Role of Heavy Meromyosin in Heat-Induced Gelation in Low Ionic Strength Solution Containing l-Histidine

The gelation of myosin has a very important role in meat products. We have already shown that myosin in low ionic strength solution containing l-histidine forms a transparent gel after heating. To clarify the mechanism of this unique gelation, we investigated the changes in the nature of myosin subfragments during heating in solutions with low and high ionic strengths with and without l-histidine. The hydrophobicity of myosin and heavy meromyosin (HMM) in low ionic strength solution containing l-histidine was lower than in high ionic strength solution. The SH contents of myosin and HMM in low ionic strength solution containing l-histidine did not change during the heating process, whereas in high ionic strength solution they decreased slightly. The heat-induced globular masses of HMM in low ionic strength solution containing l-histidine were smaller than those in high ionic strength solution. These findings suggested that the polymerization of HMM molecules by heating was suppressed in low ionic strength solution containing l-histidine, resulting in formation of the unique gel. Practical Application The heat-induced gelation of myosin has an important role in meat products and contributes to its quality. Our previous study showed the unique gelation of myosin in low ionic strength solution with l-histidine was different from gelation already known. Understanding the mechanism of this unique gelation of myosin in low ionic strength solution with histidine will lead to development of new meat-based products and to innovation in the meat industry.