RESUMEN
This study intended to investigate the synergistic effect of direct current magnetic field (DC-MF) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) on improving the saltiness and quality of pork gel and to explore the potential adjustment mechanisms involved. Pork mince was subjected to low-salt treatment of DC-MF for 3 h (T1), CaCl2 substitution (T2) or DC-MF combined with CaCl2 (T3) respectively under high and low salt controls (HC and LC). Heat-induced gels of pork mince were prepared and analyzed in terms of gel texture, saltiness perception, moisture status, salt release and protein structure. Results indicated that DC-MF combined with CaCl2 treatment could reduce the addition of sodium chloride by 5% while maintaining the saltiness and overall acceptability of mince as well as improving its texture and yield. Further studies revealed that DC-MF in concert with CaCl2 treatment could not only increase the moisture content of mince gel, but also enhance saltiness perception by causing gel matrix to release salt-bearing juices under external forces. The energy spectrum analysis also illustrated that co-treatment technique could avoid the salt loss of minced meat during cooking process. Finally, a possible potential regulatory mechanism was speculated that the synergistic action of DC-MF and CaCl2 could alter the gel texture and sodium salt availability by modifying protein conformation and inducing a competitive binding reaction site for calcium and sodium ions. In conclusion, synergistic treatment by DC-MF and CaCl2 was a potential strategy in meat salt reduction.
