Gelation of beef heart surimi as affected by antioxidants

Oxidation of proteins (carbonyls) and lipids (TBARS) in beef heart surimi-like materials during preparation and storage (2°C) was inhibited by propyl gallate (0.02%) or α-tocopherol (0.2%). Inhibition of oxidation did not affect surimi gel property (storage modulus, G'). Storage promoted oxidation of proteins in 0.2% ascorbate-washed mince, leading to increases in peak (≃55°C) and final (70°C) G' of thermally induced surimi gel. Protein carbonyls in stored surimi and its sol (salted), as well as TBARS of the sol, strongly correlated with both peak and final G' of gels. Incorporation of tripolyphosphate into washed mince promoted gelation whether the surimi-like material was oxidized or not.