Abstract
This study aimed to optimize the ultrasonic-assisted extraction conditions of flavor compounds from white shrimp heads (WSHs). The effects of sonication amplitude, sonication time, and solvent-to-solid ratio on the extraction yield (EY) of flavor compounds and the degree of protein modification (DPM) were evaluated by Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum EY (40.87 %) and DPM (26.28 %) were obtained at amplitude, time, and solvent-to-solid ratios of 63.2 %, 20.5 min, and 20.8 mL/g, respectively. The optimum DPM value indicates that sonication markedly influenced the protein denaturation, as evidenced by the higher TCA soluble protein content. Further, we also investigated the taste active composition of ultrasonic extract of shrimp head (USH). Results show that the equivalent umami concentration (EUC) value was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the ultrasonic extract of shrimp head (USH) (55.44 ± 3.25 g MSG/100 g) compared to the control shrimp head extract (CSH) (8.32 ± 1.07 g MSG/100 g). This study also deals with the development of shrimp flavor concentrate (SFC) using USH by the conventional heating process. Sensory evaluation of SFC revealed that the shrimp-like aroma and umami taste characteristics were predominant. Thus, USH's improved umami taste composition demonstrates its potential utilization for producing SFC with higher EUC.