Characterization of flavor-related compounds and sensory profiles of four fermented fish products prepared from silver rasbora (Rasbora argyrotaenia) and anchovy (Stolephorus sp.)

Fermented fish products are grouped into salt and salt-carbohydrate types based on the fermentation substrate. A series of biochemical reactions on the substrate affects the flavor characteristics of the resulting products. This study compared the amino acids, fatty acids, and volatile compound profiles of four fermented fish products: bekasam, rusip, fish paste, and fish sauce made from silver rasbora and anchovy. The quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) was carried out to determine the sensory profiles of those products. The results indicated that rusip and bekasam, which belong to salt-carbohydrate fermented fish, were characterized as high in arginine, stearic, capric, and oleic acid, with ketones, lactones, and fatty acid derivative compounds dominating their flavor profiles. The flavor profile of fish paste was characterized by high concentrations of aldehydes such as 3- methylbutanal and hexanal, whereas that of fish sauce was characterized by large concentrations of pyrazine and aromatic compounds. Based on the findings of the QDA, no significant difference was observed within the sensory variables of fish sauce and fish paste prepared from anchovy and silver rasbora, indicating that both fish are equally usable as raw materials. Whereas different saltiness was identified in both rusip and bekasam prepared from anchovy and rasbora. The results of PCA on QDA data separated fermented fish type 1 from the type 2. Fermented fish type 1 was more correlated with umami and sweet taste, while type 2 was correlated with fishy, salty, sour, and astringent taste. The result is useful as a basis for further product development and quality control.