Effects of cold atmospheric plasma on endogenous enzyme activity and muscle protein oxidation in Trachinotus ovatus

Food Chem. 2023 May 1:407:135119. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.135119. Epub 2022 Dec 2.

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the effects of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) technology on endogenous enzyme characteristics and muscle protein properties of the golden pomfret (Trachinotus ovatus) under different treatment power and time conditions. Results showed that the enzymatic activity of cathepsin B, L, and calpain in crude protease extracts (CPE) decreased significantly as the treatment power and treatment time of CAP increased (p < 0.05). Oxidative degradation of the CPE after exposure to CAP resulted in significant changes in the structure, total sulfhydryl, and carbonyl content of the CPE (p < 0.05). CAP of an appropriate intensity resulted in significant improvements in the color parameters, hydration properties, and textural property parameters of muscle proteins (p < 0.05). These results suggest that CAP, as a non-thermophysical modification technique, can inhibit the activity of endogenous enzymes as well as alter the protein function in food.

Keywords: Cold atmospheric plasma; Endogenous enzyme activity; Protein oxidation; Sensory characteristics; Trachinotus ovatus.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Fishes
  • Muscle Proteins*
  • Plasma Gases* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Muscle Proteins
  • Plasma Gases