Effect of NaCl on physical characteristics and qualities of chicken breast surimi prepared by acid and alkaline processing

We investigated the effect of NaCl on the physical characteristics and qualities of chicken breast surimi prepared by acid (pH 2.5 and pH 3.0) and alkaline (pH 10.5 and pH 11.0) adjustments. Salt addition resulted in increased (p < 0.05) yellowness, but decreased (p < 0.05) lightness and whiteness of surimi, regardless of pH adjustment. Surimi prepared by alkali had the highest (p < 0.001) values of lightness and whiteness. Textural properties except cohesiveness were higher (p < 0.05) in acid-prepared surimi without salt, however, addition of salt caused higher (p < 0.05) springiness, gumminess or gel strength of chicken surimi. Salt addition also caused an increase in the sensory properties. Furthermore, alkali-treated (pH 10.5 or pH 11.0) surimi had higher (p < 0.001) values of all the sensory properties. Therefore, the alkali treatment diminished gumminess and chewiness of texture property, while better color (high lightness or whiteness), gel characteristics and sensory properties were obtained from salt-added surimi. Especially the surimi at pH 10.5 and with salt was better one which had high values of whiteness, springiness and sensory properties among the surimi. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.