Atmospheric cold plasma: a new approach to modify protein and lipid properties of myofibrillar protein isolate from hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) fish

BACKGROUND Quite recently, considerable attention has been paid to atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) as an eco-friendly and highly efficient technology to modify the functional properties of foods. This study focuses on the effect of ACP on the myofibril protein and lipid quality of hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) fish. In achieving this, the samples were treated with ACP at 50 kV for different times (30, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 s). RESULTS The findings indicated slight changes in peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in the samples treated with ACP. A significant increase (P < 0.05) in the surface hydrophobicity (from 131.71 +/- 0.81 mu g to 146. 34 +/- 0.81 mu g), turbidity (from 0.13 +/- 0.001 to 0.27 +/- 0.01), and water-holding capacity (from 61.63% +/- 5.7% to 64.86% +/- 1.5%) were detected with treated samples. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that ACP treatment induces marked changes in the protein and lipid properties of myofibril protein isolated from hairtail fish, which strengthen the gel formation of hairtail fish. (c) 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Automated summary

The study found that treating hairtail fish with ACP led to slight changes in peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, but significant increases in surface hydrophobicity, turbidity, and water-holding capacity. This indicates that ACP treatment can enhance the protein and lipid properties of hairtail fish myofibril protein, reinforcing gel formation.