Beetroot juices as colorant in plant-based minced meat analogues: Color, betalain composition and antioxidant activity as affected by juice type

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the suitability of the application of beetroot juices (obtained from fresh beetroot, cooked beetroot, beetroot powder and commercial beetroot juice) as colorants in the development of meat analogues, as well as their antioxidant properties. Fresh beetroot juice showed the highest betalain content (119.53 mg betanin/100 ml and 48.27 mg vulgasanthin I/100 ml) and commercial juice the lowest (49.40 mg betanin/100 ml and 7.21 mg vulgasanthin I/100 ml). Juices from fresh and cooked beetroot showed ABTS, FRAP and FIC values higher than values obtained for commercial juice (ascorbic acid added). Textured soy protein with cooked beetroot juice or with commercial juice showed the same appearance that of minced beef and pork meat, respectively, which is in accordance with their hue values and reflectance spectra. The attractive red color of betalains and their stability at the pH value of meat analogues make beetroot juices ideal for their application as colorants in meat analogues.