4.1 Chemical composition of STESC
Moisture, protein, fat and ash contents of STESC were 36.35 ± 3.29, 17.55 ± 1.05, 15.55 ± 1.13 and 27.15 ± 3.29%, respectively. Tuna is the pelagic fish, which migrate between the top and bottom of the ocean rapidly. Eyeball scleral functions as structural support and maintains the intraocular pressure [11]. The sclera is composed of connective tissue and supported by the bone and/or cartilage [26]. Therefore, the main component of STESC is mineral followed by protein and fat, respectively. To avoid the undesirable color and flavor of biocalcium, fat should be removed by the simple and effective method before further preparation steps.
4.2 Effect of defatting for different cycles on fat removal of STESC
Fat contents of STESC before and after defatting for various cycles are shown in Table 1. Fat content in STESC was 24.44%. Defatting for different cycles resulted in defatted STESC with variable fat levels. The efficacy of mixed solvents in fat removal from STESC increased as the defatting cycles increased (P < 0.05). The lowest fat content was found when defatting was carried out for 6 cycles (P < 0.05). Mixed solvent (hexane and isopropanol) reduced fat content by 99.63% after 6 cycles of defatting process, compared to that of initial STESC (P < 0.05). Normally, non-polar solvents such as hexane can penetrate to the low polar matrix to a higher extent than the polar matrix [27]. On the other hand, the polar solvents are used to extract polar components such as phospholipid and free fatty acids [27]. Therefore, the mixed solvents including hexane and isopropanol could effectively remove fat from STESC. Thus, fat could be almost completely removed by the mixed solvents with 6 cycles.
Table 1
Fat contents of skipjack tuna eyeball scleral cartilage (STESC) and STESC defatted for different cycles
Sample | Fat content (%) |
STESC | 24.44 | ± | 0.21a |
DSTESC-1* | 6.00 | ± | 0.37b (75.43%)** |
DSTESC-2 | 2.04 | ± | 0.33c (91.65%) |
DSTESC-3 | 1.33 | ± | 0.28d (94.57%) |
DSTESC-4 | 0.79 | ± | 0.15de (96.76%) |
DSTESC-5 | 0.54 | ± | 0.04e (97.79%) |
DSTESC-6 | 0.09 | ± | 0.02f (99.63%) |
Data are presented as mean ± SD (n = 3). |
*Number represents defatting cycle |
**Values in parenthesis represent the percent reduction of fat relative to the initial value. Different lowercase letters in the same column denote significant differences (P < 0.05). |
STESC : skipjack tuna eyeball scleral cartilage |
DSTESC : defatted skipjack tuna eyeball scleral cartilage |
4.3 Effects of enzyme concentration and hydrolysis time on protein removal
Degree of hydrolysis (DH) of protein in defatted STESC as affected by alcalase concentration and hydrolysis time is shown in Fig. 1A. DH of all samples upsurged with augmenting hydrolysis time (P < 0.05). The higher DH was attained with the greater alcalase concentrations (P < 0.05). The highest DH was observed in the sample hydrolyzed with 4.5% alcalase at all hydrolysis time, compared with other enzyme concentrations (P < 0.05) Idowu et al. [17] also documented that the greater amount of alcalase yielded protein hydrolysate from salmon frames (chunk and mince) with the higher DH. DH obtained using alcalase at different concentrations were augmented up to the end of enzymatic hydrolysis (180 min) (P < 0.05). During the first 60 min, the hydrolysis rate of all samples hydrolyzed with alcalase at different concentrations was augmented sharply, suggesting the high numbers of peptide bonds cleaved. This might be due to available protein substrates for cleavage, in which enzyme-substrate complex could be formed effectively. Thereafter, the rate of hydrolysis was slightly increased until 180 min (P < 0.05).
Soluble protein content (SPC) of defatted STESC hydrolyzed with alcalase at different concentrations and various times is demonstrated in Fig. 1B. SPC was markedly augmented for all alcalase concentrations used up to 30 min. Thereafter, SPC of all samples gradually increased up to 180 min (P < 0.05). At the same hydrolysis time, SPC increased with increasing alcalase concentrations used. However, no difference in SPC was obtained when 1.5 and 3.0% alcalase was used from 90 to 180 min (P > 0.05). Under hydrolysis conditions, enzymes cleaved the protein molecules to the smaller size of peptides, and eventually amino acids [28]. Idowu et al. [17] also explained that the yield of salmon frames (chunk and mince) hydrolysate was augmented up to 24.05–26.39% when higher concentrations of enzymes (alcalase or papain) and longer digesting time from 0 to 240 min were used.
Hydroxyproline content (HC) of STESC hydrolyzed with alcalase at different concentrations and various times is shown in Fig. 1C. HC of all samples was increased during 30 min of hydrolysis. Thereafter, gradual increases in HC were noticeable up to 180 min of hydrolysis. HC of sample hydrolyzed with alcalase at 1.5% was constant from 60 to 180 min (P > 0.05). HC was used as the index for the released collagenous proteins from STESC. Alcalase is a member of serine proteinase, which has a broad spectrum in cleavage of peptide chains. HC was increased from 4.39 to 6.09% (w/w) after digestion time (30 min) using the alcalase for removing the tissue from the catfish head [29].
Hydrolysis of STESC using 1.5% alcalase for 90 min was selected for enzymatic deproteinization process, due to the lower loss of collagen in SC, compared to the higher level of alcalase used.
4.4 Chemical compositions of SCBC and CSC powders
SCBC and CSC powders contained moisture contents of 7.43 and 0.51%, respectively. No protein was observed in CSC powder, in which protein content of 31.33% was found in SCBC. CSC powder had a higher content of ash (98.06%), compared to that of SCBC powder (60.51%). Precooked skipjack tuna bones biocalcium had protein, fat, and ash contents of 24.26, 0.21, and 72.20%, respectively [14]. With high calcination temperature, all organic compounds in SC were removed completely. For CSC, only inorganic substances were remained, as shown by high ash content (98.06%). Also, calcined powders from the salmon frame possessed high ash content (99.73%) after being combusted in a muffle furnace for 6 h [30].
4.5 Hydroxyproline content (HC) of SCBC and CSC powders
HC of SCBC and CSC powders are shown in Table 2. HC (443.20 µg/g) was only found in SCBC powder. This might indicate the presence of collagenous components in the SCBC powder. It was also related to the protein detected in SCBC powder. To form the cup-like shape of sclera, the structure of the eyeball is composed of connective tissue and cartilage and/or bone [26]. HC represents content of the collagenous proteins localized in the biocalcium [30]. Nevertheless, the HC was absent in the CSC powder due to the high-temperature combustion of collagenous proteins during calcination. A similar result showed that HC of calcined bone of salmon frame was not detected when burned under 900°C for 6 h [30]. Therefore, collagen has still remained in SCBC.
Table 2
Chemical compositions, hydroxyproline and mineral contents, color and particle size of SCBC and CSC
Parameters | Samples |
SCBC | CSC |
MC (%) | 7.43 ± 0.05a | 0.51 ± 0.01b |
Protein (%)** | 31.33 ± 0.36a | 0.00 ± 0.00b |
Fat (%)** | 0.10 ± 0.02a | 0.00 ± 0.00b |
Ash (%)** | 60.51 ± 0.06b | 98.06 ± 0.12a |
Hydroxyproline (ug/g)** | 443.20 ± 0.13a | 0.00 ± 0.00b |
Ca (%)** | 23.28 ± 0.36b | 39.90 ± 0.26a |
P (%)** | 10.99 ± 0.17b | 18.97 ± 0.78a |
Mole ratio Ca/P | 1.64 | 1.63 |
L* | 81.77 ± 0.54b | 87.97 ± 0.15a |
a* | 2.21 ± 0.06a | 0.43 ± 0.02b |
b* | 20.21 ± 0.27a | 2.09 ± 0.09b |
∆E* | 22.91 ± 0.06a | 5.39 ± 0.17b |
D4/3 (µm) | 49.91 ± 40.30a | 21.15 ± 17.55a |
Data are presented as mean ± SD (n = 3). Different lowercase letters in the same row denote significant differences (P < 0.05). |
SCBC : scleral cartilage biocalcium |
CSC : calcined scleral cartilage |
**Dry weight basis. |
4.6 Mineral contents of SCBC and CSC powders
The contents of Ca and P in SCBC and CSC are shown in Table 2. The higher contents of Ca and P were related with higher ash content of CSC powder when compared to those of SCBC powder. SCBC and CSC powders had Ca/P mole ratios of 1.64 and 1.63, respectively (Table 2). Ca/P mole ratios of tricalcium phosphate (TCP) Ca3(PO4)2 and hydroxyapatite (HAP) (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 are 1.50 and 1.67, respectively [31]. Also, the mole ratios of Ca/P of biocalcium and calcined bone from precooked skipjack tuna bones were 1.65 and 1.62, respectively [14]. Normally, vertebrate bone contained inorganic matter, especially HAP crystals. HAP is located in bone/cartilage and cross-linked with collagen fibrils [32]. Ca/P moles ratio of both sample powders were close to that of HAP [31].
4.7 Color of SCBC and CSC powders
Color values (L*, a* and b*) of the SCBC and CSC powder are varied (Table 2). SCBC powder had a yellowish white color. It had lower L*, but higher a*, b* and ∆E* than CSC powder (P < 0.05). The remaining protein and lipid in SCBC powder might generate Maillard reaction products via the amine group of protein and carbonyl group of the lipid oxidation products, particularly aldehydes. This was witnessed by higher a* and b*-values with lower L* value. On the other hand, the organic compounds, including protein and lipid of CSC powder were completely combusted during the calcination. As a result, no reactive processes were available for Maillard reaction. Similar results in color of biocalcium powder and calcined bone powder from skipjack tuna bones were also reported [14]. Overall, CSC powder was whiter than SCBC powder.
4.8 Mean particle size (D4/3) and particle size distribution of SCBC and CSC powders
Mean particle size (D4/3) representing the weighted mean value by volume, of SCBC and CSC powders were 49.91 ± 40.30 and 21.15 ± 17.55 µm, respectively (Table 2). Nevertheless, no difference in D4/3 was noticed between both samples (P > 0.05). Moreover, both sample powders revealed a monomodal distribution (Fig. 2A), which represents the homogenous powder. Also, biocalcium and calcined bone powders from precooked skipjack tuna bones showed no difference in mean particle size and had a monomodal distribution of particle [14]. However, the dominant size of CSC powder was smaller than SCBC powder. The existence of moisture, protein, and fat in SCBC might contribute to the stickiness and agglomeration of powders as shown by the larger dominant size [33]. Particle size is the most significant factor affecting the properties of food products, including appearance, texture, and aroma [34]. Wijayanti et al. [35, 36] reported that particle size of biocalcium from Asian seabass bone played a profound role in mouthfeel of fortified products. The mouthfeel was associated with the acceptability or rejection of consumers.
4.9 X-Ray diffractogram of SCBC and CSC powders
The X-Ray diffractograms of SCBC and CSC are shown in Fig. 2B. SCBC powders showed the diffraction peaks, following to the crystalline phase of HAP (ICDD: 01-074-4172) at angles 10.37°, 25.95°, 31.69°, 33.07°, 39.85°, 46.66°, and 64.15°. For CSC, the diffraction peaks of HAP were also detected. However, the latter was higher in crystallinity than the former. The crystallinity of SCBC and CSC was 58.59 and 89.38%, respectively. The result confirmed that higher crystallinity and phase purity of CSC were related to a well-crystallized HAP phase when calcination was applied. Broad peaks in SCBC powder sample revealed both elastic and inelastic scattering of HAP nanocrystals [37]. Crystallinity of calcined bone was also higher than biocalcium from precooked skipjack tuna bones [14].
4.10 FTIR spectra of SCBC and CSC powders
FTIR spectra of SCBC and CSC powders are depicted in Fig. 2C. The characteristic peak representing the functional or bonding of SCBC appeared at different wavenumbers.
O-H stretching vibration representing absorbed moisture was found at 3303 cm− 1. Symmetric stretching vibration of CH2 at 2923 cm− 1; asymmetric stretching vibration of CH2 at 2853 cm− 1; C = O stretching vibration of ester bond at 1740 cm− 1; Amide I at 1644 cm− 1; Amide II at 1554 cm− 1, and Amide III at 1240 cm− 1 reflected the presence of protein, especially collagen. C-O stretching vibration of carbonate (CO3) at 1445 and 1413 cm− 1; P-O stretching vibration of phosphate (PO4) at 1025 cm− 1; C-O bending vibration of CO3 at 875 cm− 1, and P-O bending vibration of PO4 at 600 and 565 cm− 1 indicated the presence of minerals. The dominant peaks of PO4, which was related to HAP, were observed for both sample powders at 1025, 600,
and 565 cm− 1. Moreover, hydroxide ion (OH⁻) located in the lattice structure of HAP was obtained at 631 cm− 1 [38]. The higher peak intensity of PO4 in CSC powders coincided with a higher amount of ash and P content as shown in Table 2 when compared to SCBC powder. Absorbed water and organic compounds, including protein, lipid, and carbohydrate were removed or combusted at calcination temperature. The spectrum of CSC clearly indicated the peaks of inorganic substances of PO4 (1025, 600, and 565 cm− 1), CO3 (1445, 1413, and 875 cm− 1) and OH⁻ (631 cm− 1).
4.11 Volatile compounds of SCBC and CSC powders
Different volatile compounds were discovered in SCBC and CSC powders from STESC (Table 3). The dominant volatile compounds in SCBC were aldehydes, followed by ketones, alcohols, and acids, respectively. These volatile compounds are mainly secondary lipid oxidation products of PUFAs. These products have been known to be the major contributor to undesirable flavors and odors [39]. Hexanal, octanal, and nonanal were the dominant aldehydes in SCBC powder. Octanal and nonanal contribute to rancidity in meat, while hexanal is mainly formed by the oxidation of linoleic acid [39]. Volatile aldehyde compounds (butanal, heptanal, and benzaldehyde) were previously found in biocalcium from precooked skipjack tuna bones [14]. Moreover, SCBC powder was also shown to have a higher abundance of volatile ketones, alcohols, and acids than CSC powder. Ketones are generated from heat or oxidative induced degradation of PUFAs, whereas alcohols are produced by the degradation of secondary fatty acid hydroperoxide or the reduction of carbonyl compounds [40]. The major ketones were 2-nananone, 2-decanon and 1-enten-2-one. For alcohols, 1-hexanol, 2-hexen-1-ol and 2-butyl-cyclohexanol constituted as major compounds. Some acids including hexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, and nonanoic acid were found in only SCBC but they were not detected in CSC. The organic substances, especially PUFAs and their oxidation products, were combusted under a high temperature of calcination. Therefore, negligible volatile compounds were present in CSC powder.
Table 3
Volatile compounds of SCBC and CSC
Volatile compounds | Peak area (abundance) × 107 |
SCBC | CSC |
Aldehydes | | |
| Propanal | 1.31 | ND |
| Butanal | 1.18 | 0.26 |
| 2-Butenal | 2.64 | ND |
| 2-Pentenal | 6.50 | ND |
| Hexanal | 12.11 | ND |
| 2-Methyl-2-pentenal | 2.99 | ND |
| n-Heptenal | 7.62 | 1.55 |
| Benzaldehyde | 8.60 | ND |
| Octanal | 13.88 | 2.53 |
| Octenal | 8.67 | ND |
| Nonanal | 17.24 | 7.79 |
| 2-Nonenal | 6.12 | ND |
| 2-Decenal | 4.76 | ND |
| 2-Undecenal | 3.24 | ND |
Ketones | | |
| 2-Propanone | 0.36 | ND |
| 1-Penten-3-one | 2.33 | ND |
| 3-Methyl-2-heptanone | 0.56 | ND |
| 2-Nonanone | 5.43 | ND |
| Dihydro-5-pentyl-2(3H)-furanone | 0.98 | ND |
| 2-Decanone | 3.73 | ND |
Alcohols | | |
| 1-Pentanol | 2.75 | ND |
| 1-Hexanol | 6.26 | 2.97 |
| 2-Hexen-1-ol | 6.99 | ND |
| 2-Butyl-cyclohexanol | 7.81 | ND |
| 2-Methyl-1-hexadecanol | 0.99 | ND |
Acids | | |
| Hexanoic acid | 3.65 | ND |
| Heptanoic acid | 3.34 | ND |
| Octanoic acid | 5.79 | ND |
| Nonanoic acid | 4.77 | ND |
Caption : see Table 2 |
4.12 Solubility of calcium in in vitro simulated gastrointestinal tract system (GIMs)
Solubility of calcium from SCBC and CSC powders relative to the total calcium content was 2.13 ± 0.02 and 0.58 ± 0.01%, respectively (data not shown). GIMs has been used to simulate the digestive system. The result could imply that some remaining proteins in SCBC powder helped increase solubility of calcium, which was consequently absorbed into body. Precipitation in phosphate salt form was prevented by peptides [2]. Nevertheless, CSC had no proteins like collagen associated with its crystal. Thus, it could be precipitated with ease as witnessed by very low solubility. Benjakul et al. also reported higher solubility of biocalcium from both pre-cooked tongol and yellowfin tuna bones than corresponding calcined bone [41]. Moreover, biocalcium from the salmon frame also showed higher solubility than calcium carbonate [17]. In general, the absorption of calcium at the jejunum and ileum is lower than at the stomach due to the higher intestinal bicarbonate secretion, accompanied by increased pH [42]. The calcium absorption can be increased in the small intestine by peptides in proteins as a function of calcium carrier [42]. Therefore, the solubility of calcium of SCBC powder was higher than CSC powder, more likely owing to the remaining protein that could increase the absorbability of biocalcium.