Structural Changes in the Connective Tissue of Frozen-Thawed Squid Mantles by Heating

• Published in: Journal of Home Economics of Japan Vol. 49; no. 10; pp. 1089 - 1097
• Main Authors: ANDO, Mami, ANDO, Masashi, TSUKAMASA, Yasuyuki, MAKINODAN, Yasuo, MIYOSHI, Masamitsu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: The Japan Society of Home Economics 1998
• Subjects: collagen; firmness; heating; muscle; squid; structure
• ISSN: 0913-5227; 1882-0352
• DOI: 10.11428/jhej1987.49.1089

Structural changes by heating in the mantle connective tissues of frozen-thawed long-finned squid (Loligo edulis), Japanese common squid (Todarodes pacificus), flying squid (Ommastrephes bartrami), cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), and arrow squid (Loligo bleekert) were observed by a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). TEM observation of the heated muscles showed the structure of muscle cells to be indistinct, with an amorphous structure appearing between adjacent cells. SEM observation after 10% NaOH maceration showed a clearly defined three-dimensional structure of the extracellular materials. The results of an amino acid analysis indicated the main component of the material to be collagen. SEM observation of the heated muscles after 10% NaOH maceration showed the thin collagen fibrils to be coagulated. TEM observation of the heated muscles after NaOH maceration indicated the connective tissues to be partially disintegrated. These results show that disintegration of the connective tissue by heating leads to tenderization of the squid mantle.