Heat-Induced Gelation of Myofibrillar Proteins and Myosin from Fast- and Slow-Twitch Rabbit Muscles

Heat-induced gelation of myofibrillar proteins and myosin (0.6M; pH 6.0) from rabbit fast- and slow-twitch muscles was analyzed by thermal scanning rheometry. Proteins from slow-twitch muscle exhibited higher thermostability and lower gel strength than those from fast-twitch muscle. Purifying myosin from myofibrillar proteins changed heat-gelation profiles and generally increased gel rigidity at 80°C. However, the effect of some proteins on the gelation of myosin was muscle dependent. Complete elimination of actin decreased the heat-gelling ability of slow myosin and increased that of fast myosin. Also, elimination of C-protein led to a greater increase in rigidity of gels from slow myosin than from fast myosin. The heat-behavior of the different protein fractions was related to the degree and type of aggregation in the gel.