Biochemical change of fermented scallop ( Argopecten irradians Lamarck) flour paste in different fermentation periods

The aim of this paper was to study the biochemical changes in fermented scallop flour paste (SFP) during different fermentation periods. SFP was prepared with scallop muscles, flour koji, salt, rice koji, and neutral protease at 40°C for 12 days. Biochemical changes during fermentation were investigated. By reducing sugar content, formaldehyde nitrogen content, total acid content, and free amino acids (FAAs), the concentration of SFP was increased but water activity was decreased. Most FAAs were increased, and the amounts of glutamic acid, glycine, alanine, and leucine were high. Some amino acid concentrations were higher than their taste threshold, such as the glutamate of umami, the glycine and alanine of sweet and umami, and the arginine and lysine of bitter and sweet. They contributed significantly to the characteristic taste of SFP. Therefore, SFP is a potential seasoning agent with nutritional properties and good taste.