Effect of sorbitol on moisture transportation and textural change of fish and squid meats during curing and drying processes

Abstract

Atka mackerel (Am) and Japanese common squid (Sq) meats were cured in 0.5-1.5 M sorbitol solutions (pH 7.0) and dried at 30°C (relative humidity, 60%), and the effect of sorbitol on the moisture transportation and textural change during the curing and drying processes was investigated. With an increase in sorbitol permeated through samples, the moisture contents decreased by 52% (Am) and 42% (Sq) by curing in 1.5 M sorbitol solution. When the cured meats were dried, slow moisture vaporization occurred at the initial drying period, and the critical moisture content significantly decreased with an increase in the sorbitol content of the cured meats. Further, the hardening of the dried products was effectively suppressed by sorbitol curing. These effects of sorbitol would contribute to the reduction of drying time and particularly the elimination of the excess hardening of dried fish products.