KHALID HAMID MUSA, WAN AIDA WAN MUSTAPHA & AMINAH ABDULLAH
Abstract
Solar drying was used to produce powdered Threadfin bream (Nemipterus japonicas) surimi with high protein content and good functional properties. The protein content of surimi powder was higher than 70% and the carbohydrate was 17.2%. The density was found to be 0.84+0.02 g/ml. The lightness (L), redness (a), Yellowness (b) were 86.00+0.63, -0.12, +0.08, and 18.88+0.96 respectively. The dried surimi did not show the ability to form gel. The powder showed the ability to bind water in term of water holding capacity (WHC) that was 6.5 ml/g powders. Emulsion activity (EA) and stability (ES) were 65% and 45% respectively. The characterstics of the powder showed its ability to enriched food products. Solar drying can provide a lot of environmental and economical advantages because it does not emit pollutant, less expensive in the long run because their sources are recyclable and solar energy can reduce the use of conventional energy such as oil, gas and coal. Solar drying can be used to produce fish protein concentrate from surimi with high protein content and good functional properties.