RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF DRIED SQUID MANTLE CHANGE ON SOFTENING

TO CLARIFY differences between raw squid and softened dried squid, dried squid mantle was softened under various conditions, degree of swelling and certain properties were measured, and the musculature was examined by electron microscopy. Swelling the dried squid to the original level of raw squid required softening in three steps: presoaking, alkali-soaking, and post-soaking. The alkali-soaking was mainly responsible for the swelling effect. Resulting properties were largely changed from those of raw squid. Electron microscopy showed much water permeation throughout the muscle fibrils and fibers, while there was almost no permeation of water inside the individual fibrils.