Quality Characteristics of Mackerel Surimi Prepared by Alkaline Washing under Reduced Pressure

An attempt was made in this study to investigate the optimum condition of washing for preparation of mackerel surimi by alkaline washing of 1, 3, 5, and 7 times under atmospheric (760), 660, and 560 mmHg pressure. The qualities of surimis were examined by analyzing the factors such as water content, crude lipid, pH, volatile basic nitrogen (VBN), expressible drip, protein extractability, , and EDTA-ATPase activity, transglutaminase (TGase) activity, gel strength and color. The contents of moisture, crude lipid, pH and VBN in surimis prepared by alkaline washing under atmospheric, and reduced pressure went up to , , and , respectively. Protein extractability, ATPase activity and TGase activity were highest in surimis prepared by alkaline washing under 560 mmHg. Gel strengths of surimi setting gel and cooked gel from five times washing under 560 mmHg were 420 g cm (atmospheric, 330 g cm) and 485 g cm (atmospheric, 412 g cm), respectively. For the preparation of mackerel surimi, optimum washing condition was five times washing under 560 mmHg.