This paper deals with the effect of microwave-assisted thermal sterilization (MATS) combined with olive oil vacuum impregnation compared with retort sterilization on the quality assessment of ready-to-eat (RET) Pacific saury.

General comments

Although there are few literatures about the effect of microwave-assisted thermal sterilization with the other combined techniques on the quality assessment of fish, the paper has different aspect comparing to published papers. Therefore, this manuscript (MS) is likely to be get some citations (not many) in 2 years and it is in the top 45% of MS in the field. In addition, the originality of this paper is average, which means contribute the current knowledge very much.

The topic of the paper is important for seafood industry, researchers as well as consumers.
The scope of the paper is convenient. The relevance of the subject that has been carried out is important for seafood industry thus scope and relevance are appropriate for the journal.

The paper is fair although there are some overlapping information with the literature for some part of the paper (microwave-assisted thermal sterilization with the other combined techniques on the quality assessment of fish). The clarity of presentation and scientific quality are fair and useful data about quality assessment of ready-to-eat Pacific saury using microwave-assisted thermal sterilization combined with olive oil vacuum impregnation have been generated.

Specific comments

1. Although the paper is interesting, there are some papers about microwave-assisted thermal sterilization on the quality assessment of fish. Thus, the innovation of this article has to be explained briefly in the introduction section indicating why the MATS combined with olive oil vacuum impregnation are important.
2. Although the manuscript was generally understandable, there are some grammatical and syntax errors in the text. Thus, the language of paper has to be checked carefully again.
3. The title of the paper is not appropriate so title of the manuscript has to be changed. The suggestion of the title as follows “Quality assessment of ready-to-eat Pacific saury (Cololabis saira) using microwave-assisted thermal sterilization combined with olive oil vacuum impregnation”
4. Please add “Microwave-assisted thermal sterilization” since its abbreviation is not appropriate to use as keyword so remove “MATS”
5. Numerical values have to be given in the abstract when the results are explained.
6. The abstract of the MS is not well documented to represent the whole manuscript objectives. Thus, it should be rewritten again in order to represent the paper sufficiently.
7. Abbreviations used in whole manuscript have to be defined firstly and then their abbreviations have to be used.
8. The Materials and Methods are explained adequately to achieve the proposed aims. The materials used and the details and conditions of experimental procedures have to be described with sufficient clarity, thus allowing qualified operators to repeat the work.
9. All the methods used for the manuscript seem to be fine but it is not certain that how much Pacific saury used for analysis. Please clarify whether duplicate or triplicate analysis were carried out for analysis.
10. Please indicate the city and country for the chemicals and instrument used once they have been given.
11. Statistical analysis have to be discussed comprehensively in the results and discussion section as well.
12. Please consistently use S.I. system of units throughout manuscript.
13. Discussion of the paper is not appropriate and has to be modified using with some recent references and some excessive explanations have to be removed.
14. Conclusion is not suitable. What is the core message to give seafood industry?
15. Please check the references again for inconsistencies according to the format of the journal. All references cited in the manuscript should be included in the Reference list, and all references included in the Reference list should be cited in-text.

Recommendation

Although few papers are available about the effect of microwave-assisted thermal sterilization with the other combined techniques on the quality assessment of fish, the paper has useful data. Consequently, this research is interesting and worthy for publication in terms of scientific and technical merit. Although there are some considerable concerns/amendments that need to be carried out, it can be suitable for publication after major revisions.

Most of the section including title, keywords, abstract, introduction section as well as materials & methods have been amended. Abbreviations used in whole manuscript have been corrected as stated. Introduction has also modified appropriately. The objectives of the research are slightly revised. The samples amount are clarified conveniently. Discussion of the paper have been improved using with some recent references and some excessive explanations have been removed. Statistical analysis were discussed in the results and discussion section. S.I. system of units were consistently used throughout manuscript. Conclusion section was modified. Grammatical and syntax errors in the text have been corrected thus clarity of presentation is much more convenient.

Scientific and technical merit of the manuscript much more appropriate than before since some important improvements have been done. Consequently, I recommended that the manuscript is suitable for publication although there some minor issues that can be corrected by either publisher or authors when the page proof is ready.