Setting response of Alaska pollock surimi compared with beef myofibrils

Physicochemical properties of surimi after preincubation at 25-50 degrees C and beef myofibrils at 25-60 degrees C for up to 8 hr prior to cooking at 80 degrees C for 20 min were evaluated by a torsion test and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Shear stress and true shear strain of surimi were more sensitive to pH changes than beef myofibrils. Maximum gel strength was found at approximately pH 7 for surimi and pH 6 for beef myofibrils. The myofibrils showed no setting effect at any preincubation temperatures examined, while surimi showed an optimum setting effect at 25 degrees C. Incorporation of beef myofibrils into surimi resulted in decrease of shear stress and true shear strain values