Impact of break in cold chain on the technological and organoleptic qualities of Atlantic mackerel (Scomber Scombrus) and Horse Mackerel (Trachurus Trachurus) In South Benin

Horse mackerel and Atlantic mackerel are species often imported and sold in Benin in frozen form. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the break in cold chain on the technological and organoleptic qualities of these fish in south Benin. Thus, it was carried out from June to December 2016 in the Department of Atlantic and Littoral. For the study, fish samples (120 Atlantic mackerel and 120 Horse mackerel) were taken for laboratory analyzes. It appears that the weight of the whole fish, the weight of the eviscerated fish and the weight of the remains were significantly higher for the breaks of 6 hours than for the breaks of 3 hours and 12 hours. The fillet weight of fish at 6 hours (140.4g) of cold break was significantly higher than that at 3 hours (112g) of cold break. No influence of break in cold chain was observed on the yield, fillet yield, water content and pH. Whatever the break duration, the different weights recorded were significantly higher in Horse mackerel than in Atlantic mackerel. The various weights recorded in Atlantic mackerel with 3 and 12 hours of break were higher than those recorded with 6 hours of break. The red index was higher for the 6 hours of break than for the 12 hours of break (P < 0.05). The break duration had significantly influenced the freshness state of skin, eye, back muscle, abdominal wall, spine and organ color (P < 0.001). The break in the cold chain alters the technological and organoleptic quality of fish.