{Reference Type}: Journal Article {Title}: Mechanism study of the gel-forming ability of heat-induced gel from Peruvian hake (Merluccius gayi peruanus) surimi. {Author}: Shi Y;Geng JT;Yoshida Y;Jiang J;Osako K; {Journal}: Food Chem {Volume}: 413 {Issue}: 0 {Year}: Jul 2023 1 {Factor}: 9.231 {DOI}: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.135635 {Abstract}: The commercial value of Peruvian hake (Merluccius gayi peruanus) meat is low because of its soft texture. This study investigated the major factor contributing to the gel-forming ability of Peruvian hake surimi by comparing the effects of endogenous protease activity and parasitic infection. Heat-induced gels could not be obtained at 50 °C-90 °C. Surimi with severe parasitic infection showed a stronger gel-forming ability. The endogenous protease activities were the main factor influencing the Peruvian hake meat proteolysis and contributed to the low gel-forming ability, rather than parasitic infection. Specifically, endogenous cysteine proteases played an essential role in protein degradation and low gel-forming ability. Moreover, endogenous transglutaminase was also shown to be involved in the gel-forming ability upon heating at 40 °C. These results suggested that Peruvian hake meat could be used as a raw material of frozen surimi for fish gel by inhibiting the activity of endogenous proteases.