Optimization of conditions for myofibril preparation from mechanically recovered chicken meat

The influence of various conditions affecting the isolation of a myofibrillar preparation (MP) from chicken mechanically recovered meat (MRM), i.e. the time of additional chopping in a bowel chopper, washing time, the number of washings, and the water to MRM ratio, on the recovery of dry matter and myofibrillar protein, and fat content in the preparation was investigated. The following particular steps were determined to be the most desirable parameters: chopping MRM for 10 minutes, washing time of 15 minutes, 3 (or 2) consecutive washings, 3:1 water to MRM ratio (v/w). Under these conditions a significant decrease of fat content (93% on average) was found in comparison to the content in MRM. The removal of fat, sarcoplasmic protein and connective tissue increased the concentration of myofibrillar protein. The number of aqueous washings of MRM had the biggest influence on the protein and fat content in the concentrate. Electrophoretic analysis (SDS-PAGE) of protein in the preparation obtained under optimal conditions showed that myosin heavy chains (MHC) and actin constituted approximately 50% of all the proteins in the preparation.