The concept of fish protein concentrate (FPC) is based on the more efficient use of our fishery resource by converting under-utilized fish to acceptable products for human consumption. FPC is not a single product. It is rather a family of products produced by different processes. Each member in the family of products has different characteristics and can be used for different purposes. Although a variety of processes has been developed, most have been based on solvent extraction of whole fish to remove lipids and water. FPC produced by solvent extraction of fish of several different species contains between 75% and 95% protein, which is particularly high in quality. This type of product can be used in foods to improve markedly their nutritional quality without significantly changing their other characteristics. FPC produced by some solvent extraction methods, however, has limited functional properties. New processes are being developed which use enzymes, various solvents, or a combination of enzymes and solvents. Products from some of these processes have improved functional properties and these FPCs appear to be particularly promising for use in foods for their functional attributes. Several problems still remain to be solved and research is needed to determine how FPCs can be produced and utilized most efficiently and effectively. There is, however, a commercial industry emerging and indications are that FPCs will find a significant place in the market.
Fish protein concentrates have been used in various parts of the world for several centuries. It has only been within the past 30 y ears, however, that the production of FPC has b ee n investigated on a scientific basis. Although many problems still rem a in to be solved and additional research is required to show how FPC can be utilized more efficiently' an FPC industry has been sta rted .
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