Functional Stability of Antioxidant-washed, Cryoprotectant-treated Beef Heart Surimi During Frozen Storage

Beef heart surimi was prepared in the presence or absence of propyl gal late and blended with or without cryoprotectants (sorbitol, sucrose) prior to frozen storage at 15°, 29°, and 70°C up to 52 wk. Protein solubility, gelling characteristics, water-holding capacity, cooking yield, and emulsifying properties decreased during storage at 15° and 29°C for control surimi (without cryoprotectants). Propyl gallate alone did not influence functionality changes. However, functional properties were largely protected by cryoprotectants as well as at 70°C independent of cryoprotectants. Thus, unless extremely low temperatures are used, beef heart surimi subjected to long-term cryogenic storage should be mixed with cryoprotectants and antioxidants to preserve functionality.