Carbonated water as a novel washing medium for mackerel (Auxis thazard) surimi production.

Effect of cold carbonated water (CW) washing on the biochemical properties and gel characteristics of mackerel surimi was evaluated. Three washing cycles were performed with different orders of washing medium including T1 (water, water and water), T2 (CW, water and water), T3 (CW, CW and water) and T4 (CW, CW and CW). The results showed that CW washing, especially T4, caused the decrease in pH, Ca2+-ATPase activity and surface hydrophobicity and led to the increase in reactive sulfhydryl content. Regardless of washing treatment, haem protein of surimi decreased significantly compared to unwashed mince. However, carbonated water did not improve haem protein removal. The highest lipid reduction was found in T1 and T2. Gels from all CW washing treatments had a comparable whiteness. Breaking force of CW surimi gel increased with increasing washing cycle (T2 < T3 < T4). Deformations of all surimi gels were not much different (~7 mm). Expressible drip increased with increasing CW washing cycle. Numbers of jointed spherical matrices were found in surimi gel microstructures. With increasing CW washing cycle, densely packed aggregates were formed. Therefore, CW washing with appropriate cycle can be used as an alternative means for mackerel surimi production.