Preparation of Water-Soluble Chitosan and its Suppressive Effect on the Denaturation of Scallop Adductor Muscle Myofibrillar Protein During Frozen Storage

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn the present study, investigated were the preparation of water-soluble chitosan (WSC) by hydrolysis of original chitosan with commercial α-amylase and the suppressive effect of WSC on denaturation of bay scallop adductor muscle myofibrillar protein (Mf) during frozen storage at −18°C for 12 months. The WSC (2.5- to 10-g dry weight) was added to 100 g of the Mf, and the changes in the Ca-ATPase activity, solubility, and sulfhydryl content were examined during frozen storage. The addition of WSC significantly reduced the denaturation of the Mf Ca-ATPase. Moreover, a significant increase in Mf solubility and sulfhydryl content was observed in the WSC-treated bay scallop adductor muscles compared with the control (p < 0.05) during frozen storage at −18°C.