Elucidation of High-pressure Processing Toward Microbial Inhibition, Physicochemical Properties, Collagen Fiber and Muscle Structure of Blood Clam Edible Portion

Impact of high-pressure processing (HP-P) on microbial inactivation, protein oxidation, collagen fiber, and muscle structure of the edible portion (EP) of blood clams (BC) was investigated. Aerobic plate count, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus, other Vibrio spp. and Shewanella algae counts were not detectable when HP-P pressure of ≥300 MPa was applied. Carbonyl, disulphide bond content, and surface hydrophobicity upsurged as HP-P with augmenting pressure was employed. Protein with ∼53 kDa appeared when HP-P at 100 and 200 MPa was implemented. Increased pressure enhanced gap formation and abnormal muscle cell structure arrangements. HP-P also affected connective tissue, causing size reduction and disruption of the collagen filament fibers. However, firmness and toughness of BC-EP with HP-P ≤ 300 MPa were comparable to those of the control. HP-P at 300 MPa was therefore appropriate for treatment of BC with maintained textural properties, while less protein oxidation, collagen fiber and muscle structure disruption occurred.