• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.12
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• pp.1771-1777
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the physicochemical characteristics of seafood added kimchi (SAK) during fermentation and its sensory properties. Korean cabbage kimchi (KCK) and four different SAKs were prepared and stored at $5^{\circ}C$ for eight weeks. The SAKs contained pre-treated octopus, squid, abalone, and webfoot octopus added at 12% (w/w) to the brined Korean cabbage. The fermentation patterns of SAKs were similar to those of KCK, indicating that the SAKs followed a typical fermentation process. Comparison of the physicochemical characteristics of SAKs with KCK revealed that the pH and acidity of SAKs was higher. The maximum concentrations of Lactobacillus spp. and Leuconostoc spp. for SAKs ranged from 8.31~8.85 and 7.60~8.14 log CFU/mL, respectively, which were higher than those for KCK. Therefore, the production of organic acids by microorganisms was greater in SAKs, which explained the higher acidities of the SAKs. Nitrogenous compounds hydrolyzed during fermentation, as well as reducing sugars and other nutritious compounds in SAKs might provide a good medium for lactic acid bacterial growth. Sensory evaluation was carried out using optimally ripened kimchi (pH $4.3{\pm}0.1$, acidity $0.7{\pm}0.1$), and the scores for sour taste, sour smell, and carbonated taste were significantly lower for SAKs than KCK. In the preference test, texture and overall acceptability were significantly higher for SAKs than KCK. Significant differences were not observed among SAKs upon subjective and preference evaluations. In conclusion, the fermentation patterns of SAKs were normal, regardless of seafood sources, and their sensory characteristics were comparable to or superior than those of KCK due to free amino acids, nitrogenous compounds produced during the fermentation, and reducing sugar present in the seafood.