Gel Strength Increased in Low‐Grade Heat‐Set Surimi with Blended Phosphates

The gel strength of commercial surimi was increased by addition of phosphate blends. Further increases were obtained by complete replacement of sodium tripolyphosphate with blended phosphates. This increase in gel strength may allow a reduction in NaCl used to solubilize the surimi and partial replacement of sugars, used as cryoprotectants, by protein or cellulose gels. Phosphate blends also permit nonisothermal flow of surimi, allowing the application of extrusion machinery and processing techniques to produce final products at the site of surimi production.