Effect of Squid Melanin-Free Ink and Pre-Emulsification on Properties and Stability of Surimi Gel Fortified with Seabass Oil during Refrigerated Storage

The effects of melanin-free ink (MFI) and pre-emulsification on gel properties and stability of bigeye snapper surimi gel fortified with seabass oil during refrigerated storage of 10 days were studied. Lipid oxidation as determined by peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of surimi gel increased as the level of seabass oil increased (P < 0.05). When MFI was incorporated into surimi gel, lower PV was obtained throughout the storage (P < 0.05). Addition of seabass oil pre-emulsified with soy protein isolate (SPI) in the presence of MFI yielded surimi gel with the highest breaking force and could improve oxidative stability during refrigerated storage (P < 0.05). Slight decrease in whiteness was found in surimi gel added with MFI, while those added with MFI along with pre-emulsified seabass oil showed increased whiteness (P < 0.05). Addition of MFI did not affect total viable count and psychrophilic bacterial count in surimi gels. Thus, the incorporation of pre-emulsified seabass oil prepared using SPI in conjunction with MFI could improve quality and oxidative stability of gel from bigeye snapper surimi.