PROCESSING AND INGREDIENT INFLUENCES ON TEXTURE OF COOKED COMMINUTED FISH MUSCLE

The study was conducted to determine process requirements and formulations necessary to prepare a coarse textured smoked fish sausage. Sausages prepared from Spanish mackerel, using two different comminution processes and different levels of shortening, soy protein fiber (SPF) and added ice, were evaluated for texture using both instrumental methods and taste panels. Previous work has shown that fish muscle chopped with NaCl and polyphosphate in a silent cutter had a texture similar to a hard gelatin gel when steam cooked and a mushy texture when cooked in a smokehouse. The cooked fish sausages had a sponge‐like texture after freezing and thawing. These unacceptable textural characteristics were overcome by the incorporation of at least 12g shortening/100g fish muscle, and SPF at 15:85 SPF/fish muscle using a two‐stage comminution process. Shear and compressive strength were markedly diminished when ice was added in excess of 15%. The addition of shortening at the level of 12 g/100g fish muscle and SPF significantly improved taste panel ratings on texture relating to the structure of material and increased juiciness. The mechanical properties of the sausages were significantly modified by addition of SPF in a ratio 30g SPF/70g of fish muscle. A comminution process for the formulation containing 25g shortening/100g fish muscle resulted in significantly reduced strength and water‐holding capacity and increased brittle‐ness of the cooked product. There were no significant differences in texture and general acceptability between products prepared from the mechanically deboned as compared to the filleted fish if the moisture content and bone residue in the raw material were carefully controlled. Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved