Changes of Microbial and Chemical Components in Salt-fermented Youbsak during the Fermentation

Microbial and chemical changes of salt-fermented youbsak which is a traditional processed fish product only manufactured in Hampyung bay region were investigated in this study. Total microbial cells of salt-fermented youbsak was gradually increased up to 30 days fermentation and then it was decreased. The pH and total acidities of fermented youbsak were not greatly changed, except for a rapid decrease in pH and acidity after 15 days fermentation. Volatile basic nitrogen and amino-type nitrogen were rapidly increased until 30 days fermentation and then slightly decreased by adding the extracted soup of pig bones. Palmitic acid was the most abundant fatty acid, and the major free amino acids in salt-fermented youbsak were composed of leucine, tyrosine, glutamic acid, valine, isoleucine, alanine and methionine.