Summary:
Low field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance was used in comparison to yield and physicochemical measurements to assess the effects of salt and protein injection on the properties of saithe (Pollachius virens) fillets during chilled and frozen storage. Saithe fillets injected with various combinations of salt, homogenized fish proteins, gelatin and fish protein hydrolyzate, were compared to the properties of untreated fillets. Addition of salt or fish protein hydrolyzate resulted in increased yield after cooking and water holding capacity compared to other treatments. Transversal relaxation data fitting resulted in three water populations with relaxation times of 27–45 ms, 60–99 ms and 187–341 ms. Relaxation times and respective populations showed significant correlation to various physicochemical properties, that muscle water behavior was changed by salt and protein injection and indicated protein denaturation during frozen storage. Fish protein hydrolyzate injected fillets were most stable through storage, while gelatin injected fillets were most denatured during frozen storage.