Effects of different fermenters on the quality and flavour of fermented mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi)

Summary In this study, the effect of different fermenters on the quality and flavour of fermented mandarin fish was investigated via pH, salt content, moisture content, thiobarbituric acid, microbial community, free amino acids and volatile compounds. The results demonstrated that the inoculated fermentation effectively suppressed fish fat oxidation, resulting in significantly higher levels of umami amino acids in mandarin fish compared to the natural fermentation group ( P < 0.05). Additionally, certain bitter amino acids were also inhibited. Moreover, the total amino acid content of the mixed inoculated fermentation group was significantly elevated compared to other groups, reaching 300.21 ± 5.37 mg/100 g. The synergistic effect of free amino acids and flavour‐enhancing nucleotides significantly influenced the taste of the fermented fish, with the mixed inoculation fermentation group exhibiting a significantly higher Equivalent umami concentration (EUC) value compared to other groups, reaching 216.06 ± 20.13 mgMSG/100 g on the sixth day of fermentation. A total of 47 volatile compounds were detected by using headspace gas chromatography‐ion mobility spectrometry (HS‐GC‐IMS), and the results demonstrated that inoculated fermentation positively influenced the development of fish flavour, and mixed inoculated fermentation proved to be more effective. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the industrial production of fermented fish products and offers potential avenues for technical enhancement.