Innovative ohmic-assisted thermal sterilization: Advanced thermal processing of salmon-based wet cat foods

• Ohmic-assisted thermal sterilization (OATS) enabled faster and more uniform processing. • Quality loss and formation of processing contaminants could be minimized. • Vitamin E, omega-3 PUFAs and taurine of salmon-based wet pet foods were better preserved. • OATS is recommended as a sterilization method for packaged pet foods. The rising demand for premium pet food, particularly for obligate carnivores such as cats, necessitates advanced thermal processing technologies that preserve safety, nutritional integrity and palatability. This study evaluated an ohmic-assisted thermal sterilization (OATS) system as an alternative to conventional retort processing for salmon-based wet cat food, with emphasis on physicochemical properties, bioactive nutritional components, aroma volatiles and palatability. Based on the results, both methods achieved equivalent commercial sterility (F 0 = 12 min); however, the OATS system shortened the total processing time to 31 min compared to 43 min for the conventional water spray retort (RT) system. Products treated using the OATS system had superior quality retention, with less color degradation, firmer texture, lower lipid oxidation and enhanced preservation of vitamin E, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and taurine. Although the cats in the study showed a slightly higher first-choice preference for the RT samples—likely due to the presence of Maillard-derived volatiles—the overall intake ratios did not differ significantly between the samples from the two systems. Notably, the OATS system minimized the formation of processing contaminants, such as furans, providing a safer volatile profile. Accelerated shelf-life testing predicted 10.8 months of stability at 25°C, indicating strong oxidative resistance. The OATS system offered shorter total processing time, improved color, enhanced bioactive compounds and reduced formation of Maillard reaction-derived odors compared with conventional retort processing. Consequently, the OATS system demonstrates strong potential as a promising sterilization technology for wet cat foods.