Protein degradation and texture properties of skate (Raja kenojei) muscle during fermentation

This study aimed at providing new insights into protein degradation and associated textural properties of skate (Raja kenojei) muscles. The pH and ammonia content of skate muscle were found to increase with an increase in fermentation time. During the initial phase of fermentation, the skate muscle hardened prior to demonstrating a spike in its pH and ammonia content. Protein characterization of the skate myofibrils revealed that the high proteins degraded into low molecular peptides, resulting in an increase in the hydrophobic interactions of these myofibrillar protein during fermentation. Consequently, the springiness of the skate muscles significantly (p < 0.05) decreased. Consequently, the textural profile of skate muscle during fermentation has a strong correlation with fermentation time and protein degradation.