Walnut, microbial transglutaminase and chilling storage time effects on salt-free beef batter characteristics

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to assess the effect of walnut content (W), microbial transglutaminase/sodium caseinate (MTG/C) content and storage time (ST) at 3 °C on water- and fat-binding properties, texture profile analysis and dynamic rheological characteristics of salt-free beef batters. Walnut addition favoured the binding properties and elastic modulus (G′) of raw meat batters (20 °C); however, increasing amounts of walnut caused G′ to decrease at 70 °C. MTG/C had no effect on binding properties, but it did cause increases in the hardness of cooked meat batters and in the rheological properties of both raw and cooked samples. The products formulated with MTG/C and stored for up to 11 days at 3 °C presented good gel-forming ability; however, binding properties were poor, so that other ingredients like walnut were needed to improve the binding properties of the products.     

Effect of high‐pressure treatments on mechanical and functional properties of restructured products from arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias)

Restructured fish products from arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias), an abundant and subutilized species from the Gulf of Alaska, were obtained by hydrostatic pressure processing (HPP) at 400 and 600 MPa with 0–5 min pressure‐holding time. Minced fish meat was massaged with 20 g kg^?1 salt at 10 °C during 5 min, stuffed in commercial sausage case and HPP‐treated. Raw and cooked (90 °C for 15 min) pressure‐treated gels were characterized by changes in mechanical properties (texture profile analysis and punch test), protein solubility, electrophoretic profile, expressible water and color. The mechanical properties of raw fish gels increased with pressure level and pressure‐holding time while solubility decreased. Myosin aggregation shown by SDS‐PAGE was associated with changes in mechanical and functional properties. The values for mechanical properties of heat‐induced gels were higher in cooked pressure‐treated samples than in the heat‐only control. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Assessment of different dietary fibers (tomato fiber, beet root fiber, and inulin) for the manufacture of chopped cooked chicken products

Three dietary fibers (tomato fiber [TF], beet root fiber [BRF], and inulin) at 3 levels of addition (1%, 2%, and 3%) were assessed for the manufacture of chopped, cooked chicken products and compared with a control product without fiber added. The effect of fiber incorporation on (i) batters, (ii) cooked (30 min at 70 °C), and (iii) cooked and stored (for 10 d at 4 °C) chicken products were studied. The addition of the fiber to chicken meat products reduced the pH of chicken batters in proportional to the level of fiber addition. Fiber incorporation increased water-holding capacity but only the addition of TF reduced cook losses. The color of batters and cooked products was significantly modified by the type and level of fiber added. These changes were more noticeable when TF was added. Texture parameters were affected by the incorporation of TF and BRF; they increased the hardness in proportional to the level of addition. The addition of tomato and BRF to chicken meat products reduced lipid oxidation processes. These changes were dependent on the level of fiber added. The reduction of lipid oxidation processes was more marked in TF meat products than in products with other types of fibers. In contrast, the addition level of inulin increased TBA-RS numbers in chicken meat products. Although the addition of TF increased the redness of the meat products, the use of this fiber was more suitable as it reduced the extent of lipid oxidation processes. INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION: Nowadays, the reduction of fat and the increase of fiber content in meat products is one of the main goals of meat industry. Numerous sources of fiber can be added to the meat products; however, before that it is necessary to study their technological effect on raw and cooked meat products in order to evaluate their suitability for meat products manufacture. In addition, some of them could have beneficial effect on meat products conservation that could also increase their shelf life.     

Effect of Gradual Heating and Fat/Oil Type on Fat Stability,Texture, Color,and Microstructure of Meat Batters

The effects of endpoint cooking temperature (40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 °C) on emulsion stability, texture, color, and microstructure of meat batters prepared with different fats/oils were studied. Canola oil treatments showed the highest cooking loss whereas hydrogenated palm oil provided the most stable meat batters. Rendered beef fat was less stable than regular beef fat. Increasing endpoint cooking temperatures resulted in a progressive reduction of water holding capacity in all treatments. As temperature was raised, meat batters showed higher hardness and cohesiveness values, but no appreciable changes in cohesiveness above 60 °C. Canola and hydrogenated palm oil treatments showed the highest hardness and chewiness values. Lightness (L^*) values of all meat batters increased significantly with increasing temperature from 40 to 60 or 70 °C; no major changes observed above 70 °C. Light microscopy revealed no substantial changes in the microstructure of all the stable meat batters cooked to between 50 and 70 °C. Heating to 90 °C changed the microstructure in all meat batters except the hydrogenated palm oil treatments, which still showed nonround fat particles and a less aggregated protein matrix.     

Interaction of Reduced NaCl, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate and pH on the Antimicrobial Activity of Comminuted Meat Products

Meat (beef-pork) batters were formulated with NaCl (2.3% and 4.1% brine) and with 0.5% sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP) in combination with 2.3% brine. The adjusted pH of raw batters resulted in cooked meat pH values of 5.7, 6.0, and 6.3. Inoculated (Clostridium sporogenes spores) and uninoculated batters in cans were cooked to 70°C and stored for abuse at 27°C. Microbial growth was delayed and the short shelf-life of low brine (2.3%) products was extended with SAPP in the formulation. The antimicrobial properties of treatments with SAPP were due to both declining pH and presence of phosphate in the formulation. Potential mechanisms of microbial inhibition by SAPP are discussed.     

低场核磁共振研究高压处理对乳化肠特性的影响

以低温乳化肠为材料,对0.1 ～ 400 MPa 压力处理组肉糜进行扫描电镜观察和低场核磁共振检测,评估加热后的感官特性,并进行相关性分析,从显微结构和水分子弛豫特性变化角度揭示高压处理对乳化肠感官特性改善的原因。结果表明：与对照组相比,压力从100 MPa 增大到200 MPa,感官特性得分增加,而200 MPa 到400 MPa得分减小（P ＜ 0.05）;扫描电镜结果显示各组肉糜显微结构存在明显差异;T2 弛豫结果显示,实验组T21 峰面积大于对照组而T22 峰面积小于对照组（P ＜ 0.05）,T21 弛豫时间在压力从100 MPa 增大到200 MPa 过程中升高,而在200 MPa 到400 MPa 降低（P ＜ 0.05）;相关性分析表明,感官特性各指标与T21 弛豫时间及其峰面积正相关,与T22 峰面积负相关（P ＜ 0.05）。因此,高压处理使自由水部分转化为不易流动水,并影响不易流动水与肉糜蛋白的结合程度,而转化比例和结合程度的强弱又会显著影响肉糜微结构及其加热后的感官特性。     

Rheological and Stability Transitions in Meat Batters Containing Soy Protein Concentrate and Vital Wheat Gluten

Physical/rheological properties of meat batters during heat-processing were studied. Vital wheat gluten (VWG) and soy protein concentrate (SPC) were incorporated into meat batters which were heated to 40, 50, 60 and 70°C and held for 0, 30 and 60 min. Amounts of fat and aqueous fluid released during heating were determined. A two-cycle compression test and shear modulus determination were used to evaluate rheological changes. VWG and SPC did not have any significant effect on either stability or textural changes. There was a significant interaction between temperature and time for stability and textural characteristics. Significant changes in rheological and stability properties of meat batters occurred in the 50–70°C region. Shear modulus showed a major increase at 54–57°C.     

Characteristics of low-fat meat emulsion systems with pork fat replaced by vegetable oils and rice bran fiber

The effects of vegetable oils prepared from olive, corn, soybean, canola, or grape seed, and rice bran fiber on the composition and rheological properties of meat batters were studied. Pork fat at 30% in the control was partially replaced by one of the vegetable oils at 10% in addition to reducing the pork fat to 10%. The chemical composition, cooking characteristics, texture properties, and viscosity of low-fat meat batters were analyzed. The moisture, protein, ash content, uncooked and cooked pH values, b^∗-value, hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, and viscosity of meat batters with vegetable oil and rice bran fiber were all higher than the control. In addition, batters supplemented with vegetable oil and rice bran fiber had lower cooking loss and better emulsion stability. Low-fat meat batters with reduced pork fat content (10%) and 10% vegetable oil plus rice bran fiber had improved characteristics relative to the regular fat control.     

Protein-Protein Interaction and Fat and Water Binding in Comminuted Flesh Products

The possible role of protein-protein interaction in influencing the water and fat binding capacity of comminuted flesh products was studied. Water and fat binding by meat batters diminish when temperatures exceed 16°C during comminution. The loss of binding capacity was partially reversible, and cooling the batters to 0°C by addition of dry ice and rechopping allowed a partial recovery of the fat and water binding capacity. A cause and effect relationship between the change in fat and water binding by meat batters on chopping and protein-protein interaction in actomyosin solutions was demonstrated. Protein-protein interaction results in molecular aggregation and when measured as an increase in light scattering absorbance at 320 nm by a protein solution, the reaction was shown to be reversible between 4 and 30°C. When actomyosin solutions extracted from meat samples showed reduced protein-protein interaction in the temperature range used in chopping, the batters made from these meats also showed the least loss in fat and water binding capacity with prolonged chopping. Controlling temperatures during chopping within a range where protein-protein interaction in actomyosin solutions was found to be minimal, allowed prolonged chopping without loss in fat and water binding.     

Effect of high pressure processing on heat-induced gelling capacity of blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) meat

There has been increasing use of High pressure processing (HPP) in the fishery industry since this technology facilitates shellfish shucking. Nevertheless, there is limited information about the effect of HPP on protein functional properties of some shellfish. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 100, 300 and 600 MPa/5 min on the gelling capacity of heat-induced (40 °C/30 min + 90 °C/20 min) blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) meat. HPP treatment resulted in crab meat gels with a lighter and reddish colour as compared to the control. HPP at 600 MPa induced the formation of high molecular aggregates from the denaturation-aggregation of myosin heavy chain. Pressurization at 100 MPa promoted the shift of α-helix structures to β-sheet and β-turn as compared with the other pressure levels. TPA values were higher in gels made at 100 MPa than at 300 or 600 MPa. Low pressure levels, then, increased the heat-induced gelling capacity of crab meat, improving the texture through modification of its protein structure.Industrial relevanceHigh pressure processing (HPP) technology has been successfully applied to several seafood products, both for processing and storage. However, in the case of blue crab meat it is important to study the effect of HPP on protein functional properties such as gelling capacity in order to optimize processing parameters for the preparation of high-quality restructured products. This paper reports the development of a HPP process (100, 300 and 600 MPa/5 min 40 °C/30 min + 90 °C/20 min) prior to thermal gelling for the preparation of crab meat gels. The application of 600 MPa produced considerable protein aggregation of gels, whereas with pressures below 300 MPa protein functionality can be modified to produce crab meat gels with adequate brightness, TPA values and a fresh, high-quality appearance. These results could provide a basis for further pressurization applications in the crab industry to create new seafood product analogues based on this kind of crab meat.     

Combination treatment of high-pressure and CaCl2 for the reduction of sodium content in chicken meat batters: effects on physicochemical properties and sensory characteristics

A combination of high-pressure processing (HPP, 200 MPa, 10 min) and CaCl₂ (0.2%, w/w) on the cooking loss (CL), expressible moisture (EM), textural properties (hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness and firmness) and sensory attributes of reduced-sodium (1.25% NaCl) chicken meat batters (RCMB) was investigated. The results revealed that combining HPP with CaCl₂ significantly decreased EM, elevated sensory properties and acted synergistically in reducing CL and improving hardness, chewiness and firmness, which enabled RCMB to obtain quality characteristics similar to those with high salt (2.5% NaCl) content. These changes brought about by combined HPP and CaCl₂ could be attributed to increased apparent viscosity and proportion of immobilised water, enhanced rheological (elastic) properties and a denser, homogeneous protein gel network with evenly dispersed small fat globules. It is interesting to take advantage of the synergy between moderate HPP and low concentrations of CaCl₂ to develop meat products with reduced sodium content.     

Physicochemical and sensory characteristics of restructured beef steak with added walnuts

The effects of different proportions (0, 5, 10, 15%) of added walnuts on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of restructured beef steak were evaluated. The addition of 10 and 15% walnut reduced (P<0.05) cooking loss. Increasing proportions of walnut in the beef steak increased (P<0.05) water binding and reduced (P<0.05) fat binding properties. The addition of walnut did not affect (P>0.05) textural properties in uncooked restructured beef steak, but in cooked products Kramer shear force and bind strength were reduced (P<0.05) when 10% or more of walnut was added. Product morphology characteristics suggest that walnut interferes with the formation of protein network structures. Restructured steaks made with added walnut presented acceptable sensory properties. Incorporation of nuts in meat products can be use to confer potential heart-healthy benefits (Spanish Patent Application 200300367).     

Effect of post-slaughter processing and freezing on the functionality of hot-boned meat from young bull

The effects of variation in the times of mincing post mortem (2, 4, or 6 h), pre-rigor salting (1.5% wt wt ) and freezing rate [fast (10 min, liquid nitrogen); medium (4-6 h at -40 °C and 0.8 m s(-1) air velocity); or slow (36-38 h at -10 °C and 0.1 m s(-1) air velocity followed by 12 h at -20 °C and 0.1 m s(-1) air velocity)] on the functionality of young bull meat were examined using hot-boned forequarters. At 52 h post packaging, the meat was thawed (72 h at 4 °C), its pH measured, and it was used to make finely comminuted batters. Cook yield and stress and strain of the cooked batters were measured. Time of mincing had no effect on meat pH, cook yield or stress and strain. There was a significant interaction (P < 0.05) between pre-rigor salting and freezing rate for pH. Freezing rate did not affect the pH of pre-rigor salted meat whereas the pH of unsalted pre-rigor meat was highest at the fastest freezing rate. Meat salted pre-rigor had a significantly (P < 0.05) higher pH than the post-rigor chilled control. Pre-rigor salting decreased the stress values of cooked batter whereas the slowest freezing rate increased stress. Stress and strain values for cooked batters from thawed meat were not significantly different from the values for batters made from the unfrozen control. Cook yields of batters made from pre-rigor frozen meat were higher than that of the postrigor control but not significantly so. The results indicate that suppliers can use pre-rigor salted and frozen meat when manufacturing comminuted products without major detrimental effects on the cook yield and texture of the finished product.     

Characteristics of meat batters with added native and preheated defatted walnut

Effects of incorporation of native and preheated defatted walnut on the physicochemical, emulsifying and rheological properties of meat batters, as affected by final heating temperature were investigated. Replacing meat protein with native defatted walnut in meat product formulations reduced (P < 0.05) gel strength and emulsifying properties and hence the firmness and stability of meat batters but enhanced water- and fat-binding properties and hence the yield of a processed meat product. However, incorporation of preheated defatted walnut, in addition to improving (P < 0.05) water- and fat-binding properties during thermal treatment, improved the gelling ability of myofibrillar proteins, probably because the preheating of the defatted walnut promoted interactions between walnut proteins and muscle proteins.     

Use of high pressure to reduce cook loss and improve texture of low-salt beef sausage batters

Methods were investigated to reduce the salt content of beef-containing smallgoods as high-salt intake has been identified as a public health risk for most individuals. Raw meat batters were manufactured from retail beef mince (4–7% fat) using various NaCl concentrations (0–2%), and were packed into casings and subjected to high pressure processing (up to 400 MPa for 2 min at 10 °C). Following pressure treatment, samples were cooked to an internal temperature of 72 °C and cooled. Cooked products were assessed for cooking loss, colour and physical consistency by texture profile analysis. Flavour and overall acceptability were assessed by sensory panels. High pressure processing (HPP) was found to produce a dramatic improvement in the moisture retention of the cooked products. Control (unpressurised) sausages containing 2% NaCl had a similar cook loss (9.3%) to pressure-treated sausages containing just 1% NaCl, whereas unpressurised samples with 1% NaCl had a cook loss of 24.9%. The hardness and gumminess of pressure-treated samples was higher compared to untreated samples, at all salt concentrations. The greatest differences in texture with pressure treatment were seen in the 1% NaCl samples. Pressure treatment generally caused no changes in the colour of either the raw or cooked product; however there was a slight increase in “whiteness” with pressure treatment. Sensory panels reported a greater acceptability in both appearance and texture of pressure-treated sausages of lower salt content compared with non-pressure-treated samples. Examination of extracted proteins using SDS-PAGE and of muscle proteins by thermal analysis indicated that pressure contributed to enhanced binding through protein solubilisation and gelation through partial protein unfolding. The application of high pressure to beef sausages with low-salt content resulted in reduced cooking losses and improved texture.

Industrial relevance

Enhanced meat binding through extraction of salt-soluble proteins is an essential step in the formulation of meat products such as sausages and emulsion-type products. The ability to reduce salt and achieve high binding and water retention through use of HPP is important in being able to produce healthier foods.     

Effects of high pressure processing on protein fractions of blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) meat

The studies about the effect of high pressure processing (HPP) on the myofibrillar proteins of crab meat are scarce in the literature. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of high pressure processing (HPP) at 100, 300 and 600 MPa (10 °C/5 min) on the muscular protein fractions of blue crab meat (Callinectes sapidus) and compares the effect of high pressure treatments and the thermal cooking process on the yielding of crab meat. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis of raw crab meat showed two peaks at 48.18 and 76.76 °C corresponding to myosin and actin denaturation. The increasing in the pressure level resulted in a decrease in denaturation enthalpy of both proteins. Data from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated changes in the secondary protein structures in which a reduction in α-helix and an increase in β-turn were observed as a result of denaturation induced by HPP. Electrophoresis analysis (SDS-PAGE) showed myofibrillar protein denaturation as the pressure level increased. The HPP at 100 and 300 MPa resulted in a significant increase in the yielding of meat extracted when compared to the thermal treatment (90 °C/20 min). Higher sensory scores were obtained in 300 and 600 MPa suggesting higher acceptance. Results suggest the feasibility of applying HPP as an alternative to the thermal treatment to process crab meat.Industrial relevanceHigh pressure processing (HPP) technology has been successfully applied to several seafood products. However, it is important to study the effect of HPP on the food components, mainly proteins in the crab meat to optimize the processing parameters to get high-quality products. In the present study, the benefit of using HPP as an alternative to the commercial thermal processing for extraction of crab meat has been confirmed. Applying 600 MPa (10 °C/5 min) to the whole blue crab resulted in a higher yield of extracted crab meat compared with the other treatments. However, using a range of 100–300 MPa (10 °C/5 min) also increases the yielding of extracted crab meat when compared to the thermal process, and moreover, the extraction procedure is faster. The quality and the functional properties of the crab meat with fresh appearance is preserved after the treatment at 100 MPa. These results could promote subsequent applications of pressurized crab meat in the crab industry, especially with the HPP treatments in a range between 100 and 300 MPa.     

Effect of Heating Rate on Meat Batter Stability, Texture and Gelation

The effects of four heating rates (0.31, 0.51, 1.22, and 1.62°C/min) on the gelation, stability and texture of meat batters containing 2.5 and 1.25% salt were studied. In general, slower heating rates resulted in higher modulus of rigidity (G) values, and salt reduction resulted in lower G values. All the low salt treatments, except the 1.62°C/min treatment, showed a structural breakdown (above 67°C) when the scanning rigidity monitor was used. However, in the texture profile analysis (samples cooked to 50, 60 and 70°C) no structural breakdown was observed. Therefore, special care should be given to interpreting gelation profile results.     

Influence of Sodium Tripolyphosphate on the Binding and Antimicrobial Properties of Reduced NaCl-Comminuted Meat Products

The binding and antimicrobial properties of comminuted meat products were evaluated at varying levels of NaCl and of sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP). The meat batters were inoculated with Clostridium sporogenes spores (10/g) either before (cans) or after (vacuum packages) thermal (70°C) processing. Product binding was inferior when the NaCl level was reduced to 1.1% (50% reduction). STPP increased pH by 0.17-0.23 units and restored binding of low NaCl products. During storage (20°C) microbial growth and product spoilage were more rapid with decreasing brine level, irrespective of presence or absence of STPP.     

Contribution of High‐Pressure‐Induced Protein Modifications to the Microenvironment and Functional Properties of Rabbit Meat Sausages

Rabbit meat batters were subjected to high pressure (HP, 100 to 300 MPa for 3, 9, or 15 min) to elucidate their effects on proteins structures, the microenvironment, and the resulting functionalities of the subsequently heated products. To determine these effects, we investigated structural and microenvironmental changes using Raman spectroscopy and also expressible moisture content, textural characteristics, and dynamic rheological properties of batters during heating (20 to 80 °C). Untreated samples served as controls. Analysis of specific Raman spectral regions demonstrated that applications of HP to rabbit meat batters tended to induce the transformation of the all‐gauche S‐S conformation to gauche‐gauche‐trans in the batter system. HP treatment higher than 100 MPa for 9 min promoted secondary structural rearrangements, and molecular polarity enhancement in the proteins prior to cooking. Also, increases of O–H stretching intensities of rabbit meat sausages were obtained by HP treatment, denoting the strengthening of water‐holding capacity. These HP‐induced alterations resulted in improved texture and, perhaps, improved juiciness of rabbit meat sausages (P < 0.05), however they had relatively poorer rheological properties than the controls. Nevertheless, HP treatment, especially 200 MPa for 9 or 15 min, was an effective technique for improving the functionalities of gel‐type products through modification of meat proteins.     

Characteristics of pressurised pork meat batters as affected by addition of plasma proteins,apple fibre and potato starch

Pork meat (low‐fat) batters were prepared without and with the addition of three non‐meat ingredients: (blood) plasma proteins, (dietary) apple fibre and potato starch. The batters were processed by cooking‐alone (70 °C) and by high‐pressure/temperature combination (400 MPa/70 °C). Protein denaturation and starch gelatinisation through the different processings were followed by differential scanning calorimetry. Batter characteristics such as water holding (weight loss) and different texture parameters (texture profile analysis) were used as quality criteria for comparisons among different formulations and processes. Plasma proteins and apple fibre behaved as inert fillers in both kinds of processed batters. Potato starch effects depended on processing conditions to the extent that these influenced the degree of gelatinisation. In pressurised batters (pressure and heating in sequence), regular preservation effects against subsequent thermal denaturation of proteins were observed. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed that starch was also pressure‐preserved from subsequent thermal gelatinisation, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The presence of native‐like proteins and ungelatinised starch produced cumulative softening effects in pressurised batters. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry