Quality attributes related to the consumption of fish in the city of Corumbá, MS, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this research was to identify the most important attributes related to fish quality by consumer group residing in the city of Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire according to the Likert five-point scale, comprising items related to the consumption and fish quality. A group of 105 consumers was interviewed with average age of respondents of 34.67 years (± 13.65); with a predominance of women (52.4%) and single women (40.0%). Regarding consumption, the main barrier is the high price of fish (36.2%). Most respondents (60.9%) consider important that the fish not contain spine bones and 60.0% prefer to buy fish in bulk. Regarding preservation, 62.9% prefer the cooled product. The most consumed fishes (90%) were "pacu†(Piaractus mesopotamicus) and "pintado†(Pseudolatystoma corruscans). The results describe the fish consumer group profile of the city of Corumbá and indicate that the sensory factors and related product quality are the key drivers for fish consumption in this group.