The influence of varying degrees of adhesion as determined by mechanical tests on the sensory and consumer acceptance of a meat product

The adhesion between meat pieces in meat products, varied by the addition of different concentrations of a crude myosin solution, was measured by a trained sensory panel and by two instrumental tests: tensile adhesive strength (TAS) and punch and die. A consumer trial was used to find which level of adhesion was preferred. Results from the sensory panel showed that the adhesion could be detected as highly significant (P < 0·001) differences in three tactile measurements and in the two eating qualities, ease of fragmentation and rubberines. TAS measurements gave larger differences between treatments than punch and die, and had very high correlations with ease of fragmentation and crumblines on cutting. The small consumer study revealed no overall preference for any one product. Hence, although differences in adhesion between meat pieces in a meat product are detectable subjectively and can be measured objectively by TAS tests, preference for any particular strength varies between individuals.