Effects of curdlan on the texture and structure of Alaska pollock surimi gels treated at 120°C

Abstract

The effects of curdlan (2%, 3% and 4%) on the gel properties of Alaska surimi using high-temperature treatment were examined in this study. Curdlan treatment improved the gel strength of surimi in a concentration-dependent manner. Based on the results of dynamic rheology and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), curdlan promoted the stability of proteins in the gel. Moreover, curdlan facilitated the interaction between gel proteins and actomyosin, thereby preventing the aggregation and denaturation of protein and increased the thermal transition temperature. The results of scanning electron microscopy showed that the addition of curdlan induced the formation of a more ordered and denser gel matrix and the fibrils in the three-dimensional network became more delicate. Therefore, surimi samples with curdlan may hold more moisture and exhibit improved transfer of free water to bound water, leading to a higher water-holding capacity (WHC).

Keywords

• Curdlan
• Gel properties
• High-temperature treatment
• Properties
• Surimi