Evaluation of functional properties of offal proteins

Evaluation of functional properties of beef heart and lip tissue proteins was based on the data obtained in the following determinations: protein extractability, fat emulsifying capacity, emulsion stability, gel forming ability, and water holding capacity after heat treatment. Beef skeletal muscles were used as the control. It was found that extractability of proteins of the raw materials was low as well as their ability to stabilize emulsions was on a low level. Proteins soluble at high ionic strength (fraction HIS) of beef heart and lip tissue emulsified 80.7 ml and 68.9 ml of oil/100 mg of protein, respectively, as compared to 106.6 ml in the control group. Analogically, protein soluble at low ionic strength (fraction LIS) emulsified 77.9 ml, 61.2 ml and 100.4 ml of oil, respectively. Emulsion stability of offal proteins appeared to be dependent on ionic strength. Generally at higher concentrations of salt their ability to stabilize emulsions was better as well as their water holding capacity increased. Their gelation properties as compared to control were also low. In each case, the functionality of cardiac proteins proved to be better than that of beef lip tissue.