Enhancing Freshwater Fish Consumption in Algeria: A Study on the Nutritional and Sensory Attributes of Common Carp Sticks
Abstract
Background: To enhance the level of fish consumption in Algeria, it is crucial to promote the utilization of freshwater and farmed fish. The common carp, being the most produced species, often exhibits an undesirable odor attributed to its feeding behavior. This characteristic leads many consumers to prefer wild fish over farmed alternatives. Furthermore, there is a notable scarcity of research on fish products within Algeria.
Aims: The aim of this study was to propose common carp sticks as an alternative product form to increase freshwater fish consumption, and to rigorously evaluate their nutritional value and sensory properties.
Material and Methods: In this regard, the flesh of common carp was initially marinated in two distinct types of organic acids and various condiments. Following a 12-hour marination period at 4°C, steam cooking was performed to yield fish flakes. These flakes were subsequently combined with dry ingredients, including potato flakes, salt, spices, corn oil, and skimmed milk powder. Water was then added to form a smooth and homogeneous dough, which was shaped into sticks. The sticks were coated in flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs before being deep-fried in vegetable oil. The prepared sticks from both types of marinated flesh were then evaluated for their microbiological, nutritional, and sensory attributes. (Analyses on raw common carp were conducted prior to this study).
Results: No significant differences were observed between the two types of sticks, regardless of whether they were marinated with vinegar or lemon. An antimicrobial effect of the lemon was noted, leading to a reduction in the microbial load of the sticks. Both groups of sticks demonstrated appreciated nutritional value. Additionally, panelists showed strong appreciation for the fish sticks from both groups, rating those marinated with lemon juice at 7.61 ± 0.99 and those with vinegar at 7.68 ± 1.14.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that freshwater fish, when presented in this processed form, are acceptable to consumers for inclusion in their diet. This approach could positively impact the national economy and contribute to food security in Algeria.
Keywords: Fish consumption, Freshwater fish, Sticks, Nutritional, Quality, Sensory profile.
Full text article
References
ANSES-CIQUAL (2020). Table de composition nutritionnelle des aliments. Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail (ANSES), France.
AOAC Official Method 978.10 (1978). Crude Fiber in Animal Feed and Pet Food - Official Final Action.
In: Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International, 15th ed., Gaithersburg, MD, USA.
Aktaruzzaman, M., Hani, U., Sayeed, M. A., Chowdhury, M. A., Hussain, M. A., Ahmed, K. T., & Hasan, M. M. (2022). Quality assessment and shelf-life of processed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fish sticks: Laboratory based study. Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science, 7(4), 514–520. https://doi.org/10.26832/24566632.2022.070405
Bilgin, A., Çetinkaya, S. E., & Bolat, Y. (2011). Changes on the nutritional compositions of the sand smelt (Atherina Boyeri Risso, 1810) marinade during storage. African Journal of Biotechnology, 10(16), 3197–3203. https://doi.org/10.5897/ajb10.2067
Cakli, S., Taskaya, L., Kisla, D., Çelik, U., Ataman, C. A., Cadun, A., Kilinc, B., & Maleki, R. H. (2005). Production and quality of fish fingers from different fish species. European Food Research and Technology, 220(5–6), 526–530. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-004-1089-9
Degnon, R. G., Agossou, V. E., Adjou, E. S., Dahouenon-Ahoussi, E., Soumanou, M. M., & Sohounhloue, D. C. K. (2013). Évaluation de la qualité microbiologique du chinchard (Trachurus trachurus) au cours du processus de fumage traditionnel. Journal of Applied Biosciences, 67(0), 5210. https://doi.org/10.4314/jab.v67i0.95042
Dergal, N. B., Abi-Ayad, S. M. E. A., Degand, G., Douny, C., Brose, F., Daube, G., Rodrigues, A., & Scippo, M. L. (2013). Microbial, biochemical, and sensorial quality assessment of Algerian farmed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) stored at 4 and 30°C. African Journal of Food Science, 7(12), 498–507. https://doi.org/10.5897/ajfs2013.1063
Elyasi, A., Zakipour Rahim Abadi, E., Sahari, M.A., & Zare, P. 2010. Chemical and microbial changes of fish fingers made from mince and surimi of common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L., 1758). International Food Research Journal. 17: 915-920.
Folch, J., Lees, M., & Sloane Stanley, G. H. (1957). A simple method for the isolation and purification of total lipides from animal tissues. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 226(1), 497–509. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0021-9258(18)64849-5
Itongwa, J.A., Banangamba, E., Azine, P.C., Matendo, E.R., & Mwapu, I., 2019. Évaluation de la qualité microbiologique des poissons frais commercialisés dans la ville de Bukavu, RD Congo. Afrique Science. 15(6), 365 - 373.
Izci, L. 2010. Utilization and Quality of Fish Fingers from Prussian Carp (Carassius gibelio Bloch, 1782). Pakistan Veterinary Journal. 30 (4), 207-210.
ISO 4833-1:2013. Microbiology of the food chain — Horizontal method for the enumeration of microorganisms. Part 1: Colony count at 30 °C by the pour plate technique
Journal Officiel de la République Algérienne. (2017, July 2). N° 39.
Khanipour, A.A., Jorjani, S., & Soltani, M. 2014. Chemical, sensory and microbial quality changes of breaded kilka (Clupeonella cultriventris) with tempura batter in production stage and during frozen storage. International Food Research Journal. 21, 2421–2430.
Kjeldahl, J. 1883. Neue Methode zur Bestimmung des Stickstoffs in organischen Körpern. Fresenius Z. Für Anal. Chemistry. 22, 366–382. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01338151
Naji, M., Kara, H., Lemine, M., Hamid, A., Bouslama, N., & Crespi, V. 2023. Analyse des marchés des produits de la pêche et de l’aquaculture continentales dans les pays du Maghreb. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc6086fr
Öz, M. & Ucak, İ. 2023. Investigation of quality parameters of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) meat marinated with traditional method used in Anatolia during storage at −18 °C. International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science. 33, 100755. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgfs.2023.100755
Sabba, E., Boudida, Y., & Boudjellal, A. (2023). Evaluation of fatty acid and the composition of six different species of freshwater fish in the North of Algeria. Journal of Food Quality & Hazards Control. https://doi.org/10.18502/jfqhc.10.3.13642
Tokur, B., Ozkütük, S., Atici, E., Ozyurt, G., & Ozyurt, C. E. (2006). Chemical and sensory quality changes of fish fingers, made from mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio L., 1758), during frozen storage (−18°C). Food Chemistry, 99(2), 335–341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2005.07.044
Topuz, O. K. 2016. Effects of Marinating Time, Acetic Acid and Salt Concentrations on the Quality of Little Tunny Fish (Euthynnus alletteratus) Fillet: Optimization of Fish Fillet Marinating Conditions. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation. 40 (6), 1154–1163. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfpp.12696
Authors
Copyright (c) 2025 Esma Sabba, Yasmine Boudida, Djamel-Eddine Mekhancha

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
-
Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
-
No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.