Effect of cold atmospheric plasma on the physicochemical and functional properties of myofibrillar protein from Alaska pollock (Theragra chalcogramma)

This study aimed to investigate the effect of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) on the physicochemical and functional properties of myofibrillar protein isolated from Alaska pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) muscle. Free sulfhydryl content, surface hydrophobicity, turbidity, differential scanning calorimetry, SDS-PAGE, heat-induced myofibrillar protein gel properties and water holding capacity were determined to evaluate the effect of CAP treatment on protein properties. CAP treatment from 10 to 60 kV for 10 min significantly (P < 0.05) increased the water holding capacity, textural properties and colour properties of heat-induced myofibrillar protein gel. As treatment voltage increased, free sulfhydryl content decreased significantly, while the turbidity and surface hydrophobicity of myofibrillar protein were increased. DSC data showed enhancement of thermal stability of the treated samples; however, the electrophoretic profile displayed a significant reduction in the band's intensity of protein at a higher voltage. These results suggest that cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatment could be used as an alternative approach to enhance the gelling properties of myofibrillar protein from Alaska pollock.