Comparative study on the effect of duck and hen egg albumens on proteolysis and gel property of sardine surimi

The effects of duck and hen albumens at different levels (1%–4%, w/w) on proteolysis and gel properties of sardine (Sardinella albella) surimi were studied. The addition of both albumens into surimi resulted in the increases in breaking force and deformation, especially with increasing levels added (P < 0.05). Both albumens inhibited autolysis of surimi in a dose dependent manner as indicated by the lower TCA-peptide content and more retained myosin heavy chain and actin. Texture profile analysis showed that hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, gumminess and chewiness of surimi gel increased with increasing albumen levels. In general, breaking force, hardness, gumminess and chewiness of surimi gel added with duck albumen were higher than those added with hen albumen when the same level was used. Lightness and whiteness of gels added with albumen increased, particularly at higher amount of albumen. Surimi gel added with both albumens showed compact network with more connectivity and smaller voids than the control gel as visualised by scanning electron microscopy. Thus, duck albumen could be used to replace hen albumen for improvement of sardine surimi gel properties.