Abstract
Gonad size, color, texture and taste of Mesocentrotus nudus sea urchins collected from a barren can be improved by a short-term cage culture while being fed fresh Saccharina japonica kelp during May-July. We investigated the effect of S. japonica feeding during May-July on the improvement of gonad flavor in M. nudus collected from a barren. After feeding, we analyzed the odor-active volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the gonads using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and GC-sniffing analyses and compared to those from the gonads of wild sea urchins from an Eisenia kelp bed (fishing ground) and a barren. A total of 48 VOCs were detected from the gonads of cultured and wild sea urchins. Of them, a larger number of odor-active compounds were detected in the gonads of cultured sea urchins (25) than in those from the Eisenia bed (14) and the barren (6). Dimethyl sulfide from the gonads of sea urchins from the barren was described as having a strong, putrid odor. Sea urchin-like aromas were attributed to 2-butanol, 2-ethylhexanol, benzaldehyde and ethylbenzene from the gonads of cultured sea urchin and those of the Eisenia bed. Kelp feeding decreased the putrid odor from dimethyl sulfide, and enhanced pleasant, sweet aromas.
Highlights
Olfaction plays a dominant role in the taste of food [1]
A total of 48 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected in the gonads of cultured sea urchins (CSU) (48), ESU (48) and BSU (46)
S-methyl thioacetate and bromoform were not detected in the gonads of BSU. These compounds could be categorized into the following chemical families: alcohols (7), aldehydes (8), aromatic compounds (9), esters (4), halomethanes (4), hydrocarbons (7), ketones (6), and others (3; dimethyl sulfide (DMS), acetonitrile, and bis-(methylthio)-methane)
Summary
Olfaction plays a dominant role in the taste of food [1]. The perception of flavor occurs in the neural system, which affects food preference and appetite [2]. Yamamoto et al [3] demonstrated that the odor of the fragrant tea olive Osmanthus fragrans decreases appetite and food intake, resulting in a decrease in body weight. Odor can change the taste of food [4]. Sea urchin gonads are a highly valued cuisine and, a favorite sushi ingredient in Japan [5]. The factors concerned with gonad quality have been studied [10,11,12,13].
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