Mechanisms of gelation of sardine proteins: influence of thermal processing and of various additives on the texture and protein solubility of kamaboko gels

Surimi prepared from freshly caught sardines was mixed with NaCl and other additives and used to prepare kamaboko gels. Protein-protein interactions involved in the setting (at 4 or 37°C) and/or the cooking (at 90°C) gelation steps were investigated (i) by assessment of kamaboko texture as a result of the type and concentration of additive added; (ii) by partial solubilization of kamaboko gels in buffers containing mercaptoethanol, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and/or urea, followed by determination of the soluble protein constituents by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Cooked gels of high elasticity and of varying rigidity and gel strength were obtained in the 73–80% water range. Adequate gel texture required a NaCl content of 1.7–3.5% and a pH range of 6.4–8.4. Low concentrations of reducing agents (mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol, cysteine) or of divalent cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) improved the texture of gels obtained by setting at 37°C with and without subsequent cooking at 90°C. On the other hand, the addition of N -ethyl maleimide or of ethylene diamine tetra-acetate led to texture deterioration after cooking. These data demonstrate the involvement of disulphide bonds and of electrostatic interactions in surimi gelation. Gel solubilization experiments indicate that the aggregation of myosin heavy chains through various types of protein-protein interactions may be responsible for the elastic gel network formed during setting at 37°C (30 min) or 4°C (24h). Strengthening of the gel network after cooking appears to be due to additional disulphide and hydrophobic interactions.