Changes in the Properties of Protein during the Fermentation of Salted Shrimp

The salted small shrimps(Acetes japonicus) were fermented for 3 months at room temperature. During the period of fermentation, the changes of shrimp protein properties were determined. The extractability of soluble protein was slightly decreased in 1 month fermentation, but thereafter increased. The contents of 10% TCA soluble fraction were gradually increased during 3 month fermentation, and the rate of 10% TCA soluble fraction/total soluble protein was also greatly increased during the period of fermentation. Sephadex G-100 gel filtration pattern was changed after 1 month fermentation, showing the disappearance of low molecular weight protein peaks, the decomposition and the delay of elution time of main shrimp protein peaks. Polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis patterns showed the degradation of main protein bands into lots of smaller bands after 1 month fermentation. The contents of total free amino acids were slightly decreased in 1 month fermentation and then gradually increased during the Period of fermentation. The rate of free amino acids/soluble protein was steadily increased during the period of fermentation, but the rate of free amino acids/10% TCA soluble fraction was decreased continually during the period of fermentation. The contents of most free amino acids were increased during the period of fermentation, but those of histidine and arginine were greatly decreased in 1 month fermentation. Ammonia was increased after 1 month fermentation. The pH value of salted shrimp was slowly changed during 3 months of fermentation, showing increase from 7.8 to 8.2.