Abstract
Sardine moist meals were inoculated with Aspergillus oryzae IFO 4202 seed and fermented. Accompanying the growth of the fungus, the chemical composition of the meals significantly changed during incubation. The fermentation contributed to antioxidation of lipids and reduction of histamine. Glucose supplement during fermentation was effective in inhibiting the production of volatile basic nitrogenous compounds. Fermented meals maintained superior quality of the proteins, protecting amino acid residues during incubation. The initial bacterial cell counts in meals were 3×102 CFU/g and reached 108 CFU/g in 72-h incubation. The Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria, Pseudomonas spp., Moraxella spp. and Acinetobacter spp., were predominant in the initial meals. Gram-positive bacteria, especially Micrococcus spp., gradually became predominant during incubation. Fermentation and glucose supplement enhanced this predominancy of Micrococcus spp. during incubation. Fermentation with Aspergillus oryzae in the presence of glucose was considered to be effective for improvement of the chemical, nutritional and microbiological quality of fish meals.
