Oxidation in HiOx-packaged pork Longissimus muscle predisposes myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic proteins to N-nitrosamine formation in nitrite-curing solution

The effect of meat protein in situ oxidation on the formation of N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) was investigated. Fresh minced pork was untreated (Con) or treated with 700 mg/kg α-tocopherol (Toc) or 300 mg/kg tea polyphenols (PPE), packaged in a HiOx atmosphere (78.8% O₂, 18.8% CO₂, 2.4% N₂), then stored at 2 ± 1 °C for up to 10 days. Crude myofibrillar (MP) or sarcoplasmic (SP) protein (20 mg/mL) extracted from stored meat was reacted with 43 μM sodium nitrite at 80 °C for 1 h. Lipid oxidation was totally inhibited in PPE pork but increased in Con and Toc samples after 10 days. There was significant protein oxidation (losses of sulfhydryls, formation of protein carbonyls) in both MP and SP in all samples during storage. However, the Con group suffered more extensive protein oxidation than Toc and PPE and produced more NDEA (P < 0.05), indicating that protein oxidation promoted nitrosation.     

反复冻融的猪肉蛋白对N-亚硝胺形成量的影响

目的:探讨反复冻融的猪肉蛋白对N-亚硝胺形成量的影响。方法:设计两个体外模拟反应系统,模拟反应体系Ⅰ只含有Na NO2,模拟反应体系Ⅱ由二乙胺盐酸盐(DEA·HCl)和Na NO2组成。将反复冻融(0、1、2、3、4、7、10次)造成的不同氧化程度的肌肉蛋白(muscle protein,Mep)、肌浆蛋白(sarcoplasmic protein,SP)和肌原纤维蛋白(myofibrillar protein,MP)分别加入上述两个反应系统发生亚硝化反应,测定N-亚硝基二乙胺(N-nitrosodiethylamine,NDEA)的形成量,同时测定硫代巴比妥酸反应物(thiobarbituric acid reactive substance,TBARS)值、羰基和巯基含量等指标。结果:系统Ⅱ中NDEA的形成量是系统Ⅰ的20~80倍,表明底物DEA·HCl存在对NDEA的形成产生显著影响(P0.05)。反复冻融4次后,3种蛋白的羰基含量显著增加(P0.05),巯基含量显著下降(P0.05),意味着猪肉蛋白均发生了明显的蛋白氧化,其中以SP的氧化速率最快,氧化程度最严重,形成的NDEA量最多,Mep次之,MP氧化程度相对较轻,形成的NDEA量相对较少。结论:反复冻融造成的蛋白氧化促进了NDEA的形成。因而在肉品冻藏过程中应防止温度波动,避免反复冻融引起蛋白氧化,进而控制N-亚硝胺的形成。     

绿原酸抑制猪肉肌原纤维蛋白氧化及NDEA生成的作用研究

在羟自由基氧化体系中,研究不同添加量的绿原酸对猪肉肌原纤维蛋白(MP)理化性质和亚硝基二乙胺(NDEA)生成的影响。结果表明,氧化导致羰基含量升高,疏水性增加,蛋白结构展开。添加绿原酸后,0.1~0.5 mmol/L能有效抑制羰基的生成(p<0.05),而0.8~1.0 mmol/L未能抑制羰基的生成。0.1~2.0 mmol/L的绿原酸使肌原纤维蛋白疏水性增加,内源色氨酸荧光强度降低。绿原酸对NDEA的生成具有浓度依赖性,0.1~0.8 mmol/L的绿原酸促进NDEA生成,而0.8~2.0 mmol/L的绿原酸抑制NDEA生成。结论:适量的绿原酸抑制了肌原纤维蛋白的氧化和NDEA的生成。     

Effect of oregano and rosemary essential oils on lipid oxidation of stored frozen minced gilthead sea bream muscle

The study aimed to determine the effect of oregano and rosemary essential oils addition to minced gilthead sea bream muscle on lipid oxidation during frozen storage. Each essential oil was added to minced fish muscle at 500 mg/kg concentration which then was stored at ?22 °C for 12 months. Oregano essential oils inhibited the formation of conjugated diene and triene hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric reactive substances when compared with untreated samples after the first month and rosemary essential oils after the first and third month of frozen storage. Oregano and rosemary essential oils could be used as ingredients to prevent oxidation in stored frozen minced gilthead sea bream muscle, when long term preservation is not needed. The rate of lipid oxidation depends on antioxidant source. The rosemary essential oil proved to be more efficient in preventing lipid oxidation of minced gilthead sea bream muscle than oregano essential oil.     

Antioxidative Effect of Seaweed Extracts in Chilled Storage of Minced Atlantic Mackerel (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Scomber scombrus</Emphasis>): Effect on Lipid and Protein Oxidation

In this study, antioxidant activity of absolute ethanol, 50 % ethanol and water extracts of two species of seaweeds namely, Fucus serratus and Polysiphonia fucoides were evaluated for their ability to retard lipid and protein oxidation in minced mackerel. Mackerel mince added with 0.5 g/kg of extracts was prepared. For comparison, BHT at 0.2 g/kg and a control with no added extracts were also prepared. The samples were stored at 5 °C for 8 days, and sampling was done at time 0, 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8 days. The 50 % ethanolic extracts of P. fucoides were found to be very effective in retarding lipid and protein oxidation, as it resulted in low levels of peroxide value, volatiles and carbonyl compounds and protected against the loss of α-tocopherol and tryptophan residues. In spite of the higher phenolic content, the absolute ethanol extracts of both species showed a pro-oxidative tendency in minced mackerel. Water extract with lowest phenolic content showed no antioxidant effect in minced mackerel. In conclusion, the 50 % ethanolic extracts of P. fucoides can be a potential source of natural antioxidants, as these extracts have antioxidant activities similar to synthetic antioxidants such as BHT. However, the extent of protection offered by these extracts against protein oxidation was not clear and further studies are needed to understand the nature of the interaction between proteins and these extracts.     

Antioxidative effect of added tea catechins on susceptibility of cooked red meat,poultry and fish patties to lipid oxidation

The comparative antioxidant activity of added tea catechins on susceptibility of cooked and overwrapped red meat (beef and pork), poultry (chicken, duck and ostrich) and fish (whiting and mackerel) to lipid oxidation was investigated. Fresh meats, poultry and fish, purchased from a local market, were trimmed to remove bones, skin and visible fat and minced through a 4-mm plate. The minced muscle from each species was treated with either 1% NaCl (S), 300 mg tea catechins kg⁻¹ minced muscle (TC) or 1% NaCl plus 300 mg tea catechins kg⁻¹ minced muscle (TCS). Control minced muscle samples (C) contained neither NaCl nor tea catechins. Patties (50 g), prepared from treated and untreated minced muscle, were cooked until the core temperature reached 75°C, cooled down to room temperature and held in a refrigerated (4°C) and illuminated (616 lux) display cabinet for 10 days. Oxidative stability (TBARS) was measured at 3-day intervals. The susceptibility of cooked patties to lipid oxidation was closely related to lipid content, concentration of unsaturated fatty acids and presence of iron in different species. Addition of NaCl to raw minced muscle significantly (P<0.05) promoted lipid oxidation for cooked patties regardless of species sources. Tea catechins added at a level of 300 mg kg⁻¹ minced muscle significantly (P<0.01) inhibited the pro-oxidation caused by NaCl and controlled lipid oxidation for all cooked muscle patties examined. Tea catechins at concentrations greater than 300 mg kg⁻¹ were necessary to reduce oxidation for mackerel patties containing high levels of lipids and unsaturated fatty acids. The high affinity of tea catechins for the lipid bilayers of muscle and the radical scavenging abilities of tea catechins may be possible mechanisms to explain the oxidative stability in cooked muscle foods.     

Rheological and differential scanning calorimetry studies on structural and textural changes in frozen Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

The viscoelastic behaviour and thermal stability of Atlantic mackerel fillets stored at ?20 and ?30 °C for up to 2 years were investigated. An increase in elastic (G′) and viscous (G″) modulus values, reflecting protein aggregation, was observed in samples stored at ?20 °C compared with those stored at ?30 °C, as well as with storage time. The results indicate that toughening on frozen storage is not just limited to lean gadoid fish but also occurs in fatty fish, leading to texture deterioration. Differential scanning calorimetry of fillets stored at ?20 °C showed a shift to a lower transition temperature (T_m) and a decrease in enthalpy (ΔH) compared with control fillets stored at ?30 °C; this change was enhanced when fillets were stored for a longer period of time, confirming protein denaturation and the formation of aggregates reported previously by the authors (J Sci Food Agric 82: 579–586 (2002)). The contribution of lipid oxidation to protein aggregation was shown by storing minced mackerel with or without the antioxidant vitamin E at ?10 °C. The G′ and G″ values were higher in samples stored without vitamin E than in samples stored with vitamin E; thus antioxidants may be used to minimise protein aggregation in fatty fish. The role of lipid oxidation in promoting protein aggregation and deterioration in the texture of fatty fish has not been reported hitherto. Antioxidants such as vitamin E may be used not only to prevent lipid oxidation but also to minimise protein damage in order to prolong the shelf‐life of fatty fish. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluation of Freshness in Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds Released from Pork by HS-SPME-GC-MS

Freshness is an important parameter for evaluating the quality of pork, which has strong correlation with the characteristic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in meat. In this study, the pork was stored at a refrigerator, and the VOCs were determined by using headspace solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). The results of HS-SPME-GC-MS measurements were compared to total viable counts, total volatile basic nitrogen, and pH value to determine possible volatile spoilage markers. The pork was stored in a refrigerator up to 5 days at 4 °C and 466 days at ?18 °C. The pork became stale at 4 °C when the 2,3-butanedione, 3-methyl butyraldehyde, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and acetoin increased to 26.44, 13.72, 71.56, and 340.48 μg/L, respectively. These substances can be seen as characteristic compounds of stale pork. The VOCs such as ethyl acetate, ethyl propionate, ethyl butyrate, and ethyl hexanoate had negative correlation (P?<?0.05) with the pork freshness, which can be potentially considered as characteristic compounds of fresh pork. Therefore, the selected VOCs can be used as indicators for evaluation of pork freshness, and VOCs could be potentially applied in the development of intelligent refrigerators and refrigerated storehouse.     

Evaluation of pH‐treated fish sarcoplasmic proteins on rheological properties of fish myofibrillar protein mediated by microbial transglutaminase

Fish sarcoplasmic protein (SP) could be exploited in the water‐holding agent for fish protein gels, except that the gel strength is reduced. The adjustment of pH could modify protein interactions to overcome the inferior effect. Fish SP solutions were adjusted to pH 3 or 12, neutralised to pH 7 and lyophilised to be pH‐treated SPs. These SPs along with lyophilised untreated SP (Normal SP) were incorporated into fish myofibrillar protein (MP) with microbial transglutaminase (MTG). The denaturation temperature (T_d) of MP mixed with normal SP was 66 °C with the lowest shear stress value. The denaturation of MP mixed with pH‐treated SP reduced to be 57 °C, resulting in increased shear stress. The cooking loss of MP gel was reduced by adding pH‐treated SPs, while the breaking forces were similar to control. The result indicated that pH‐treated SPs could be used to reduce cooking loss of MTG‐mediated MP gels without affecting the gelling properties.     

The determination of soya and meat protein in raw and processed meat products by specific peptide analysis. An evaluation

The detection and measurement of characteristic peptides formed on enzymatic hydrolysis of soya protein products, meats and offals is described. Samples were heated at 120°C for 3h prior to digestion with trypsin overnight, and the resultant peptide mixtures passed through an Amicon ultrafiltration membrane. After concentration the ultrafiltrates were analysed by ion exchange chromatography on Aminex A5 resin. Peptides were detected by post-column reaction with ninhydrin. Characteristic peaks designated SP 2 and MP 1 were seen in chromatograms of digests of soya protein isolate and beef respectively, and these peaks were well resolved in beef and soya protein isolate mixtures. The SP 2 peak was shown to contain peptides derived from soya 11 S globulin. The soya protein and beef contents of a series of mixtures of freeze-dried, defatted beef and soya protein isolate were determined by measurement of the SP 2 and MP 1 peaks respectively. Soya protein content could be determined within 2% of the true value over the range 30–70% soya protein isolate and beef content could be determined within 5% of the true value in the range 20–100% beef. Analysis of five soya protein isolates, four soya protein concentrates, six soya flours and 13 textured soya products indicated considerable interproduct variation in the yield of SP 2. The MP 1 peak was seen in a range of meats, both cooked and raw. It was also present in digests of offals which contained smooth or striated muscle but not in ‘non-muscle’ offals. The protein origin of the MP 1 peak was not established but the yield appeared lower in meat products which had been heated during manufacture than in those which had received no such treatment. Analysis of a series of laboratory prepared canned and heated pork and soya protein isolate mixtures enabled the pork content to be determined to within 8% of the true value, 2% soya protein isolate could be detected but not quantified accurately.     

Rosemary as antioxidant in pressure processed chicken during subsequent cooking as evaluated by electron spin resonance spectroscopy

The potential of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) to inhibiting lipid oxidation in minced chicken breast and thigh muscle processed at 600 MPa for 10 min during subsequent heat treatment was investigated using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and electrochemical detection of oxygen consumption. Chicken breast cooked at 95 °C was found to have significantly higher rate of formation of free radicals and oxygen consumption rate than the samples cooked at 70 °C and 120 °C and this intermediate cooking temperature was used to evaluate the effect of pressure on oxidation during subsequent cooking. Rosemary was found effective in retarding lipid oxidation since the pressurized, minced chicken breast and thigh with rosemary added showed lower rate of oxygen consumption and lower tendency of free radical formation following heat treatment than the samples without rosemary. Pressurized chicken thigh showed a higher susceptibility to oxidation than chicken breast upon subsequent heat treatment. Oxidation in pressurized and subsequently heat-treated chicken breast was from a higher tendency of radical formation concluded to be in an earlier phase of oxidation compared to thigh subjected to the same treatment.Industrial relevanceHigh-pressure processing has a great potential for microbial control of raw chicken meat as a “fresh” chill-stored, convenience product for wok cooking. While raw chicken meat is oxidatively stable, high-pressure treatment at 600 MPa and above induces lipid oxidation resulting in off-flavors during subsequent cooking. Addition of 0.1% dried rosemary to minced chicken thighs or breasts prior to high-pressure processing inhibit lipid oxidation during subsequent cooking and could form the basis for product development.     

Effect of soy protein substitution for sodium caseinate on the transglutaminate-induced cold and thermal gelation of myofibrillar protein

The influence of soy protein isolate (SPI) substitution for sodium caseinate (SC) on the properties of cold-set (4 °C) and heat-induced gels of pork myofibrillar protein (MP) incubated with microbial transglutaminase (TG) was investigated. The strength of cold-set MP–SC gels (formed in 0.45 M, NaCl, 50 mM phosphate buffer, pH 6.25) increased with time of TG incubation, but those gels with more than 66% SPI substituted for SC had a >26% reduced strength (P < 0.05). Upon cooking, both incubated and non-incubated protein sols were quickly transformed into highly elastic gels, showing up to 6000 Pa in storage modulus (G′) at the final temperature (72 °C). However, no differences (P < 0.05) in G′ were observed between heated samples with SPI and SC. Myosin heavy chain, casein and soy proteins gradually disappeared with TG incubation, contributing to MP gel network formation. Both cold-set and heat-induced gels had a compact protein matrix, attributable to protein cross-linking by TG.     

Effect of packaging atmosphere and pH on the virulence and growth ofYersinia enterocoliticaon pork stored at 4°C

Growth and virulence of pathogenicYersinia enterocoliticawere investigated on high (pH>6.0) and normal (pH<5.8) pH pork packaged in modified atmospheres and stored at 4°C. Modified atmospheres used in the study were vacuum packaging and saturated CO₂. Pork was packaged in a high gas barrier packaging film and examined over a 30-day period. Phenotypic characteristics were used to detect the presence of the virulence plasmid ofY. enterocoliticaafter exposure to the pork packaging and storage regimen. Phenotypic characteristics ofY. enterocoliticaisolates from pork loin stored at 4°C for 30 days that were studied included Congo red uptake, calcium dependence and autoagglutination in methyl red Voges–Proskauer broth and tissue culture medium. Numbers ofY. enterocoliticaon the lean surface of high pH pork slices increased approximately 2.7logcfucm⁻²when vacuum packaged and stored at 4°C for 30 days. Storage of inoculated normal pH pork in 100% CO₂resulted inY. enterocoliticaremaining in the lag phase over the storage period. Virulence ofY. enterocoliticawas maintained in 25 to 35% of isolates following storage for 30 days at 4°C in vacuum- and CO₂-packaged meats and was not affected by pH of the pork loin.     

Counteracting Recontamination of Pasteurized Milk by Methylated Soybean Protein

Methylated soy protein (MSP) was evaluated as an antimicrobial agent that can counteract the potential post-pasteurization contamination of milk during a 30-day cold storage (4 °C) or 24-h room temperature storage (25 °C) as compared to its native form (SP). SP and MSP were added to buffalo milk at 0.5% (w/v) after pasteurization and before storage. Milk microbiological and chemical analyses were carried out either directly to follow the spontaneous microbial contamination or after artificial contamination with three pathogens (Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes Scott A, and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis PT4). Supplementation of milk samples with MSP (0.5%) significantly (p?<?0.05) and considerably inhibited the levels of the spontaneously proliferating bacterial counts, i.e., total viable and Enterobacteriaceae counts were inhibited by about 2.5 log CFU mL^?1, while psychrotrophic and pseudomonads counts were inhibited by 1.8 and 1.6 log CFU mL^?1, respectively, after 16 days of preservation at 4 °C. Similar trend of effects were also produced after 12–18 h of milk storage at 25 °C. MSP (0.5%) nearly hindered the proliferation of the three inoculated pathogens in pasteurized milk during 16 days of storage at 4 °C or 12–18-h storage at 25 °C. Based on milk acidity, SDS–PAGE pattern, and microbiological analysis, it is concluded that supplementation with MSP (0.5%) can prolong the shelf life of pasteurized milk from 6 to 16 days when stored under cold conditions and from 8 to 18 h under room temperature conditions.     

Effects of chicken myofibrillar protein concentration on protein oxidation and water holding capacity of its heat-induced gels

The effects of chicken myofibrillar protein (MP) concentrations (20, 40 and 60 mg/mL) on MP oxidation and the subsequent effects on water holding capacity (WHC) of heat-induced gels were investigated. MP oxidation stressed by a hydroxyl radical-generating system (10 µM FeCl₃, 0.1 mM ascorbic acid, and 1 mM H₂O₂) was evaluated by carbonyl content. Water distribution, microstructure visualization, free sulfhydryl (FSH) groups and molecular forces of the gels were determined to illustrate the effects on WHC. Compared to the non-stressed group, the stressed proteins were highly oxidized where the carbonyl content (p?<?0.01) increased with decreasing MP concentrations (increased by 24.67% at 20 mg/mL). As the MP concentrations were decreased, the percentage of immobile water (decreased by 8.01% at 20 mg/mL, while increased by 5.98% at 60 mg/mL), ionic bonds, hydrogen bonds, and FSH groups (p?<?0.05) of the oxidized gels were decreased, the gel network of the oxidized groups was impaired which was with more cracks and protein aggregates, the hydrophobic interactions (increased by 24% at 20 mg/mL) and the percentage of free water (p?<?0.05) (increased by 7.80% at 20 mg/mL, but decreased by 6.13% at 60 mg/mL) of the oxidized gels were enhanced, and the resultant WHC was reduced (decreased by 17.75 and 8.07% at 20 and 40 mg/mL, respectively, but increased by 8.54% at 60 mg/mL). The results indicated that the MP concentration could be a potential influencing factor that affected the protein oxidation and subsequently affected the WHC of gels.     

Using Multispectral Imaging for Spoilage Detection of Pork Meat

The quality of stored minced pork meat was monitored using a rapid multispectral imaging device to quantify the degree of spoilage. Bacterial counts of a total of 155 meat samples stored for up to 580 h have been measured using conventional laboratory methods. Meat samples were maintained under two different storage conditions: aerobic and modified atmosphere packages as well as under different temperatures. Besides bacterial counts, a sensory panel has judged the spoilage degree of all meat samples into one of three classes. Results showed that the multispectral imaging device was able to classify 76.13 % of the meat samples correctly according to the defined sensory scale. Furthermore, the multispectral camera device was able to predict total viable counts with a standard error of prediction of 7.47 %. It is concluded that there is a good possibility that a setup like the one investigated will be successful for the detection of spoilage degree in minced pork meat.     

Thermal Gelation Properties of Protein Fractions from Pork and Chicken Breast Muscles

Thermal gelation properties of myosin, actin, myofibrils (MF), sarcoplasmic protein (SP) and connective tissue (CTS) from pork semimem-branosus and chicken breast (CB) were evaluated. Gels were prepared at pH 6.0, 2% NaCl and cooked to 70°C at 0.7°C/min. Pork myosin had a higher gel strength and a lower cooking loss than CB myosin at 7% protein. Actin from both species did not form a measurable gel. MF gels from pork and CB had the lowest cooking loss while CTS and SP had the highest cooking loss. Difference in gel strength between muscle and MF+SP+CTS at 7% protein was not consistent with that at 10% protein.     

Effect of Skin Wine Pomace and Sulfite on Protein Oxidation in Beef Patties During High Oxygen Atmosphere Storage

Meat storage in high oxygen atmosphere has been reported to induce protein oxidation reactions decreasing meat quality. The incorporation of antioxidants has been proposed to reduce the extent of these reactions. In this study, the ability of red and white skin wine pomaces as well as sulfites to inhibit protein oxidation were tested in beef patties stored for up to 15 days at 4 °C in a high oxygen atmosphere (70 % O₂ and 30 % CO₂). SO₂ (300 ppm) effectively protected against protein oxidation measured as radical formation by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, as thiol loss by the DTNB assay and as myosin heavy chain (MHC) disulfide cross-linking by SDS-PAGE. Pomace from red wine production with a total phenol of 9.9 mg gallic acid equivalent/g protected against protein radical formation and against MHC cross-linking, but not against thiol loss by addition of 2.0 % (w/w) to the beef patties. Pomace from white wine production with a total phenol of 4.0 mg gallic acid equivalent/g only protected against MHC cross-linking. For both types of wine pomace, protein modifications not seen for sulfite addition were observed and were proposed to involve covalent phenol addition to proteins. Red wine pomace may be an alternative to sulfite as a meat additive for protection of beef patties against protein oxidation.     

Vacuum skin packaging and its effect on selected properties of beef and pork meat

Physicochemical, instrumental and microbiological examinations of steaks of beef and pork (m. longissimus lumborum) in vacuum skin packaging (VSP), conventional vacuum packing (CVP) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) were performed. Samples were stored at 2 ± 0.5 °C for 3 (pork) or 5 (beef) weeks. No statistically significant changes in pH values were recorded. Statistically significant (p < 0.001) changes in the thiobarbituric reactive substances content in modified atmosphere packed beef samples, and differences between samples in MAP and VSP or CVP were found from week 2 of the experiment onwards. The biggest changes in colour parameters were found in beef samples in MAP. The lowest and highest purge loss was recorded in samples in VSP and CVP, respectively. Vacuum packing enhanced the growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). At the end of the experiment, their numbers ranged from 4.31 log₁₀ cfu g^?1 (pork in CVP) to 5.14 log₁₀ cfu g^?1 (beef in VSP). LAB populations reached 2 log₁₀ cfu g^?1 in MAP beef and pork samples. On the other hand, MAP enabled the development of bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas and Brochothrix thermosphacta. The highest increase in coliform bacteria counts was recorded in vacuum-packed pork.     

Heat-induced Gelation of Minced Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri:) Effect of pH, Sodium Chloride and Setting

The structure formation of minced rainbow trout was monitored during heating from 30°C to 85°C by a dynamic rheological method. The maxima of storage modulus (G') were found at 37°C and in the range of 45°C to 60°C. The largest differences in rigidity resulted from seasonal variations. Firmest protein matrix was obtained by using well-fed fish as raw material, by setting the gels at 35°C and using a pH value around 6.1. Sodium chloride in the range 1–2% had little effect on the final rigidity of the minced rainbow trout gels.