Decoloration and gel-forming ability of horse mackerel mince by air-flotation washing

The decoloration effects and gel-forming ability of horse mackerel mince by air-flotation washing (AFW) was investigated. The lowest residual myoglobin content (RMb) and relative fluorescence intensity (RFI), the highest metmyoglobin (metMb) content and best decoloration effects were recorded for the mince washed with AFW. AFW also effectively improved gel strength in heated surimi. No significant difference in RMb was found when mince was treated with flotation washing using nitrogen, air and ozone. Although the highest metMb content and the lowest RFI were found for the mince washed with ozone, significant differences in whiteness were observed only when the mince was treated with a different gas at 10 or 20 L/min for 5 to 10 min. The physical removal of myoglobin was suggested to be the main factor contributing to accelerated decoloration with AFW.