Effect of Freezing and Immersion in Agro-Product Homogenate Treatment on the Quality of Octopus (Octopus vulgaris)

Abstract

Effects of immersion in agro-products (kiwifruit, Japanese radish, Maitake mushroom and pineapple) homogenates and freezing on the qualities of raw octopus were investigated. Octopus muscle fibers observed under TEM were significantly destroyed after freezing at -20°C. Immersion of octopus in homogenates also destroyed octopus muscle fibers. The initial modulus of the octopus samples, as measured with creep meter, decreased significantly after immersion in homogenates of agro-products and freezing. However, the individual initial modulus of the samples did not show significant difference among each other. Taurine and glutamic acid concentrations were measured by HPLC and dabsylation method. The estimated taurine concentrations of the samples in all tested octopus were similar, while the glutamic acid concentrations in selected samples increased after the application of the immersion in agro-product homogenates and freeze-thawing treatment.