Characterization and Functional Properties of Gelatin Extracted from Chinese Giant Salamander (<i>Andrias Davidianus</i>) Skin

Abstract

The characteristics and functional properties of gelatin obtained from Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) skin were investigated. After alkaline and acetic acid pre-treatment, yield of the gelatin by hot water extraction (60°, 8 h) was 17.63 g/100 g (wet basis), and the gelatin contained 89.46 g/100 g protein, 0.3 g/100 g fat, and 0.41 g/100 g ash (dry basis). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) results of the gelatin showed clear band pattern for collagen subunits,β- and α-chains. The gelatin contained 18.85% imino acids, 28.62% hydrophobic amino acids, and 19.68% essential amino acids, which is slightly lower than porcine skin gelatin (PSG). The gelatin exhibited thermo-reversible properties, with gel strength of 192.50 ± 11.47 g, rupture distance of 10.17 ± 0.20 mm, gelling temperature of 4.98°, and melting temperature of 18.04°, Emulsifying activity index (EAI) of the gelatin diminished with increasing concentrations from 10 to 40 mg/mL (p < .05), whereas the emulsifying stability index (ESI) improved significantly (p < .05). Higher concentrations (30 and 40 mg/mL) could significantly enhance the gelatin's foam expansion (FE) and foam stability (FS) (p < .05). Water absorption ability and oil absorption ability of the gelatin were 7.1 g water/g gelatin and 9.8 g oil/g gelatin, respectively. These results imply that the gelatin with good interfacial properties could potentially be used as a novel ingredient in food emulsion systems.Abbreviations: CGSS, Chinese giant salamander skin; CSG, Chinese giant salamander skin gelatin; PSG, porcine skin gelatin; EAI, emulsion activity index; ESI, emulsion stability index; FE, foam expansion; FS, foam stability; WAC, water absorption capacity; OAC, oil absorption capacity.