Studies On “Arai” Treatments In The Muscle of Tanner Crab

Abstract

Culinary “arai” was prepared by washing the muscles from the legs of live tanner crab in water at 0°C for 2 min, at 18°C for 1 min, and at 49°C for 20 s, respectively. Sensory panel members distinguished “arai” prepared at 49°C from the others, in addition to which they showed an overall preference for it. “Arai” prepared at 49°C was significantly opaque, elastic, and tasty. After “arai” treatments, ATP and arginine phosphate decreased and lactate increased in the muscle, especially in “arai” prepared at 49°C. This means that a rapid degradation of ATP, which was produced from arginine phosphate and glycolysis, occurred in the “arai” treatment at 49°C. In addition, it was observed that muscle fiber curved distinctly in optical microscopy of “arai” prepared at 49°C. The total amounts of free amino acids were lower in “arai” prepared at 49°C than in the others. The amounts of glucose, organic acids except lactate, and homarine did not differ among the three “arai” samples. However, a large amount of AMP was accumulated and GMP was detected in “arai” prepared at 49°C. These results suggested that AMP and GMP in “arai” prepared at 49°C contributed to its strong taste. The composition of extractive components in “arai” prepared at 49°C was similar to that of cooked tanner crab muscle. © 1992, The Japanese Society of Fisheries Science. All rights reserved.