Konjac glucomannan improves the gel properties of low salt myofibrillar protein through modifying protein conformation

Improving the characteristics of low salt proteins is the key to the gel properties of low-salt meat products which are demanded by people nowadays. The present study focused on the effects of KGM concentrations on the changes in structure and gelling properties of low-salt myofibrillar protein (MP). KGM addition (<= 0.75 %) irrespective of salt concentration modified secondary and tertiary structures of MPs, enhanced the binding capacity of Troponin-T and Tropomyosin, augmented the gelling behavior of proteins, and remarkably improved the storage modulus (G ') and gel strength of heat-induced MP gels. Interestingly, KGM addition in low salt condition showed the transformation of the all-gauche S-S conformation into gauche-gauche-trans and trans-gauche-trans, and the partial transformation of alpha-helices into beta-sheets. overall, KGM modified the structure of low salt MPs and thus improved the gel properties of low salt MPs. Therefore, KGM is recommended for low-salt meat processing to enhance the MP gelling potential.