RESUMEN
Frozen storage of lobster meat (Homarus americanus) can result in undesirable quality changes that decrease consumer acceptability of these products. Current seafood industry methods use cryoprotective agents that contain phosphates including sodium tripolyphosphates (STPP). However, recent evidence suggests that cryoprotective mixtures that combine different carbohydrates and STPP can have equal or even greater cryoprotective properties compared to using STPP alone. The objective of this study was to compare the overall consumer acceptability of lobster meat stored for 6 months in different blends of these cryoprotective solutions. One hundred and seven panelists were recruited to score the acceptability of the lobster samples using nine-point hedonic scales. A check-all-that-apply (CATA) question containing 27 literature-informed, sensory descriptors was also used to identify terms frequently used to describe lobster meat. Analysis of variance analysis, indicated a significant increase for overall liking (22.1%, P < 0.0001), liking of flavor (23.6%, P < 0.0001) and texture (15.6%, P = 0.000) scores for samples stored in a novel carbohydrate blend plus sodium chloride (NaCl) and STPP compared to the water control. Subsequent penalty analysis revealed that overall liking scores were most positively associated with the attributes tender, sweet, moist and soft. Moreover, the attributes with the highest positive mean impact were more frequently used to describe lobster samples stored in solutions containing NaCl and the novel carbohydrate blend, as well as NaCl and STPP (Lobster-3 and Lobster-5 samples, respectively). PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The positive impact on the sensory quality of this novel blend of cryoprotective compounds (carbohydrates and NaCl) is proof of concept that this mixture is comparable, if not better than preservatives currently used by the seafood industry. Given the necessary regulatory approval and industry acceptance, lobster processors may consider this novel blend as a suitable alternative to freeze lobster products for up to 6 months.