Effects of gold and green kiwifruit juices on the physicochemical properties and tenderness of pork loin and antioxidant activity during incubation (24 h) in a pork model system.

OBJECTIVE: Although pork loins is not a tough meat, they need to develop meat products with a soft texture for the elderly. This study focused on the physicochemical properties and tenderness characteristics of pork loin injected with green kiwifruit juice (GRJ) and gold kiwifruit juice (GOJ) during various incubation times. In addition, the antioxidant activities of hydrolysate derived from the hydrolysis of pork loin by kiwifruit juice protease were evaluated. METHODS: The pork loin was injected with 10% and 20% GRJ and GOJ, under various incubation times (0, 4, 8, and 24 h). Then, the physicochemical properties and tenderness of pork loins were measured. 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and reducing power were conducted to determine hydrolysate's antioxidant activities derived from pork loin's hydrolysis by kiwifruit juice protease. RESULTS: GRJ had greater tenderizing ability than GOJ, even at the 10% addition. When kiwifruit juice was injected into pork loin, the tenderness increased with increasing incubation time. This was confirmed by the decrease in intensity of the myosin heavy chain (MHC) band in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In particular, the MHC band decreased at 8 h for both 10% GRJ and 20% GOJ and at 4 h for 20% GRJ alone. The highest myofibril fragmentation index and peptide solubility were observed in pork loin treated with 20% GRJ compared to the other treatments during incubation. The 10% GRJ and 20% GOJ treatments showed similar levels of antioxidant activity of the protein hydrolysates in pork loin, and 20% GRJ showed the highest activity among the treatments. CONCLUSION: Kiwifruit juice had protease activity, and GRJ was more useful for tenderizing meat products than GOJ. Thus, GRJ at 10% could be a potential agent to tenderize and enrich the natural antioxidant activity through the proteolysis of pork loin.

Effects of faba bean protein isolate on rheological properties of pork myofibrillar protein gels and quality characteristics of pork low-fat model sausages.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the effect of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) protein isolate (FBPI) on the rheological properties of pork myofibrillar protein gels (MPGs) and the quality characteristics of pork low-fat model sausages (LFMSs). RESULTS: Pork MPGs with 5 or 10 g kg-1 FBPI had higher cooking yield, gel strength, and viscosity than controls. The addition of FBPI to MPGs increased the protein surface hydrophobicity and decreased sulfhydryl groups. Adding FBPI to MPGs changed the protein profile and microstructure. The cooking loss and expressible moisture of LFMSs with 5, 10, or 15 g kg-1 FBPI were lower than those of controls and showed similar results to those with 15 g kg-1 soy protein isolate (SPI). Hardness values of LFMSs with FBPI and SPI were no different, and were higher than those of controls. CONCLUSION: The addition of FBPI potentially improves rheological properties of MPGs and the functional properties of LFMSs, including water-holding capacity and textural properties. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Evaluation of Gelation Properties of Salt-Soluble Proteins Extracted from Protaetia brevitarsis Larvae and Tenebrio molitor Larvae and Application to Pork Myofibrillar Protein Gel System.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional properties of salt-soluble proteins obtained from Protaetia brevitarsis (PB) and Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae, the interaction between these proteins and pork myofibrillar protein (MP) in a gel system. The gel properties of salt-soluble protein extracts showed that the PB had a higher viscosity than the TM protein. However, the TM protein had higher gel strength compared with the PB protein. The gelation characteristics of the pork MP gel systems added with lyophilized insect salt-soluble protein powder showed to decrease slightly viscosity compared with MP alone. Adding the TM or PB protein powder did not affect the pork MP's hydrophobicity and sulfhydryl group levels. Furthermore, the protein bands of the MP did not change with the type or amount of insect salt-soluble protein. The cooking yields of the pork MP gels containing PB or TM protein powder were higher than those without insect protein. Regardless of the type of insect salt-soluble protein added, the pork MP's gel strength decreased. Furthermore, as the level of insect powder increased, the surface protein structure became rough and porous. The results demonstrated that proteins extracted from PB and TM larvae interfered with the gelation of pork MP in a gel system.

Effect of sea tangle extract on the quality characteristics of reduced-salt, low-fat sausages using pre-rigor muscle during refrigerated storage.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate quality characteristics of reduced-salt, low-fat pork sausage (PS) using pre-rigor muscle and sea tangle extract (STE) to reduce salt level of sausages during refrigerated storage. METHODS: Pork ham was prepared with pre-rigor and post-rigor muscle from the local market. Sausages using post-rigor muscle were manufactured with the 1.5% of salt content, and samples with pre-rigor muscle were processed by different salt concentrations (0.8%). Accordingly, PSs were prepared in 4 treatments (REF, PS with 1.5% of salt using post-rigor muscle; CTL, PS with 0.8% of salt using pre-rigor muscle; TRT1, PS with 0.8% of salt and 5% of STE using pre-rigor muscle; TRT2, PS with 0.8% of salt and 10% of STE using pre-rigor muscle). For the evaluation of quality characteristics and shelf-life of reduced-salt PS, pH and color values, cooking loss (%), expressible moisture (%), textural properties, lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric reactive substances), protein denaturation (volatile basic nitrogen), and microbiological analysis (total plate counts and Enterobacteriaceae counts) were determined. RESULTS: The pH and temperature of pre-rigor raw pork ham were higher than those of post-rigor pork ham. Hardness of TRT2 was higher than that of REF or CTL. TRT2 had higher gumminess and chewiness than CTL. TRT1 and TRT2 had lower volatile basic nitrogen than CTL. Total plate counts of TRT2 were lower than those of CTL. Expressible moisture values of TRT1 and TRT2 were similar to those of REF. The addition of STE into PS improved functional properties and shelf-life of PS. CONCLUSION: Reduced-salt PS containing pre-rigor muscle and STE had similar functional properties to those of regular-salt ones, while containing approximately 47% less salt compared to regular-salt level.

Evaluation of salt level and rigor status on the physicochemical and textural properties of low-fat pork sausages added with sea tangle extract using rapidly chilled pre-rigor pork ham.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the quality characteristics of pork sausage (PS) with sea tangle extract (STE) and rapid chilled pre-rigor muscle (RCPM) for the development of reduced-salt low-fat sausage. METHODS: Pre- and post-rigor pork ham muscles were prepared to process PSs. Positive control (reference, REF) using post-rigor muscle were manufactured at a regular-salt level of 1.5%. Fresh and rapid-chilled pre-rigor muscle (FPM and RCPM) were used to manufacture reduced-salt sausages with 0.8% salt. Reduced-salt PSs were prepared with four treatments: FT1 (FPM alone), FT2 (FPM with 5% STE), RT1 (RCPM alone), and RT2 (RCPM with 5% STE). The physicochemical and textural properties of the sausages with reduced-salt levels and RCPM combination were measured to determine if the characteristics of RCPM were similar to those with FPM. RESULTS: The pH values of PS with FPM and RCPM were higher than those of REF with post-rigor muscle. Color values (L*, a*, b*) were not affected by different rigor-states and salt addition level. Textural properties of reduced-salt PSs were similar to those of REF due to the improved functionalities of pre-rigor muscle. RT2 had lower expressible moisture (%) than other treatments with post-rigor muscle and RCPM except for RT1. CONCLUSION: The addition of STE and RCPM to reduced-salt PS increased the waterholding capacity, which was lower than those of PS with STE using RCPM but similar to those of regular-salt sausage.

Effect of Pork Skin Gelatin on the Physical Properties of Pork Myofibrillar Protein Gel and Restructured Ham with Microbial Transglutaminase.

The goal of this study was to determine the qualities of pork myofibrillar protein (MP) gels added with pork gelatin and transglutaminase (TGase), as well as their application to restructured ham (RH). MP mixtures were prepared with various levels of gelatin (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%. w/w) and TGase. In this study, cooking loss (CL), gel strength, shear stress, and the microstructure of MP with various levels of gelatin were evaluated. After RHs were manufactured with varying levels of gelatin and TGase, the physicochemical and textural properties were measured. The CL of the MP with 1% (w/w) of gelatin was decreased. Regardless of the presence of TGase, increased amounts of gelatin in the MP gels resulted in high shear stress. Shear values were higher in the RH with gelatin treatment than in the other treatments. In addition, the RHs with gelatin alone or combined with TGase had high water-holding capacity. The RH with the combination of gelatin and TGase had higher sensory attributes than the control. Gelatin improved the physical properties of the RHs and is recommended for application in various meat products.

Antioxidant activity of Cinnamomum cassia extract and quality of raw chicken patties added with C. cassia powder and Pleurotus sajor-caju powder as functional ingredients during storage.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate antioxidant activities of cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) extracts (extracted with different solvents) at various concentrations and to determine product quality of raw chicken patties added with different levels of cinnamon powder (CP) and oyster mushroon powder (OMP) during storage. METHODS: After cinnamon was made into oven dried CP and extracted with water and different levels (50%, 80%, and 100%) of ethanol, antioxidant activities of these extracts were determined. CP and OMP were combined at different levels and added to raw chicken patties. Physicochemical properties and microbial counts were measured during refrigerated storage. RESULTS: Cinnamon ethanol (80%) extract showed the highest (p<0.05) by 2,2-diphenyl-1 picrylhydrazyl-radical scavenging activity and reducing power. Cinnamon water extract (CWE) had the highest iron chelating ability (p<0.05), while CP 100% ethanol extract had the highest content of total phenolic compound. Then, CP and OMP were applied to chicken patties at different levels (0.1% to 0.2%). After the addition of CPs, pH, L* (lightness), 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, and volatile basic nitrogen values were decreased, whereas a* (redness) and b* (yellowness) values were increased. Microbial counts of total bacteria and Enterobacteriaceace were decreased with the addition of CP 0.2% regardless of the OMP level. CONCLUSION: The addition of CP in combination with OMP can increase the shelf-life of chicken patties during storage.

Effects of different frozen temperatures of pork sausage batter on quality characteristics of reduced-salt sausages using pre-rigor muscle.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate quality characteristics of reduced-salt pork sausage (PS) using pre-rigor muscle compared to those of regular-salt PS. In addition, effects of freezing on sausage batter with different temperatures (-30°C vs -70°C) on quality characteristics of both sausage batter and cooked sausages during frozen storage were observed. METHODS: Pre-rigor and post-rigor pork hams were used to manufacture low-fat sausages. Sausages using post-rigor (Post) muscle were manufactured at a salt level of 1.5%, whereas those with pre-rigor (Pre) muscle were processed at salt level of 1.0%. After these muscles were made at two salt levels (1.5% salt, Post-rigor; 1.0% salt, Pre-rigor), Sausage batters were stored at two frozen temperatures (-30°C vs -70°C). During storage for 12 wks, they were measured for physicochemical and textural properties every 4 wks up to 12 wks. RESULTS: pH values and temperatures of sausage batter of pre-rigor muscle were higher than those of post-rigor muscle regardless of the frozen temperature. The lightness and yellowness values of batter at the initial storage were the highest during storage. For PS, there were no differences in most parameters measured among all treatments. However, expressible moisture values (%) of Pre-30 and Pre-70 were lower than those of Post-30 (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Regardless of frozen temperature during storage, quality characteristics of pre-rigor PS with salt level of 1.0% salt were similar to those of post-rigor PS with salt level of 1.5%. By using the pre-rigor muscle, salt content could be reduced by one third of the regular-salt level (1.5%) of post-rigor muscle.

Physicochemical properties of reduced-salt cured pork loin as affected by different freezing temperature and storage periods.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate functional properties of reduced-salt pork meat products made of pre-rigor pork loin treated by different freezing temperatures (-30°C and -70°C) during storage. METHODS: Pre-rigor cured pork loin with 1.0% added salt was compared to post-rigor muscle added with 1.5% salt for pH, color (L*, a*, b*), cooking loss (CL), expressible moisture, warner-Bratzler shear value, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and volatile basic nitrogen (VBN). RESULTS: Pre-rigor cured pork loins had higher pH and temperature than post-rigor ones as raw meat (p<0.05). pH values were higher for pre-rigor pork loins than those of post-rigor pork loins (p<0.05). Color values did not different among treatments (p>0.05). No color differences were observed during storage period after cooking (p>0.05). The CL (%) of pre-rigor cured pork loins was the lowest when frozen at -70°C. The TBARS and VBN increased from 8 weeks of storage (p<0.05), but no further changed thereafter (p>0.05). Pre-rigor cured pork loins added with 1.0% salt showed similar characteristics to post-rigor pork loins added with 1.5% salt. CONCLUSION: Cured pork loins could be produced using pre-rigor muscle added with 1/3 of the original salt level (1.5%) and could be stored for up to 4 wks of frozen storage, regardless of a frozen temperature of -30°C or -70°C without detrimental effects.

Antioxidant Activities of Eggplant (Solanum melongena) Powder with Different Drying Methods and Addition Levels to Pork Sausages.

The objective of this study was to evaluate antioxidant activities of eggplant (EP) powder with different drying methods and addition levels to pork sausages to improve product quality. Antioxidant activities of EP with different drying methods, particle sizes, and solvents of extraction were determined. Freeze dried (FD) EP extracted with 100% ethanol had higher 2,2-diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging activities (DPPH-RSA) and total phenolic content (TPC) values than other drying methods. FD500 had the highest iron chelating ability (ICA) value. Oven-dried (OD) EP at 60°C had the highest reducing power. Dried EP was added to sausages of six groups: control without EP, reference added with ascorbic acid, O1 and O2 added with 0.25% and 0.5% OD EP, respectively, and F1 and F2 added with 0.25% and 0.5% FD EP, respectively. Pork sausages added with O2 had the lowest TBARS and TPC values. These values increased during storage. Purge loss (%), lightness (L*), and redness (a*) values of F2 were lower than those of other groups, whereas sausages containing F2 had the highest yellowness (b*). pH values of sausages added with EP were increased regardless of the level of EP added. Hardness values of F2 were higher. However, there were no significant differences in other textural characteristics. Sausages added with EP had higher moisture and protein contents (%), but lower fat contents (%). These results indicate that EP powder could be used to retard lipid oxidation and inhibit microbial counts during storage time.

Characteristics of low-nitrite pork emulsified-sausages with paprika oleoresin solution during refrigerated storage.

The objective of this study was to evaluate quality characteristics of low-nitrite emulsified-sausages (ESs, < 75 ppm) containing paprika oleoresin solution (POS) for replacing sodium nitrite (NaNO2). Pork ESs were prepared with four treatments (reference (REF), 150 ppm NaNO2; TRT1, 0 ppm NaNO2 + 0.1% POS; TRT2, 37.5 ppm NaNO2 + 0.1% POS; and TRT3, 75 ppm NaNO2 + 0.1% POS). The physicochemical and texture properties, microbial counts, residual nitrite and thiobarbituric acid reactant substances (TBARS) were measured during refrigerated storage of 35 days. Although TRT2 and TRT3 had lower levels of NaNO2, they had higher redness and yellowness than REF (p < 0.05). Microbial counts of total bacterial counts and Enterobacteriaceae of TRT2 and TRT3 were similar to those of REF (p > 0.05). Expressible moisture percentages (EM, %) of TRT2 and TRT3 were lower than those of REF (p < 0.05). TBARS values of TRT2 and TRT3 were not different from those of REF (p > 0.05). Among treatments, TRT1 had the highest TBARS values (p < 0.05). In conclusion, 0.1% POS in combination with 37.5 ppm NaNO2 would have quality characteristics similar to those of REF. Therefore, approximately 3/4 of the initial nitrite level could be replaced with 0.1% POS, and eventually developed healthier pork products.

Evaluation of Quality Characteristics of Low-Nitrite Pork Sausages with Paprika Oleoresin Solution during Refrigerated Storage.

The objective of this study was to evaluate quality characteristics of pork emulsified-sausage (ES) containing paprika oleoresin solution (POS) as a replacement for sodium nitrite (NaNO2) during refrigerated storage. ESs were prepared with four treatments: 1) REF, 150 ppm NaNO2; 2) CTL, 75 ppm NaNO2; 3) TRT1, 75 ppm NaNO2+0.1% POS (1% paprika oleoresin+99% sunflower seed oil); and 4) TRT2, 75 ppm NaNO2+0.1% POS (5% paprika oleoresin+95% sunflower seed oil). The addition of POS into ES increased redness and yellowness but decreased lightness (p<0.05). TRT1 and TRT2 had higher redness and yellowness than CTL (p<0.05). TRT1 and TRT2 had lower total plate counts (Log CFU/g) than CTL due to antimicrobial activity of POS, regardless of its levels (p<0.05). Residual nitrite decreased with increasing storage time for all treatments. TRT2 had lower residual nitrite due to nitrite scavenging activity of POS (p<0.05). CTL had the highest thiobarbituric acid reactant substances (TBARS) among all treatments during storage. The addition of POS into ES showed nitrite scavenging activity during refrigerated storage. In conclusion, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the ES with a combination of POS and 75 ppm NaNO2 were similar to those of REF (150 ppm NaNO2), and improved color development of redness value. Therefore, the addition of POS could decrease the amount of nitrite in ESs, leading to healthier meat products.

Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Curing Potentials of Micronized Celery Powders added to Pork Sausages.

Meat industries utilize plant material such as celery in cured meat products. Extraction of valuable bioactive compounds, nitrates and nitrites often involves processes that increase cost or lack sustainability. Thus, this study investigated the effect of ball-milled celery powders (CP) on the physicochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties along with curing efficiency in comminuted meat product. Pork sausages loaded with CPs with different average particle sizes: 265 µm (T1), 68 µm (T2) and 7 µm (T3) were compared to those added without and with sodium nitrite (150 ppm). The a* values were increased for sausages with larger particle size. The L* values decreased for all CPs. Residual nitrite for all particle sizes increased in the earlier stages and decreased at the end of storage period. The curing efficiency also increased for larger size particles with an increase until day 9 followed by a gradual decrease. Superfine CP had a tendency to improve the antioxidant activities. The antimicrobial activity of CPs was not comparable with nitrite added sausages. The textural parameters remained unaffected by particle size. Thus, instead of extracts or juices, micronized CPs could be used to improve the antioxidant activities and curing efficiency of label friendly reformulated meat products.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of Cudrania tricuspidata (CT) Leaves, Fruit Powder and CT Fruit in Pork Patties during Storage.

The objective of this study was to assess antioxidant activities of leaves and fruit powder of Cudrania tricuspidata (CT) with different particle sizes (crude, 500 µm, 150 µm), and determine the physicochemical properties and microbial counts of pork patties with various levels of CT fruit powder (CTFP) during refrigerated storage. Total phenolic content of crude leaves had the highest value of 3.54 g/100 g (p<0.05). Overall, CT leaves (CTLP) had higher total phenolic content than CTFP (p<0.05). 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of CTFP was higher than that of CTLP (p<0.05), which showed higher iron chelating ability and reducing power than CTFP (p<0.05). After pork patties were manufactured with 0.5% and 1.0% of CTFP at 500 µm, pH, color values, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), and peroxide values (POV) were then measured. The addition of CTFP into pork patties significantly (p<0.05) increased redness and yellowness values of patties. TBARS values of pork patties containing CTFP were lower (p<0.05) than those of CTFP-0 patties after 10 days of storage. Pork patties added with CTFP showed no significant (p>0.05) difference TBARS values among different storage periods. POV values of pork patties containing CTFP were lower than those of the control from 3 days up to the end of refrigerated storage (p<0.05). These results suggest that CTFP could be used as a natural antioxidant to retard lipid oxidation in meat products during refrigerated storage.

Physicochemical Properties and Shelf-Life of Regular-Fat Sausages with Various Levels of Grape Tomato Powder Prepared by Different Drying Methods.

This study was aimed to investigate the physicochemical properties, texture, and antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of regular-fat sausages (RFSs) mixed with 0.25 and 0.5% of oven-dried and freeze-dried grape tomato powder (GTP, 150 µm) during storage at 4°C. RFSs were made by six treatments that included: control (CTL), REF (sausages with 0.1% ascorbic acid alone), F1GTPSs (F1) and F2GTPSs (F2) (sausages with 0.25% and 0.5% freeze-dried GTP), and O1GTPSs (O1) and O2GTPSs (O2) (sausages with 0.25% and 0.5% GTP oven-dried at 100°C). Sausages with added oven-dried grape tomato powders (OGTPs) showed decreased pH, lightness (L*), total plate count (TPC), and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) compared to the sausages mixed with freeze-dried GTP (FGTPSs), but also had the highest redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) values among the treatments. With increasing levels of GTP, the hardness and chewiness of the sausages gradually decreased and these were decreased more in the FGTPSs (F) than in the OGTPSs (O). Compared to the FGTPSs, OGTPSs had higher antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, which extend the shelf-life of meat products. Application of OGTP to RFSs resulted in higher lipid antioxidant, antimicrobial activities, improving physicochemical properties and extended the shelf-life.

Physicochemical properties and shelf-life of low-fat pork sausages wrapped with active film manufactured by sodium alginate and cherry tomato powder.

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to investigate physicochemical properties, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of low-fat sausages (LFSs) covered with sodium alginate (SA) film alone and with powder film (TSA-film) formed by cross-linking cherry tomato powder (CTP) and SA with calcium chloride (CaCl2). METHODS: Sausages covered with the biodegradable film were assessed based on the measurement of pH, color (L*, a*, b*), proximate analysis, expressive moisture (EM), texture profile analysis, total plate counts (TPC), violet red bile, and 2-Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) during storage under refrigeration. LFSs wrapped with TSA-film were compared with those wrapped with SA-film and without film (control) during storage at 10°C for 35 days. RESULTS: The LFSs covered with the mixed film had lower pH, lightness (L*), EM%, TBARS, and TPC, but lower yellowness (b*) and hardness values than those wrapped with TSA-film alone. CONCLUSION: Lipid oxidation and microbial growth was retarded in sausages covered with biodegradable films, especially multiple films as compared to single film, thereby resulting in extended shelf-life of the LFSs.

Evaluation of physicochemical and textural properties of chicken breast sausages containing various combinations of salt and sodium tripolyphosphate.

This study was to investigate the effect of salt alone or in combination with phosphate on physicochemical and textural properties, and chemical interactions of low-fat model sausages. pH, color, expressible moisture (EM), cooking loss (CL), proximate analysis, textural profile analysis and low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy were performed. As salt content increased, color tended to decrease, as did EM and CL parameters, indicating that the ability to retain moisture was improved with increased salt levels (p < 0.05). In addition, textural hardness, gumminess and chewiness all increased with increasing salt (p < 0.05). Sausages with 0.3% salt showed the lowest cohesiveness compared to those with salt levels higher than 0.3% (p < 0.05). Addition of sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) increased pH of sausages. Increasing salt and STPP did not affect lightness (p > 0.05), but did increase redness and yellowness (p < 0.05). The moisture content was higher when the salt and STPP contents were increased (p < 0.05), but no differences in the fat and protein contents (%) were observed (p > 0.05). EM and CL tended to decrease with increasing salt and STPP. In textural properties, the combination of 1.8% salt and 0.3% STPP was the best among other treatment (p < 0.05). Surface microstructure showed a flat and dense structure with increasing salt and STPP. Since the addition of salt and phosphate improved the functionality, textural and physicochemical properties of meat products in this study, meat products will need to be developed in line with consumer's preference.

Evaluation of NaCl and KCl Salting Effects on Technological Properties of Pre- and Post-Rigor Chicken Breasts at Various Ionic Strengths.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of NaCl and KCl salting on technological properties of pre- and post-rigor chicken breasts at various ionic strengths. The following factorial arrangement was used: 2 salt types (NaCl and KCl) × 2 rigor statuses (pre- and post-rigor) × 4 ionic strengths (0.086, 0.171, 0.257, and 0.342). Hot-boned and ground chicken breasts were salted within 30 min postmortem after slaughter (pre-rigor salting) or 24 h postmortem (post-rigor salting) with varying concentrations of NaCl (0.50%, 1.00%, 1.50%, and 2.00%) or KCl (0.64%, 1.28%, 1.91%, and 2.55%) corresponding to the four ionic strengths. KCl caused higher pH value in salted chicken breasts than NaCl (p < 0.05). However, KCl decreased total and myofibrillar protein solubilities in post-rigor salted chicken breasts compared to NaCl (p < 0.05), but those were similar to pre-rigor chicken breasts, regardless of the salt type (p > 0.05). Different salt types had no significant impact on cooking loss and textural properties. This study shows that NaCl and KCl had similar effects on technological properties at the same ionic strength (within 0.342), but the use of KCl may have the possibility to decrease protein solubility, depending on rigor status of raw meat at the different salting time.

Physical Properties and Structural Changes of Myofibrillar Protein Gels Prepared with Basil Seed Gum at Different Salt Levels and Application to Sausages.

The objective of this study was to evaluate physical properties and structural changes of myofibrillar protein gels with basil seed gum (BSG) at different salt levels and develop the low-salt sausages with BSG. Myofibrillar protein (MP) gels were prepared with or without BSG at different salt concentrations (0.15, 0.30, and 0.45 M). Cooking yield (CY, %), gel strength (GS, gf), viscosity, sulfhydryl contents, protein surface hydrophobicity, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of MP were measured. Pork sausages were manufactured with 1% BSG at both low-salt (1.0%) and regular-salt (1.5%) levels. pH, color, expressible moisture (EM, %), CY, textural profile analyses, FTIR, sulfhydryl group, and protein surface hydrophobicity (µg) were measured for analyzing the properties of sausages. The addition of 1% BSG to MP gels increased CY and shear stress. Among treatments with different salt concentrations, MP at 0.30 M salt level with 1% BSG had higher GS than that at 0.15 M salt level with BSG. In microstructure, swollen structures were shown in MP gels with BSG. Although CY of sausage at the low-salt concentration (1.0%) decreased, regardless of the BSG addition, hardness values of sausages with regular-salt level increased with the addition of 1% BSG was added. Protein surface hydrophobicity and sulfhydryl contents of sausages increased with the addition of 1% BSG, resulting in higher hardness and lower springiness than those without BSG. These results suggest that BSG could be used as a water-binding and gelling agent in processed meats.

Influence of the pH and Salt Concentrations on Physicochemical Properties of Pork Myofibrillar Protein Gels Added with Cornstarch.

The aim of this study was to evaluate quality characteristics of pork myofibrillar protein (MP) added with cornstarch as affected by different pH values and salt cocnentrations. MP mixtures were prepared with three different pH values (pH 6.00, 6.25, and 6.50) and three different salt concentrations (0.15, 0.30, and 0.45 M). Cooking yield (CY), gel strength, viscosity, and scanning electron microscopy were measured to evaluate characteristics of MPs. CYs of MPs with cornstarch at above pH 6.25 or salt 0.30 M were increased compared to those at pH 6.00 or salt 0.15 M. However, gel strengths of MPs at salt 0.45 M were higher than those at salt 0.30 M. In microstructure analysis, MP gels with increasing pH value and salt concentration showed compact and uniform structure. Thus, MP gels with pH 6.25 and salt concentration of 0.30 M would be better for manufacturing meat products containing cornstarch to increase their water holding ability.