Changes of Amino and Fatty Acids in Anchovy (Stolephorus Sp) Fermented Fish Paste with Different Fermentation Periods

Fish paste is popular condiment that possessing a characteristic appetite-stimulating aroma. Nowadays many fermented fish paste prefer to use lower salt to produce fish paste. Fermented fish paste from dried anchovy fish was prepared with 2% NaCl (w/w), fermented at room temperature for 8 and 32 days of fermentation. The dried anchovy fish obtain from Rejomulyo Market, Central Java, with + 7 cm of size. The method of research was experimental field. Biochemical changes during fermentation were investigated. Result revealed that during fermentation, pH and water content value were increased. Amino acid composition showed that the contents of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, lysine, leucin and arginin were higher than other amino acids. Free amino acid content of fermented fish paste was fluctuated during the fermentation period but most of free amino acids were increased. Almost all fatty acids decreased during fermentation except stearic acid, EPA and DHA. The essential fatty acid found was linolenic acid which was higher in initial period. Content of amino and fatty acids may contribute to the taste and flavor of fermented fish paste. From the nutritional view, the use of low salt concentration (2%) in producing fish paste was still able to contribute the fermentation process, avoid putrefaction and result in protein, some amino acid and fatty acid increase during early fermentation. But allegedly the shelf life of this paste is shorter because in the 32 days fermentation, the pH start to increase which means the volatile base compound formed already high.