Influence of Microwave and Traditional Smoked Drying Method on the Protein and Moisture Content of Puntius sophore

Drying of fish is a traditional method for storing fishes for long periods without any significant damages. Effects of two smoking and microwave drying on moisture and protein content of fish (Puntius sophore) was studied to determine the benefits of preserving and retaining the protein content of fish. Collected fishes were dried in traditional smoking method for about 12 hours and using microwave drying method at different power levels of 140W, 280W and 560W for different time period. The moisture and protein content of raw fish was found to be 70.78±2.2% and 18.78±1.06 mg/g wet weight respectively. The changes in moisture and protein content in the two different drying methods was found to be significant (p<0.05). With increase in microwave temperature moisture content decreases and protein content increases. The results showed that microwave-drying method could be used for preservation of fish and make the product commercially available.