Mass preparation and technological development of an antifreeze protein

Abstract

Antifreeze protein isolated from the blood serum of Arctic and Antarctic fish is an extraordinary biomolecule that binds to ice and preserves cell structure. We recently discovered that Japanese edible fish species also contain an antifreeze protein, and established a method of isolating the protein from fish muscles. We determined that the isolated antifreeze protein consists of a mixture of many isoforms that together are more active than any single isoform. Mass preparation of antifreeze protein is currently under investigation to provide material for a variety of studies and industries.