(−)-Epigallocatechin gallate protected molecular structure of collagen fibers in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus body wall during thermal treatment

During thermal tenderization of sea cucumber body wall, protein oxidation always happens which disrupts its structural integrity. In this study, we investigated the effects of (̶̶−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG, at 0, 5, 50, 125, 250 μg/mL) to protect the structure of heated collagen fibers (CFs) in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus body wall. Many disintegrated collagen fibrils and fibril bundles were observed in samples with no EGCG by...