TEMPERATURE‐TOLERANT FISH PROTEIN GELS USING KONJAC FLOUR

Abstract

ABSTRACT Shear stress and strain values of surimi gels made from Alaska pollock and Pacific whiting were measured upon cooling, reheating, and freeze/thawing. Konjac flour was introduced to investigate its ability to maintain fracture properties of surimi gels against various temperatures. Gel colors (CIE L*,a*,b*) were also measured as affected by various levels of konjac flour. Konjac flour (5%) showed its ability to reinforce shear stress of gels 8‐10 times in both whiting and pollock surimi. Gels with 4% konjac flour were the most heat‐tolerant in both surimi. Surimi gels with konjac flour exhibited an ability to maintain consistent shear strain values against repeated freeze/thaw abuse. Konjac flour, up to 2%, increased lightness of gels, while yellow hue increased gradually up to 5%.