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

Abstract

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.