Application of high pressure processing to improve the functional properties of pale, soft, and exudative (PSE)-like turkey meat

Improvement of functional and rheological properties of turkey breast meat proteins with different ultimate pHs at 24 h post-mortem (pH₂₄) was attempted using high pressure processing (up to 200 MPa for 5 min at 4 °C). Pressures of 50 and 100 MPa were found to increase the water holding capacity of low pH meat. At these pressures, higher protein surface hydrophobicity and greater exposure of sulfhydryl groups were evident. These elements may have contributed to improved water retention properties of the treated protein. The formation of a better gel network was also evident at 50 and 100 MPa as revealed by the dynamic viscoelastic behavior. Application of high pressure significantly (P < 0.05) increased total protein solubility in both low and normal pH meats. Aggregation of myofibrillar proteins increased in low pH meat at higher pressure (200 MPa) as revealed by SDS-PAGE profile.

Industrial relevance

A major concern in the poultry industry is reduced meat functionality, such as low water holding capacity (WHC) in low pH poultry meat leading to reduced yield causing economic loss in the production of further processed products. An alternative technology to reduce salt and improve water retention properties is by the application of high pressure processing (HPP) to produce healthier food products.