Effect of Washing Treatment on Quality of Minced Mullet Flesh

Washing treatments were evaluated for quality improvement of minced mullet. Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) number generally decreased with increased washing temperature from 5–35°C and increased at higher temperatures. At 35°C, a wash water pH of 6.0 or above resulted in decreased TBA number. Response surface analysis indicated maximum whiteness index, minimum TBA number, and minimum cooking loss with washing at 29–33°C for up to 10 min with a water to flesh ratio from 23–26. Highest springiness was indicated with washing ratio of 25 to 30 at 28–31°C The simultaneously optimized washing conditions for highest minced mullet quality were 31.4°C for 7.5 min at a ratio of 24.