Effects of adding different percentages of carboxymethyl cellulose and tragacanth gum on textural and sensory characteristics of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) fried fish ball

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and tragacanth gums at 0.5 and 1% levels % were added to the fish balls from silver carp to improve the its texture and sensory characteristics. The proximate composition, physical factors (batter pick-up, product yield, shrinkage and oil absorption reduction), sensory analysis and textural properties of fried balls were compared with the control treatment. All treatments showed less fat and oil absorption rate (p> 0.05) compared to the control treatment. Treatment containing 1% tragacanth gum showed the highest levels of wet, lightness, hardness and springiness, while treatment containing 1% CMC showed the highest product yield and lowest amounts of expressible water, fat, lightness, oil absorption and springiness (p>0.05). Overall, the performance of tragacanth gum on the texture characteristics was more desirable than CMC gum. All textural index decreased in treatments containing 1% gum. Hence, the use of low levels of the gums is recommended.