The effect of fructooligosaccharides on the sensory characteristics of cooked sausages

The effect of a short chain fructooligosaccharide on the sensory properties of conventional and reduced-fat cooked meat sausages has been studied in products in which a fat reduction of close to 40% was obtained. The fibre assayed was used in sufficient amounts to constitute between 2% and 12% of the final product. The energy value reduction of the final products was close to 35%. Instrumental measurements of colour and texture were performed. Sensory properties were estimated by a hedonic test. A correlation principal component analysis was performed. The results showed that the sensory and textural properties and the overall acceptability were very good, which indicated that this fibre can be considered a good fat replacer in meat products. Thus, with its addition, a reduced calorie product enriched with soluble dietetic fibre is obtained.     

Effects of fat replacement and fibre addition on the texture,sensory acceptance and structure of sucrose‐free chocolate

Dietary fibre has been employed as a sucrose and fat replacement in chocolates and can influence the physical and sensory characteristics of the resulting product. Formulations of sucrose‐free chocolates were developed with the addition of inulin and β‐glucan concentrate as partial substitutes for cocoa butter using a mixture design. The effects of the combinations of the three ingredients provided for the design on the texture, microstructure and sensory acceptance of the chocolates were investigated. The substitution of cocoa butter for inulin or β‐glucan concentrate decreased the hardness of the chocolates. It was possible to replace 10 g of cocoa butter in a 100‐g control formulation with inulin and still maintain good acceptance, while this same substitution with β‐glucan resulted in less acceptable chocolate, with a mean score of 6.4 on a scale from 0 to 10. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the effects of fibre addition by observing the developed microstructure.     

Effects of refrigeration,freezing and replacement of milk fat by inulin and whey protein concentrate on texture profile and sensory acceptance of synbiotic guava mousses

The effects of refrigeration, freezing and substitution of milk fat by inulin and whey protein concentrate (WPC) on the texture and sensory features of synbiotic guava mousses supplemented with the probiotic, Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5, and the prebiotic fibre oligofructose, were studied. The frozen storage (−18 ± 1 °C), followed by thawing at 4 °C before the analyses, and the complete replacement of the milk fat by inulin plus WPC, led to significant differences in the instrumental texture parameters of mousses (P < 0.05). Nonetheless, these changes did not affect the sensory acceptability of the products studied. The frozen storage may be employed to extend the shelf-life of synbiotic guava mousses. Additionally, to obtain a texture profile similar to the traditional product, the simultaneous addition of inulin and WPC is recommended only for the partial replacement of milk fat in refrigerated and frozen mousses, and the total proportion of both ingredients together should not exceed 2.6%.     

Utilization of cereal and fruit fibres in low fat dry fermented sausages

The effect of addition of cereal and fruit dietary fibres on the sensory properties of reduced-fat, dry fermented sausages was studied. Dry fermented sausages with 6 and 10% pork backfat were manufactured, with addition of cereal (wheat and oat) and fruit (peach, apple and orange) dietary fibres, at 1.5 and 3% concentrations. The energy value reduction of the final products was close to 35% and their final fibre contents, after ripening, were 2 and 4%, respectively. The ripening process was monitored by physico-chemical and microbiological analysis. Sensory properties were analyzed using triangular and hedonic tests and, a texture profile analysis was carried out. A correlation principal component analysis was performed. The results showed that the sensory and textural properties of batches with 3% dietary fibre were the worst, due to their hardness and cohesiveness. The best results were obtained with sausages containing 10% pork backfat and 1.5% fruit fibre especially those with orange fibre, which gave organoleptic characteristics similar to conventional high fat products. Thus, reduced fat sausages fortified with dietary fibre can be obtained with an acceptable sensory profile.     

Production of reduced‐fat Labneh cheese with inulin and β‐glucan fibre‐based fat replacer

The beneficial role of dietary fibre in human nutrition and effects of properties on fermented dairy products have led to a growing demand for the incorporation of novel fibre‐based fat replacers. The aim of the present work was to investigate the possibility of using inulin and oat‐based β‐glucan in Labneh cheese and to analyse the physico‐chemical, textural and sensory properties of the resulting product. The results showed that the textural and sensory properties of the cheese with addition of inulin increased at a 12% fat ratio. Overall, full‐fat and reduced‐fat Labneh cheeses were firmer and had better flavour than all the low‐fat cheeses. However, inulin and oat β‐glucan, as fermentable fibres, were also degraded as fermentable fibres to produce organic acids and had the potential for use as fat replacers in low‐fat dairy systems.     

Liver paté enriched with dietary fibre extracted from potato fibre as fat substitutes

This experiment included studies of the functionality of three new enzymatically extracted fibres as ingredients in pig liver paté prepared using reduced amounts of pig fat with dry potato pulp and a commercial potato fibre (Potex) as references. The measured quality characteristics included colour, flavour, and texture profile analysis. Dry potato pulp, Potex and two of the new enzymically extracted fibre 1 and 2 with high contents of cellulose and lignin resulted in very hard patties with a high level of deformation energy, gumminess, and modulus that had a detrimental effect on paté texture and flavour. The enzymatically extracted fibre 3 with a low content of cellulose and lignin and a high content of soluble non-starch polysaccharides (SNSP) resulted in patties with a very delicious texture and flavour and values of the measured texture characteristics determined by texture profile analysis. The colour of the patties processed using the enzymatically extracted fibre 3 were darker, more red and less yellow compared to patties processed using Potex, dry potato pulp and new fibre 1 and 2. Baking loss that varied from 9.2 to 11.3 g/100 g was the lowest for patties processed using the new extracted fibre 3. The content of total dietary plant fibre in liver patties varied from 4.0 to 6.2 g/100 g paté.     

Physicochemical and technological properties of beef burger as influenced by the addition of pea fibre

This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics and sensory attributes of beef burgers with the addition of pea fibre as a partial substitute of meat or fat. Three formulations were prepared: control (CON) – similar to the commercial formulation; fibre/less meat (FLM)—5% meat reduction and addition of 1% pea fibre; fibre/less fat (FLF)—7% fat reduction and addition of 1% pea fibre. Non-significant differences were obtained for pH, colour parameters (L* and b*), texture profile, cooking loss and size reduction among formulations. Moreover, sensory analysis with consumers of beef burgers did not indicate differences among the formulations for all the analysed attributes. Therefore, pea fibre is a promising partial replacer for meat and fat in beef burgers due to the preservation of technological parameters and sensory acceptance.     

Development of low-fat chicken bologna sausages enriched with inulin,oat fibre or psyllium

Growing demand for healthy meat products and the contemporary focus on the role of dietary fibre in nutrition have resulted in the development of reformulated meat products. This study investigated the enrichment of chicken bologna type sausages with 3% and 6% inulin, oat fibre or psyllium, while decreasing the fat content. Enrichment with 3% inulin or oat fibre was most suitable due to the comparable colour (a*: 10.96 vs. 10.16 for control, b*: 9.28 vs. 8.94 for control), texture parameters (adhesiveness: 0.26 N vs. 0.38 N for control, gumminess: 55.51N vs. 54.74 N for control, cohesiveness: 0.72 vs. 0.70 for control, hardness: 77.45 N vs. 78.03 N for control, springiness 0.94 vs. 0.93 for control, resilience: 0.39 vs. 0.37 for control, chewiness: 52.16 N vs. 50.93 N for control) and sensory properties to the control. Psyllium was less suitable regardless of the amount added to the bologna type chicken sausages. Enrichment with 6% dietary fibre had negative effects on the instrumental and sensory parameters. Sensory evaluation by consumers showed comparable acceptability for chicken bologna type sausages enriched with 3% inulin or oat fibre; however, sausages enriched with psyllium or 6% inulin or oat fibre were less acceptable.     

Inulin and maltodextrin can replace fat in baked savoury legume snacks

A baked yellow split pea cracker was developed with fat replacement (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) using inulin, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and maltodextrin. Effects of fat replacement on physical (water activity, moisture content, colour and hardness), nutritional properties and consumer acceptance (nine‐point hedonic rating) of snacks were investigated. Water activity (0.15–0.32) and moisture (1.28–3.16%) readings were consistent, and products were considered shelf stable. High levels of fat replacement (100%) were detrimental to snack colour and hardness. Snacks with 75% fat replacement using inulin and maltodextrin received similar mean overall acceptability scores (6.40 ± 1.36 and 6.26 ± 1.37, respectively) to the control and a similar commercial product. These snacks were eligible to claim that they were a ‘good source’ of protein (requirement; ≥10 g per serve) and an ‘excellent source’ of dietary fibre (requirement; ≥7 g per serve) while providing ‘reduced’ fat content (≤25% than reference food) based on the Australian Food Standards Code.     

Investigation of the potential for using inulin HPX as a fat replacer in yoghurt production

In this study yoghurts produced from full-fat milk (3.2%) and from low-fat milk (0.5%), with 0.7% and 2.7% added inulin, were compared. Inulin addition did not influence bacterial counts and acidity. Yoghurt from full-fat milk showed the highest values of apparent viscosity, followed by yoghurt with 2.7% of inulin. The sensory properties of the yoghurts differed mainly in terms of texture and taste. The highest scores were gained by yoghurt from full-fat milk, but yoghurt with 2.7% of inulin received only slightly lower scores. The results indicate that inulin has potential as a fat replacer in yoghurt.     

Evaluation of the effects of fat replacers on the quality of wheat bread

The performance of different fat replacers at various levels (Inulin powder, Inulin gel and Simplesse) in wheat bread and dough compared to a control containing block fat was examined. Empirical and fundamental rheological tests were carried out on the doughs. Volume yield, crumb texture, crust colour and crumb image characteristics were measured for the baked loaves. The addition of inulin gel was found to increase water absorption. Dough complex modulus for doughs containing fat was significantly lower (P<0.01) than the doughs containing the replacers. The addition of simplesse and inulin increased the complex modulus (P<0.01). Loaves containing the control fat and inulin gel had similar volume yields, significantly higher (P<0.01) than loaves containing simplesse or inulin powder. Inulin powder and simplesse had adverse effects on crumb hardness, producing slices significantly harder (P<0.01) than slices with the control fat or inulin gel. Overall it was found that breads containing the inulin gel were similar in quality characteristics to the control breads containing fat.     

Functionality of inulin and polydextrose as sucrose replacers in sugar‐free dark chocolate manufacture – effect of fat content and bulk mixture concentration on rheological,mechanical and melting properties

Inulin and polydextrose are key bulk sugar replacers and have been utilised extensively as functional ingredients due to their fibre and prebiotic claims. This study investigated effects of fat content and bulk mixture concentrations of inulin and polydextrose on rheological properties, mechanical and melting characteristics of sugar‐free dark chocolates sweetened with steviol glycosides. Sucrose was replaced with polydextrose and inulin (0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, 100:0) at different fat contents (27%, 30% and 33%). Reducing fat content from 33% to 27% had similar effects on the sugar‐free dark chocolates as it did on reference chocolate. Increasing inulin concentrations with simultaneous reduction in polydextrose resulted in consistent increases in Casson plastic viscosity and decreases in Casson yield stress regardless of the fat content. These were explained by microstructural examination of the sugar replacers, which revealed wide variations in network structure. Understanding these factors would help reduce energy load from fat in sugar‐free chocolate confectionery.     

Modelling the influence of inulin as a fat substitute in comminuted meat products on their physico-chemical characteristics and eating quality using a mixture design approach

The effects of fat substitution using two commercial inulin products on the physico-chemical properties and eating quality of a comminuted meat product (breakfast sausage) were modelled using a specialised response surface experiment specially developed for mixtures. 17 treatments were assigned representing a different substitution level for fat with inulin. Sausages were formulated to contain pork shoulder, back fat/inulin, water, rusk and seasoning (44.3, 18.7, 27.5, 7 and 2.5% w/w). Composition, sensory, instrumental texture and colour characteristics were assessed. Fructan analysis showed that inulin was unaffected by heat or processing treatments. Models showed increasing inulin inclusions decreased cook loss (p < 0.0017) and improved emulsion stability (p < 0.0001) but also resulted in greater textural and eating quality modification of sausages. Hardness values increased (p < 0.0001) with increasing inulin concentration, with panellists also scoring products containing inulin as less tender (p < 0.0112). Optimisation predicted two acceptable sausage formulations with significantly lower fat levels than the control, which would contain sufficient inulin to deliver a prebiotic health effect.     

HPMC and inulin as fat replacers in biscuits: Sensory and instrumental evaluation

Because a high fat content in foods is associated with health disorders, consumers demand low fat products, but without any loss of their texture quality. The instrumental texture and sensory properties of biscuits in which 15 and 30 g/100 g of the fat has been replaced by two different carbohydrate-based fat replacers (inulin and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) were studied. The instrumental texture measurements showed that inulin and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) biscuits were harder and the sound emissions were higher than for the control biscuits. The trained sensory panel rated the biscuit with 15 percent fat replacement by inulin as crisper than the control. The consumer study revealed that fat replacement up to 15 g/100 g with inulin or HPMC provided acceptable biscuits, but higher replacement decreased the overall acceptability.     

The influence of inulin addition on the morphological and structural properties of durum wheat pasta

The effect of the addition of different concentration of inulin fibre to durum wheat pasta was evaluated in terms of structure, texture and morphological characteristics. Inulin fibre fraction was incorporated into pasta at 5%, 10% and 15% inclusion rates. Changes to pasta quality were observed with inulin fibre fraction addition by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy methods. Investigation of pasta microstructure indicate a lowering in crystallinity increasing the inulin content and characterisation of starch gelatinisation events indicated that a combination of changes to the starch–protein matrix and the high water-binding capacity of inulin alters the physico-chemical properties and then the digestibility of the pastas.     

Changes in sensory properties and consumer acceptance of reduced fat pork Lyon-style and liver sausages containing inulin and citrus fiber as fat replacers

The effects of fat reduction in Lyon-style (25% fat) and liver sausages (30% fat) using inulin, citrus fiber and partially rice starch were studied in terms of sensory properties and consumer acceptance. Fat reduced Lyon-style sausages (3 to 17% fat) and liver sausages (3 to 20% fat) were respectively compared to the full-fat controls. Reducing fat in Lyon-style sausages decreased meat flavor, aftertaste meat flavor, greasiness and juiciness, and enhanced color intensity, spiciness, spicy aftertaste, raspy throat, coarseness and firmness scores. But adding inulin and citrus fiber led to sensory characteristics similar to the full-fat reference. Regarding liver sausages, attribute scores in greasiness, creaminess, lumpiness and foamy were decreased with fat reduction and simultaneous addition of fibers. Color intensity, spiciness, firmness and attribute furred tongue were increased. Consumer tests revealed acceptable fat reduced (32 to 90% less than control) and fiber enriched (1.0 to 5.6%) sausages. Drivers of liking were found to relate not only to high-fat but also to low-fat samples.     

Effects of oat fibre and carrageenan on the texture of frankfurters formulated with low and high fat

 The effects of fat level (5, 12 and 30%), carrageenan and oat fibre on the texture of frankfurters were evaluated using mechanical properties and sensory (taste panel) methods. Textural profile analysis (TPA) indicated that fat reduction decreased hardness, adhesiveness, gumminess and chewiness. In contrast, springiness increased when the fat content was reduced from 30% to 5%. No relationships between fat content and either Warner-Bratzler or Kramer shear parameters were found. Carrageenan and oat fibre differed in their effects on TPA values but the latter was more effective at improving texture. Taste panellists did not detect any differences in hardness, springiness or gumminess when fat was reduced from 30% to 5%, although increases in cohesiveness, chewiness, moisture release and lumpiness were observed. Overall acceptability of the texture decreased as the fat level was reduced. Carrageenan and oat fibre improved the acceptability of the 12% fat frankfurters, but neither ingredient offset the detrimental effects on acceptability of the texture when fat was reduced to 5%. The results demonstrate that carrageenan and oat fibre can partially offset some of the textural changes (juiciness, cohesiveness, lumpiness) which occur in low-fat frankfurters when added water replaces fat and the protein level remains constant. Received: 10 May 1999 / Revised version: 9 August 1999