Effect of Thermal Sterilization on the Selected Quality Attributes of Sweet and Sour Carp

In this study, a traditional Chinese dish, a ready-to-eat sweet and sour carp was developed. The effects of sterilization temperature (110, 115, 121, and 130°C) on the selected properties, including heat penetration characteristics, as well as rheological, instrumental color, texture, and sensory attributes, were investigated at the same lethality value (F₀) of 4.5 min. The results showed that the heat penetration parameters of cooking value (C-value) and the ratio of C-value to F₀ value (C-value/F₀) exhibited an inverse relationship with processing temperature. The color and rheological properties of the sauce and the texture of the fish sterilized at 130°C were better preserved compared to those sterilized at other temperatures. The sensory attributes of the product sterilized at 130°C scored highest among the final products sterilized at the four temperatures. This study suggested that short-time sterilization at a high temperature can minimize the negative thermal impact on sweet and sour carp product, which would be feasible in the practical production.