Bakagai (Mactra sulcataria REEVE), which is the raw material for Himegai, was kept in cold storage (5°C) or stocked in the state of freezing (-20°C), and then the products made of raw materials, which were differently stored as above mentioned, were investigated with respect to those food qualities.
The Himegai which was made of the raw material kept in cold storage was of almost the same quality as that made of the fresh raw material, its taste and form being good, but in the case of the Himegai made of the frozen raw material the quality was markedly inferior.
The insoluble protein content in the Himegai made of the frozen raw material was higher than that in the Himegai made of the fresh raw material.
When the shellfish was kept in cold storage or stocked in the state of freezing, the activity of protease contained in its muscle became lower, but continued to be considerable. Therefore the taste was good even in the case of the Himegai made of the stored raw materials.
When the shellfish was frozen in the natural state with the shell on, the tissue broke and then the cell fluid flowed out and the extrapallial fluid permeated the tissue. As a result, potassium decreassed and sodium and chlorine increased in the tissue, so that the taste was very salty in the case of the Himegai made of this raw material.
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