Phosphate and Modified Beef Connective Tissue Effects on Reduced Fat, High Water-added Frankfurters

The effects of acidic, neutral and alkaline phosphates and amounts of modified beef connective tissue (0, 10 or 20%) were determined on the characteristics of 20% fat/20% water-added frankfurters or 10% fat/30% water-added frankfurters. Processing yields were lowest in both formulations with acidic phosphate. Cured meat color intensity was higher with the acidic phosphate than with alkaline or neutral phosphates. Alkaline or neutral phosphate samples partially recovered losses in emulsion stability that had occurred due to connective tissue level. The addition of 20% connective tissue improved processing yields and decreased cohe-siveness of 10% fat/30% water added frankfurters. Connective tissue addition had no effect on microbial stability. Acidic phosphates might be more effective in direct treatment of high collagen materials in a preblend rather than in direct addition into a frankfurter formulation.     

Calcium Fortified, Reduced Fat Beef Emulsion Product

Characteristics were investigated on a 15%/25%, fat/added water beef frankfurter supplemented with calcium (calcium carbonate or calcium-citrate-malate complex, CCM) to meet 25, 50, 75 or 100% of adult U.S. RDA in one 45g frankfurter. Controls contained 15%/25% or 30%/10% fat/added water. Compared to controls, calcium addition did not reduce yield although batters containing CCM had lower viscosity (P<0.05). During storage, pH of calcium added frankfurters increased about 0.35 units. Frankfurters formulated with 100% levels for calcium were least acceptable to sensory panelists. Frankfurters were softer and had less springiness and chewiness (P<0.05) when supplemented with 100% levels for calcium.     

Microstructure of Frankfurters Extended with Wheat Germ Proteins

Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to study the microsctructure of frankfurters extended with wheat germ protein flour (WGPF) at 3.5, 5.0, and 7.0%. Samples with 3.5% WGPF showed a denser matrix than the control. They also had a uniform interfacial protein film (IPF) with a slight increase in average thickness. At WGPF >3.5%, no further effects on IPF were observed. At 7.0% WGPF, an increase in added water, and the resultant dilution of meat and fat components, resulted in fewer fat globules, some with incomplete IPFs. Proteins in the WGPF contributed to IPF formation up to a specific level. Nonprotein components also were important in batter stability by absorbing water.     

Protein Oxidation in Frankfurters with Increasing Levels of Added Rosemary Essential Oil: Effect on Color and Texture Deterioration

The development of protein oxidation as assessed by the total carbonyl content and its influence on color and texture deterioration during the refrigerated storage (+4 °C/60 d) of frankfurters, were studied. The effect of the addition of a rosemary essential oil at different levels (150, 300, and 600 ppm) on the protein oxidative stability of the frankfurters was also evaluated. Frankfurters with no added essential oil were used as controls. The amount of carbonyls from protein oxidation significantly increased during refrigerated storage, and this increase was significantly higher in control frankfurters than in those treated with 300 and 600 ppm. Rosemary essential oil at levels of 300 and 600 ppm successfully protected the heme molecule from degradation and significantly inhibited the increase of nonheme iron (NHI) in refrigerated stored frankfurters. Color changes were directly related to oxidation processes because frankfurters with added antioxidants (300 and 600 ppm) suffered less color modifications than the controls. The addition of rosemary essential oil enhanced texture characteristics of frankfurters by reducing hardness, adhesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, and controlling the lost of elasticity during refrigeration. Statistically significant correlations were calculated between protein oxidation and instrumentally measured parameters, suggesting that the alteration of protein functionality caused by oxidation likely affected color and texture characteristics of frankfurters.     

Particle Size and Mixing Time Effects on Sensory and Physical Properties of Low-fat, High-moisture Pork Frankfurters

Changes in particle size affected measured characteristics more than changes in mixing time. Sensory results indicated that use of a 2.0 mm plate produced the coarsest (P<0.05) product. CIE b* values decreased (<0.05) as particle size was increased. Products produced with a 2.0 mm plate compared to a 1.4 mm plate had higher (P<0.05) hardness values and total energy to shear. Particle size did not affect (P>0.05) cooking loss, springiness, cohesiveness, or chewiness. Additional mixing tended to decrease sensory particle size and increase springiness and chewiness.     

Vegetable Oils Replace Pork Backfat for Low-Fat Frankfurters

Low-fat frankfurters (10% fat, 12.5% protein) with olive, corn, sunflower or soybean oils, compared to control (29.1% animal fat, 10.4% protein) had 67% lower total fat, 40–45% lower saturated fatty acids, 50–53% lower calories, reduced cholesterol and 20% higher meat protein. Although they had darker red color they were 6–7.2% lower in processing yield and had higher purge accumulation, were firmer and less juicy. The type oil had no effect (P>0.05) on these characteristics but affected fatty acid composition. Frankfurters with olive oil had 41.8% higher monounsaturated fatty acids and those with seed oils 5–7 times higher polyunsaturated fatty acids. Soybean oil increased lin-olenic acid content and negatively affected overall acceptability and shelf-life.     

Connective Tissue/Acidic Phosphate Preblend Effects on Reduced Fat Frankfurters

To determine the effect of preblending concentrated sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP) with modified beef connective tissue (MCT) on reduced fat frankfurters, samples were target formulated at two fat/added water levels (30/10 and 10/25) and manufactured according to 4 treatments: (1) Control = no phosphate, no MCT; (2) Connective tissue = MCT added alone; (3) Preblend = SAPP, MCT, preblended; (4) Preblend SAPP/MCT + alkaline phosphate. The preblend treatments had the lowest emulsion stability and yields (P < 0.01) which were both improved for treatment 4. Collagen solubility did not increase after preblending. Redness and cured color were lowest for treatment 4 but improved during storage. Preblending, with subsequent addition of alkaline phosphate, created a MCT product similar to the control.