Dynamic rheology and thermal transitions of surimi seafood enhanced with ω-3-rich oils

Surimi-based seafood products are widely accepted and enjoyed worldwide. The U.S. consumption increased in 1980s; however, it leveled thereafter. Food products nutrified with ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are in increasing demand due to demonstrated health benefits. Currently, surimi seafood is not nutrified with ω-3 PUFAs. In the present study, surimi seafood was nutritionally-enhanced with ω-3 PUFAs-rich oils (flaxseed, algae, menhaden, krill, and blend). Protein endothermal transitions, heat-induced gelation (elastic modulus, G′), and fundamental texture properties (shear stress) of Alaska pollock surimi nutrified with ω-3 PUFAs-rich oils (flaxseed, algae, menhaden, krill, and blend) were determined and compared to Alaska pollock surimi without oil (control). Differential scanning calorimetry showed that oil addition enhanced thermal transition of actin and did not compromise the transition of myosin. The addition of oil improved heat-induced protein gelation as demonstrated with dynamic rheology. Elastic modulus increased when oil was added. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in shear stress between surimi gels with and without oil, indicating that nutrification with ω-3 PUFAs-rich oils within the ranges tested did not alter gel strength. This study demonstrates that the nutritional value and gelation of surimi seafood can be enhanced without altering texture properties by addition of ω-3 PUFAs-rich oils.