The small reduction in hydrophobic interactions during the later stage of fermentation could be due to extensive formation of covalent bonds including disulphide bonds and non-disulphide covalent bonds, as indicated by the increasing proportion of fraction in S4 and the insoluble proteins. This suggested that covalent cross-linking played an important role in the development of gel texture during fermentation of silver carp mince. Numerous authors have reported the formation of disulphide bonds in heat or pressure-induced fish gels