OptiSalm
Optimal salt reduction in smoked salmon
The salmon industry aims for producing smoked salmon with reduced levels of salt (NaCl). This project was set up to find good solutions for reaching this goal.
Start
01. Jan 2020
End
30. Jun 2021
Funded by
The Norwegian Seafood Research Fund - FHF
Cooperation
Lerøy ASA, Sjømat Norge and a referee group from the salmon industry
Project Manager(s):
It is a goal to reduce the salt (NaCl) content of a variety of foods including smoked fish products.
The aim of this project has been to provide the industry with knowledge and documentation for their use of salt substitutes in the production of smoked salmon which meet requirements for taste, quality, shelf life and food safety.
A knowledge status was developed on the use of salt substitutes and bacterial growth inhibiting organic acid salts in smoked salmon.
Trial productions of smoked salmon were then carried out with selected salt substitutes and organic acid salts. Sensory, microbiological and physicochemical analyzes provided a basis for carrying out an industrial production of smoked salmon with selected salts.
The results from the project show that tested salts have minor effect on the sensory profile of smoked salmon and do not alter bacterial growth (including Listeria) in salmon. Partly replacing NaCl with 30 % KCl does not alter bacterial growth (including Listeria) in salmon.
The use of salts with bacterial inhibitory properties can contribute to increased microbiological quality and safety.