Physicochemical characteristics, textural properties and volatile compounds in comminuted sausages as affected by various fat levels and fat replacers

The effects of fat level (5, 12 and 30%), carrageenan and oat fibre on the hydration/binding properties, colour and flavour characteristics of frankfurters were investigated. Decreasing the fat content from 30% to 5% significantly increased cook loss and decreased water holding capacity and emulsion stability. Reduced-fat products were also darker and redder compared with the 30% fat controls. Addition of carrageenan or oat fibre reduced cook loss and increased both water holding capacity and emulsion stability. Sensory evaluation indicated that decreasing fat from 30% to 5% increased the intensity of smokiness, spiciness and saltiness and reduced the overall acceptability of the flavour. Carrageenan or oat fibre did not alter the colour of the frankfurters and neither ingredient had a significant effect on the flavour characteristics assessed. The results demonstrate that carrageenan or oat fibre can partially offset some of the changes which occur in low-fat frankfurters when added water replaces fat and protein level is constant.

The effects of fat level (5, 12 and 30%) and maltodextrin on emulsion stability, cook loss, colour, texture and sensory characteristics of frankfurters were investigated. Three fat levels (5, 12 and 30%) were formulated containing added maltodextrin. For each fat level a control was prepared without added maltodextrin giving a total of 6 treatments (3×2 factorial design). Reducing the fat from 30 to 5% increased cook loss and decreased emulsion stability. Panellists detected an increase in juiciness and a decrease in overall texture, overall acceptability when the fat level was reduced from 30 to 5%. Instron texture profile analysis showed a decrease in hardness, chewiness and gumminess and an increase in springiness with decreasing fat level. Maltodextrin addition caused a significant decrease in cook loss of the frankfurters but also decreased the emulsion stability. An interactive effect (P 0.05) by maltodextrin. The results indicate that maltodextrin can be used as a suitable fat replacer since it offset some of the changes brought about by fat reduction, decreasing cook loss and maintaining a number of textural and sensory characteristics of the frankfurters.

Diet and health advice serve as a driving force to redirect the types of foods considered to be most beneficial in terms of improved health and quality of life for Americans. Although meat cuts have become leaner, products such as ground beef, fresh pork sausage, coarse ground sausages and emulsified sausages traditionally have higher levels of fat. However, these products offer the greatest opportunity for fat reduction by reformulation with fat substitutes. Fat replacements should contribute a minimum of calories to a product and should not be detrimental to organoleptic qualities. Most substitutes can be categorized as: leaner meats, added water, protein-based substitutes, carbohydrate-based substitutes and synthetic compounds, Reducing the fat content to ∼10% often results in cooked ground beef that is bland and dry with a hard, rubbery or mealy texture. Reformulation with fat substitutes can cause a reduction in particle binding, darker product color, lack of beef flavor, reduced browning reactions and shorter microbiological shelf-life. Other problems that occur with low-fat (5-10%) fresh or cooked/smoked sausages are reduced cook yields, soft mushy interiors, rubbery skin formation, excessive purge in vacuum packages, shorter shelf-life and changes in sensory qualities after cooking or reheating. However, some combinations of fat replacements that mimic the mouthfeel and textural characteristics of fat offer potential for development of low-fat meat products.