Abstract
Light microscopy studies on the fish cracker gel and expanded product ('keropok') emphasised the role of fish proteins in the starch expansion process. The addition of salt (20 g kg-1) in the 'keropok' helped to distribute evenly the starch in the fish protein. Formation of thin fish muscle bundles assisted the expansion of 'keropok'. At 700-900 g kg-1 fish content, the fish muscle bundles formed a continuous network that caused a drop in the 'keropok' expansion. From the scanning electron microscopy study, ridges were found in samples (containing 600-900 g kg-1 fish content) with 20 g kg-1 salt at high magnification.