High-intensity ultrasound modified the functional properties of Neosalanx taihuensis myofibrillar protein and improved its emulsion stability

•High-intensity ultrasound caused oxidation and aggregation of N. taihuensis MP.•High-intensity ultrasound improved functional properties of N. taihuensis MP.•High-intensity ultrasound enhanced viscoelasticity of N. taihuensis MP emulsion.•High-intensity ultrasound improved oxidative stability of N. taihuensis MP emulsion. This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-intensity ultrasound treatment on the functional properties and emulsion stability of Neosalanx taihuensis myofibrillar protein (MP). The results showed that the carbonyl groups, emulsification properties, intrinsic fluorescence intensity, and surface hydrophobicity of the ultrasound treated MP solution were increased compared to the MP without ultrasound treatment. The results of secondary structure showed that the ultrasound treatment could cause a huge increase of β-sheet and a decline of α-helix of MP, indicating that ultrasound induced molecular unfolding and stretching. Moreover, ultrasound reduced the content of total sulfhydryl and led to a certain degree of MP cross-linking. The microscopic morphology of MP emulsion indicated that the emulsion droplet decreased with the increase of ultrasound power. In addition, ultrasound could also increase the storage modulus of the MP emulsion. The results for the lipid oxidation products indicated that ultrasound significantly improved the oxidative stability of N. taihuensis MP emulsions. This study offers an important reference theoretically for the ultrasound modification of aquatic proteins and the future development of N. taihuensis deep-processed products represented by surimi.