Solubility and viscosity of herring (Clupea harengus) proteins as affected by freezing and frozen storage

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of freezing and frozen storage at -24 °C on the quality of Icelandic herring fillets, focusing on protein solubility and viscosity at pH 2.7 and 11 used for pH-aided protein isolation. The evaluation of quality was based on chemical analyses, protein degradation measurements, and changes in protein solubility and viscosity at pH 2.7 and 11 after up to 6-mo frozen storage of the herring fillets. Lipid oxidation measured as TBARS values increased significantly during the frozen storage (P < 0.05). Protein solubility at pH 2.7 decreased during frozen storage for 6 mo, where the solubility was about 10% lower after 6-mo frozen storage compared to the beginning (P < 0.05). At pH 11, the solubility became approximately 15% lower after 6-mo frozen storage compared to initial solubility (P < 0.05). Viscosity, measured at pH 2.7, increased after 3 mo of frozen storage (P < 0.05). At pH 11, the viscosity increased significantly after 1-wk frozen storage, compared to fresh herring fillets, but did not increase significantly with further storage (P < 0.05). Changes found in solubility and viscosity indicated protein degradation due to freezing and frozen storage. SDS-PAGE analysis did not reveal any protein cross-linking or aggregation formation, either with frozen storage or due to exposure to low pH.