Frozen storage of minced prawn flesh: Effect of sorbitol, egg white and starch as protective ingredients

The functionality of minced prawn flesh during frozen storage, with and without added ingredients as protectants, was examined in terms of water-holding capacity, protein solubility, viscosity, texture and gel-forming capacity. Different lots containing sorbitol, egg white and starch were studied. Minced prawn showed high protein solubility which remained constant after 3 months of frozen storage, regardless of the ingredients used. A slight increase in shear strength during the storage period was suppressed by the addition of ingredients; however, these were not effective at substantially improving the gel-forming capacity of the minced prawn. Viscosity was the property most affected by frozen storage, and was improved by the addition of ingredients. © Springer-Verlag 1999.This research was financed by the European Union under project TS-CT-94-0343 and by the spanish Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología (CICyT) under project ALI 95-1715-CE.Peer Reviewe