Progress 05/03/01 to 04/30/06
Outputs
Progress Report 4d Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and the Auburn University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the inhouse research project 6420-32000022-00D, Aquatic Animal Diagnostics, Pathogenesis and Applied Epidemiology. Three dogs were tested and proved to be a sensitive and accurate method of determining off-flavor in catfish fillets (about 90%). Two dogs which proved to be the most reliable in detecting off- flavor compounds were transferred to the Alabama Fish Farming Institute where they were made available to local producers for pond sample testing. Producer response to the method was met with interest, but not acceptance as a routine procedure at this time. Institute staff did not have the time to assume the expense and responsibility of maintaining these animals. This approach would require a full-time trainer to assume total responsibility
for the dogs which was not provided. New technology using small rapid chromatographic instruments known as "electronic noses" may provide a more acceptable rapid method for the detection of off- flavor volatiles in pond water and fillets.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Shelby, R.A., Schrader, K., Tucker, A., Klesius, P.H., Myers, L.J. 2004. Detection of catfish off-flavor compounds by trained dogs. Aquaculture Research.Vol.52(4)
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
4d Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and Auburn University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for parent project 6420- 32000-022-00D, Aquatic Animal Diagnostics, Pathogenesis and Applied Epidemiology. This project is designed to evaluate the use of dogs, selected from a local animal shelter, to detect off-flavor compounds which reduce the marketability of channel catfish. Our previous research was able to illustrate the utility of canine detection of these compounds in pond water at levels which would trigger rejection by processors. Subsequent research has focused on fillet samples from off-flavor fish. In this case, dogs were able to detect these compounds in the fillet and could distinguish off-flavor fillet from on-flavor fillet with about 90% accuracy. Two of the dogs have been placed with the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service - Alabama Fish Farming
Center, and are currently being utilized to screen pond water. This pilot study will determine if the dogs can maintain detection accuracy and if canine testing is useful to the industry.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Shelby, R.A., Schrader, K., Tucker, A., Klesius, P.H., Myers, L.J. 2004. Detection of catfish off-flavor compounds by trained dogs. Aquaculture Research.Vol.52(4)
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? This report serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and Auburn University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for parent project 6420- 32000-012-00D, "Integrated Management of Fish Health by Multi- Disciplinary Approaches." This project is designed to evaluate the use of dogs, selected from a local animal shelter, to detect off-flavor compounds in pond water which reduce the marketability of channel catfish. Subsequent experiments have utilized actual pond water samples from known off/on- flavor ponds that have been quantitatively analyzed by gas chromatography. Two of the dogs can correctly identify off-flavor pond water samples with near 100% accuracy. Three other dogs are approaching that degree of accuracy. We are presently determining threshold values of MIB and GSM which would trigger rejection by processors. Once this can be
determined, then the dogs will be trained to discriminate water samples at this level. We are developing a practical, portable field protocol that could be utilized on-site for rapid evaluation of ponds. On- site demonstrations are presently being conducted to evaluate industry acceptance of the procedure.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Shelby, R.A., Schrader, K., Tucker, A., Klesius, P.H., Myers, L.J. 2004. Detection of catfish off-flavor compounds by trained dogs. Aquaculture Research.Vol.52(4)
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Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? D. This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and Auburn University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for parent project 6420- 32000-012-00D, Integrated Management of fish Health by Multi-Disciplinary Approaches. This project is designed to evaluate the use of dogs to detect off-flavor compounds in pond water which reduce the marketability of channel catfish. To date 5 dogs have been trained to accept the testing protocol in which the animal must sit when methylisoborneol (MIB) or geosmin (GEO) are present. Compounds are detected in small tubes, typically with a one out of five choices. We have evaluated the ability of three of these dogs to detect the target compounds at known levels using analytical standards. Mean correct responses for the two best dogs were 93%, 68%, and 37% for 10 to the third, 10 to the second
and 10 to the first parts per trillion MIB, and 91%, 65%, and 67% for the 10 to the third, 10 to the second, and 10 to the first parts per trillion GEO, respectively. We have begun to test pond water samples with known levels of MIB and GEO. Dogs were 86%, 67% and 68% correct in identifying pond water samples containing typical problem amounts of these compounds. Further testing will identify the minimum level of detection for a pond water sample. We will also develop a practical, portable field protocol.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Shelby, R.A., Klesius, P.H. Olfactory detection of catfish off-flavor compounds by dogs. Southern Conference of Researchers in Aquatic Diseases, 4th Annual Meeting, April 2-4, 2000, Pine Mountain, GA. 2000.
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Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it? Methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmin are two compounds produced by algae in pond water which is absorbed by catfish grown in ponds. We intend to evaluate dogs as an "early warning" detector of this problem. If dogs can be trained to detect these compounds, then they could be used at the farm pond to alert producers to the problem, before "off-flavor" compounds accumulate to objectionable levels. Presently, the existing method used in production facilities is human olfaction by taste panel. Alternative methods, such as GC-MS are currrently too costly and time- consuming to be of practical use at the level of the farm pond. 2. How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? The offensive taste and odor accumulates in the meat which can be detected by the consumer at levels as low as 0.01 parts per billion. The negative effect is twofold: 1)consumers associate this "off-flavor" with
farm-raised catfish and consumer demand declines; and 2) producers are forced to extend the production time in off-flavor ponds, and production costs are increased up to 20%. These off-flavor compounds also are problematic in municipal water supplies where the objectionable odors appear at the tap of the household kitchen. 3. How does it relate to the national Program(s) and National Program Component(s) to which it has been assigned? This relates to the improvement of quality, safety, and variety of aquaculture (106) products through research and technology transfer. Specifically, off-flavor compounds negatively impact the flavor, perceived quality, and ultimately consumer demand for farm raised catfish. 4. What was your most significant accomplishment this past year? This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and Auburn University, Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology. Additional details of research can be
found in the report for the parent CRIS 6420-32000-012-00D, Integrated Management of Fish Health by Multi-disciplinary Approaches. Ths project has been underway since June 12, 2002. Since that time 6 dogs have been evaluated for training in the testing protocol of which 4 have been trained for initial detection. Target compounds are geosmin and methylisoborneol analytical standards dissolved in ultrapure water at 1 part per million and 1 part per billion. Four of the animals had initially begun discriminate testing with a two-choice test at the 1 ppm level. Two animals each were evaluated with each compound. After 4 weeks both groups were moved to 1 ppb levels for their target compound. The most successful animal has now begun 1 out of 4 discriminate testing with MIB at 1 ppb. This animal was 64% correct at this level of testing. The remaining 3 animals had varying degrees of detection accuracy ranging from 0-84%. In general the detection accuracy of the MIB animals has been
highest. 5. Describe your major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact? This project is in the early stage, but the predicted impact could be important. Dogs could be used much in the way the "Beagle Brigade" intercepts food products on international airline flights. Early detection of problem ponds would enable producers to avoid that particular pond, or treat before fish are introduced, with a potential 20% savings in production costs. Dogs could be used at the processing facility to test meat before processing. 6. What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years? Training of the dogs will continue with two objectives in mind: 1) to identify and train dogs which adapt to the detection protocol, and 2) determine the limit of detection possible with analytical standards of the pure compounds (MIB and Geosmin). 7. What technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the technology likely to become
available to the end user (industry, farmer other scientist)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption durability of the technology? No technology has been transferred to date. This will be possible in 3-5 years if the project is successful. Transfer of the technology will depend upon the development of a canine training facility for this purpose, or alternatively, utilizing an existing facility which trains dogs and their handlers to detect other compounds.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Shelby, R.A., Klesius, P.H. Olfactory detection of catfish off-flavor compounds by dogs. Southern Conference of Researchers in Aquatic Diseases, 4th Annual Meeting, April 2-4, 2000, Pine Mountain, GA. 2000.
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Progress 10/01/00 to 09/30/01
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it?
"Off-flavor", a major problem, in commercial production, is caused by aromatic compounds in pond water released primarily by cyanobacteria as a result of high nutrient content of rearing ponds. We propose to develop methods of early detection of the compounds which are responsible for the problem. Early detection of trace levels of these problem compounds in ponds would allow producers to avoid use of that particular pond, or treat the pond to prevent the accumulation of off flavor compounds, before these rise to objectionable levels. The ability of dogs to detect trace odorants can be seen in the success of the USDA "Beagle Brigade" used in the interdiction of agricultural contraband at airports and other transit facilities. We believe that dogs can also be trained to detect problem compounds in catfish ponds.
2. How serious is the problem? Why does it matter?
It is estimated that the "off flavor" problem costs catfish producers about $16 million annually by increasing cost of production 5-20%. In addition, "off flavor" has the potential to reduce both the U.S. and world market demand for U.S. produced catfish by shifting consumer preference or demand to other markets because of the bad taste. The industry recognizes this possible scenario, and takes great pains to prevent "off flavor" fish from entering the market, by establishing taste panels at the processing plant. More efficient testing methods are needed at all stages of the market, and the earlier these compounds are detected, the more easily the problem can be addressed.
3. How does it relate to the National Program(s) and National Component(s)?
This objective relates directly to improving the quality and safety of aquaculture products for consumers (National Aquaculture Program - 106).
4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year?
This project has only begun in the last month. Water samples have been collected from "off-flavor" and "on- flavor" ponds and dogs are presently being evaluated. This report serves to document reserach conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and Auburn University. Additional details of the research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 6420-32000-011-00D.
5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project including their predicted or actual impact.
Potential impact could be a reduction in catfish production costs by as great as 10% annually.
6. What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years?
we expect to evaluate the ability of dogs to distinguish between on-flavor and off-flavor water samples.
7. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints if known, to the adoption & durability of the technology product?
This technology could potentially become available in 3-5 years. Additional training of handlers and establishing field testing protocols would require additional time before these animals could be used in an interdiction scenario.
8. List your most important publications in the popular press (no abstracts) and presentations to non-scientific organizations and articles written about your work (NOTE: this does not replace your peer-reviewed publications which are listed below)
None.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Shelby, R.A., Klesius, P.H. Olfactory detection of catfish off-flavor compounds by dogs. Southern Conference of Researchers in Aquatic Diseases, 4th Annual Meeting, April 2-4, 2000, Pine Mountain, GA. 2000.
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