Evaluating the effects of nanoparticles combined ultrasonic-microwave thawing on water holding capacity, oxidation, and protein conformation in jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) mantles

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have a dual role in acting as magnetic and sonosensitizer agents, which can combine the synergistic effects of microwave and ultrasonic waves. To study the effects of MNPs combined ultrasonic-microwave thawing (NUMT) on the water holding capacity (WHC), oxidation of protein and lipid, and protein conformation, jumbo squid mantles were subjected to cold storage thawing (CST), MNPs combined ultrasonic thawing (NUT), MNPs combined microwave thawing (NMT) and NUMT. Results showed that NUMT treatment had a higher WHC, lower oxidation, effectively reduced myofibrillar protein aggregation and degradation, and stabilized the structure of the protein of the jumbo squid. The muscle fiber structure of NUMT treated jumbo squid mantles was dense, orderly with a smooth surface, and the fiber network gaps were small and uniformly distributed. This study shows that NUMT can ameliorate the thawing qualities of jumbo squid, and is an effectively thawing method.