PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a softening method for securely softening an animal material while retaining the shape, palate feeling and flavor and to provide a softened animal food material softened in a condition of retaining the shape, palate feeling and flavor by the softening method using an enzyme processing solvent.SOLUTION: The softening method includes softening by enzyme-treating an animal material composed of meat or fish and shellfish. In more details, the softening method includes supplying an enzyme processing solvent containing protein splitting enzyme and at least one thickener into the inside of the animal material by an infusion method, and making the protein splitting enzyme in the enzyme processing solvent react to the constituent component of the animal material so as to soften the animal food material.COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT【課題】動物性素材を、その形状、食感および風味を維持しつつ、確実に軟質化することができる軟質化方法、および、かかる酵素処理液を用いた軟質化方法により形状、食感および風味を維持した状態で軟質化された軟質化動物性食材を提供すること。【解決手段】本発明の軟質化方法は、食肉または魚介類からなる動物性素材を酵素処理することにより軟質化する軟質化方法であって、たん白質分解酵素と、少なくとも一種の増粘剤とを含有する酵素処理液を、注入法により前記動物性素材の内部に供給し、前記酵素処理液中の前記たん白質分解酵素を前記動物性素材の構成成分と反応させることにより、前記動物性素材を軟質化する。【選択図】なし
