Effect of trehalose on Lateolabrax japonicus myofibrillar protein during frozen storage

The effect of trehalose on the denaturation of weever (Lateolabrax japonicus) myofibrillar protein during frozen storage at -18 °C for 90 d was investigated. Trehalose (2.5-10 g dry weight) was added to 100 g of myofibrillar protein, and changes in the Ca(2+)-adenylpyrophosphatase (ATPase) activity, solubility, sulfhydryl content, and unfrozen water content of myofibrils were examined during frozen storage. Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and myofibrillar protein solubility decreased gradually during frozen storage at -18 °C upon addition of trehalose. By contrast, Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and myofibrillar protein solubility in the control group dropped drastically during the first 45 d of storage and then further decreased gradually for up to 90 d of storage, indicating a biphasic denaturation pattern. Trehalose addition significantly increased sulfhydryl and unfrozen water contents in the myofibrillar protein of the treatment groups compared with that of the control group (p<0.05) during frozen storage at -18 °C.