Studies on a kerosene‐like taint in mullet (Mugil cephalus)I.—general nature of the taint

Abstract

A taint resembling kerosene is sometimes present in mullet (Mugil cephalus) caught near Brisbane, Australia. It is not thought to be the same as the ‘petroleum’ taint sometimes found in cod and salmon which is caused by the thermal decomposition of dimethyl‐β‐propiothetin to dimethyl sulphide. The ‘kerosene’ taint is removed from the body tissue of mullet by solvent extraction and is associated with the hydrocarbon fraction of the extract. Tainted fish differ from untainted fish in that they have fatinfiltrated livers, a higher lipid content in fillets and a different fatty acid composition of both fillets and livers.

Tainting and Depuration of Taint by Lobsters (Homarus americanus) Exposed to water Contaminated with a No. 2 Fuel Oil: Relationship with Aromatic Hydrocarbon Content in Tissue

“…Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are a large and diverse group of chemicals having two or more aromatic rings and are a major component of petroleum hydrocarbons. These PAHs have been detected in commercial seafoods (Dunn and Fee, 1979;Howgate et al, 1977;Uthe et al, 1984;Williams et al, 1985) and are capable of causing taint or off-flavors in shellfish and finfish (Mackie et al, 1972;Scarratt, 1980;Vale et al, 1970). PAHs are of special concern due to the carcin-ogenic@ of a number of members of this class of compounds.…”

Off-Flavors in Foods

“…Aromatic hydrocarbons, particularly the alkylbenzenes containing nine to ten carbons, are commonly responsible for OF (Motohiro 1983). Vale et al (1970) and Shipton et al (1970) reported on a "kerosene" taint in mullet taken from the Moreton Bay area and the Brisbane River in Queensland, Australia. This taint appeared in the mullet at the start of winter when they began their migration from the southern estuaries to the warmer waters to the north.…”

Flavor and aroma problems and their measurement in meat, poultry and fish products

“…Oil spills have also resulted in off-flavors in aquatic species with Shipton et al (1970) and Vale et al (1970) describing a 'kerosene' taint in mullet taken from the Moreton Bay area of the Brisbane River in Australia. The off-flavors were associated with fish caught around docks or industrial sewage outlets.…”