The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the smoking process effect of whole eviscerated and fillet of Nile tilapia on the organoleptic characteristics (appearance, aroma, color, flavor, texture, salt content and general acceptance), percent weight loss (PP) and proximate composition. FP1 (whole eviscerated fish, 5 hour smoking) and FP2 (fillet, 4 hour smoking) were compared. Scaled, eviscerated fish, FP1 and fillets cut by only one person, FP2 were submitted to brine (30%) and smoking process. Average yield for FP1 and FP2 was 63.98% and 27.11%, respectively. Average loss weight during smoking for fillet (31.33%) was higher, when compared to whole fish (27.04%). Sensorial analysis showed that whole fish was more accepted, regarding flavor and salt content; however, aroma, color and texture were not different between whole fish and fillet. Smoking process reduced moisture and increased crude protein, lipid and ash contents. Losses were higher for fillet, which presented higher crude protein and lower lipid contents compared to whole fish. It was also verified that fillet flavor can be improved by correcting the brine step.
characteristic organoleptic; Oreochromis niloticus; processing; smoking
