Sensory Characteristics and Instrumental Texture Attributes of Abalones, Haliotis Fulgens and Cracherodii

ABSTRACT: : Tenderization treatments of black abalone ( Haliotis cracherodii ) were conducted using papain solutions (0.25% or 0.50%) with tumbling (10 or 20 min) prior to canning. The treated adductor and opercular (foot) muscle were evaluated by sensory and instrumental methods and compared to untreated black abalone, to untreated blue abalone ( H. fulgens ) and to commercially canned blue abalone. Treatment with papain did not significantly alter the texture of the abalone but did increase metallic and bitter character notes, possibly by releasing amino acids on protein degradation. Instrumental texture measurements correlated with sensory texture measurements and may aid in the establishment of quality parameters for canned abalone.