Sensory characteristics of cold-smoked Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from European market and relationships with chemical, physical and microbiological measurements

Samples of different brand names of cold-smoked salmon products were purchased in supermarkets in six different European countries (Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and United Kingdom), to classify and select products of smoked salmon for preference establishment. From the 117 products obtained, 60 were selected to characterise the qualities of products available to European consumers. These 60 products of smoked salmon were then ordered directly from the producers in each country. Altogether 57 products were received and analysed. All samples were stored at 4 degreesC and then examined 2 and 3 weeks after production. For all samples, sensory evaluation, chemical (lipid, salt, phenol, TVB-N and trimethylamine content) and physical (texture, colour) analyses and microbiological measurements (total psychrotrophic count, total lactic acid bacteria, lactobacilli, Brochothrix thermosphacta, yeasts, Enterobacteriaceae) were performed at the same time. The results show that the samples could be classified into 11 groups according to specific sensory properties evaluated by a trained panel. The main discriminating factors were found to be colour, intensity and characteristic of smoke note, amine note and salty perception. Some of the chemical and physical measurements were found to be rather good indicators of sensory properties. Polynomial models were tested to find relationships between sensory properties and chemical/physical parameters. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.