Quality of Alaska Pollack Theragra chalcogramma Sikhae after Fermentation for Different Times

Abstract

We sought to extend the shelf-life of Alaska pollack Theragra chalcogramma sikhae while maintaining quality. We compared the chemical, microbiological, and organoleptic characteristics of sikhae prepared under four different conditions. Control fish were fermented at ambient temperature (21±2°C); other samples were stored at 5°C after fermentation at ambient temperature for 36 h (A1), 60 h (A2), and 84 h (A3). Volatile basic nitrogen and amino-nitrogen levels, and total acidity increased with fermentation time in all samples, but the pH fell, attaining a relatively lower level in the control than in other samples. Over 90% of all viable cells were lactic acid-producing bacteria; this proportion did not change significantly during fermentation. In terms of texture, only hardness was affected by fermentation. The hardness of the control fell more rapidly than did that of the other samples. In terms of sensory evaluation (the acceptance test and quantitative descriptive analysis [QDA]), A2 was superior to other samples after fermentation for different times; A2 maintained limited salability (6 points on the relevant index) for up to 17 days of storage.