Abstract:

In order to reveal the factors affecting the brittleness of crisp grass carp, the textural characteristics of crisp grass carp and its dorsal muscle were investigated at various moisture contents, fat contents, protein compositions, and the average muscle fiber size. The results indicate that  the hardness, springiness, chewiness and resilience of crisp carp grass are respectively 11.14% ,3.43%, 15.75 % and 14.27% higher than those of grass carp;  the special textural characteristics of crisp grass carp are due to its low moisture content, high matrix protein content, small average muscle fiber diameter, and high muscle fiber density, especially to the last two factors.

Key words: crisp grass carp, moisture, protein composition, muscle fiber, texture