caviar, is justified. The created experimental setup, operating according to the Soxhlet method, made it possible to obtain a lipid fraction from secondary raw materials of salmon using an extraction method using two solvents (polar and non-polar). The quality of the resulting fat was assessed by fatty acid and fractional composition. Analysis of the results obtained showed some differences between the fat of the initial secondary raw materials and the fat obtained using the extraction method in an experimental installation. In the isolated fat, the content of physiologically valuable extremely unsaturated fatty acids and triglycerides is lower than in the original raw material. In general, the quality of the resulting lipid fraction did not change significantly as a result of long-term extraction processing of secondary raw materials. In the future, ways to improve the developed and presented method for separating fat from caviar production waste are proposed.

Influence of Organic Matter from Native Fish on the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Sodium Hypochlorite (NaClO) in Reducing Salmonella spp. Population

Salmonella spp. is not part of the fish microbiota, being introduced through contaminated water or improper handling. In slaughterhouses, five parts per million (ppm) of free chlorine is recommended in the washing step to eliminate this pathogen. However, Salmonella spp. is still detected in fish processing plants due to persistent contamination as a result of chlorine–organic matter interactions that reduce chlorine effectiveness. Therefore, this study aimed to test whether organic matter contained in culture media and fish washes interferes with the efficacy of chlorine at 2 and 5 ppm, and what is the time of action required to inactivate ATCC and wild strains of S. typhimurium. For this, the elimination or survival of these strains was investigated when exposed to chlorinated solution for different durations (0, 5, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min) in culture medium, 0.85% saline solution and fish wash (in natura and sterilized). The results showed that the use of 5 ppm of free chlorine is efficient, even when the chlorine remains in contact with the organic matter (washed from the fish), as it reduced the bacterial population by ~5 log log10 CFU/mL of Salmonella spp., showing that this reduction was due to interactions, as long as the chlorine action time was 30 min.

Prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from Pangasius fish and fish processing handlers in the Mekong Delta, Viet Nam

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from Pangasius fish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) and the hands of fish processors in fish processing plants. The results showed that 16 of 90 Pangasius fish (18%) and 6 of 54 fish processing handlers’ samples (11%) harbored coagulase-positive for S. aureus. A high antibiotic resistance (68%) was observed for ampicillin, while 100% susceptibility for oxacillin, cefazolin, cefmetazole, flomoxef, imipenem, arbekacin, fosfomycin, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim were recorded for both fish and hand samples. Remarkably, only one isolates from the fish was classified as methicillin-resistant S. aureus, whereas no isolates from the handlers were found. Among the total S. aureus isolates, the multidrug resistance rate was nearly 41%, posing a hazard to public health concerns. The obtained results may provide valuable information about the actual state of S. aureus contamination for efficient control in fish processing plants.

Antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation of Escherichia coli in a Vietnamese Pangasius fish processing facility

This study aimed to investigate the occurrence, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm formation of Escherichia coli in the Vietnamese Pangasius fish processing facility. Among 144 samples including Pangasius fish, wash water, food contact surfaces, and personnel gloves, 18 E. coli isolates was detected and characterized. The E. coli was detected most frequently in wash water samples (22%, 8/36), followed by Pangasius fish (18%, 8/45). According to the antibiotic susceptibility test by the disc diffusion method, isolates showed the highest resistance against sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (45%), followed by tetracycline (39%), whereas all the E. coli isolates were susceptible to meropenem and fosfomycin. Notably, 39% of the isolates (7/18) were found to be multidrug resistant while no E. coli isolates were confirmed as extended-spectrum β-lactamase producers by the double-disk synergy test. The potency to form biofilm on the polystyrene surface of E. coli isolates indicated that 44% of the isolates (8/18) were classified as weak, 39% (7/18) as moderate, and 17% (3/18) as strong biofilm formers. Interestingly, multidrug resistant E. coli isolates were observed in moderate and strong biofilm producers. Additionally, either slightly acidic hypochlorous water with 40 mg/L of available chlorine or sodium hypochlorite with 100 mg/L of available chlorine exhibited a significant reduction in biofilm mass and biofilm cells of E. coli isolates. This study may provide helpful information about the actual state of E. coli isolates for effective control in the fish processing plant.

Investigation of the biopotential of products of hydrolysis of waste from cutting the white-legged shrimp Penaeus vannamei

The relevance of studying the biopotential of shrimp waste and their hydrolysates is due to the need for complex processing of secondary raw materials of aquatic organisms to obtain useful products. At the fish processing plant Vichyunai-Rus LLC when manufacturing food products from white-legged shrimp, up to 60 % of the mass of waste (cephalothorax, shell) remains. This raw material contains valuable organic components, but is not processed. The paper proposes its complex processing with the production of hydrolysates in two ways – high-temperature and enzymatic. During thermohydrolysis in the aquatic environment, three fractions are formed from shrimp waste (fatty, water-soluble and water-insoluble). After separation, the water-soluble fraction was sublimated, and the water-insoluble fraction was dried by convection. The fat fraction was further purified by washing in warm water. The general chemical composition of shrimp waste and hydrolysis products has been studied. It has been shown that water-soluble hydrolysates are a good source of protein components (66.6–71.6 %). In comparative studies of the amino acid composition of water-soluble hydrolysates, the presence of all essential amino acids is established with minor differences between the samples. Both hydrolysates are dominated by alanine, arginine, glycine, isoleucine, lysine, aspartic acid, tyrosine, valine (3.3–6.4 g/100 g of protein). In terms of formol-titratable nitrogen in fermentolisates, alkalase ferments shrimp waste more actively than collagenase. The fatty acid composition of lipids isolated by thermohydrolysis from shrimp waste has been analyzed. Shrimp oil is characterized by a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (44.7 %) with a relatively low content of omega-3 family acids (10.7 %) and a high content of omega-6 (33.9 %) at a ratio of 1 : 3.2 (close to the physiologically recommended). The organoleptic characteristics of water-soluble and water-insoluble shrimp hydrolysates have been studied. Due to the content of valuable biologically active components in hydrolyzates, their use as food and feed additives – sources of active peptides, high-molecular proteins, minerals and chitinous components – is recommended.

An investigation of the efficacy of different disinfectants on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas fluorescens isolated from fish processing plant

An investigation of the efficacy of different disinfectants on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas fluorescens isolated from fish processing plant

A deep learning approach to predict and optimise energy in fish processing industries

The fish processing sector is experiencing increased pressure to reduce its energy consumption and carbon footprint as a response to (a) an increasingly stringent energy regulatory landscape, (b) rising fuel prices, and (c) the incentives to improve social and environmental performance. In this paper, a standalone forecasting computational platform is developed to optimise energy usage and reduce energy costs. This short-term forecasting model is achieved using an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict power and temperature at thirty-minute intervals in two cold rooms of a fish processing plant. The proposed ANN function is optimised by genetic algorithms (GA) with simulated annealing algorithms (SA) to model the relationships between future temperature and power and the system variables affecting them. To assess the accuracy of the proposed method, extensive experiments were conducted using real-world data sets. The results of the experiments indicate that the proposed ANN model performs with higher accuracy than (a) the long short-term memory (LSTM) as an artificial recurrent neural network (RNN) architecture, (b) peephole-LSTM, and (c) the gated recurrent unit (GRU). This paper finds that using GA & SA algorithms; ANN parameters can be optimised. The RMSE obtained by the ANN compared with the second-ranked method GRU was consequently 16% and 4% less for the predicted temperature and power. The results in one particular site demonstrate energy cost savings in the range of 15%–18% after applying the forecast-optimiser approach. The proposed prediction model is used in a fish processing plant for energy management and is scalable to other sites.

Treatment of fish processing plant wastewater using dissolved air flotation and pilot-scale biochar column filtration

Wastewaters from fish processing cause a high organic load for municipal wastewater treatment and can interfere with treatment operations due to their high oil and grease content. In the present study, a modular dissolved air flotation (DAF) unit was used to remove oil, grease and other suspended solids from fish processing plant wastewater. After DAF treatment, the residual particles and nutrients were adsorbed onto a mixture of hemp and spruce biochar in a pilot-scale column filtration system. The proposed integrated treatment process aims to improve the quality of the fish processing wastewater, facilitate water reuse, and recover the dissolved nutrients in a reusable form. The DAF treatment removed nearly all the oil and grease from the wastewater. Also, chemical oxygen demand, turbidity and phosphorus concentration clearly decreased during the DAF process. The biochar filtration further clarified the DAF-treated wastewater and partly adsorbed the residual nutrients. Furthermore, in the spent biochar mixture, the nitrogen and phosphorus content increased significantly (N to 9.1–10.5 mg/g, P to 0.32–1.38 mg/g), which indicates the improved properties of the biochar as a possible soil conditioner.

Seasonal and circadian patterns of herring gull (Larus smithsoniansus) movements reveal temporal shifts in industry and coastal island interaction

AbstractAnthropogenic food subsidies attract opportunistic generalists like gulls in high densities, which may lead to negative impacts on human communities and local ecosystems. Managing impacts requires understanding why gulls use particular natural or industrial sites at different times of day or phases of the breeding cycle. Use of natural and human‐influenced habitats likely varies temporally as gulls alter schedules and site selection to match the predictability of different resources as they vary through space and time relative to patterns in human activities (seasonal industries, the work week, working hours) and natural rhythms (daylight, tide cycles), while gull resource requirements and restrictions to movement also shift with changing reproductive demands.We quantified seasonal and circadian patterns in American herring gull (Larus smithsoniansus) interactions with anthropogenic and natural sites throughout breeding using GPS data from 15 gulls tracked over 3 years from two colonies. We examined the weekly probability of gull occurrence at distinct destinations (e.g. breeding colony, islands, offshore, fish processing plants), and how occurrence varied with time of day, weekday/weekend, tide phase and colony, using GLMMs with a binomial response for destination‐specific occurrence.Probability at the colony varied predictably through the breeding season (highest attendance from dusk to dawn, during incubation and early chick rearing), providing confidence in the modelling approach for detecting temporal patterns in behaviour. Gulls visited other islands mostly outside incubation and early chick rearing, and from dusk through the night, likely roosting. Occurrence offshore where interaction with fishing vessels is possible was highest from dusk to dawn, and differed among colonies, but was the most likely destination during incubation and early chick rearing. Occurrence at fish plants gradually increased until after fledging when attendance was highest from Aug‐Oct coincident with the peak of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) processing and was more likely during the weekdays, during working hours, and during low and flood tide.Gulls in southwest Nova Scotia, Canada, have the behavioural flexibility to adapt to both natural rhythms and human schedules when beneficial, enabling them to thrive in a region where industry and natural resources are abundant. These findings can provide information to guide when and where to test different subsidy management strategies locally, while also considering potential increased pressures on island ecosystems. We emphasise that management outcomes of reductions of food subsidies for opportunistic species depend on multiple factors, including availability of alternative food sources and timing of use.

Prevalence, isolation and identification of histamine forming bacteria in selected stages of supply chain of Yellowfin tuna export industry in Sri Lanka

This study aimed to identify histamine-forming bacteria (HFB) and the sources of introduction of such bacteria to recommend control measures to mitigate histamine formation in yellowfin tuna (YFT). Field samples were collected from multi-day boats that landed at Dikkowita, Negombo, Trincomalee and Dondra fishery harbours. Ice from the fish holds (n=63) and chill transport vehicles (n=63), and swabs from the fish holds (n=63), the boat decks (n=63) and the skin of YFT (n=63) were collected. Fish loin samples (n=15), ice samples (n=36) and swabs from the skin of YFT (n=18), floor (n=18) and chill transport vehicles (n=18) were collected from fish processing plants. Presumptive HFB isolated from Nivens medium and Violet Red Bile Glucose (VRBG) agar were screened for histamine forming ability in Tripticase soy broth (TSB) supplemented with 1.0% L-histidine. HFB isolates were characterized by sequencing approximately 1400 bp of the 16S rDNA. Seven isolates that produced histamine in the range of 3000–4000 ppm in TSB isolated from ice samples, and a swab sample collected from the boat deck, were confirmed as Klebsiella aerogens (n=6) and Morganella morganii (n=1) respectively. Hafnia alvei (n=1), Serratia sp. (n=2), Citrobacter freundii (n=1), Rahnella sp. (n=1) and Aeromonas salmonicida (n=8) were also among the isolated histamine forming bacteria. Pseudomonas sp. (n=24) and Shewanella baltica (n=7), which are known as spoilage bacteria were also isolated and showed weak histamine formation. Hence, it is evident that histamineforming bacteria could be introduced into the fish from ice and contacting surfaces. This necessitates the practice of rigorous cleaning procedures and adaptation of proper postharvest handling procedures to minimize contamination of the fish.

The economics of total quality management and continuous improvement of fish processing plants in Egypt

The economics of total quality management and continuous improvement of fish processing plants in Egypt

An ergonomic evaluation of the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among fish processing workers of Suri

Introduction and Aim: Fish processing industries have been showing tremendous growth in recent years. Various modern processing technologies and equipment are incorporated in the fish processing plants. Some of the tasks in fish processing plants yet involve manual handling. Prolong working in wet environment in awkward confined posture leads to the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The current study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of work-related MSDs among fish processing workers.
 
 Materials and Methods: A total of thirty subjects from fish processing plant between 28-40 years were selected randomly from a fish processing plant in Suri of West Bengal. A modified Nordic questionnaire was applied for the assessment of the discomfort or pain of the processing workers. The study included postural analysis utilising the standardized Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) tool.
 
 Results: The present study showed that 60% of the fish processing workers complained discomfort or pain in different parts of the body majorly in neck, wrist and lower back respectively. The RULA score of posture adopted during job tasks majorly scaling, trimming, filleting of fishes indicated medium risk of musculoskeletal injury and sharpening of blade involved low risk of developing MSDs.
 
 Conclusion: It may be concluded that neck and lower back are the major occupational health issues prevailing in fish processing workers. Prolong working in awkward posture and in repetitive manner led to increased risk of developing work- related MSDs.

COVID-19 Induced Impacts on Women Workers of Fish and Shellfish Processing Plants in Bangladesh

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) adversely impacted the fisheries sector of Bangladesh, particularly affecting the outcomes for women workers of the fish and shellfish processing plants (FSPPs). This study aimed to assess the impacts of COVID-19 on the women workers of the FSPPs by collecting data through 151 questionnaire surveys and two focus group discussions (FGDs) from September to December 2021. During COVID-19, 32.1 % of respondents’ food consumption decreased slightly, and 16.6 % reduced drastically. Children of 18.2 % of the respondents had no access, and 16.9 % had insufficient access to online class facilities. Increased livelihood costs and decreased household income posed adverse economic impacts on women. Formal paid hours and overtime job opportunities were reduced because foreign buyers cancelled orders during the pandemic. Gender-based violence and social insecurity increased. Respondents (13.2 %) reported increased mistreatment by their husbands during the pandemic. Women workers’ mental health deteriorated as their anxiety and insecurity about life increased during the pandemic. This study recommends overcoming the adverse effect of COVID-19 or COVID-like pandemics in the future. To ensure proper food consumption and reduce adverse economic impacts, the government should offer a special relief package, financial incentives and flexible low-interest loans. Related authorities should ensure that every child has the opportunity and access to participate in online classes during COVID-19 or COVID, like pandemics in the future.

Biofilm Formation From Listeria monocytogenes Isolated From Pangasius Fish-processing Plants

Biofilm formation of Listeria monocytogenes in food processing environments cause potential source of cross-contamination to foodstuffs; hence, the control of biofilm is currently addressed to find effective solutions for preventing biofilm formation or eliminating the established one. Forty-five strains of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from Pangasius fish-processing plants were studied for their capability to form a biofilm on 96-well microtiter plate by using the conventional crystal violet staining. Additionally, the inhibitory effect of biofilm formation by food additives including monascus pigment and ε-polylysine was examined. The average OD value showing biofilm mass of all 45 strains L. monocytogenes increased with an increasing temperature and time (p < 0.05). Monascus pigment and ε-polylysine significantly decreased biofilm formation by 80 ± 5.5% and 20 ± 5.9%, respectively, at the tested concentration (p < 0.05) Further, the effects of lysozyme (0.1 mg/mL) alone or in combination with slightly acidic hypochlorous water (SAHW) with 40 mg/L available chlorine or sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) with 100 mg/L available chlorine against 7-d established biofilm of L. monocytogenes were investigated. The results indicated that slightly acidic hypochlorous water alone exhibited significant antibacterial activity (p < 0.05), decreasing the viable count by 5.2 ± 0.5 log CFU/mL. It seems that sequential treatment of lysozyme and SAHW showed an additional efficacy against biofilm of L. monocytogenes on polystyrene plate surface, reducing 70% of biomass of biofilm and 7.6 ± 0.3 log of biofilm viable cells (p < 0.05). Additionally, SAHW exhibited greater bactericidal activity against viable biofilm cells than NaOCl did. This result reveals that SAHW is a promising disinfectant agent against L. monocytogenes and the potential alternative to NaOCl in practice.

LIVELIHOOD CHANGES OF RURAL WOMEN DUE TO WORKING IN THE FISH PROCESSING INDUSTRY

The rural women of Bangladesh are getting involved in different income-generating activities like fish processing. Through these activities, rural women contribute to the family income and ensure a better life for the family members. In this perspective, the current study was conducted to assess the livelihood changes of the rural women working in the fish processing plant, identifying the factors affecting the livelihood change and finding out the problems faced by the rural women worker while working in the fish processing industry. The study was conducted in the Trishal Upazila of Mymensingh district. The population size was 140; out of them, 70 were selected randomly. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data through a face-to-face interview. Then, regression analysis was done to identify associated factors. The majority (68%) had a medium change in livelihood. Household size, annual family income, training, and extension media contact were the most crucial variables explaining the respondents' livelihood change. Moreover, most (60%) of the women faced low problems in fish processing activities. Among the identified problems, the major concerns were lack of technical knowledge, transportation facility, and poor salary. Therefore, government and non-government organizations must provide frequent need-based training facilities for rural women to strengthen their skills that may help improve their livelihood.