Study on the Texture Characteristics of High Omega-3 Fatty Acid Saury Nuggets

$\Omega$-3계 지방산이 다량 함유된 꽁치 너겟의 텍스쳐 특성에 관한 연구

The principal objective of this study was to determine the appropriate water content for optimal texture in high omega-3 fatty acid saury nuggets. The approach adopted in this study essentially involved variations in water levels(0{\sim}25%$). The main ingredients of the nuggets included saury mince, mild pizza cheese and hydrated textured soy protein concentrate. The formulated products were molded(dia. 4.5, thickness 1.5 cm, 20 g), battered lightly, flash-fried far 4 min at $160^{\circ}C$ and frozen until they were tested. The frozen nuggets were cooked to $65^{\circ}C$, then subjected to sensory evaluation, texture analysis at 80% deformation, and expressible fluid tests. The moisture contents in the nugget batter and the cooked nuggets were determined. In our sensory evaluation, nugget texture was adjudged the best in the nuggets prepared with a 20% water level(S5). The hardness and chewiness in the nuggets were reduced with increases in the water level. However, when the nuggets contain more than 15% water(S4, S5, S6), we noted no significant differences in the hardness values. The difference in moisture content between the uncooked nugget bat or and the cooked nugget was most profound in the nugget prepared with a water level 25%(S6). The nugget prepared with a water level 25% was also the highest in expressible fluids, and was also highest in internal moisture content. The texture preference of nuggets was correlated positively with moistness(r=0.881) and moisture content(r=0.827), and correlated negatively with firmness(r=-0.870) and cohesiveness(r=-0.839), and these correlations were significant.