Rheological and cryoprotective properties of ultrasound-assisted extracted ulvan from Ulva lactuca L. for frozen surimi applications
摘要
This study evaluated the potential of ulvan from Ulva lactuca L. as a cryoprotectant for frozen surimi, using a low-intensity ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) bath (40 kHz, 120 W) at 60–80 °C for 30–90 min. The effects of extraction conditions on the chemical composition, functional properties, and rheological behavior of ulvan were assessed. Optimal extraction at 80 °C for 90 min yielded ulvan with a recovery of 33.61%, a sulphate content of 17.93 g/100 g, a water-holding capacity (WHC) of 7.92 g water/g sample, a molecular weight of 6.64 kDa, and shear-thinning behavior with enhanced elasticity. The extracted ulvan was incorporated into gourami surimi at 1–3% and stored frozen for 1, 30, and 60 d. Addition of 2–3% ulvan preserved protein secondary structure (96.14–96.83%), maintained WHC above 80%, and improved surimi texture. Microstructural analysis showed a finer and more compact gel network, resulting in gel strength exceeding 700 g/cm², meeting the Indonesian National Standard (SNI 2694:2021). Ulvan at 2–3% exhibited cryoprotective effects superior to sucrose. This study is the first to apply ulvan extracted via low-intensity UAE as a cryoprotectant in surimi. These findings support ulvan as an alternative cryoprotectant for frozen protein-based products.