No abstract

Texture, color and microbiological characteristics of surimi seafood were measured at three processing temperatures (93Њ, 85Њ, and 75ЊC) and various times (0-120 min). The time required to provide a zero aerobic plate count at 93Њ, 85Њ, and 75°C was 5, 15, and 15 min, respectively. Both thermal processing temperature and time affected whiteness and shear strain of surimi seafood. As the thermal processing temperature and time increased, the shear strain and whiteness decreased. The higher the thermal processing temperature and longer time, the lower were the shear strain and whiteness. Results indicated 15 min at 75Њ or 85ЊC were the optimum thermal processing conditions.

Salt effect on gelling properties of fish protein isolate (FPI) prepared by acid- and alkali-aided extraction was investigated. Acid- or alkali-extracted FPI formed significantly better gel texture with 0% NaCl than with 3% NaCl. Texture properties of acid- or alkali-extracted FPI decreased as NaCl content increased, especially at 2% to 3% salt. Contrarily, salt significantly promoted texture qualities of conventional surimi gels. The effect was highlighted when they were subjected to low temperature setting. The myofibrillar proteins in FPI were not solubilized when NaCl was added, perhaps due to protein aggregation caused by acid or alkali extraction. FPI solubility, however, was not closely related to their texture properties. Cold setting did not promote texture properties of FPI gels as much as conventional surimi gels. Acid-extracted gels gave the best color properties.

Shear stress and strain values of surimi gels made from Alaska pollock and Pacific whiting were measured upon cooling, reheating, and freeze/thawing. Konjac flour was introduced to investigate its ability to maintain fracture properties of surimi gels against various temperatures. Gel colors (CIE L*,a*,b*) were also measured as affected by various levels of konjac flour. Konjac flour (5%) showed its ability to reinforce shear stress of gels 8‐10 times in both whiting and pollock surimi. Gels with 4% konjac flour were the most heat‐tolerant in both surimi. Surimi gels with konjac flour exhibited an ability to maintain consistent shear strain values against repeated freeze/thaw abuse. Konjac flour, up to 2%, increased lightness of gels, while yellow hue increased gradually up to 5%.

Electrical conductivities of Alaska pollock surimi mixed with native and pregelled potato starch at different concentrations (0%, 3%, and 9%) were measured at different moisture contents (75% and 81%) using a multifrequency ohmic heating system. Surimi-starch paste was tested up to 80 degrees C at frequencies from 55 Hz to 20 KHz and at alternating currents of 4.3 and 15.5 V/cm voltage gradient. Electrical conductivity increased when moisture content, applied frequency, and applied voltage increased, but decreased when starch concentration increased. Electrical conductivity was correlated linearly with temperature (R(2) approximately 0.99). Electrical conductivity pattern (magnitude) changed when temperature increased, which was clearly seen after 55 degrees C in the native potato starch system, especially at high concentration. This confirms that starch gelatinization that occurred during heating affects the electrical conductivity. Whiteness and texture properties decreased with an increase of starch concentration and a decrease of moisture content.