INSTRUMENTAL METHOD FOR MEASURING TEXTURE OF FISH

The texture of raw flesh from three species of fish: flathead (Platycephalus richardsoni), trevally (Pseudocaranx dentex) and morwong (Nemadactylus douglassi) was assessed by sensory panel and by instrumental means using a fish shearing device developed for the purpose. The results given by the shearing device were consistent and reproducible within species and within fillet samples and allowed differentiation between species. The sensory measure of texture was less reproducible, but mean sensory scores and peak force measurements by the device were significantly correlated. The shearing device shows promise as a relatively rapid objective means of measuring the texture of raw fish flesh.