Low-salt restructured fish products from Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) with texture resembling turkey breast

Effect of citric acid on physicochemical properties and protein structure of low-salt restructured tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) meat products

BACKGROUND

The growing consumer demand for healthy products has encouraged the development of low-salt meat products. In this study, to develop low-salt restructured tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) meat products, citric acid was used to improve the properties of restructured tilapia products.

RESULTS

In comparison with control restructured fish products (RP) and surimi products (SP), 0.2% citric acid-treated restructured fish products (RPC) and surimi products (SPC) showed a significant decrease in expressible water and water activity and a remarkable increase in whiteness, dry matter, hardness, chewiness, gumminess, and acceptability. Mechanistic studies suggested that citric acid significantly changed the content of total protein and myofibrillar proteins and promoted degradation of heavy myosin chains. Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectra revealed the citric acid-mediated alteration in the peak intensities of amide I and amide II bands, which changed the secondary structures of RPC and SPC.

CONCLUSION

It is feasible to prepare low-salt restructured tilapia meat products using citric acid, which offers a means of using muscle by-products and exploiting new functional products with an added commercial value. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

The Effect of Gelatine Packaging Film Containing a Spirulina platensis Protein Concentrate on Atlantic Mackerel Shelf Life

The use of packaging films containing natural preservative compounds attracts great attention for the quality improvement of seafood. Microalga spirulina (Spirulina platensis) represents a potential source of high added-value and preservative biocompounds. The goal of this study was to enhance the quality of refrigerated Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) by including a protein concentrate (PC) of spirulina in a gelatine-based film. Quality changes in fish muscle were monitored by microbial and chemical analyses throughout an 11-day refrigerated storage (4 °C). As a result of the presence of spirulina PC in the film, an antimicrobial effect (p < 0.05) was concluded as determined by comparative evolution of aerobes and psychrotrophs, while no effect (p > 0.05) was concluded for Enterobacteriaceae, proteolytics and lipolytics counts. Furthermore, a lower (p < 0.05) formation of trimethylamine and free fatty acids was detected. Lipid oxidation, measured by fluorescent compounds formation, also exhibited lower average values in fish corresponding to the batch containing spirulina concentrate. The preservative effects observed can be explained on the basis of the presence of antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds in the microalga concentrate. It is proposed that the current packaging system may constitute a novel and promising strategy to enhance the quality of commercial refrigerated fatty fish.

Sensory evaluation of low-fat yoghurt produced with microbial transglutaminase and comparison with physicochemical evaluation

BACKGROUND

Low-fat or non-fat yoghurts are popular nowadays. However, their texture is not good and they show considerable syneresis with time. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of the application of transglutaminase (TG) to low-fat yoghurt to determine if similar sensory properties to those of full-fat yoghurt can be obtained. Methods of adding TG (prior or simultaneous with fermentation), dose, and TG origin were evaluated. Correlations between sensory and physicochemical parameters were assessed.

RESULTS

The results showed no significant differences between TG addition methods in terms of the quantitative and qualitative sensory attributes studied. Simultaneous addition of TG was preferred to speed up the process. A dose of 1 U g^-1 was selected as optimal. Few differences were detected due to the origin of the TG. They were not significant although some differences were observed in terms of density, bitterness, and syneresis compared with low and full-fat yoghurts.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that sensory parameters cannot be associated with only one physicochemical parameter in yoghurt evaluation. Transglutaminase can be used as a substitute for stabilizers in the production of low-fat yoghurt, maintaining good sensory properties and avoiding initial syneresis. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of high-pressure processing pretreatment on the physical properties and colour assessment of frozen European hake (Merluccius merluccius) during long term storage

Fish freshness is lost by autolytic degradation produced by endogenous enzymes. Frozen storage is one of the most used methods to preserve fish properties. However, protein denaturation has shown to be a major problem for frozen European hake (Merluccius merluccius), leading to texture losses and off-odour development. The aim of this work was to study the changes produced by high-pressure processing (HPP) before freezing on quality of frozen European hake stored at -21 °C for 12 months. The effect of HPP (150-450 MPa) on mechanical properties and expresible water was evaluated in raw and cooked fish samples. The effect on colour (L*, a* and b*) was assessed only in raw fish. Results showed that HPP before freezing is beneficial to maintain expresible water in good levels up to 6 months. The luminosity significantly increased with pressure level. Textural profile of raw samples showed that HPP increased hardness, adhesiveness and springiness of frozen hake. Cooked samples were also affected by HPP, being the best results obtained at 300 MPa for 6 months of frozen storage. Overall, results showed that HPP improves the quality of frozen hake.

New Alternatives in Seafood Restructured Products

A general overview, focusing on new trends in the different techniques used in restructured seafood product processing has been described in this work. Heat-induced gelation has been more widely studied in scientific literature than cold gelation technology. This latter technology includes the use of hydrocolloids (alginates and glucomannan) or enzymes (microbial transglutaminase) for making both raw and cooked restructured products. In restructuration processes, fortification processing with some functional ingredients is studied, giving as a result extra value to the products as well as increasing the variety of new seafood products. The process of alleviating heavy metals and organic pollutants from the raw material used has also been reviewed in the present paper.