Changes in Protein Solubility and Gelation Properties of Chicken Myofibrils during Storage

The effect of storage on protein solubility and heat‐induced gelation properties of chicken hen breast and leg myofibrils was investigated. Myofibrils suspended in 0.6M NaCl, pH 6.0, showed increasing protein solubility, viscosity, gel strength and water holding capacity with storage at 4°C. However, the effect of storage was most dramatic only during the initial 10 hr for all of the parameters studied. The relative distribution of the proteins comprising the salt soluble protein (SSP) extract changed during storage. Although storage had little effect on breast SSP, it was detrimental to leg SSP gelation. Breast myofibril suspensions, for all storage times, contained a greater amount of SSP and had better gelation properties than leg myofibril suspensions.