Effect of different alkali treatments on the chemical composition, physical properties, and microstructure of pidan...

Changes in chemical composition, physical property and microstructure of pidan white treated with 4.5 % NaOH or 5.5 % KOH were monitored during pickling up to 4 weeks, and followed by aging for another 2 weeks. As the pickling and ageing times increased, moisture content of pidan white decreased and salt content increased for both (4.5 % NaOH and 5.5 % KOH) treatments (P < 0.05). Free alkalinity and pH of pidan white treated with 4.5 % NaOH increased as pickling proceeded, but decreased during ageing for both pickling treatments (P < 0.05). At week 4 of pickling, pidan white treated with 5.5 % KOH had higher hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess and chewiness than those treated with 4.5 % NaOH. After ageing, higher springiness, elastic modulus (G') and viscous modulus (G") were generally found in pidan white treated with 5.5 % KOH (P < 0.05). As the pickling time increased, lower L*, b* values and higher a* value were observed in pidan white from both treatments (P < 0.05). As visualized by scanning electron microscope, the aggregation of egg proteins took place in pidan white gels, irrespective of pickling treatments used. Nevertheless, closer and more orderly protein aggregates with denser network were founded in pidan white treated with 5.5 % KOH.