Abstract
The aim of this work was to investigate the gelation mechanism of curdlan on surimi using a myosin gel model. Experimental results showed that with increased levels of curdlan, the water-holding capacity, gel strength, and storage modulus of a myosin gel first increased and then decreased. The optimum level of curdlan was found to be 1%. Moreover, myosin-curdlan mixed gel showed decreased water liquidity based on the results of low-field nuclear magnetic resonance. The enhanced physicochemical properties of myosin-curdlan mixed gel were attributed to the strengthened hydrogen bonding and to the uniform and compact network structure shown by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results of this study suggest that curdlan has the potential to be used in surimi-based seafood products to enhance the gel structure.