Processing and Characteristics of Canned Salt-fermented Anchovy Engraulis japonica Fillet using Red Pepper Paste with Vinegar

A traditional Korean seafood (fermented anchovy) is made from the muscle and viscera of anchovies Engraulis japonica. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of retorting condition on the quality of canned, salt-fermented anchovy fillet using red pepper paste with vinegar. Salt-fermented anchovy fillets were prepared by fermenting anchovies with salt (15%) at $5^{\circ}C$ for 15 days, and then cold air drying the fillets for 1 hour. Each batch of dried fermented anchovy fillets (60 g) was filled with 35 g of mixed red pepper paste with vinegar (red pepper paste 64%, vinegar 2%, starch syrup 13%, sugar 14%, coke 6%, soju 0.4%, crushed garlic 0.3%, ginger 0.3%), placed in a can (RR-90), seamed using a vacuum seamer, and sterilized for either Fo 9 or 11 min in a steam system retort at $121^{\circ}C$ . After sterilization, we measured the pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), amino-N, color value (L, a, b), texture profile, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value, sensory evaluation, and viable bacterial count of the canned fillets. We did not detect viable bacterial counts in cans subjected to either sterilization treatment, and there was no difference in physicochemical and sensory quality between the two. In fact, most sensory evaluators reported difficulty distinguishing the products. Thus, our results show that sterilization for Fo 9 min is preferable to that for Fo 11 min in the preparation of canned salt-fermented anchovy fillet using red pepper paste with vinegar.