The effects of potato and rice starch as substitutes for phosphate in and degree of comminution on the technological, instrumental and sensory characteristics of restructured ham

In-depth insight into the effects of tapioca or corn acetylated distarch phosphate on the gel properties and in vitro digestibility of kung-wan

Modified starch is increasingly applied in the meat industry as an effective functional ingredient to provide meat products with the desired textural properties and appearance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of incorporating tapioca acetylated distarch phosphate (TADSP) or corn acetylated distarch phosphate (CADSP) on the gel properties and in vitro digestibility of Chinese-style meatballs known as kung-wan. The results showed that TADSP and CADSP significantly enhanced the textural properties of kung-wan in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05), as well as enhanced the rheological behavior of meat batters. TADSP resulted in a denser meat protein gel network compared to CADSP, primarily because the lower pasting temperature of TADSP made it gelatinize earlier and more completely during heating than CADSP and subsequently filled in the meat protein gel network. The intermolecular forces observed in kung-wan with TADSP or CADSP were hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Furthermore, the protein digestibility of kung-wan was increased with higher levels of TADSP and CADSP (P < 0.05). Notably, kung-wan with TADSP exhibited significantly higher protein digestibility than those with CADSP at the same level (P < 0.05). Our results offer valuable insights into the potential application of acetylated distarch phosphate in kung-wan.

Investigation of the effects and mechanism of incorporation of cross-linked/acetylated tapioca starches on the gel properties and in vitro digestibility of kung-wan

The effects and mechanism of incorporation of cross-linked tapioca starch (CTS) or acetylated tapioca starch (ATS) on the gel properties and in vitro digestibility of kung-wan (a Chinese-style meatball) were evaluated. The results indicated that incorporation of either CTS or ATS significantly enhanced the gel properties of kung-wan in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05), as well as the rheological properties of meat batter. Moreover, hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interaction were the major intermolecular forces in kung-wan when incorporated with CTS or ATS. Meanwhile, CTS and ATS acted as fillers in the meat protein gel matrix, which was further verified by the microstructure of kung-wan. However, CTS produced a more uniform and dense meat protein gel network than ATS, which was mainly due to its limited swelling characteristics. In addition, the incorporation of CTS or ATS significantly increased the in vitro digestibility of protein in kung-wan with increasing level of addition (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences in protein digestibility were detected between the CTS and ATS groups at the same addition level (P > 0.05). Our results provided some critical points for the actual application of modified tapioca starch to promote the quality profiles of kung-wan.

Phosphate alternatives for meat processing and challenges for the industry: A critical review

Meat and meat products provide high levels of nutrition and many health benefits to consumers, yet a controversy exists regarding the use of non-meat additives, such as the inorganic phosphates that are commonly used in meat processing, and particularly their relationship to cardiovascular health and kidney complications. Inorganic phosphates are salts of phosphoric acid (e.g., sodium phosphate, potassium phosphate, or calcium phosphate), whereas organic phosphates are ester compounds (e.g., the phospholipids found in cell membranes). In this sense, the meat industry remains active in its efforts to improve formulations for processed meat products with the use of natural ingredients. Despite efforts to improve formulations, many processed meat products still contain inorganic phosphates, which are used for their technological contributions to meat chemistry including improvements in water-holding capacity and protein solubilization. This review provides a thorough evaluation of phosphate substitutes in meat formulations and other processing technologies that can help eliminate phosphates from the formulations of processed meat products. In general, several ingredients have been evaluated as replacements for inorganic phosphates with varying degrees of success such as plant-based ingredients (e.g., starches, fibers, or seeds), fungi ingredients (e.g., mushrooms and mushroom extracts), algae ingredients, animal-based ingredients (e.g., meat/seafood, dairy, or egg materials), and inorganic compounds (i.e., minerals). Although these ingredients have shown some favorable effects in certain meat products, none have exactly matched the many functions of inorganic phosphates, so the support of extrinsic technologies, such as tumbling, ultrasound, high-pressure processing (HPP), and pulsed electric field (PEF), may be necessary to achieve similar physiochemical properties as conventional products. The meat industry should continue to investigate ways to scientifically innovate the formulations of, and the technologies used in, processed meat products while also listening to (and acting upon) the feedback from consumers.

Strategies to Reduce Purge Losses in Meat Products Stuffed in Plastic Casings

Two different meat emulsions were prepared with different physical stability: R1 with 6.28 ± 1.13% total expressible fluid and R2 with 17.7 ± 1.48%. The emulsions were placed in plastic casings at three different surface tensions (ST), expressed as contact angle, and three distinct overstuffing percentages (OS). The stuffed samples were cooked in an industrial oven. After cooling, purge losses (PL) and texture profile analysis (TPA) were measured. The reduced surface tension of the plastic casings significantly decreased the PL of both recipes. In the case of R2, a combination of high OS and low ST was necessary to reduce PL in a 60%. In the case of TPA, OS had a statistical influence on parameters like chewiness, cohesiveness, and hardness. Plastic casings with different surface tension (to increase adherence of meat emulsion to the casing) stuffed at different levels of overstuffing percentages (to reduce free space between meat emulsion and casing) represent a potential tool to reduce PL of products based on low stability meat emulsions.

Additive Effects of L-Arginine with Potassium Carbonate on the Quality Profile Promotion of Phosphate-Free Frankfurters

The present study investigated the additive effects of L-Arginine (L-Arg) with potassium carbonate (PC) on the quality characteristics of phosphate-free frankfurters. The results showed that L-Arg combined with PC could act as a viable phosphate replacer by decreasing cooking loss and improving the textural properties of phosphate-free frankfurters (p < 0.05), mainly because of its pH-raising ability. Moreover, L-Arg could assist PC in effectively retarding lipid oxidation in phosphate-free frankfurters during storage (p < 0.05). Furthermore, 0.1% L-Arg combined with 0.15% PC was found to exhibit the best optimal phosphate-replacing effect. This combination could also overcome quality defects and promote the sensory attributes of phosphate-free frankfurters to the maximum extent. Therefore, our results suggest that L-Arg combined with PC can be considered a feasible alternative for the processing of phosphate-free frankfurters with an improved quality profile and superior health benefits.

Consumer intention towards the phosphate-reduced processed meat products using the extended theory of planned behaviour

Phosphates are essential for maintaining various quality attributes of processed meat products such as water-binding properties, texture and sensory properties and their removal would drastically change the products' technical and sensory qualities. Currently, meat industries are faced with the challenge of removing phosphates to address the consumers' demand to remove the negatively perceived synthetic additives from processed meat products. This study measured these consumers' purchase intention of phosphate-reduced processed meat products with different quality, using the extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB). An online survey was conducted among the consumers (n = 548) of the Republic of Ireland (ROI) to predict their knowledge and attitude towards phosphate additives. Analysis of the survey responses showed that about two-third of the participants consumed processed meat products 5-6 times per week. The results of multiple linear regression showed that the theory constructs attitude, subjective norms, perceived health risks significantly (P < 0.05) influenced the consumer behavioural intention whereas the perceived behavioural control (PBC) produced insignificant impacts. The results also revealed that the extended TPB model predicted the consumers' intention with better explanatory power (adjusted R² = 0.46) than the original TPB model. In conclusion, various recommendations and implications were developed based on the results to improve the consumers' purchase intention of these products.

Micronized cold-pressed hemp seed cake could potentially replace 50% of the phosphates in frankfurters

Present study aimed to investigate the concentration effect of micronized cold-pressed hemp seed cake (MCPHSC) on the quality profiles and sensorial attributes of 50% phosphates reduced frankfurters. The results showed that MCPHSC could be used as an ideal phosphates replacer for obviously decreasing the cooking loss and promoting textural and gel properties of reduced-phosphates frankfurters (P < 0.05), which was verified by scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, the incorporation of MCPHSC could significantly inhibit the occurrence of lipid oxidation of reduced-phosphates frankfurters during storage in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Additionally, replacing 50% phosphates with 2% (w/w) MCPHSC was found to possess the best optimal replacement effect to enhance the quality profiles of reduced-phosphates frankfurters (P < 0.05). However, a higher amount of MCPHSC had a negative effect on the sensorial evaluations of the reduced-phosphates frankfurters. Our results suggested that the addition of MCPHSC could be applied as a practical way for improving the quality defects of reduced-phosphates frankfurters.

Natural alternatives for processed meat: Legislation, markets, consumers, opportunities and challenges

Consumers' interest in food with less and/or free from synthetic additives has increased considerably in recent years. In this context, researchers and industries have concentrated efforts on developing alternatives to these compounds. Replacing synthetic additives in meat products is a challenge, given their importance for sensory characteristics and food safety. Complementary technologies combined with the replacement and/or reduction of synthetic additives (hurdle technologies) has been studied focusing on the protection and extension of the shelf life of meat products. This review reports alternatives for replacing and/or reducing the use of synthetic additives in meat derivatives, aiming at the development of more natural and simpler meat products, familiar to consumers and considered clean labels.

Replacement of Sodium Tripolyphosphate with Iota Carrageenan in the Formulation of Restructured Ostrich Ham

The influence of iota carrageenan (iota-CGN) as a partial replacement of sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) was investigated on the physical (pH, yield, instrumental color, texture profile analysis), chemical (moisture, protein, total fat, ash, phosphate) and sensory (descriptive analysis, acceptance testing) quality of restructured ostrich ham (95% lean meat plus fat). Treatments consisted of five decreasing levels of STPP (0.70%, 0.53%, 0.35%, 0.18% and 0%) that were simultaneously substituted with five increasing levels of iota-CGN (0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.4%). Cooked yield, hardness, cohesiveness, and gumminess of restructured ostrich ham increased (p ≤ 0.05) with decreasing levels of STPP (and increased levels of iota-CGN). No significant trend in instrumental color measurements or springiness were observed between treatments. Ostrich ham with 0.35% STPP and lower had increased ostrich meat aroma and flavor, while spicy aroma and flavor, mealiness and consumer acceptance decreased. Iota carrageenan can be substituted for STPP (up to 0.35% STPP and 0.2% iota-CGN) to produce reduced STPP ham.

Application of temperature-controlled ultrasound treatment and its potential to reduce phosphate content in frankfurter-type sausages by 50

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of ultrasound treatments with different durations (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 min) at a low static temperature (12 °C) controlled by an intelligent temperature control and monitoring system on the quality of 50% reduced-phosphate frankfurters. The results show that without ultrasound treatment, phosphate reduction caused some obvious deficits in the textural properties, sensorial parameters, and oxidative stability of frankfurters. Moreover, 25-min ultrasound treatment could significantly lower the cooking loss and enhance emulsion stability, textural properties, and sensorial parameters of reduced phosphate frankfurters, which was also verified by dynamic water distribution analysis and microstructural observation. Additionally, low constant temperature during ultrasound treatment was another crucial factor in retarding lipid oxidation during storage. Therefore, ultrasound treatment with moderate duration and stable low temperature could be considered a successful approach to obtain healthier reduced-phosphate frankfurters under the "clean label" concept.

Reduction of sodium additives in cooked sausages: effect on physicochemical, sensory and microbiological characteristics

Several efforts have been made to reduce sodium in meat products due to its demonstrated negative health effects. This study evaluated the effect on physicochemical, sensory and microbiological characteristics of cooked sausages after a simultaneous reduction of salt (2.2% and 1.8%), Na-lactate (2.8% and 1.5%) and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) (0.4% and 0.2%). Salt and STPP reduction affected cooking loss, while no significant differences (P > 0.05) were obtained in instrumental and sensory texture for all factors. Discrimination tests showed significant perceived differences between some pairs, however, d' values were below 0.55 in all comparisons, meaning consumer awareness of the reduction might be irrelevant in a real-life scenario. A simultaneous reduction of Na-lactate and salt did not affect microbial stability (psychrotrophic and LAB counts) of the product. Reducing sodium-containing additives might be a low cost, promising strategy to reduce total sodium content in cooked sausages with no detrimental of their physicochemical, sensory and microbiological characteristics.

Impact of raw ham quality and tumbling time on the technological properties of polyphosphate-free cooked ham

The effect of tumbling time (5 h30, 19 h and 26 h) and raw ham quality (superior, inferior or mixed quality) on the quality of polyphosphate-free cooked ham was investigated. The water holding capacity and total yield of the polyphosphate-free tumbled hams were dependent on both tumbling time and ham quality. Higher values of both parameters were obtained with an increase in tumbling time from 5 h30 to 19 h and with superior hams. The exudate after 19 h and 26 h tumbling showed a higher gel forming ability compared to 5 h30, which, in case of polyphosphate-free cooked hams produced with mixed and inferior meat quality, resulted in a better sliceability (less holes). However, tumbling time did not affect hardness, which was only influenced by ham quality, resulting in a softer polyphosphate-free cooked ham produced with inferior ham quality compared to the other quality classes.

Increasing the Yield of Irish Brown Crab (Cancer pagurus) during Processing without Adversely Affecting Shelf-Life

During the processing of Irish Brown Crab (Cancer pagurus), protein and moisture are released and losses up to 10% (by weight) are common. The objective of this study was to investigate the use of clean label ingredients to reduce this loss, without adversely affecting shelf-life or promoting the growth of spoilage bacteria. Following preliminary studies, 5% (w/v) sodium caseinate (SC) and (5%, w/v) potato starch (PS), with and without (0.5%, w/v) ascorbic acid (AA) were selected. Ninety crabs (30 per treatment) were soaked and boiled in water (control 1), AA (control 2), SC, PS, SC plus AA, or PS plus AA and analyzed for cook loss as well as pH, aw, water holding capacity (WHC), and microbial shelf-life (total viable count (TVC), total Enterobacteriaceae count (TEC), and spoilage bacteria) during 28 days storage at 4 °C. On average, 11.1% of the control 1 weight was lost during processing. This was reduced to 8.0% when treated with AA (control 2) and to 3.5%, 4.7%, 5.8%, and 2.3% with SC, PS, SC plus AA, and PS plus AA, respectively. None of these treatments negatively impacted on shelf-life and similar growth curves were observed for TVC, TEC, Pseudomonas spp., Clostridium spp., lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and hydrogen disulphide producing bacteria, regardless of treatment. It was therefore concluded that, subject to sensory evaluation and validation under commercial conditions, these natural ingredients could be used to substantially increase the yield and hence commercial value of crab meat, without adversely affecting shelf-life.

Effects of Jerusalem Artichoke Powder and Sodium Carbonate as Phosphate Replacers on the Quality Characteristics of Emulsified Chicken Meatballs

Today incorporation of natural ingredients as inorganic phosphate replacers has come into prominence as a novel research topic due to health concerns about phosphates. In this study, we aimed to investigate the quality of emulsified chicken meatballs produced with Jerusalem artichoke powder (JAP), either alone or in combination with sodium carbonate (SC) as sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) replacers. The results showed that naturally dried JAP showed favorable technological properties in terms of water-oil binding and gelling. Emulsion batters formulated with JAP-SC mixture showed lower jelly and fat separation, higher water-holding capacity and higher emulsion stability than control samples with STPP. In final product, incorporation of JAP-SC mixture increased moisture and reduced lipid and energy values, and kept the pH value similar to control. Added JAP lead to increments in b* values whereas decreases L* values. Cook yield was similar to control in phosphate-free samples formulated with JAP-SC mix. Either low or medium ratios of JAP in combination with SC managed to protect most of the sensory parameters, while sensory scores tend to decrease in samples containing high levels of JAP. Addition of JAP to formulations presented samples that have equivalent behavior to phosphates in terms of lipid oxidation. In conclusion, our study confirms that utilization of JAP in combination with SC had promising effects as phosphate replacers by presenting natural solutions and providing equivalent quality to standard phosphate containing products.