Physicochemical changes in Alaska pollock surimi and surimi gel as affected by electron beam

Alaska pollock surimi and surimi gels (cooked) were subjected to various doses of electron beam (e-beam). Shear stress of surimi gels increased as the dose increased up to 6 to 8 kGy and then decreased. Sodium dodecyl. sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed gradual degradation of myosin heavy chain as the dose increased. The degradation was slower for frozen samples. The integrity of actin was slightly affected by high doses (25 kGy). The amount of sulfhydryl groups and the level of surface hydrophobicity of Alaska pollock surimi decreased as the dose increased, suggesting formation of disulfide bonds and hydrophobic interactions. The sulfhydryl groups and hydrophobicity of surimi gels increased as the dose increased up to 6 kGy and then decreased.