Since there is not enough information about the quality of sardine (Sardinella brasiliensis) commercialized in the city of São Paulo-SP, Brazil, samples of fresh, defrosted (traded during the species-catching prohibition period) and processed sardines were analyzed for thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) and total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N). The fresh sardine traded at CEAGESP (Companhia de Entrepostos e Armazéns Gerais do Estado de São Paulo) showed acceptable condition for consumption. Considering literature data, TBARS concentrations were adequate (<0,43 mg MA/kg), and TVB-N levels were below the legal limit of 30 mg/100 g. But this was not true for TBARS in the fresh and defrosted sardines collected from the open-air markets. Brined sardine and sardinha anchovada presented TVB-N above the legal limit, and so were not in acceptable condition for consumption. The results showed that sardine may arrive at CEAGESP (wholesale) in good condition, but its quality is lost while on sale at the open-air markets. This work emphasizes the need for better examining sardine freezing and storage carried out long before its commerce during the species-catching prohibition period.
processed sardine; defeso; quality; TBARS; TVB-N
