BACKGROUND
The effect of ultrasonic thawing (0, 160, 280, 400 W) on water‐holding capacity (WHC), physicochemical properties and structure of tuna myofibrillar proteins was investigated.
RESULTS
Thawing time was shown to decrease and thawing loss to increase significantly (P < 0.05) as power increased (160–400 W), whereas there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in cooking loss. Changes in T2 relaxation time were investigated using low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance. Ultrasonic thawing could significantly (P < 0.05) improve the immobilised water content compared to the control (0 W). surface hydrophobicity decreased significantly and then increased significantly (P < 0.05), whereas there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the reactive sulfhydryl content as power was increased. Tuna thawed at 280 W suffered fewer negative effects on its microstructure. Roman spectral date showed that the α‐helix changed to a random coil and β‐turn as power was increased (up to 400 W).
CONCLUSION
The application of ultrasonic thawing at a specified power was showed to be a beneficial process when used in the seafood industry, but application of excessive power resulted in lower WHC and structural changes to myofibrillar proteins. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry