Salting and drying of yellowtail (Trachurus mccullochi Nichols)

Summary Wet salting of low‐fat yellowtail (Trachurus mccullochi Nichols) using three brine solutions (15%, 21% and saturated salt) and drying of salted fish at 35°C and 50% RH, 45°C and 30% RH, or 55°C and 18% RH was carried out and assessments made of salt and moisture contents, water activity (aw), and sensory properties of dried‐salted fish. Brine concentration during salting and the drying conditions had a significant effect on the drying rate. Brining in saturated brine gave the most rapid rate of reduction in moisture content and the lowest final moisture content during brining, but produced a slower rate of reduction of moisture and higher final moisture content during drying. Fish brined in saturated salt and dried at 55°C was of lower sensory quality.