The expression and localization of V-ATPase and cytokeratin 5 during postnatal development of the pig epididymis.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the localization and expression of H+ pumping vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase) and cytokeratin 5 (KRT5) in the epididymis of pigs, expressed in clear and basal cells, respectively, during postnatal development. METHODS: Epididymides were obtained from pigs at 1, 7, 21, 60, 120, and 180 days of age; we observed the localization and expression patterns of V-ATPase and KRT5 in the different regions of these organs, namely, the caput, corpus, and cauda. The differentiation of epididymal epithelial cells was determined by immunofluorescence labeling using cell-type-specific markers and observed using confocal microscopy. RESULTS: At postnatal day 5 (PND5), the localization of clear cells commenced migration from the cauda toward the caput. Although at PND120, goblet-shaped clear cells were detected along the entire length of the epididymis, those labeled for V-ATPase had disappeared from the corpus to cauda and were maintained only in the caput epididymis in adult pigs. In contrast, whereas basal cells labeled for KRT5 were only present in the vas deferens at birth, they were detected in all regions of the epididymis at PND60. These cells were localized at the base of the epithelium; however, no basal cells characterized by luminally extending cell projections were observed in any of the adult epididymides examined. CONCLUSION: The differentiation of clear and basal cells progressively initiates in a retrograde manner from the cauda to the caput epididymis. The cell-type-specific distribution and localization of the epithelial cells play important roles in establishing a unique luminal environment for sperm maturation and storage in the pig epididymis.

Isolation and identification of angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides derived from thermolysin-injected beef M. longissimus.

OBJECTIVE: This study identified angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides in beef M. longissimus injected with thermolysin (80 ppm) and stored for 3 days at 5°C. METHODS: Crude peptides (molecular weight <3 kDa) were obtained from the thermolysin hydrolysate and separated into seven fractions. Fraction V showing the highest ACE inhibitory activity was further fractionated, yielding subfractions V-15, V-m1, and V-m2, and selected for superior ACE inhibitory activity. Finally, twelve peptides were identified from the three peak fractions and the ACE inhibitory activity (IC50) of each peptide was evaluated. RESULTS: The Leu-Ser-Trp, Phe-Gly-Tyr, and Tyr-Arg-Gln peptides exhibited the strongest ACE inhibitory activity (IC50 values of 0.89, 2.69, and 3.09 mM, respectively) and had higher concentrations (6.63, 10.60, and 29.91 pg/g; p<0.05) relative to the other peptides tested. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the thermolysin injection process is beneficial to the generation of bioactive peptides with strong ACE inhibitory activity.

Impacts of post-mortem ageing prior to freezing on technological and oxidative properties of coarse ground lamb sausage in a model system.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of ageing time of lamb loins prior to freezing on technological characteristics and oxidation stability of coarse ground lamb loin sausage using in a model system. METHODS: Lamb loins (M. longissimus lumborum, n = 25) were aged at -1.5°C for 0, 1, 2, 3, and 8 wk and then frozen for the remaining days (a total of 30 wk). The aged/frozen/thawed lamb loins were ground, and model sausages were formulated with 75% aged/frozen/thawed lamb loin, 25% water, 1.5% sodium chloride (NaCl) and 0.3% sodium tripolyphosphate. The pH and thaw/purge loss of aged/frozen/thawed lamb loins were evaluated, and protein functionality (protein solubility and emulsifying capacity), water-holding capacity and textural properties of model sausages were determined. Cooked model sausages were vacuum-packaged in a plastic bag and displayed under continuous fluorescent natural white light (3°C±1°C). Colour and lipid oxidation of the cooked model sausages were evaluated on 0 and 21 d of display storage. RESULTS: Ageing prior to freezing had no impact on pH and purge/thaw loss of lamb loins and the colour of cooked sausages (p>0.05) made from the loins. Lamb loins aged for at least 3 wk prior to freezing numerically improved total and myofibrillar protein solubilities (p>0.05) and emulsion activity index (p = 0.009) of meat batter, but decreased cooking loss (p = 0.003) and lipid oxidation (p<0.05) of model sausages. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that post-mortem ageing of raw meat prior to freezing could improve water-holding capacity and lipid oxidative stability of sausage made from the meat.

Analysis of low-marbled Hanwoo cow meat aged with different dry-aging methods.

OBJECTIVE: Different dry-aging methods [traditional dry-aging (TD), simplified dry-aging (SD), and SD in an aging bag (SDB)] were compared to investigate the possible use of SD and/or SDB in practical situations. METHODS: Sirloins from 48 Hanwoo cows were frozen (Control, 2 days postmortem) or dry-aged for 28 days using the different aging methods and analyzed for chemical composition, total aerobic bacterial count, shear force, inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP) and free amino acid content, and sensory properties. RESULTS: The difference in chemical composition, total aerobic bacterial count, shear force, IMP, and total free amino acid content were negligible among the 3 dry-aged groups. The SD and SDB showed statistically similar tenderness, flavor, and overall acceptability relative to TD. However, SDB had a relatively higher saleable yield. CONCLUSION: Both SD and SDB can successfully substitute for TD. However, SDB would be the best option for simplified dry-aging of low-marbled beef with a relatively high saleable yield.

Evaluations of physicochemical and anti-oxidant properties of powdered leaves from lotus, shepherd's purse and goldenrod in restructured duck/pork patties.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of powdered leaves of lotus (LP), shepherd's purse (SP) and goldenrod (GP) on oxidation stability and quality characteristics of cooked duck/pork patties. Fresh duck tenderloin (M. pectoralis) and pork meat (M. biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus) were ground, formulated with LP, SP, GP or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and mixed with other non-meat ingredients. The manufactured patties were cooked, packaged, and stored at 3 °C for 4 weeks. The patties containing 1% of LP, SP and GP had significantly lower values in redness, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, conjugated dienes and total volatile basic nitrogen compared to control. No significant differences in sensory tenderness between the control and treated samples were observed. Addition of LP had a similar warmed-over flavor extent compared to patties with BHT. These results indicate that incorporation of the natural leaves could effectively inhibit oxidation and maintain freshness of cooked patties without any detrimental effects on sensory attributes during storage.

Physicochemical characteristics of breast and thigh meats from old broiler breeder hen and old laying hen and their effects on quality properties of pressed ham.

The consumption of meat products from old broiler breeder hen (OBH) and old laying hen (OLH) is limited by their poor organoleptic properties. In this study, the physicochemical properties of breast and thigh meat from OBH and OLH and their application to the development of pressed ham with better quality properties were examined. To manufacture pressed ham, 3 different chicken meat mixtures (mixture A, 50% breast and 50% thigh from OBH; mixture B, 50% breast and 50% thigh meat from OLH; mixture C, 25% breast and 25% thigh from OBH and OLH, respectively) were used. Breast meat from OBH showed a higher water holding capacity (WHC; P < 0.001), a* values (P < 0.05), and tenderness (P < 0.001) and lower cooking loss (P < 0.001) and b* values (P < 0.01) than those of other samples. No significant differences in physicochemical properties of thigh meat were detected between OBH and OLH. Regardless of chicken breed, the thigh samples showed significantly higher pH values, cooking loss, and a* and significantly lower WHC, L*, and b* than those of breast samples. The quality properties of pressed ham were affected by the physicochemical characteristics of meat ingredients, including pH, WHC, and textural properties. The pressed ham samples with mixtures A and B showed the lowest (P < 0.05) and highest (P < 0.05) values, respectively, for cooking loss, L*, b*, hardness, gumminess, and chewiness. The highest (P < 0.05) overall acceptability scores were obtained for samples made with mixture A. Thus, breast and thigh meat from OBH could be used for pressed ham with favorable WHC, tenderness, and overall acceptability.

Potential Antioxidant and Angiotensin I-converting Enzyme Inhibitory Activity in Crust of Dry-aged Beef.

Antioxidant activity, angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, and protein profile of crust (the dried surface of dry-aged beef) were evaluated compared to unaged, wet-, and dry-aged beef. Antioxidant activity was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonate) radical scavenging activities, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and ferrous ion chelating activity. The crust samples showed the greatest (P < 0.05) ACE inhibitory and antioxidant activity resulting from the three different mechanisms of action (radical scavenging, non-radical redox potential activity, and metal chelating) among the treatments. Small molecular weight protein bands and small peptides (<3 kDa) indicating potent bioactivity were evident in the myofibrillar protein profile of crust samples. The lowest (P < 0.05) ACE inhibitory activity was observed in unaged beef. The results indicate that crust could be utilized in various areas as a functional ingredient possessed antioxidant and ACE inhibitory activity instead of being discarded. In addition, dry aging can use for generation of functional ingredient from beef as the regime.

Effect of Seawater on the Technological Properties of Chicken Emulsion Sausage in a Model System.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of seawater to that of conventional salt (NaCl) on the technological properties of chicken emulsion sausages in a model system. Chicken sausages were prepared with seawater at three levels (10%, 15%, and 20%) in iced water (10%, 5%, and 0%, respectively) or with iced water (20%) and salt (1.2%). There was no difference in pH values and fat loss from emulsion stability between the two treatments. In general, with an increase in the amount of seawater, the water holding capacity (cooking yield and water loss), protein solubility (total and myofibrillar protein), and viscosity were increased. The addition of 20% seawater induced greater (p<0.05) water holding capacity, protein solubility, and viscosity compared to the control sample treated with salt, which was accompanied by an increase in the level of myosin heavy chain protein of samples with 10% and 20% seawater. Furthermore, addition of at least 15% seawater increased all of the main textural properties except for cohesiveness along with the moisture of sausage, whereas the fat and protein contents were decreased. Based on these results, the addition of ≥15% seawater to chicken breast sausage can induce equivalent or enhanced technological properties to those induced with salt, including water holding capacity, protein solubility, viscosity, and textural properties.

Fat replacement in chicken sausages manufactured with broiler and old laying hens by different vegetable oils.

The effect of old laying hen (OLH) and commercial broiler (CB) meat on emulsion-type sausages produced with different lipid types (canola, olive, and sunflower oils) to replace pork backfat was studied. To determine the physicochemical, textural, and microstructural properties, the proximate composition, color, pH, emulsion stability, cooking yield, water holding capacity, collagen content, textural properties, and scanning electron microscopy images of sausage samples were analyzed. Although there were significant differences in pH and emulsion stability between breed types (OLH and CB, P < 0.05), no significant differences were found for cooking yield and water holding capacity. The utilization of OLH meat in sausages produced higher total and insoluble collagen content than that of the CB meat. The replacement of pork backfat with olive oil produced the most similar texture to that of pork backfat among the lipid types used. The results showed the applicability of OLH meat in emulsion-type sausages and the use of vegetable oils, especially olive oil, might also be feasible.

Quality characteristics of reduced fat emulsion-type chicken sausages using chicken skin and wheat fiber mixture as fat replacer.

This study identified the suitability of chicken skin and wheat fiber mixture (CSFM) as an optimal fat replacer and its addition levels in reduced fat emulsion-type sausages, also paying heed to quality characteristics. Two CSFM types [CSFM-1 and CSFM-2 (chicken skin:ice:wheat fiber = 5:3:2 or 3:5:2, respectively)] were added at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% (w/w) as fat replacer. As the addition level increased, higher moisture and lower fat content were observed in the sausage samples without protein content loss (P < 0.05). Emulsion stability and pH were not significantly affected. Replacement with CSFM-2 at levels exceeding 15% significantly reduced cooking yield. While partial change in instrumental color was observed depending on replacer type and addition level, the panel did not detect the same. Hardness increased significantly with increasing addition levels. The panel detected decreased tenderness at 20% and 10 to 20% CSFM-1 and CSFM-2, respectively (P < 0.05). Twenty percent CSFM-1 and >10% CSFM-2 additions induced significant decrease in overall acceptability compared to the control. Thus, CSFM can be used as a fat replacer in reduced fat emulsion-type sausages at addition levels of 15% CSFM-1 (7.5% chicken skin, 4.5% water, and 3% wheat fiber based on total weight of meat batter) or 5% CSFM-2 (1.5% chicken skin, 2.5% water, and 1% wheat fiber based on total weight of meat batter).

Comparison of Three Commercial Collagen Mixtures: Quality Characteristics of Marinated Pork Loin Ham.

Various commercial collagen mixtures aimed at improving the quality of meat products are available, but the optimal composition is unclear. This study aimed to compare the functional properties, including physicochemical characteristics and lipid oxidative stability, of loin ham marinated with three commercial collagen mixtures sold as food additives. The addition of collagen mixtures led to significant increases in the moisture content, water holding capacity (WHC), cooking yield, and instrumental tenderness, regardless of the type of collagen mixture. In particular, meat samples containing collagen mixture C showed the highest (p<0.05) WHC and tenderness among all groups. Furthermore, collagen mixture B induced increases (p<0.05) in pH values in both raw and cooked samples. The a* values of samples with collagen mixtures were lower (p<0.05) than those of samples without collagen mixtures. All collagen mixtures effectively improved oxidative stability during 7 days of storage at 4°C. The samples containing collagen mixture B had the lowest lipid oxidation (p<0.05) among groups. These results indicated that collagen mixture C could be used in injection brine to enhance the quality characteristics of meat products, particularly the WHC and tenderness. Collagen mixture A could be used for meat products with high fat contents based on its ability to improve lipid oxidative stability during long-term storage.

Effects of green tea leaf, lotus leaf, and kimchi powders on quality characteristics of chicken liver sausages.

Liver sausage is flavorful and highly nutritious. However, liver has a relatively short shelf life due to acceleration of oxidation in the presence of endogenous enzymes and metals. Powders derived from natural sources, including plants or fruits, are applied to meat products for inhibiting oxidation without adverse effects on their quality. Hence, this study investigated the effects of natural powders derived from green tea leaf (GTL), lotus leaf (LL), and kimchi (KC) on the quality and change in lipid oxidation and freshness of chicken liver sausages during two weeks of storage. Chicken liver sausages were manufactured with chicken breast (70%) and liver (20%), pork back fat (5%), iced water (5%), various additives, and GTL, LL, and KC [0 (control) or 1%]. They were processed in three batches. For determination of the quality characteristics of chicken liver sausages with various plant powders, pH, color, and texture properties were assessed. In addition, lipid oxidation and freshness using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) were analyzed at day 0 and week 2 of refrigerated storage. Higher values were obtained for pH and cooking yield in sausage samples with LL and KC powders than in samples with the other treatments. For a* values, the sausage samples with KC showed similar (p > 0.05) values, whilst others had significantly lower values than the control. The addition of the three powders to sausage samples induced an increase (p < 0.05) in hardness, gumminess, and chewiness. The addition of plant powders did not influence TBARS and TVBN of sausage samples at the initial stage. However, after two weeks of storage, significantly lower TBARS and TVBN values were observed, and the sausage with KC (p < 0.05) showed the lowest values of both TBARS and TVBN. The results showed the potential ability of the three powders to improve the quality and inhibit lipid oxidation in liver sausages. Particularly, the addition of KC did not adversely affect the a* values of sausage samples. The effects on sensory properties and inhibition mechanisms of GTL, LL, and KC in meat products should be further studied.

Application of an Electric Field Refrigeration System on Pork Loin during Dry Aging.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of an electric field refrigeration (EFR) on the quality characteristics of pork loin including dry aging loss, pH, water holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss, color, shear force, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and microbial growth during dry aging (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 9 wk) in comparison with a commercial refrigerator (CR). Total plate counts (TPC) of the CR group approached 8.07 Log CFU/g at 2 wk of dry aging, thus indicating meat spoilage. Cooking loss, lightness, and shear force of EFR were significantly decreased (p<0.05) at subsequent aging weeks in both the EFR and CR. Aging loss, TPC, TBARS levels increased at subsequent aging weeks; however, pH values were not influenced by aging. At the same aging weeks (1 or 2 wk), the EFR group displayed significantly lower values (p<0.05) of aging loss, pH, TPC, and TBARS levels than the CR group. No significant differences in WHC, cooking loss, and shear force was observed until 2 wk of aging between the EFR and CR groups. The present results show that application of the EFR system improves the tenderness, color, and lipid oxidation stability of pork loin and extends its shelf life in comparison with a commercial refrigeration.

Effects of Aging and Aging Method on Physicochemical and Sensory Traits of Different Beef Cuts.

Wet and dry aging methods were applied to improve the quality of three different beef cuts (butt, rump, and sirloin) from Hanwoo cows (quality grade 2, approximately 50-mon-old). After 28 d of wet aging (vacuum packaged; temperature, 2±1°C) and dry aging (air velocity, 2-7 m/s; temperature, 1±1°C; humidity, 85±10%), proximate composition, cooking loss, water holding capacity, shear force, color, nucleotides content, and sensory properties were compared with a non-aged control (2 d postmortem). Both wet and dry aging significantly increased the water holding capacity of the butt cuts. Dry aging in all beef cuts induced lower cooking loss than that in wet-aged cuts. Shear force of all beef cuts was decreased after both wet and dry aging and CIE L*, a*, and b* color values in butt and sirloin cuts were higher in both wet and dry aging (p<0.05) groups than those in the non-aged control. Regardless of the aging method used, inosine-5'-monophosphate content among beef cuts was the same. The sensory panel scored significantly higher values in tenderness, flavor, and overall acceptability for dry-aged beef regardless of the beef cuts tested compared to non- and wet-aged cuts. In addition, dry-aged beef resulted in similar overall acceptability among the different beef cuts, whereas that in wet-aged meat was significantly different by different beef cuts. In conclusion, both wet and dry aging improved the quality of different beef cuts; however, dry aging was more suitable for improving the quality of less preferred beef cuts.

Influences of Red Pepper Seed Powder on the Physicochemical Properties of a Meat Emulsion Model System.

Red pepper seed (RPS) is commonly removed during the production of red pepper powder, which is contains large amounts of dietary fibers and is abundant in nutrients, readily available. In this study, we determined the effects of adding RPS powder on the physicochemical properties of emulsified meat products. Meat emulsion samples were prepared with pork hind leg meat (60%) and back fat (20%), iced water (20%), various additives, and RPS powder at different concentrations [0% (control), 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%]. For the physicochemical properties, moisture and fat content, pH value, color, emulsion stability, cooking yield, appearance viscosity, and textural properties were examined. Addition of RPS induced significantly higher values in moisture content, pH, cooking yield, and a* values of the meat emulsion samples, regardless of the amount added. However, lower values were obtained for emulsion stability, cooking yield, and viscosity in samples with RPS powder at 3% or 4% among all groups. In general, addition of RPS powder at 1% and 2% led to the greatest values in viscosity of the meat emulsion samples. Higher values (p<0.05) in hardness and springiness were observed in samples with RPS powder at 4% and 3%, respectively. For gumminess, chewiness, and cohesiveness, the addition of RPS powder at 1%, 2%, and 3% induced the highest values (p<0.05) in the meat emulsion samples. These results showed that addition of RPS powder at optimum levels (2%) could be utilized to improve quality properties of emulsified meat products as a non-meat ingredient.

Role of moisture evaporation in the taste attributes of dry- and wet-aged beef determined by chemical and electronic tongue analyses.

The role of moisture evaporation in the taste attributes of dry- and wet-aged beef was determined in this study. A total of 30 striploins (longissimus lumborum) were dry or wet aged for 28 days and analyzed for moisture content, taste-active compounds [free amino acids (FAAs), inosine 5'-monophophate (IMP), and reducing sugars], and taste attributes by an electronic tongue. After the completion of aging process, higher amounts of FAAs and reducing sugars were found in dry-aged beef (P < .05) in negative correlations with moisture content (r2 = -0.9 and - 0.9, respectively), which were not detected in wet-aged beef. However, the different taste attributes of dry- and wet-aged beef were observed by the electronic tongue from day 14, whereas their moisture content was significantly different only at day 28. Consequently, although the moisture evaporation during dry aging process contributed to the increased flavor of dry-aged beef, there are other factors affecting flavor development including microbial activity on the surface crust.

Optimization of 1D 1H Quantitative NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) Conditions for Polar Metabolites in Meat.

The objective of this study was to establish an optimized 1D 1H quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) analytical method for analyzing polar metabolites in meat. Three extraction solutions [0.6 M perchloric acid, 10 mM phosphate buffer, water/methanol (1:1)], three reconstitution buffers [20 mM 3-morpholinopropane-1-sulfonic acid, 2-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]ethanesulfonic acid, phosphate buffer], and two pulse programs (zg30, noesypr1d) were evaluated. Extraction with 0.6 M perchloric acid and 20 mM phosphate resulted in a stable baseline and no additional overlap for quantifying polar metabolites in chicken breast. In qNMR analysis, zg30 pulse program (without water-suppression) showed smaller relative standard deviation (RSD) and faster running time than noesypr1d (water-suppression). High-performance liquid chromatography was compared with qNMR analyses to validate accuracy. The zg30 pulse program showed good accuracy and lower RSD. The optimized qNMR method was able to apply for beef and pork samples. Thus, an optimized 1D 1H qNMR method for meat metabolomics was established.

Determination of Point of Sale and Consumption for Hanwoo Beef Based on Quality Grade and Aging Time.

This study aimed to determine the suitable point of sale and consumption of different quality grade (QG) Hanwoo short loin during aging period, based on physicochemical, sensory, and microbiological quality. Short loins obtained from the carcasses of 13 Hanwoo steers and 2 bulls with 5 different QGs (1++, 1+, 1, 2, and 3) were analyzed over 28 d. QG and aging time had significant effect on water holding capacity, color, shear force, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) content, and sensory traits. Higher QG groups generally exhibited a lower shear force, nucleotide content, and water holding capacity, and higher L*, a*, and b* values. Acceptable tenderness (shear force <5.4 kg) in QG 1++, 1+, 1, and 2 was achieved on days 7, 14, 16, and 18, respectively, and QG 3 showed a shear force of 6.8 kg, even after 28 d. Regardless of QG, TVBN content below threshold levels (20-30 mg%) was observed throughout the 28 d aging period, while total plate counts above 7 Log CFU/g were seen at 21 d. In conclusion, it is recommended that Hanwoo beef with QG 1++, 1+, and intermediate QG (1 and 2) should be sold or consumed between 7 and 21, 14 and 21, 16 and 21 d, respectively. Beef with QG 3 should be sold or consumed within 21 d, based on microbial growth, even though it has not achieved desirable tenderness. For this reason, an additional tenderizing process is recommended before this beef is ready for consumption.

Utilization of the Crust from Dry-aged Beef to Enhance Flavor of Beef Patties.

The crust that inevitably forms on dry-aged beef is usually trimmed and discarded before sale. The aim of this study was to explore methods for utilizing this crust in processed meat products. Four sirloins were dry-aged for 28 d at 4℃ (75% relative humidity). The crust obtained from the surface of the sirloins after completion of dry aging was lyophilized. Patties were prepared without added crust (control) or with 5% w/w crust, aerobically packaged, and stored at 4℃ for 7 d. Electronic nose analysis indicated that the volatile profile differed significantly between the patties with and without crust. Compared to the control patties, patties containing crust had higher flavor, tenderness, juiciness, and acceptability scores in a sensory panel evaluation (all p<0.05). In addition, patties with crust were less hard, gummy, and chewy than the control patties after 3 and 7 d of storage (all p<0.05). The number of total aerobic bacteria was higher in raw patties with crust than in the control patties during the storage (p<0.05). However, no pathogens were detected. 2-Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values of patties containing crust were significantly lower than those of control patties after 2 and 6 d of storage (both p<0.05). Thus, crust from dry-aged beef can enhance the flavor by providing beefy and palatable flavor without a long period of dry aging.

Effect of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) Powder on the Physicochemical and Sensory Properties of Emulsion-type Sausage.

Various amounts of buckwheat powder (0%, 1%, 2%, and 3%) were added to emulsion-type pork sausages. The effects of buckwheat powder on the physicochemical characteristics of the emulsion type sausages, including proximate composition, cooking yield, viscosity, pH, instrumental color, texture profile analysis (TPA), and sensory evaluation, were determined. Increased levels of added buckwheat powder led to higher moisture (p<0.05), ash content (p<0.05 or >0.05), and cooking yield (p<0.05). However, the protein and fat contents of the sausage samples were lower (p<0.05) with higher levels of added buckwheat powder. The instrumental color and pH values were affected by the addition of buckwheat powder, which has a pH of 6.1 and associated color coordinates of L*=75.0, a*=1.3, and b*=8.7. Meat batter with 3% buckwheat powder was shown the highest (p<0.05) viscosity indicating great formation of emulsion. There were no significant differences in the TPA among the treated samples. The viscosity value increased with increasing cooking yield in the batter (r2=0.7283) i.e. the correlation coefficient between the two measurements was very high and positive. For sensory traits except for tenderness, the highest scores (p<0.05) was detected on sausages with 3% added buckwheat powder by a panel. These results suggest that the addition of 3% buckwheat powder to emulsion-type sausages produces a more beneficial meat product, with a lower fat content, greater formation of emulsion and no adverse effects on sensory properties.