Calcium compounds to improve gel functionality of Pacific whiting and Alaska pollock surimi

The effect of calcium compounds during three thermal treatments with or without setting was studied. Formation of cross-linking was investigated using SDS-PAGE. Solubility varied. Calcium acetate, chloride, and caseinate were extremely soluble. Calcium lactate had good solubility at 0.2% or higher, then in descending order were phosphate, citrate, sulfate, and carbonate. Effects of temperature on solubility were not measurable except for caseinate. When 25°C setting was applied to surimi, calcium was most effective. Effect of calcium on shear stress was dependent on species, setting temperature, and specific compound. SDS-PAGE indicated that improved gel functionality was likely due to Ca⁺⁺-dependent transglutaminase. Shear strain values were not affected by adding calcium compounds regardless of species or thermal treatments.