Effects of different thermal methods and degrees on the flavor of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fillets: Fatty acids, volatile flavor and taste compounds

The effects of different thermal processing conditions on the flavor profiles of channel catfish were evaluated in terms of fatty acids, volatile flavor and taste compounds using steaming, boiling, roasting, and microwaving with different degrees. After thermal processing, 72 volatile organic compounds were detected, including 20 hydrocarbons, 5 ketones, 20 aldehydes, 7 heterocyclic compounds, 12 alcohols and others. Meanwhile, the contents of unsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid and linoleic showed a significant decline due to their heat-sensitive properties. With regard to taste compounds, thermal processing contributed to umami amino acids and free nucleotides conversion, with the initial glutamate and IMP contents of 15.87 and 164.91 mg/100 g in raw samples mainly increasing by 2.8-10.3 and 14.4-105.5 mg/100 g in processed ones. Compared to other methods, microwaving had limited effects on flavor compounds, and steaming and roasting had better performance to improve the flavor complexity of channel catfish.