fish samples with mixed starter cultures after 14 or 21 days could
be normally eaten uncooked. The TA of the Suan yu with S1, S2, S3
increased significantly (P < 0.05) from 0.04 g/kg to 24.1 g/kg, 23.8 g/
kg and 24.1 g/kg respectively during 21 days of fermentation. Then
the samples remained almost unchanged till the end of fermentation.
However, the TA of the control was lower than those of the
samples inoculated with mixed starter cultures. The increase in TA
was generally accompanied by the decrease in pH. TA and pH values
were negatively correlated highly significantly (r ¼ 0.950
to 0.963, P < 0.01). Besides, lower Aw also assists to control the
microbial growth in fermented products. In the present work, low
Aw values ranging between 0.87 and 0.89 were detected at the end
of fermentation (data not shown), which ensured the safety, and
suppressed the bacterial growth and over-fermentation of Suan yu.
Low levels of Aw in the samples may stem from the drying and
curing prior to fermentation as well as the absorption of water by
roast carbohydrates during fermentation.