Microwave Cooking Properties of Ground Pork Patties as Affected by Various Fat Levels

ABSTRACT: Ground pork patties were processed from pork hams to achieve fat levels of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%. Each patty was cooked in a microwave oven to 75 °C from a thawed state. As fat levels increased, cooking time decreased. Total cooking loss and drip loss were highest for 25% fat patties and lowest for 5% fat patties. High-fat patties (20% and 25%) had greater reductions in dia than did 5% to 15% fat patties, but had less change in patty thickness. Shear force values decreased as fat levels increased. Visual evaluations also indicated a greater presence of air pockets in high-fat patties. In raw patties, low-fat samples were darker (had lower L * values) and were redder (had higher a * values) than patties with more fat. However, these differences were relatively smaller when the patties were cooked. As fat levels increased, flavor, tenderness, juiciness, and oiliness ratings increased. These differences were not as apparent when comparing among low-fat patties or high-fat patties. Keyword: microwave, cooking, fat, pork patty     

ADDITION OF CORN GLUTEN MEAL AND ZEIN TO GROUND PORK OF VARIOUS FAT PERCENTAGES1

Corn gluten meal and zein at levels of 0, 2.5 and 5% were added to ground pork of three fat percentages. Raw patties were analyzed for fat, moisture, protein contents and color. Selected patties, broiled to 77°C, were evaluated for proximate composition, total cooking loss, color and Instron compression. Five percent zein added to ground pork reduced cooking loss 4.2% when compared with ground pork without zein. Addition of corn gluten meal to pork did not influence yield. Instron compression values increased with the addition of zein and corn gluten meal. Increased fat altered the hue (increased hue angle due to increased b) of the interior of the cooked pork patties. Zein addition also increased the lightness of cooked pork patties. The addition of zein to ground pork patties decreased sensory tenderness and pork flavor intensity and increased off-flavor intensity.     

The storage stability and textural, physico-chemical and sensory quality of low-fat ground pork patties with Carrageenan as fat replacer

Low‐fat ground pork patties (<10% total fat) made with carrageenan added at either 0.25, 0.50 or 0.75% final concentration were processed and the compositional and sensory characteristics compared with control patties which contained 20% fat. The moisture content of raw and cooked low‐fat patties was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than control patties because of greater amounts of water added during formulation. Cooking yield, fat and moisture retention also improved significantly (P < 0.05) in low‐fat patties that had carrageenan incorporated when compared to a control product. The dimensions of the low‐fat patties were maintained better than those of the control product during cooking. The sensory attributes of low‐fat patties with 0.5% carrageenan were similar to those of the high‐fat control. The lipid profile revealed as much as a 47.7 or 44.1% decrease in total lipids and cholesterol content respectively, compared with the controls. The calorie content was reduced by 31.1% in low‐fat cooked patties compared with the controls. The texture profile of low‐fat patties that had been made with 0.5% carrageenan were similar to control patties with only a slight increase in hardness and gumminess in the low‐fat product. The low‐fat ground pork patties made in the present study remained stable without any appreciable loss of physico‐chemical, microbiological and organoleptic quality during refrigerated storage (4 ± 1 °C) for 21 and 35 days in aerobic and vacuum packaging respectively.     

EFFECTS of FAT-SUBSTITUTES, FAT LEVELS and COOKING METHODS ON the QUALITY of BEEF PATTIES

Ground beef patties containing 2fat levels (5%, 10%), and 3 fat-substitutes (Lean-Bind (LB), Rice-Complete 3 (RC), Sta-Slim 171 (ST)) were processed using 3 cooking methods (microwave, roasting and pan-frying). Patties containing 20% fat, without fat-substitutes, were processed as a control. Textural properties of cooked patties were evaluated using Kramer shear, puncture, and Texture Profile Analyses. Press-juice, cooking losses and color parameters were also measured. Patties containing ST or LB and 10% fat, cooked by pan-flying, were more tender and juicier than other treatments including control, and had higher product yield than the control. ST provided the lowest cooking losses and the highest press-juice due to strong gelation ability and water holding capacity of ST Fat level did not affect color lightness (L*) or redness (a*) of the patties. However, both fat-substitute and cooking method affected L*, a* and b* (yellowness). Pan frying improved press-juice and reduced cooking losses, thus increased product yield, and provided tender patties compared to microwaved and roasted patties.     

FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF SORGHUM FLOUR AS AN EXTENDER IN GROUND BEEF PATTIES 1

Patties were formulated with 20% fat ground beef and sorghum flour (SF) at 2, 4, and 6% levels (10, 20, and 30% as rehydrated 1:4 with water). Beef patties containing SF had higher pH, greater yield, less total cooking loss, less shrinkage in diameter, and less increase in thickness than those without SF. Water activity of cooked patties was not affected by addition of SF. Fat and water retentions of beef patties increased as the level of SF increased. Hunterlab a values (redness) for raw patties decreased as the level of SF increased, but a values for cooked patties were not influenced by level of SF. Shear force and compression of cooked patties decreased as the level of SF increased. Meat aroma and flavor decreased, but sorghum aroma and flavor of cooked patties increased as the level of SF increased. Tenderness of cooked patties increased as the level of SF increased, but juiciness of cooked patties was not affected.     

The characteristics of beef patties containing different levels of fat and oat flour

Three concentrations of oat flour (OF), 0, 2 and 4% (w/w), were added to beef patties which had either 5, 10 or 20% fat levels. Raw and cooked patties were analysed for protein, fat, moisture, ash and pH. Patties were further evaluated for cooking characteristics, colour parameters (L*, a*, b*) and sensory properties. Moisture content decreased in raw patties as a result of the addition of OF but OF increased the moisture content of cooked patties. OF addition did not change the protein, fat and ash contents of either raw or cooked patties. Increasing fat concentration decreased cooking yield. OF improved the cooking characteristics of patties. Reducing the fat significantly decreased the lightness values of patties. Patties with OF had slightly higher b* values than control treatments. Increasing fat level increased juiciness, flavour and texture scores and 4% OF increased the juiciness scores, OF had no effect on other sensory properties.     

Antioxidant properties of dried plum ingredients in raw and precooked pork sausage

ABSTRACT:  Raw pork sausages with no antioxidant (control), 3% or 6% dried plum puree (DP), 3% or 6% dried plum and apple puree (DPA), or 0.02% butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA/BHT) were (1) stored raw in chubs at 4 °C (RR) and evaluated weekly over 28 d, (2) cooked as patties, vacuum packaged, and stored at 4 °C (PR) for weekly evaluation over 28 d, or (3) cooked, vacuum packaged, and stored at –20 °C (PF) and evaluated monthly over 90 d. DP at 3% or 6% levels was as effective as BHA/BHT for retarding lipid oxidation in PR sausage patties. Likewise, DP at 3% was equally as effective in PF patties, but DP at 6% was even more effective (lower TBARS values) than BHA/BHT for retarding oxidative rancidity. All treatments decreased the fat and increased moisture content of raw sausages but only 6% DP reduced cooking yields. Inclusion of 6% DP decreased internal redness while both 6% DP and DPA increased yellowness of raw sausage. Trained panel sensory evaluations indicated that DP enhanced sweet taste, decreased salt and bitter tastes, and masked cooked pork/brothy, cooked pork fat, spicy/peppery, and sage flavors. In general, warmed-over flavor notes were not affected by storage treatments. Overall, pork sausage with 3% DP or DPA was as acceptable to consumers as the control or those patties with BHA/BHT, but patties with 6% of either plum product were less desirable. Inclusion of 3% DP was effective as a natural antioxidant for suppressing lipid oxidation in precooked pork sausage patties.     

ffect of Initial Fat Level and Cooking Method Cholesterol Content and Caloric Value of Ground Beef Patties

Ground beef patties were formulated to contain 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30% fat. The patties were either broiled or pan-fried for a predetermined time, then frozen. A sample from each treatment was thawed and reheated by a microwave oven and then refrozen. Fat, moisture, protein, ash, and cholesterol content, were determined for patties from each treatment. Cholesterol content of cooked patties was not related (P>0.05) to initial fat content. Caloric content of cooked patties was curvilinearly related to fat content of original (raw) patties due to the increased loss of fat during cooking as initial fat level increased.     

Lipid and colour stability of M. longissimus muscle from lambs fed camelina or linseed as oil or seeds

Reduced-fat pork patties produced with the addition of Laminaria japonica powder were evaluated for the chemical composition, cooking characteristics and sensory properties. Reduced-fat pork patties containing L. japonica powder had significantly higher moisture, ash, carbohydrate content, yellowness, and springiness than the control sample (P<0.05). Protein and fat contents, energy value, lightness, redness, cooking loss, reduction in diameter, reduction in thickness, hardness, gumminess, and chewiness of the regular-fat (20%) control samples were significantly higher than reduced-fat pork patties containing L. japonica (P<0.05). The sensory evaluations indicated that the greatest overall acceptability in reduced-fat pork patties was attained at a L. japonica concentration of 1 or 3%. Pork patties with fat contents reduced from 20% to 10% and supplemented with 1 or 3% L. japonica had improved quality characteristics that were similar to the control patties containing a fat content of 20%.     

Effect of cooking on the chemical composition of low-salt, low-fat Wakame/olive oil added beef patties with special reference to fatty acid content

Changes in chemical composition, with special reference to fatty acids, as affected by cooking, were studied in low-salt (0.5%)/low-fat patties (10%) with added Wakame (3%) and partial or total replacement of pork backfat with olive oil-in-water emulsion. The addition of Wakame and olive oil-in-water emulsion improved (P < 0.05) the binding properties and the cooking retention values of moisture, fat, fatty acids and ash, which were close to 100%. Partial and total replacement of animal fat with olive oil-in-water emulsion reduced (P < 0.05) saturated fatty acids (SFAs), while total replacement also reduced (P < 0.05) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs) contents. The fatty acid concentration in cooked patties was affected by product formulation. Unlike the case of all animal fat patties, when olive oil was added the cooking process increased (P < 0.05) SFAs, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and PUFA n-3 (linolenic acid) and n-6 (linoleic acid) contents. Cooked formulated patties with seaweed and partial or total replacement of pork backfat by oil-in-water emulsion and with seaweed added were less calorie-dense and had lower SFAs levels, while samples with olive oil had higher MUFAs levels.     

Process optimization and consumer acceptability of salted ground beef patties cooked and held hot in flavored marinade

Food safety is paramount for cooking hamburger. The center must reach 71 °C (or 68 °C for 15 s) to assure destruction of E. coli O157:H7 and other food pathogens. This is difficult to achieve during grilling or frying of thick burgers without overcooking the surface. Thus, the feasibility of partially or completely cooking frozen patties in liquid (93 °C water) together with hot holding in liquid was investigated. Initial studies demonstrated that compared to frying, liquid cooking decreased (P < 0.05) patty diameter (98 compared with 93 mm) and increased (P < 0.05) thickness (18.1 compared with 15.6 mm). Liquid cooked patties had greater weight loss (P < 0.05) immediately after cooking (29 compared with 21%), but reabsorbed moisture and were not different from fried patties after 1 h hot water holding (61 °C). Protein and fat content were not affected by cooking method. However, liquid cooked patties were rated lower (P < 0.05) than fried patties for appearance (5.7 compared with 7.5) and flavor (5.9 compared with 7.5). An 8-member focus group then evaluated methods to improve both appearance and flavor. Salted, grill-marked patties were preferred, and caramel coloring was needed in the marinade to obtain acceptable flavor and color during liquid cooking or hot holding. Patties with 0.75% salt that were grill-marked and then finish-cooked in hot marinade (0.75% salt, 0.3% caramel color) were rated acceptable (P < 0.05) by consumers for up to 4 h hot holding in marinade, with mean hedonic panel ratings > 7.0 (like moderately) for appearance, juiciness, flavor, and texture. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Grill-marked and marinade-cooked ground beef patties reached a safe internal cooking temperature without overcooking the surface. Burgers cooked using this method maintained high consumer acceptability right after cooking and for up to 4 h of hot holding. Consumers and foodservice operations could use this method without specialized equipment, and instead use inexpensive and common equipment such as a soup pot or a restaurant steam table. Use of marinades (salt/caramel color or others) in this cooking and holding method provides a nearly endless culinary flavoring opportunity.     

Functional properties of raw and cooked pork patties with added irradiated, freeze-dried green tea leaf extract powder during storage at 4 °C

Functional and sensory properties of raw and cooked pork patties with added irradiated freeze-dried green tea leaf extract powder were studied. Components of green tea were extracted by 70% ethanol, and the extract was irradiated to obtain a bright color. The irradiated green tea extract was freeze-dried and the powdered sample (0.1%) was added to the pork patties (Trt C). Pork patties without any ingredient (Trt A) and with nonirradiated, freeze-dried green tea extract powder (Trt B) were also prepared for comparison. Lipid oxidation, radical scavenging effect, color, and sensory properties of pork patties with treatments were analyzed at 5-day intervals for 15 days with storage at 4?°C. The lipid oxidation had a lower (P<0.05) and radical scavenging effect was greater (P<0.05) in the raw and cooked pork patties with added Trt B and Trt C, than those of Trt A (control). The pork patties with Trt B and Trt C had a higher Hunter color a*-value and less cooking loss than that of Trt A. Sensory panelists preferred the odor of the raw pork patties and color of the cooked pork patties of Trt C (P<0.05). Generally, no significant difference between Trt B and Trt C was found. Therefore, irradiated, freeze-dried green tea extract powder can be used for producing functionally-improved meat products.     

Effect of Cooking on Cholesterol Content of Patties Containing Different Amounts of Beef, Textured Soy Protein and Fat

Ground beef patties were prepared to contain 0, 10, 20 or 30% rehydrated textured soy protein (TSP) and 8, 16 or 27% fat. Patties were cooked from the frozen state on a rack in a preheated oven at 177°C to an endpoint internal temperature of 75°C. The cholesterol content of raw ground beef patties decreased as the amount of TSP increased and also decreased as the fat content decreased from 27 to 16 or 8%. At initial fat levels of 8 and 16%, there were no significant differences in cholesterol retention (per-patty basis) during cooking among patties with initial TSP (rehydrated) levels of 0, 10, 20 and 30%; at an initial fat level of 27%, however, patties containing TSP (10, 20 or 30%) retained substantially higher (P < 0.05) amounts of cholesterol when cooked than did those without TSP.     

Preserving pre-rigor meat functionality for beef patty production

Three methods were examined for preserving pre-rigor meat functionality in beef patties. Hot-boned semimembranosus muscles were processed as follows: (1) pre-rigor ground, salted, patties immediately cooked; (2) pre-rigor ground, salted and stored overnight; (3) pre-rigor injected with brine; and (4) post-rigor ground and salted. Raw patties contained 60% lean beef, 19.7% beef fat trim, 1.7% NaCl, 3.6% starch, and 15% water. Pre-rigor processing occurred at 3-3.5h postmortem. Patties made from pre-rigor ground meat had higher pH values; greater protein solubility; firmer, more cohesive, and chewier texture; and substantially lower cooking losses than the other treatments. Addition of salt was sufficient to reduce the rate and extent of glycolysis. Brine injection of intact pre-rigor muscles resulted in some preservation of the functional properties but not as pronounced as with salt addition to pre-rigor ground meat.     

OXIDATIVE STABILITY, COOKING YIELD AND TEXTURE OF PORK TREATED WITH A LOW-SODIUM SALT

The effect of a low-sodium salt mixture (LSSM) on the characteristics of cooked ground pork was investigated. LSSM, similar to NaCl, exhibited a minor but definite prooxidative effect in the system examined. The cooking yield of meat containing 1% LSSM was 69.8% compared to 74.3% for 1% NaCl. The cooking yields of samples with 2 and 3% LSSM were similar to those containing 2 and 3% of NaCl, respectively (p > 0.05). Maximum shear force values of samples containing 1% LSSM and 1% NaCl were similar. However, the maximum shear force values of meats treated with LSSM at 2 and 3% LSSM (19.1 and 24.8 kg) were lower (P < 0.05) than those containing 2 and 3% NaCl (21.9 and 27.0 kg). Addition of LSSM or NaCl to ground pork also enhanced the cooking yield and firmness over those containing no salt. The color characteristics of cooked pork remained generally unaffected by LSSM.     

Fat Level, High Temperature Cooking and Degree of Doneness Affect Sensory, Chemical and Physical Properties of Beef Patties

Ground beef patties containing either 4 or 20% fat were cooked by electric grill (G) alone or in combination with overhead broiler unit (BG) to be (visually) either medium or well-done. Patties with 20% fat had higher beef flavor intensity, juiciness and tenderness scores, lower Instron shear and compression values, and lower cooking yields than 4% fat patties. However, 4% fat patties cooked to medium, had similar sensory ratings to 20% fat patties cooked well-done. About 20% of patties cooked to medium did not reach recommended internal temperatures and holding times for food safety.     

Enhancement of the nutritional status of beef patties by adding flaxseed flour

Flaxseed flour was used as a functional ingredient in the production of beef patties. Beef patties were produced with five different formulations; the addition of 3%, 6%, 9%, 12% and 15% flaxseed flour. Control samples were formulated with 10% and 20% fat addition. Raw and cooked beef patties were analyzed for moisture, protein, fat, ash, pH, color parameters and fatty acid profiles. Beef patties were evaluated for cooking loss and sensory properties. Fat and ash content of raw patties increased, while moisture and protein content decreased with increased flaxseed flour. The same trend (except fat content) was also observed after cooking. The addition of flaxseed flour did not affect pH values of raw and cooked beef patties. The addition of flaxseed flour improved the cooking loss but, increased the energy value (as kcal/100 g). L and a values of raw beef patties containing flaxseed flour were close to controls with 10% fat. α-linolenic acid content of raw and cooked beef patties increased as the level of flaxseed flour increased. The PUFA/SFA ratio increased from 0.04 in the control with 10% fat to 0.62 in the raw beef patties with 15% flaxseed flour. The n-6/n-3 ratio decreased from 5.76 in the control with 10% fat to 0.36 in the raw beef patties with 15% flaxseed flour. The nutritional status of beef patties was enhanced with minimal composition and sensory changes with 3% or 6% flaxseed flour addition.     

THE INFLUENCE OF COOKING METHOD ON THE QUALITY OF PORK PATTIES

Pork patties were subjected to traditional frying, cooking in a microwave oven (microwaves  +  grill), hot air cooking in a cyclojet (Electrim JI-9101 RP, Taiwan) and cooking in a steam-convection (combi) oven (hot air  +  30% steam) (BECK FCV 4 EDS, BECK GmbH, Jagsthausen, Germany). Products cooked in the combi oven (BECK FCV 4 EDS) were characterized by the smallest cooking loss, the highest retention of water and the lowest content of fat compared to other samples. The content of hydroxymethylfurfural in fried and cyclojet-cooked patties was almost twofold higher than in microwave and combi oven-cooked samples. The intensity of lipid oxidation was also higher in fried and cyclojet-cooked meat than in the other two products. The intensity of meat flavor was the strongest in the combi oven-cooked patties. All products were characterized by a low intensity of fatty flavor. The highest scores for overall acceptability were given to the combi oven-cooked patties, whereas the lowest scores were given by the panelists to the microwave-cooked patties.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Pork patties are an important meat product both in catering production for direct consumption and in convenience food industry when intended for refrigerated or frozen storage. As cooking is a main stage in preparation of patties for consumption, it is essential to use a method of cooking that ensures the high nutritional and sensory quality of products. Most often, pork patties are subjected to deep frying or traditional frying; however, several other cooking methods can be used. The present work shows that the combi oven cooking enables production of patties of desirable nutritional and sensory characteristics and low content of unfavorable compounds.     

Inhibition of Lipid Oxidation in Meats by Inorganic Phosphate and Ascorbate Salts

The sodium salts of tripolyphosphate, tetrapyrophosphate, L-ascorbate monophosphate, and L-ascorbate polyphosphate at 0.3% and L-ascorbic acid and sodium L-ascorbate at 0.1% were added to ground turkey and ground beef. Sensory attributes and hexanal content were evaluated immediately after cooking and after 1 and 3 days storage (4°C). Percentages of moisture and fat and nonheme iron were determined. All samples containing a phosphate salt had more meaty flavor and less stale and rancid flavor and aroma and contained less hexanal after 3 days storage than samples with no additive. The addition of phosphate salts decreased cooking losses but did not affect fat content. Phosphate salts decreased nonheme iron in cooked turkey patties but not in beef patties. The taste panel detected a very slight soapy flavor in patties with the addition of any phosphate salt at 0.3%.