Comparative studies on physicochemical properties of raw and hydrolyzed oat β-glucan and their application in low-fat meatballs

Diversified Techniques for Restructuring Meat Protein-Derived Products and Analogues

Accompanied by the rapid growth of the global population and increasing public awareness of protein-rich foods, the market demand for protein-derived products is booming. Utilizing available technologies to make full use of meat by-products, such as scraps, trimmings, etc., to produce restructured meat products and explore emerging proteins to produce meat analogues can be conducive to alleviating the pressure on supply ends of the market. The present review summarizes diversified techniques (such as high-pressure processing, ultrasonic treatment, edible polysaccharides modification, enzymatic restructuring, etc.) that have been involved in restructuring meat protein-derived products as well as preparing meat analogues identified so far and classifying them into three main categories (physical, chemical and enzymatic). The target systems, processing conditions, effects, advantages, etc., of the included techniques, are comprehensively and systemically summarized and discussed, and their existing problems or developing trends are also briefly prospected. It can be concluded that a better quality of restructured products can be obtained by the combination of different restructuring technologies. This review provides a valuable reference both for the research and industrial production of restructured meat protein-derived products and analogues.

Structurally Modified Polysaccharides: Physicochemical Properties, Biological Activities, Structure-Activity Relationship, and Applications

Polysaccharides are an important class of biomolecules derived from several sources. However, the inherent structure of polysaccharides prevents them from exhibiting favorable physicochemical properties, which restricts their development in agriculture, industry, food, and biomedicine. This paper systematically summarizes the changes in the primary and advanced structures of modified polysaccharides, and focuses on the effects of various modification methods on the hydrophobicity, rheological properties, emulsifying properties, antioxidant activity, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic activities of polysaccharides. Then there is a list the applications of modified polysaccharides in treating heavy metal pollutants, purifying water resources, improving beverage stability and bread quality, and precisely delivering the drug. When summarized and reviewed, the information above can shed further light on the relationship between polysaccharide structure and function. Determining the structure-activity relationship provides a scientific basis for the direction of molecular modifications of polysaccharides.

Promising effects of β-glucans on gelation in protein-based products: A review

Gel property is one of the most important abilities to endow protein-based food products with a unique texture and higher overall acceptability. Cereal β-glucan (BG) is widely applied in protein-based products to improve the stability of the protein gel by increasing water holding capacity, storage modulus (G'), loss modulus (G") and linking with protein through more exposed sites, making it easier to form a stronger three-dimensional gel network. In addition, BG may be cross-linked with proteins, or physically embedded and covered in protein network structures, interacting with proteins mainly through non-covalent bonds including hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction. Furthermore, the transition of the α-helix to the β-form in the protein secondary structure also contributes to the stability of the protein gel. The practical applications of BG from different cereals in protein-based products are summarized, and the rheological properties, microstructure of protein as well as the underlying interaction mechanisms between BG and protein are discussed. In conclusion, cereal BG is a promising polysaccharide in developing nutritional protein-based products with better sensory properties.

An overview of factors affecting the quality of beef meatballs: Processing and preservation

Beef meatball (BM) is a traditional delicious snack with rich nutrition and unique flavor, making it a preferred choice for most consumers. However, the quality of BM is easily affected by many factors, such as the processing, storage, and preservation, which limit the competitive positioning with respect to its market. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to each step during the processing of BMs. Based on previous studies, this systematic review focuses on the effect of key processing factors (including raw materials and ingredients, beating, cooking methods, storage, and preservation) on the quality of BMs. Additionally, this study assessed the effect of each process factor on the physicochemical, sensory, nutritional, and safety attributes of BMs. Finally, the existing review will be beneficial in examining/describing the factors impacting the quality of BMs during processing, which would provide theoretical reference and scientific basis for the standardization and industrialization of BMs.

Inulin as a Fat-Reduction Ingredient in Pork and Chicken Meatballs: Its Effects on Physicochemical Characteristics and Consumer Perceptions

Fat reduction in meat products represents a technological challenge, as it affects the physicochemical and sensory properties of foods. The objective of the present investigation was to develop reduced-fat pork and chicken meatballs. In the initial stage, a survey was performed on 387 individuals, in order to determine the consumer perception of the meaning of a healthy meatball and the likelihood that they would consume such a product. In the second stage, four pork and chicken meatball formulations were developed: control meatballs (AC), meatballs with inulin (AI), meatballs with fructo-oligosaccharides (AF), and meatballs with inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides (AM). In the third stage, physicochemical properties were evaluated (water activity, humidity, fat, protein, ash, weight loss, pH, color, and texture) and a sensorial profile was created with semi-trained panelists for the four meatball formulations. In the fourth stage, AI was selected as the meatball with sensorial and physicochemical characteristics most similar to AC. An analysis of nutritional characteristics and a home test (84 consumers) were performed. The present study established that the inclusion of inulin as a fat substitute in the preparation of pork and chicken meatballs, in the amount of 3.5 g of fiber/100 g of the mixture, imitates the technological properties characteristic of fat and showed acceptance by consumers.

Improving method, properties and application of polysaccharide as emulsifier

At present, there are still some problems for the emulsification of polysaccharides such as lack of green, efficient and industrialized methods, lack of systematic and in-depth structure-activity relationship, and need of expanding its application scope. The physical, chemical and biological methods for improving the emulsifying of polysaccharides, the emulsifying properties and influencing factors of polysaccharides and application in food were reviewed herein. It was pointed out that the future research should focus on the effect of physical-biological synergistic function on the emulsification of polysaccharides, the effect of processing process on the structure and emulsification mechanism of polysaccharides, and further expanding the application field of polysaccharides with emulsification activity to improve the quality of products.

Structural Studies of Water-Insoluble β-Glucan from Oat Bran and Its Effect on Improving Lipid Metabolism in Mice Fed High-Fat Diet

Water-insoluble β-glucan has been reported to have beneficial effects on human health. However, no studies have thoroughly characterized the structure and function of water-insoluble β-glucan in oat bran. Thus, the structure and effect of water-insoluble β-glucan on weight gain and lipid metabolism in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice were analyzed. First, water-insoluble β-glucan was isolated and purified from oat bran. Compared with water-soluble β-glucan, water-insoluble β-glucan had higher DP3:DP4 molar ratio (2.12 and 1.67, respectively) and molecular weight (123,800 and 119,200 g/mol, respectively). Notably, water-insoluble β-glucan exhibited more fibrous sheet-like structure and greater swelling power than water-soluble β-glucan. Animal experiments have shown that oral administration of water-insoluble β-glucan tended to lower the final body weight of obese mice after 10 weeks treatment. In addition, water-insoluble β-glucan administration significantly improved the serum lipid profile (triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels) and epididymal adipocytes size. What is more, water-insoluble β-glucan reduced the accumulation and accelerated the decomposition of lipid in liver. In conclusion, water-insoluble β-glucan (oat bran) could alleviate obesity in HFD-fed mice by improving blood lipid level and accelerating the decomposition of lipid.

Characterization of acid hydrolysates from barley β-glucan concentrate for their physico-chemical and rheological properties

The present study was aimed at assessing the influence of acid hydrolysis on the physicochemical and rheological properties of β-glucan concentrate. Barley β-glucan concentrate was subjected to acid hydrolysis for 30 and 60 min. The molecular weight and viscosity were observed to be a function of hydrolysis time and decreased in a duration-based approach. Significant reduction in water binding capacity and swelling power was observed after acid hydrolysis. Acid hydrolysis dramatically altered the flow properties and a Newtonian behavior was observed for HBG₆₀. The oscillatory measurements revealed enhanced visco-elasticity for HBG₃₀ solutions in comparison to its native counterpart and were greatly reliant on molecular weight and concentration. DSC measurements showed reduced thermal stability of acid hydrolysates in comparison to native β-glucan concentrate. Overall, this study provides useful information on the hydration, thermal and rheological behavior of β-glucan concentrates and could be helpful in optimizing the concentration of β-glucan concentrates in food formulations.

A novel meat quality improver composed of carrageenan and superfine smashed okra powder and its application in chicken meatballs

The study investigated the effects of the addition of 0% (control group, CG), 0.25, 0.35, and 0.45% superfine smashed okra powder (SSOP) or carrageenan (CAR), and 0.25% SSOP – 0.35% CAR complex (OC) on the quality of chicken meatballs. Chicken meatballs fabricated with the SSOP-CAR complex showed better quality as compared to the other treatments. The lowest cooking loss was observed in the OC group, which corresponded to significantly decreased relaxation times of low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) (T 21 and T 22) (P < 0.05). Compared to CG, The L* and a* values of chicken meatballs were significantly decreased due to the addition of SSOP (P < 0.05), and the additions of SSOP and CAR significantly increased the storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus of chicken meat batter upon heating (P < 0.05). Besides, the OC and 0.45% CAR groups showed the highest texture profile values for hardness and chewiness (P < 0.05). The sensory evaluation revealed that the chicken meatballs emulsified with the OC had the best overall acceptability. The results indicated that OC could be a great feasible and potential application in the meat industry, especially in the development of functional emulsified meat products.

Methods for Testing the Quality Attributes of Plant-Based Foods: Meat- and Processed-Meat Analogs

The modern food system is seeing a change in consumption patterns provoked by several drivers—including ethical, health, and environmental concerns—that are increasing the sales of meat analog foods. This change is accompanied by increased research and development activities in the area of plant-based meats. The aim of the present review is to describe methods that are being employed by scientists to analyze and characterize the properties of meat alternatives and to propose standardized methods that could be utilized in the future. In particular, methods to determine the proximate composition, microstructure, appearance, textural properties, water-holding properties, cooking resilience, and sensory attributes, of plant-based meat are given. The principles behind these methods are presented, their utility is critically assessed, and practical examples will be discussed. This article will help to guide further studies and to choose appropriate methods to assess raw materials, processes, products, and consumption behavior of meat analogs.

Structural Features, Modification, and Functionalities of Beta-Glucan

Β-glucan is a strongly hydrophilic non-starchy polysaccharide, which, when incorporated in food, is renowned for its ability to alter functional characteristics such as viscosity, rheology, texture, and sensory properties of the food product. The functional properties of β-glucans are directly linked to their origin/source, molecular weight, and structural features. The molecular weight and structural/conformational features are in turn influenced by method of extraction and modification of the β-glucan. For example, whereas physical modification techniques influence only the spatial structures, modification by chemical agents, enzyme hydrolysis, mechanical treatment, and irradiation affect both spatial conformation and primary structures of β-glucan. Consequently, β-glucan can be modified (via one or more of the aforementioned techniques) into forms that have desired morphological, rheological, and (bio)functional properties. This review describes how various modification techniques affect the structure, properties, and applications of β-glucans in the food industry.

A Concise Review on the Molecular Structure and Function Relationship of β-Glucan

β-glucan is a non-starch soluble polysaccharide widely present in yeast, mushrooms, bacteria, algae, barley, and oat. β-Glucan is regarded as a functional food ingredient due to its various health benefits. The high molecular weight (Mw) and high viscosity of β-glucan are responsible for its hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic properties. Thus, β-glucan is also used in the food industry for the production of functional food products. The inherent gel-forming property and high viscosity of β-glucan lead to the production of low-fat foods with improved textural properties. Various studies have reported the relationship between the molecular structure of β-glucan and its functionality. The structural characteristics of β-glucan, including specific glycosidic linkages, monosaccharide compositions, Mw, and chain conformation, were reported to affect its physiochemical and biological properties. Researchers have also reported some chemical, physical, and enzymatic treatments can successfully alter the molecular structure and functionalities of β-glucan. This review article attempts to review the available literature on the relationship of the molecular structure of β-glucan with its functionalities, and future perspectives in this area.

Effects of replacing fat by betaglucans from Ganoderma lucidum on batter and cake properties

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of replacing vegetable fat at different concentrations (20, 30, 40 and 50%) by betaglucans from Ganoderma lucidum (βGGL), on the physical properties of cake batters, and on the quality of the resultant cakes. The addition of βGGL significantly affected the specific gravity, the flow properties and the color of the batter formulations. The fat-replacing led to a slight reduction in the volume of cakes, because fewer air bubbles were incorporated into the batter samples as the concentration of βGGL increased. The hardness of the cakes significantly increased during storage as the amount of βGGL increased. The fat-reduced cakes displayed similar color, moisture content, and water activity than the control cake samples. However, the crumb microstructure was affected by the addition of βGGL, as revealed by the scanning electron micrographs. The fat-reduced cakes containing 40% βGGL showed a general sensorial acceptance of 97%, as indicated by untrained panelists. These results suggest that βGGL could be used as fat replacers for improving the nutritional value of batter cakes.