This study examined the roles of autolytic enzymes and microorganisms in the ripening process of salted Alaska pollack tripe made with various concentrations of salt i.e, 7.5% and 20% by weight. Salted Alaska pollack tripe treated with antibiotic agents for the inhibition of microbial growth and a control were prepared experimentally, and changes in chemical composition and viable cell counts were investigated, individually, during the ripening process. Just after the preparation of the low salt Alaska pollack tripe made with 7.5% salt, viable bacterial cells occurred at a level of 10(5) CFU/g. In the control, bacterial counts increased rapidly to 10(7) CFU/g by the 14th day of ripening. However, in the sample treated with antibiotic agents, counts were decreased to a level of 10(4) CFU/g by the 3rd day of ripening and increased gradually to 10(6) CFU/g by the 5th day of ripening, and then the same value was maintained there-after. Just after the preparation of the high salt Alaska pollack tripe made with 20% salt, viable bacterial cells occurred at a level of 10(3) CFU/g. In both the samples treated with antibiotic agents and the control, bacterial counts decreased rapidly to 10°CFU/g by the 45th day of ripening and increased gradually there-after. The content of amino type nitrogen was 76.3 ㎎% just after the preparation of the low salt Alaska pollack tripe made with 7.5% salt. Amino type nitrogen content was increased to 283.5 ㎎% by the 5th day of proper ripening in the control, but it was increased to 208.0 ㎎% in the sample treated with antibiotic agents. The difference in amino type nitrogen content was 75.5 ㎎/100 g. The content of amino type nitrogen was 57.2 ㎎% just after the preparation of the high salt Alaska pollack tripe made with 20% salt. Amino type nitrogen content was increased to 198.3 ㎎ by the 60th day of proper ripening in the control, but it was increased to 162.0 ㎎% in the sample treated with the antibiotic agents. The difference in amino type nitrogen content was 36.3 ㎎/100 g. The contents of VBN and TMA-N were 102.1 ㎎% and 20.5 ㎎%, respectively, at the 7th day of ripening in the low salt Alaska pollack tripe made with 7.5% salt. The content of VBN was 60.0 ㎎% and TMA-N was not detected at the 21st day of ripening in the sample treated with antibiotic agents. The control sample was spoiled by the 7th day of ripening but the sample treated with antibiotic agents was not spoiled by the 21st day of ripening. On the other hand, VBN content was 37.2 ㎎% and TMA-N was not detected at the 90th day of ripening in the high salt Alaska pollack tripe made with 20% salt, and the control sample was not spoiled.

• 손정우 | Jung Woo Sohn