Evaluation of Moisture Content and Sensory Properties of Colored and Non-Colored Fish (Silver Carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) Noodles during Storage

The study was done to evaluate moisture content and sensory properties of colored and non-colored noodles incorporated with different amount of fish (Silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) mince during storage at room temperature (30-35○C) in two types of packaging conditions (sealed polyethylene packet and vacuum sealed packet). In addition, proximate composition, cooking time, and water absorption capacity were also investigated at initial stage. Boiled fish mince was incorporated with wheat flour and spices to prepare eight different samples namely CN (without fish mince, colorless), CC (without fish mince, colored), S1N (25% fish mince, colorless), S1C (25% fish mince, colored) S2N (30% fish mince, colorless), S2C (30% fish mince, colored) and S3N (35% fish mince, colorless) and S3C (35% fish mince, colored). No significant change in the moisture content of colored and non-colored fish noodles was found but moisture, protein, and fat content rose significantly with the increment of added amount of fish mince in the noodles. A significant decreasing trend was observed in the moisture content of the samples stored in sealed polyethylene packets during the 305 days of storage period whereas the moisture content of all the samples packed in vacuum sealed packets witnessed a non-significant change for the storage of 360 days. The color, flavor and texture of the products were acceptable up to 305 days in sealed polyethylene packets and 360 days in vacuum sealed packets. Food color had no remarkable effect on proximate composition, cooking time, water absorption capacity, and sensory characteristics of prepared noodles. Colorless noodles containing 35% fish mince was preferred by the panelists. So, both colored and non-colored fish noodles prepared with fish mince (up to 35%) can be stored at room temperature (30-35○C) in both sealed polyethylene packets and vacuum sealed packets for at least 10 months with acceptable moisture content and sensory properties. Vacuum sealed packaging provided the products with better protection against moisture loss throughout the storage period.