Autolysis of Squid Mantle Muscle Protein as Affected by Storage Conditions and Inhibitors

Autolysis of squid mantle muscle was investigated under various conditions using muscle homogenate as a model system. Cleavage of myosin into heavy and light meromyosin was prominent during autolysis. Storage conditions such as NaCl concentration and temperature affected not only the rate of autolysis but also the products formed. Conditions for maximal autolysis were: NaCl concentration 0.3M, pH 7 and temperature 40°C. Autolysis was well inhibited by ethylenediaminetetra acetic acid and Na-pyrophosphate at <25°C and by phenyhnethylsulfonyl fluoride and chymotrypsin inhibitor extracted from potato tuber at >35°C suggesting two different types of proteinases were involved.