Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar,L) as raw material for the smoking industry. II: Effect of different smoking methods on losses of nutrients and on the oxidation of lipids

The changes in total fat content, fatty acid composition, tocopherol, ascorbic acid, pH and oxidation were analysed in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar, L.) in response to either cold smoking (20 or 30 °C) or electrostatic smoking. Both fresh and frozen fillets were dry-salted before smoking. The fish smoked were the lean ocean-ranched salmon caught off Iceland in June 1998 and farmed Norwegian salmon, slaughtered in either November 1998 or April 1999, differing in fresh fillet fat content from 84 to 169 g·kg⁻¹ wet weight. The fresh material used in smoking significantly affected the smoking loss of nutritive components in the fillets. The leaner the fish the higher percentile loss in fillet fat. Ascorbic acid decreased about 80 percent from the fresh value, independent of smoking temperature (20 or 30 °C). The fish that were dry-salted and electrostatically smoked only lost about 10 percent of the fresh ascorbic acid content, independent of the type of raw material used, indicating a conserving effect on ascorbic acid by the electrostatic process. Also, the electrostatically smoked fish showed a smaller drop in fillet pH than cold-smoked fillets, while tocopherol was little affected by the smoking methods tested.     

Product Yield and Gaping in Cold-smoked Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Fillets as Influenced by Different Injection-salting Techniques

Product yield and fillet gaping severity were determined in cold‐smoked Atlantic salmon fillets subjected to injection‐salting. Effects of process parameter settings (brine injection pressure, number of repeated injections, needle speed, injection of brine in 1 or 2 directions, and chilled fillet resting before smoking) were tested. Repeated injections increased the yield up to 5.3% (wt/wt). Increasing injection pressure significantly increased the severity of fillet gaping in smoked fillets by 18%. Brine injection directions or needle speed did not affect smoking yield. The stability of the injection system was high. The results show that choice of process parameter settings during injection‐salting affects product yield after smoking.     

Injection‐Salting and Cold‐Smoking of Farmed Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua L.) and Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) at Different Stages of Rigor Mortis: Effect on Physical Properties

ABSTRACT: Processing of fish is generally conducted postrigor, but prerigor processing is associated with some potential advantages. The aim of this study was to study how 5 processing regimes of cold‐smoked cod and salmon conducted at different stages of rigor influenced yield, fillet shrinkage, and gaping. Farmed cod and salmon was filleted, salted by brine injection of 25% NaCl, and smoked for 2 h at different stages of rigor. Filleting and salting prerigor resulted in increased fillet shrinkage and less increase in weight during brine injection, which in turn was correlated to the salt content of the fillet. These effects were more pronounced in cod fillets when compared to salmon. Early processing reduced fillet gaping and fillets were evaluated as having a firmer texture. In a follow‐up trial with cod, shrinkage and weight gain during injection was studied as an effect of processing time postmortem. No changes in weight gain were observed for fillets salted the first 24 h postmortem; however, by delaying the processing 12 h postmortem, the high and rapid shrinking of cod fillets during brine injection was halved.     

Use of sodium nitrite in salt-curing of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) – Impact on product quality

Quality changes during processing and quality differences in smoked fillets of Atlantic salmon (4–5 kg) salted with nitrite salt compared to table salted fillets were measured. Quality parameters from right-side fillets dry salted with nitrite salt were compared with the respective left-side fillets treated the same way with table salt. Ten raw right-side fillets were analysed and used as raw material reference. Use of nitrite salt in salt-curing of smoked salmon affected colour to a more reddish hue, tended to increase carotenoid stability and displayed positive effects on NaCl diffusivity. Only slight weight changes and change in texture properties were revealed. The use of nitrite salt displayed no adverse effects like increased content of N-nitrosoamines in smoked products. In fact, significant lower contents of N-nitrosoamines were found in nitrite salted smoked fillets compared to smoked fillets salted with table salt. Relatively high amounts of residual nitrite in nitrite-treated fillets seem to be the most prominent adverse effect caused by the use of nitrite salt in salt-curing of smoked Atlantic salmon.     

Liquid holding capacity,texture and fatty acid profile of smoked fillets of Atlantic salmon fed diets containing fish oil or soybean oil

This study evaluates the effects of dietary vegetable oils on the liquid-holding capacity, texture properties and fatty acid composition of Atlantic salmon fillets. Three diets containing 100% of fish oil (FO), 100% of soybean oil (SO) or a 50/50 mixture of the two oils (FO/SO) as oil dietary source, were fed to triplicate groups of salmon. After slaughter, a third of the fish were studied fresh while the rest of fish were smoked and stored at two temperatures (4 °C or 14 °C) for 5 or 15 days. The liquid-holding capacity and the texture of fresh and smoked fillets were not significantly affected by dietary oil whereas the smoking yield increased with the inclusion of soybean oil. The fatty acid profile of fresh and smoked fillets reflected these of the diets, and no selective loss of fatty acids was observed after smoking and after storage. On the other hand, increased storage time and storage temperature reduced strongly the liquid-holding capacity of all smoked salmon particularly obvious as increased fat loss, irrespective of the diets. This study showed that an increase in storage time and temperature of smoked fillets of Atlantic salmon affected the liquid-holding capacity, irrespective of the diets.     

The effect of postmortem processing treatments on quality attributes of raw Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) measured by sensory and instrumental methods

The main objective of this study was to compare the effects of three different processing treatments on sensory attributes and instrumental quality measurements of raw Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fillets. Salmon was either pre-rigor filleted and restricted or allowed to contract (Vacuum-PRE and Contracted-PRE, respectively) or post-rigor filleted (POST). Sensory evaluation (appearance, flavour, texture) and instrumental quality measurements (colour, texture, fat, astaxanthin, liquid holding capacity) were performed at 5–7 days postmortem. Sensory evaluation revealed that Vacuum-PRE fillets had less desirable quality attributes than the other treatment groups, with higher scores for tenderness and whiteness and lower scores for hardness and colour intensity. The observed changes in fillet height between the treatment groups indicated that the immediate vacuum packaging of the Vacuum-PRE fillets had limited their contraction during rigor mortis development, resulting in the negative effects observed on quality. This implicates that the well-known positive effects of pre-rigor filleting regarding colour and texture can be reduced or even abolished if the fillets are restricted from contraction during rigor mortis development.     

Effects of different salting and smoking processes on the microstructure, the texture and yield of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fillets

The effect of different conditions during the salting and smoking process on the microstructure and the texture of salmon fillets was studied in interaction with different raw salmon material; ocean-ranched Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from Iceland and two groups of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from Norway, one from Northern Norway and one from Western Norway. The ocean-ranched salmon was found to have significantly smaller fiber diameters and higher shear force compared to the farmed fish. The cross-sectional area of the muscle fibers decreased during the salting and smoking process. Small differences were noted in the cross-sectional area between smoked fillets processed by different salting and smoking methods. However, the cross-sectional area of fibers in dry salted fish fillets from the farmed groups were significantly smaller than in the brine salted fillets, as the fibers shrunk more during dry salting than brine salting. The force required to shear the smoked fillets was significantly higher than for the unprocessed fillets, but was not found to be related to the different salting and smoking processes. Yield during smoking was not related to the initial cross-sectional area or the shear force of the unprocessed muscle.     

Injection-salting of pre rigor fillets of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

ABSTRACT:  The effects of temperature (−1, 4, and 10 °C), brine concentration (12% and 25% NaCl), injection volumes, and needle densities were investigated on fillet weight gain (%), salt content (%), fillet contraction (%), and muscle gaping in pre rigor brine-injected fillets of Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ). Increased brine concentration (12% to 25%) significantly increased the initial (< 5 min after injection) and final contraction (24 h after injection) of pre rigor fillets. Increased brine concentration significantly reduced weight gain and increased salt content but had no significant effect on muscle gaping. The temperatures tested did not significantly affect weight gain, fillet contraction, or gaping score. Significant regressions ( P < 0.01) between the injection volume and weight gain (range: 2.5% to 15.5%) and salt content (range: 1.7% to 6.5%) were observed for injections of pre rigor fillets. Double injections significantly increased the weight gain and salt content compared to single injections. Initial fillet contraction measured 30 min after brine injection increased significantly ( P < 0.01) with increasing brine injection volume but no significant difference in the fillet contraction was observed 12 h after brine injection (range: 7.9% to 8.9%). Brine-injected post rigor control fillets obtained higher weight gain, higher salt content, more muscle gaping, and significantly lower fillet contraction compared to the pre rigor injected fillets.
Injection-salting is an applicable technology as a means to obtain satisfactory salt contents and homogenously distribute the salt into the muscle of pre rigor fillets of Atlantic salmon before further processing steps such as drying and smoking.     

Effects of Freezing on Quality of Cold-smoked Salmon Based on the Measurements of Physiochemical Characteristics

ABSTRACT: How the quality of cold-smoked Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) is affected by freezing the raw fish as whole fish, as gutted fish, and as fillets before smoking, and by freezing the finished product after smoking was studied. Freezing before smoking resulted in increased product yield and water content, but softer texture and increased K-value. Freezing reduced the content of astaxanthin but increased the lightness and the color intensity of the flesh. Gaping increased when the fish was frozen as fillets before smoking. Freezing only after smoking led to fewer changes in quality than freezing before smoking, whereas refreezing the finished products had little additional effect on quality.     

Effects of Salt-curing Procedure and Smoking Temperature on Astaxanthin Stability in Smoked Salmon

ABSTRACT: The effects of salting method (injection salting compared with dry salting), smoking temperature (20°C compared with 30°C), and storage (chilled storage compared with no storage) on astaxanthin retention, surface coloration (CIE1994 L * a * b *), and process yields of cold-smoked Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) fillets was investigated. An overall loss of 13% astaxanthin was observed when correcting for weight changes. Astaxanthin retention was 6.0% higher after smoking at 30°C than at 20°C ( P < 0.01). A significant decrease in astaxanthin retention (4%) was observed after chilled storage of vacuum-packaged fillets at 1°C ( P < 0.05). Salt curing was quantitatively more important to astaxanthin loss than smoking temperature and storage. Salting method did not affect astaxanthin retention, but its concentration was reduced significantly more by injection salting than with dry salting ( P < 0.01). A higher overall color change (AE) was observed for dry-salted compared with injection-salted fillets ( P < 0.001) and for fillets smoked at 30°C compared with 20°C ( P < 0.05), and this coincided with a high variability in the colorimetric parameters in these groups. Higher product yields were obtained by injection salting compared with dry salting (10%) and after smoking at 20°C compared with 30°C (2%), P < 0.001. It is concluded that choice of processing technology may have substantial impact on important quality parameters such as color stability and variation in cold-smoked Atlantic salmon.     

Effects of freezing/thawing on the microstructure and the texture of smoked Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

The changes in microstructure and texture during smoking of fresh and frozen/thawed Atlantic salmon was studied in fish from three different origins; ocean-ranched Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from Iceland and two groups of farmed Atlantic salmon from northern and western Norway. The muscle fibers from the frozen and thawed fish shrank, and the extracellular space increased compared to the fresh muscle. The muscle fibers from salmon fillets with smaller fiber diameter shrank to a less extent than fibers from salmon material with a larger fiber diameter. After smoking the space between the fibers and the fiber shrinkage increased to a higher extent in the muscle from the salmon that were frozen prior to smoking than muscle smoked from fresh salmon. The initial cross-sectional area of the fibers was not found to be related to the yield during smoking.     

Changes in liquid‐holding capacity,water distribution and microstructure during chill storage of smoked salmon

BACKGROUND: During recent years, increases in liquid loss and soft texture in cold smoked salmon have been reported, possibly due to increased lipid content and a change in muscle structure. These problems can lead to downgrading of the product. This study aimed to investigate the influence of raw material composition and chill storage on quality parameters of cold smoked salmon. RESULTS: Initial smoked fish had a higher liquid‐holding capacity (LHC) than samples stored for 20 days. Large fish lost more liquid than small fish. The difference in LHC was consistent with a change in water distribution, which could indicate denaturation of muscle protein. Studies of the microstructure showed the influence of both processing and chill storage. An indication of lipid released from the cells was seen after 20 days of chill storage, which could be related to the reduced LHC at that time. CONCLUSION: Both raw material composition and chill storage affected the quality parameters of smoked salmon. This study has improved knowledge about the relationships between muscle structure, liquid‐holding properties and water distribution in smoked salmon. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Cold Smoking of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Fillets with Smoke Condensate—an Alternative Processing Technology for the Production of Smoked Salmon

ABSTRACT:  Two different protocols for the production of cold smoked salmon were investigated. All fillets were dry salted (18 h, 4 °C) before being allotted to a smoke condensate/liquid smoke protocol (SCP), which included drenching (1 min) in smoke condensate [1:3 (v/v) smoke:water] and drying (150 min, 28.4 ± 2.2 °C) or a wood chips protocol (WCP) that included drying and smoking in a regular smoking chamber (23 °C, 480 min) using wood chips for smoke production. Quality assessments were performed on the smoked fillets at day 0 and after 7, 14, and 31 d of storage (3.4 ± 0.7 °C). Application of the SCP resulted in a significantly higher ( P < 0.01) processing yield (89.6%± 0.7%) as compared to the WCP (88.6%± 0.5%). On day 0, the SCP fillets were significantly ( P < 0.01) less light ( L *) and yellow ( b *) and had a lower chroma ( C *) and hue ( h *) compared to the fillets processed with WCP. From 7 d until the end of storage time, small differences in color were observed. After 31 d of storage, the SCP fillets had a significantly higher ( P < 0.05) intensity of oily texture and lower intensity of salty and smoke taste. Texture profile analysis (TPA) showed few significant differences between the processing protocols, although the WCP fillets were significantly harder than the SCP fillets when recording the force at 60% compression of the fillet height. The use of smoke condensate and drenching technology is a way of producing cold smoked salmon with quality characteristics quite similar to those found in commercial "traditional" products, although processors who want to use this technology have to optimize the drying step and the smoke condensate formulation to their specifications.     

Computer vision-based evaluation of pre- and postrigor changes in size and shape of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fillets during rigor mortis and ice storage: effects of perimortem handling stress

The present study describes the possibilities for using computer vision-based methods for the detection and monitoring of transient 2D and 3D changes in the geometry of a given product. The rigor contractions of unstressed and stressed fillets of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) were used as a model system. Gradual changes in fillet shape and size (area, length, width, and roundness) were recorded for 7 and 3 d, respectively. Also, changes in fillet area and height (cross-section profiles) were tracked using a laser beam and a 3D digital camera. Another goal was to compare rigor developments of the 2 species of farmed fish, and whether perimortem stress affected the appearance of the fillets. Some significant changes in fillet size and shape were found (length, width, area, roundness, height) between unstressed and stressed fish during the course of rigor mortis as well as after ice storage (postrigor). However, the observed irreversible stress-related changes were small and would hardly mean anything for postrigor fish processors or consumers. The cod were less stressed (as defined by muscle biochemistry) than the salmon after the 2 species had been subjected to similar stress bouts. Consequently, the difference between the rigor courses of unstressed and stressed fish was more extreme in the case of salmon. However, the maximal whole fish rigor strength was judged to be about the same for both species. Moreover, the reductions in fillet area and length, as well as the increases in width, were basically of similar magnitude for both species. In fact, the increases in fillet roundness and cross-section height were larger for the cod. We conclude that the computer vision method can be used effectively for automated monitoring of changes in 2D and 3D shape and size of fish fillets during rigor mortis and ice storage. In addition, it can be used for grading of fillets according to uniformity in size and shape, as well as measurement of fillet yield measured in thickness. The methods are accurate, rapid, nondestructive, and contact-free and can therefore be regarded as suitable for industrial purposes.     

Computer Vision and Stereoscopy for Estimating Firmness in the Salmon (Salmon salar) Fillets

The computer vision and a stereoscopy technique were used to characterize and detect changes in the capacity of the salmon fillet surface to recover its original form after a constant weight was applied. A curvature index (associated to fillet firmness) calculated by means of 3D information data obtained with the stereoscopy technique from the fat stripe on the fillets was estimated over 6 months and was suggested as a characteristic of the recovery property of the fresh salmon fillet surface. Simultaneously, instrumental firmness using a LFRA1500 texture was measured. The values for the fresh salmon fillet measurement curvature index during a period of 6 months were established in the range of 0.05 and 0.10 (dimensionless), and this value was used in the experiments to represent fresh salmon fillets. Changes in the curvature index (associated with similar changes in firmness) for salmon fillet surface treated with enzymes (pepsin and papain) were registered on the second day during storage at 2 °C. In general, stereoscopy is a technique that can be used on salmon fillets to detect changes in the recovery properties of the salmon fillet surface and to determine when salmon fillets can be classified as a fillet that has not been processed with enzymes.     

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar,L.) as raw material for the smoking industry. I: effect of different salting methods on the oxidation of lipids

The changes in total fat content, fatty acid composition, tocopherol, ascorbic acid, pH and oxidation were analysed in response to different salting methods, either dry or brine, in cold-smoked (20 or 30 °C) Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar, L.). The fish were lean ocean-ranched salmon caught at Iceland in June 1998 and farmed Norwegian salmon slaughtered in November 1998 and April 1999, differing in fresh fillet fat content from 84 to 169 g kg⁻¹ wet weight. The total fat content decreased in all groups during processing, whereas the relative fatty acid composition of the fillets was not severely affected during salting and cold-smoking. The most conspicuous process consumption of antioxidants in all the groups was the relative ascorbic acid loss (58–82%). Generally, no clear effect of different salting methods was observed on the tocopherol loss during processing, but brine salting had a stronger effect on both fat and ascorbic acid loss than dry salting. The fattiest fish showed the highest oxidation during processing and they lost more tocopherol, but the final oxidation levels were generally low (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS: 6.0–14.7 μmol kg⁻¹), reflecting the antioxidative protection offered by the vitamins during processing.     

不同品种羊肉熏制加工适宜性评价模型研究

中国肉羊品种资源丰富,不同品种羊肉营养理化品质特性存在差异,原料肉基本品质决定了熏制羊肉的品质。为研究不同品种羊肉营养理化品质特性的差异及其熏制加工适宜性,本实验以10?个品种肉羊的通脊为原料,分别测定了原料肉的7个指标(水分含量、蛋白质含量、脂肪含量、pH24 h值、L~*值、a~*值、b~*值)、熏制羊肉的9个品质指标(熏制损失率、剪切力、硬度、弹性、黏聚性、咀嚼性、表皮L~*、表皮a~*、表皮b~*)。通过多元统计分析研究了熏制前原料肉品质与熏制后羊肉品质之间的关系,结果发现水分含量与熏制损失率呈极显著正相关,蛋白质含量与黏聚性呈极显著正相关关系(P0.01),脂肪含量与弹性呈极显著负相关关系(P0.01)。筛选出关键理化指标分别为蛋白质含量、脂肪含量、pH24 h值、b~*值,建立了熏制羊肉品质的综合评价模型Y=0.190 9A+0.355 5B+0.234 3C+0.219 3D,其中,A为蛋白质含量、B为脂肪含量、C为pH24 h值、D为b~*值。     

Relation of smoking parameters to the yield,colour and sensory quality of smoked Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

The relations between smoking parameters and the characteristics of salmon raw material were investigated with respect to yield, colour, flesh content of phenol and salt, and sensory properties. The fish studied were ocean ranched salmon harvested in Iceland in July 1998 and farmed salmon from Norway slaughtered in October 1998 and April 1999. Seven treatments were applied on fresh or frozen raw material combining dry or brine salting with cold smoking at 20 or 30°C. Electrostatic smoking was tested on dry-salted salmon fillets. The results show a lower yield after filleting and trimming with ocean ranched fish. Although freezing had little effect on yield, total loss was slightly greater, especially for fish with low fat content. Sensory differences were also apparent. The brine salting technique resulted in lower losses. Fish with higher fat content gave a better yield after processing, although careful control of the smoking procedure was required (especially at 30°C) to avoid a case-hardening effect. With brine salting, salt uptake was higher for smaller, leaner fish. The phenol content of flesh depended on the technique and/or smoking temperature used, regardless of the fish studied. However, for a smoking temperature of 30°C, the flesh of smaller, leaner fish showed a higher phenol level. Smoking conditions and preliminary treatment such as freezing produced similar differences in sensory characteristics, regardless of the fish studied, although smaller, leaner individuals appeared to be more sensitive to these processes.     

Influence of Salmon Provenance and Smoking Process on Muscle Functional Characteristics

ABSTRACT: Ocean-ranched and farm-reared Atlantic salmon were compared on the basis of compositional and functional/mechanical properties of the raw and the corresponding smoked muscle. Several procedures based on different salting methods (brine and dry salting) and smoking temperature (20 °C and 30 °C) were tested, as well as an electrostatic smoking method. Also, raw material samples were studied without and with frozen storage (-20 °C) for 30 d prior to salting/smoking, and the effect of frozen storage on the smoked muscle was evaluated. The electrostatic method induced considerably lower shear force values than the other smoking treatments. Ocean-ranched salmon were more susceptible to protein aggregation and loss of binding properties (water and fat) than farmed fish as a consequence of frozen storage of the raw material or smoking treatment.     

Utilization of smoked salmon trim in extruded smoked salmon jerky

During smoked salmon processing, the dark meat along the lateral line is removed before packaging; this by-product currently has little economic value. In this study, the dark meat trim was incorporated into an extruded jerky. Three formulations were processed: 100% smoked trim, 75% : 25% smoked trim : fresh salmon fillet, and 50% : 50% smoked trim : fresh salmon blends (w/w basis). The base formulation contained salmon (approximately 83.5%), tapioca starch (8%), pregelatinized potato starch (3%), sucrose (4%), salt (1.5%), sodium nitrate (0.02%), and ascorbyl palmitate (0.02% of the lipid content). Blends were extruded in a laboratory-scale twin-screw extruder and then hot-smoked for 5 h. There were no significant differences among formulations in moisture, water activity, and pH. Protein was highest in the 50 : 50 blend jerky. Ash content was highest in the jerky made with 100% trim. Total lipids and salt were higher in the 100% trim jerky than in the 50 : 50 blend. Hot smoking did not adversely affect docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) content in lipids from 100% smoked trim jerky. Servings of salmon jerky made with 75% and 100% smoked trim provided at least 500 mg of EPA and DHA. The 50 : 50 formulation had the highest Intl. Commission on Illumination (CIE) L*, a*, and b* color values. Seventy consumers rated all sensory attributes as between "like slightly" and "like moderately." With some formulation and processing refinements, lateral line trim from smoked salmon processors has potential to be incorporated into acceptable, healthful snack products. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Dark meat along the lateral line is typically discarded by smoked salmon processors. This omega-3 fatty acid rich by-product can be used to make a smoked salmon jerky that provides a convenient source of these healthful lipids for consumers.