Abstract:

An orthogonal array design was used to study the combined application of the water activity lowering agents
propylene glycol, glycerol and sodium chloride in cured Elopichthys bambusa for salt reduction and quality maintenance
purposes. Results showed that the salt content in cured E. bambusa could be lowered to 4.8% (m/m) when E. bambusa was
marinated in a solution containing 5% NaCl (m/m), 1 mL/100 g propylene glycol and 1 mL/100 g glycerol with 4 mL/100 g
vinegar as an acidity regulator and then dried to a moisture content of 40.91% by a three-stage drying method (85℃, 2 h; 2 h
of tempering; 65 ℃, 3 h). The quality of E. bambusa treated by this procedure had no difference from that obtained by high
salt curing method.

Key words: Elopichthys bambusa, water activity, propylene glycol, glycerol