Importance of salt and temperature in myosin polymerization during surimi gelation

To address the effect of absence of NaCl on myosin heavy chain polymerization during two-step surimi gelation (different setting temperatures/times -5°C/24h and 30°C/30min-followed by heating at 90°C/30min) were considered. In gel samples made without salt (Lot A), no myosin heavy chain (MHC) polymerization was observed, only aggregation, as indicated by the electrophoresis in polyacrylamide/agarose gel profile. Moreover, these gels were characterized by weakly stabilized protein networks as denoted by the dynamic oscillatory measurement and FTIR analysis, resulting in poor quality gels. On the other hand, in gels made with added salt, MHC polymerization occurred, as evidenced by the electrophoresis, and the gelation resulted in a well-stabilized protein network with good physicochemical properties.