Development of a low fat fresh pork sausage based on chitosan with health claims: impact on the quality, functionality and shelf-life

Impact of Flammulina velutipes polysaccharide on properties and structural changes of pork myofibrillar protein during the gel process in the absence or presence of oxidation

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of Flammulina velutipes polysaccharide (FVSP) on the rheological properties and structural alterations of myofibrillar protein (MP) and oxidized MP (OMP), utilizing techniques such as rhehometer, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). In the unoxidized system, the addition of 5.00% FVSP significantly improved (p < 0.05) the storage and loss moduli of the composite gel and promoted the α-helix to β-sheet transformation. These effects enhanced the protein's gel strength and water-holding capacity (WHC). In the oxidation system, 5.00% FVSP had significant effects (p < 0.05) on repair and improvement of the oxidized MP. These effects inhibited the cross-linking aggregation and degradation of the protein. In addition, the addition of FVSP significantly improved the gel properties of MPs after oxidation (p < 0.05), hindered fracture of the protein gel network structure. In summary, polysaccharides have a substantial effect on the functional characteristics of MP, and FVSP could potentially be applied in meat products.

Quantification of Bioactive Metabolites Derived from Cell-Free Supernatant of Pediococcus acidilactici and Screening their Protective Properties in Frankfurters

The specific aims of the current study were to determine and quantify the bioactive compounds derived from the cell-free supernatant (CFS) of Pediococcus acidilactici and screen their protective effect in frankfurters by applying an edible coating. This was achieved by immersing the peeled frankfurters in the CFS (CFS: 50% and 100%) alone or in combination with chitosan (CH: 0.5% and 1%) solutions for 3 min. Untreated frankfurter samples (control) exceeded the maximum acceptable total viable count limit (7.0 log10) on the 14th day, whereas samples treated with 100% CFS + 1% chitosan reached the limit on day 28 during refrigerated storage (P < 0.05). This treatment provided a 14-day extension to the shelf life of frankfurters without causing any significant changes in color and sensory attributes (P > 0.05). Additionally, this treatment inhibited oxidation in the frankfurters, leading to no significant changes in TBA and TVB-N within this group during storage (P > 0.05). This protective effect was mainly attributed to the wide variety of bioactive compounds identified in the CFS, including a total of 5 organic acids, 20 free amino acids, 11 free fatty acids, 77 volatiles, and 10 polyphenols. Due to these bioactive compounds, CFS exhibited a strong radical scavenging capacity (DPPH: 435.08 TEAC/L, ABTS: 75.01 ± 0.14 mg TEAC/L; FRAP: 1.30 ± 0.03 mM FE/L) and antimicrobial activity against microorganisms primarily responsible for the spoilage of frankfurters. In conclusion, the results indicate that the CFS contains high levels of bioactive metabolites, and an edible chitosan coating impregnated with CFS can be utilized to extend the shelf life of frankfurters through its antimicrobial effects and oxidation stabilization.

Low-fat fresh sausage from rabbit meat: An alternative to traditional rabbit consumption

The study aimed at the development of fresh sausages using rabbit exclusively as raw material. The idea was to offer an innovative product to increase rabbit consumption. Also, to meet currently consumers' requirements, a low-fat version was made. Two final formulations, a control sausage and a low-fat version using konjac gum, were developed through an iterative process and stored in a MAP under refrigeration. Sensory, microbiological and physicochemical analyses were carried out on days 1, 6, 8 and 13 after packaging. The shelf-life of the sausages was determined according to a multivariate criterion. Results showed a significant reduction in fat content and energy value. Sensory analysis showed a decrease in characteristic aroma and flavour and an increase in rancid odour, while hardness and fragility decreased in the low-fat treatment. The shelf-life was 7 days for all treatments, concluding that the multivariate method was a powerful technique as physicochemical, microbiological and sensory criteria were considered.

Effects of Different Ionic Polysaccharides in Cooked Lean Pork Batters on Intestinal Health in Mice

The effects of cooked lean pork batters with three ionic types of polysaccharides (anionic xanthan-gum/sodium-alginate, neutral curdlan-gum/konjac-gum and cationic chitosan) on the intestinal health of mice were investigated in this study. The results showed that the zeta potential in the sodium-alginate group (−31.35 mV) was higher (p < 0.05) than that in the chitosan group (−26.00 mV), thus promoting the protein hydrolysis in the anionic group because of electrostatic repulsion. The content of total free amino acids in the small intestine in the xanthan-gum and sodium-alginate groups (2754.68 μg and 2733.72 μg, respectively) were higher (p < 0.05) than that in the chitosan group (1949.78 μg), which could decrease the amount of undigested protein entering the colon. The two anionic groups could also increase the abundance of Lactobacillus and the balance of Faecalibaculum and Alistipes in the colon. The content of proinflammatory factor IL−6 of colon tissues in the sodium-alginate group (1.02 ng/mL) was lower (p < 0.05) than that in chitosan, curdlan-gum and konjac-gum groups (1.29, 1.31 and 1.31 ng/mL, respectively). The result of haematoxylin-eosin staining of the colon also revealed that sodium alginate was beneficial for colonic health. The two neutral groups increased the content of faecal short-chain fatty acids in mice. These results demonstrated that anionic polysaccharides have potential for developing functional low-fat meat products.

Characterization of β-Glucan-Peanut Protein Isolate/Soy Protein Isolate Conjugates and Their Application on Low-Fat Sausage

Polysaccharide-protein conjugates can improve the functional properties and expand the application field. The emulsifying, thermal properties of WSG-PPI conjugates and WSG-SPI conjugates were improved, compared to WSG, PPI and SPI. The Maillard reaction was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Circular dichroism (CD) exhibited that the structure of the conjugates was more expanded. Cryo-SEM and AFM demonstrated that the WSG, WSG-PPI and WSG-SPI conjugates had a morphology of a chain. When the conjugates were added as fat substitutes to low-fat sausage, the cooking yield, hardness and chewiness increased. The objective of this research was to study the emulsifying property, thermal property and structural changes of β-glucan-peanut protein isolate (WSG-PPI) conjugates and β-glucan-soy protein isolate (WSG-SPI) conjugates prepared through wet-heated Maillard reaction, and their effect on the texture of low-fat sausage.

Incorporation of Low Molecular Weight Chitosan in a Low-Fat Beef Burger: Assessment of Technological Quality and Oxidative Stability

In the present work, incorporating low molecular weight chitosan (LMWCH) (0, 0.5, 1, and 2%) as a fat replacer into low-fat beef burgers and technological, textural, and oxidative stability were investigated. The weight loss and shrinkage of samples decreased with the increase of LMWCH concentration. In contrast, the water-holding capacity and color of burgers were enhanced by the addition of LMWCH. The instrumental TPA results indicated an increase in the LMWCH levels, significantly increasing the hardness, springiness, and gumminess but decreasing the cohesiveness of low-fat beef burgers. The TBARS and peroxide values and free fatty acid content in the burgers supplemented with LMWCH increase slower than the control sample during refrigerated storage.

Inulin, KCL, and Flavor Enhancers: An Efficient Combination to Produce Prebiotic and Low-Sodium Burgers

In this study, prebiotic and low-sodium burgers were produced. In the first experiment, burgers were elaborated with 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12% inulin. The addition of up to 9% inulin did not affect the sensory quality, increased yield and reduced shrinkage. Thus, in the second experiment, prebiotic burgers were produced with 9% inulin and a sodium reformulation was performed by replacing 60% NaCl with KCl and adding monosodium glutamate (MG) and/or liquid smoke (LS). The replacement of NaCl for KCl impaired the sensory quality of the burgers. The isolated or combined addition of MG and LS reduced the sensory defects caused by KCl. Thus, prebiotic and low-sodium burgers with high technological and sensory quality can be produced using 9% inulin, 1% NaCl, 1.5% KCl, 0.2% MG, and 0.1% LS.

Effect of Eggplant Powder on the Physicochemical and Sensory Characteristics of Reduced-Fat Pork Sausages

In this study, we investigated the effects of soybean oil, water, and 1, 2, and 3% eggplant powder (EP) as substitutes for pork back fat (a decrease from 30% to 15%) on the proximate composition, water- and fat-binding properties, colour, water distribution, texture, and sensory properties of pork sausages. The replacement of fat with soybean oil in sausages decreased the fat and cholesterol proportions and increased the moisture content, but the water- and fat-binding properties, texture properties, and sensory properties became worse. By adding EP, sausages displayed remarkably better water- and fat-binding properties, texture properties, and sensory properties. Moreover, EP addition significantly accelerated T₂ relaxation time, increased the immobilised water content, and decreased the free water content of sausages. Sausages with 2% EP had the highest flavour, mouthfeel, and overall acceptability. This work provides theoretical and data support for the preparation of sausages with EP rich in unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) and dietary fibre.

Chitosan Films Obtained from Brachystola magna (Girard) and Its Evaluation on Quality Attributes in Sausages during Storage

High molecular weight chitosan (≈322 kDa) was obtained from chitin isolated from Brachystola magna (Girard) to produced biodegradable films. Their physicochemical, mechanical and water vapor permeability (WVP) properties were compared against commercial chitosan films with different molecular weights. Brachystola magna chitosan films (CFBM) exhibited similar physicochemical and mechanical characteristics to those of commercial chitosans. The CFBM films presented lower WVP values (10.01 × 10⁻¹¹ g/m s Pa) than commercial chitosans films (from 16.06 × 10⁻¹¹ to 64.30 × 10⁻¹¹ g/m s Pa). Frankfurt-type sausages were covered with chitosan films and stored in refrigerated conditions (4 °C). Their quality attributes (color, weight loss, pH, moisture, texture and lipid oxidation) were evaluated at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days. Sausages covered with CFMB films presented the lowest weight loss (from 1.24% to 2.38%). A higher increase in hardness (from 22.32 N to 30.63 N) was observed in sausages covered with CFMB films. Compared with other films and the control (uncovered sausages), CFMB films delay pH reduction. Moreover, this film presents the lower lipid oxidation level (0.10 malonaldehyde mg/sample kg). Thus, chitosan of B. magna could be a good alternative as packaging material for meat products with high-fat content.

Towards More Sustainable Meat Products: Extenders as a Way of Reducing Meat Content

The low efficiency of animal protein (meat products) production is one of the main concerns for sustainable food production. However, meat provides high-quality protein among other compounds such as minerals or vitamins. The use of meat extenders, non-meat substances with high protein content, to partially replace meat, offers interesting opportunities towards the reformulation of healthier and more sustainable meat products. The objective of this review is to give a general point of view on what type of compounds are used as meat extenders and how they affect the physicochemical and sensory properties of reformulated products. Plant-based ingredients (pulses, cereals, tubers and fruits) have been widely used to replace up to 50% of meat. Mushrooms allow for higher proportions of meat substitution, with adequate results in reduced-sodium reformulated products. Insects and by-products from the food industry are novel approaches that present an opportunity to develop more sustainable meat products. In general, the use of meat extenders improves the yield of the products, with slight sensory modifications. These multiple possibilities make meat extenders' use the most viable and interesting approach towards the production of healthier meat products with less environmental impact.

Gastrointestinal digestion and cecal fermentation of a mixed gel of lean pork meat and resistant starch in mice

The sensitivity of meat gel to digestive enzymes and the overall digestion pattern of the meat product is vital, and exerts an important influence on the growth and metabolism of mice. In order to provide a comprehensive understanding for better usage of resistant starch (RS) in functional meat products, the effects of a mixed gel (MS, a cooked mixture) of lean pork meat and RS on the gastrointestinal digestion and cecal fermentation of mice were investigated via comparing with those of RS-free meat gel (M) and the addition of RS to meat gel (M + S). The results showed that both M + S and MS promoted gastrointestinal digestion and cecal fermentation in mice. Specifically, the MS diet contributed to the hydrolysis of proteins, the formation of beneficial amino acids, and cecal health in spite of the larger particle size for digestion than that of the M + S group. Collectively, mixed gels of meat and RS are prospective for developing healthier meat products.

Ingestion of an Inulin-Enriched Pork Sausage Product Positively Modulates the Gut Microbiome and Metabolome of Healthy Rats

SCOPE

Processed meat intake is associated with a potential increased colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. In contrast, dietary fiber consumption has been found to lower CRC risk, possibly via mechanisms involving the gut microbiota (GM) and its metabolites. This study investigates the effect of inulin enrichment of a common pork sausage product on GM composition and activity in healthy rats.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats are fed a diet based on either an inulin-enriched sausage (n = 12), a corresponding control sausage without enrichment (n = 12), or a standard chow diet (n = 6) during a 4 week intervention. NMR-based metabolomics analyses are conducted on fecal and plasma samples, and GM composition is determined using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Pronounced effects of diets on GM composition and activity are found. Rats fed the inulin-enriched sausages have increased levels of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the fecal and plasma metabolome and increased fecal levels of Bifidobacterium spp. as compared to rats fed sausages without enrichment.

CONCLUSION

Inulin enrichment of a meat product resembles general effects seen upon dietary fiber consumption and corroborates that healthier processed meats can be developed through strategic inclusion of dietary fiber ingredients.

Enhancing the health potential of processed meat: the effect of chitosan or carboxymethyl cellulose enrichment on inherent microstructure, water mobility and oxidation in a meat-based food matrix

The addition of dietary fibers can alleviate the deteriorated textural properties and water binding capacity (WBC) that may occur when the fat content is lowered directly in the formulas of comminuted meat products.

Chia and oat emulsion gels as new animal fat replacers and healthy bioactive sources in fresh sausage formulation

This paper examines the effect of emulsion gels (EG) prepared with chia (CEG) and oats (OEG) used as animal fat replacers in reduced-fat fresh sausages (longaniza) (LRF) during chilled storage. Reduced-fat samples were reformulated with CEG and OEG, (LRF/CEG and LRF/OEG respectively). Normal (LNF/P) and reduced-fat (LRF/P) (all-pork-fat) sausages were used as controls. Nutritional composition and microbiological, technological and sensory characteristics of sausages were evaluated. The presence of an EG affected (P<0.05) the concentrations of some minerals and amino acids in sausages. CEG improved MUFA and PUFA contents. Cooking loss was lower (P<0.05) in LRF/CEG and LRF/OEG than in the controls. Of all the reduced-fat samples, Kramer shear force values (KSF) were highest (P<0.05) in the ones containing an EG. KSF generally increased (P<0.05) over storage in all samples. The microbial count was significantly affected by the use of CEG. Sensory properties were affected by the incorporation of an EG, but all sausages were judged acceptable.

Cross-linked alginate/chitosan polyelectrolytes as carrier of active compound and beef color stabilizer

The aim of this work was to develop polyelectrolyte material suitable for active beef steaks coatings, by complexation of chitosan (CH) and sodium alginate (ALG) in a broad range of alginate/chitosan ratios (R). The rheological analysis confirmed significant effect of polymers ratios on the physical properties of sodium alginate-chitosan (ACH) hydrosols. The shear thinning non-Newtonian nature, thixotropic behavior and gel-like structure of solutions were displayed. Obtained complexes possess DPPH radical scavenging activity corresponding to 5.33, 17.06 and 41.41μMTrolox/ml for 0ppm, 500ppm and 1000pmm of sodium erythorbate dose, respectively. Application of ACH hydrosols enriched with 1000ppm of sodium erythorbate enhanced redness and color stability of beef steaks during storage (∆E after 2-weeks of storage=1.44±0.08) compared to uncovered beef (∆E after 2-weeks of storage=3.53±0.13). The limited solubility in range of 0%-54.56% as well as favorable wetting properties (contact angle between 45°-66°) of polyelectrolyte ACH films were obtained.

Goat sausages containing chitosan towards a healthier product: microbiological, physico-chemical textural evaluation

Goat meat is extensively known for its interesting nutritional value and for being an important source of protein with high quality.