Effects of rare sugar d‐allulose on heat‐induced gelation of surimi prepared from marine fish

d-Allulose (Alu), the C3-epimer of d-fructose, is a non-caloric sweetener (0.39 kcal g-1 ) with a suppressive effect on postprandial blood glucose elevation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Alu used as a sweetener and gel improver instead of sucrose on heat-induced gelation of surimi.The puncture test of a heat-induced surimi gel showed that with 50 g kg-1 Alu the gel had 15% and 6% higher gel strength than the corresponding gel with sucrose (Suc) and with sorbitol (Sor), respectively. In addition, Alu-gel had 26% and 25% higher water-holding capacity (WHC) than Suc- and Sor-gel. Heating of myofibrillar protein with Alu, unlike Suc and Sor, facilitated the formation of both disulfide and non-disulfide crosslinks that might be associated with the mechanical properties and WHC of Alu-gel.Alu improves the mechanical properties and WHC of the heat-induced surimi gel. Furthermore, Alu is low in calories compared with Suc (4.0 kcal g-1 ) and Sor (3.0 kcal g-1 ). Thus Alu will be an alternative of Suc or Sor for developing surimi-based products with health benefits. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.