Evaluation of Atlantic cod hydrolysate properties in innovative freeze concentration techniques

This study investigates Atlantic cod's (Gadus morhua) physicochemical and rheological properties throughout various stages of the hydrolysis process to assess the feasibility of integrating a high-temperature heat pump system for hydrolysis and freeze concentration. This approach will significantly reduce the energy consumption of the current drying processes. The total protein content of cod hydrolysate ranged from 43.38 % ± 0.07 to 87.77 % ± 0.2 on a dry basis, progressing from the initial fish protein hydrolysates mixture to the refined fish protein hydrolysates. The free and total amino acid profiles were analyzed, confirming the presence of all essential amino acids in the samples. Rheology test assessments indicated that fish protein hydrolysates exhibited Newtonian fluid behaviour at lower concentrations, shifting to Bingham fluid behaviour at higher concentrations. Viscosity values spanned from 0.0023 to 1.41 Pa s across concentrations ranging from 3.75 % to 44.42 %. However, deviations in viscosity were observed at elevated temperatures due to decomposition. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) determined the FPH's thermal properties and phase transitions concerning water contents. The lowest recorded glass transition temperature was -32.45 °C.