Viscoelastic Characterization of Surimi Gel: Effects of Setting and Starch

Rheological properties of Alaska pollock surimi gels were affected by setting and addition of corn starch. Setting increased (p < 0.05) both elastic and loss moduli of gel in the absence of starch. However, in the presence of corn starch, setting decreased (p < 0.05) the elastic and loss moduli of the gels. In stress relaxation, the residual forces increased from 37.1 Newton (N) (nonsetting) to 51.8N (setting) in the absence of starch. However, in the presence of starch, the residual force decreased from 49.1N (nonsetting) to 39.0N (setting) which indicated an antagonistic effect between corn starch and setting. A Maxwell model was useful to quantify relaxation behavior of surimi gel and to evaluate the effects of changes in processing conditions.