Influence of extraction times on physical and functional properties of gelatin from salted jellyfish by-products

By-products of the marine industry have gained attention for producing valuable food ingredients like gelatin, which might benefit food applications and decrease food waste. Gelatin is the only protein-based food hydrocolloid, mainly used for gelling, viscosity, or emulsifying in the food industry. So far, a number of researchers have reported that by-products of salted jellyfish can produce jellyfish gelatin. The quality of jellyfish gelatin gel depends on several factors including hydrochloric acid pretreatment, extraction temperature, and extraction time. However, the functional properties such as foaming and emulsifying of jellyfish gelatin are not well understood. This research was aimed at investigating the hydrochloric acid pretreatment effect of extraction times (12, 24, and 48 h) at 60 °C on the resulting gelatin's yield, physical, and functional properties. Results showed that jellyfish gelatin's yield, gel strength, and viscosity significantly increased with increasing extraction times. Jellyfish gelatin yields were 2.74-14.07%. The gel strength of jellyfish gelatin extracted for 48 h (325.97±2.84 g) was higher than that of jellyfish gelatins extracted for 12 h (210.46±3.97 g) and 24 h (261.60±3.25 g). All jellyfish gelatins can form gels at 4 °C. Viscosity values of jellyfish gelatin were 23.00-24.50 centipoise. The foaming capacity and foaming stability of jellyfish gelatin were 12.28-17.54% and 10.52-15.78%, respectively. The emulsification activity index of jellyfish gelatin was 13.11-13.30 m2/g, and the emulsification stability index was 39.19-56.42%. As a result, varied gelatin extraction periods influenced jellyfish gelatin's physical and functional properties, indicating that the extended extraction time of 48 h delivered the jellyfish gelatin that can be used as a foaming and emulsifying agent. Therefore, turning the jellyfish by-products into food ingredients like gelatin would increase product values and potential uses in the food and medical applications