Effect of brine and dry salting methods on the physicochemical and microbial quality of chub (Squalius cephalus Linnaeus, 1758)

The present study, looks at the physicochemical and microbiological quality changes that occur due to different salting techniques (20% salt concentration) of chub (Squalius cephalus) and when stored in 4 ± 0.5 °C. Samples of fish from each group was taken on the 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120th day and was analyzed for nutritional component (crude protein, lipid, moisture, crude ash), pH value, salt content and the microbial flora (total mesophilic aerobic bacteria count, total coliform, total psychrophilic aerobic bacteria count, yeast and mould). It was determined that crude protein, lipid, crude ash and salt amounts in the group where dry salting method was applied were higher than the group where brine salting occurred, in addition protein and lipid values decreased as storage period was longer (P < 0.05). It was determined that there is an increase in total aerobic mesophilic, psycrophile bacteria and enumeration of yeast and mould as storage period increased, while coliform bacteria decreased (P < 0.05).This work was supported by Munzur University Scientific Projects Coordination Department (Project Number: YLTUB012-03)