Effects of kojic acid on changes in the microstructure and myofibrillar protein of duck meat during superchilled storage

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of 0.8% (m/v) kojic acid treatment on changes in the microstructure and myofibrillar protein of duck meat covered with oxygen‐permeable polyvinylchloride (PVC) film (9 ± 0.5 µM) during superchilled storage (−1.65 ± 0.5°C). The superchilled samples exhibited wider gaps between muscle fibers at 5 weeks storage compared with kojic acid–treated groups. Based on the variation of water status, the water‐holding capacity decreased significantly (p < 0.05), and bound water and immobilized water were gradually converted into free water during superchilled storage. For kojic acid–treated samples, however, no major changes were observed with respect to muscle structure, water status, and protein degradation at 6 weeks. The 0.8% (m/v) kojic acid treatment increased the water‐holding capacity, reduced carbonyl content and protein degradation, and decreased the α‐helix contents loss of myofibrillar proteins. Kojic acid treatment effectively protected myofibrillar protein structure from being destroyed during superchilled storage, suggesting that this method was a good way to reduce protein oxidation and prolonged its shelf life.