Surimi quality from mechanically deboned chicken meat as affected by washing cycle, salt concentration, heating temperature and rate

The effects of salt concentration and heating conditions on the thermal gelation properties of surimi produced from mechanically deboned chicken meat (MDCM) were investigated. Chicken surimi was manufactured by washing (MDCM: 0.5% NaCl=1:4), standing, straining and centrifuging. The fat, water-soluble protein and heme pigment in the MDCM were removed by increasing washing cycles. The compressive force of the chicken surimi increased as the concentration of salt was increased from 0% to 5%. Total gel strength of the surimi measured by texture profile analysis showed a maximum in the range 3-5% NaCl. Microstructural analysis showed that the unfolding network structure of the surimi gel began to appear at NaCl concentrations>2%. The optimum heating condition for gelation was 90degreesC for 40 min as this resulted in maximum values for measures of gel strength including compressive force, hardness, fracturability, adhesiveness, springiness, gumminess, chewiness and resilience. Chicken surimi gel formed by cooking at a heating rate of 1degreesC/min to 90degreesC showed better a texture than gels produced at 1.85degreesC/min. Our result show that a lower rate of heating improves chicken surimi gelation.