Low-salt Meat Products Research Articles

Effect of reducing sodium chloride based on the sensory properties of meat products and the improvement strategies employed: a review.

Many consumers are concerned about the high levels of salt intake owing to the accompanied risk of chronic diseases. Due to this dietary concern, the food industry has recommended the reduction of salt content in many products. However, the addition of salt to meat products improves their quality and sensory properties, including saltiness, color, juiciness, and texture. Because quality deteriorations could induce decreased sensory scores owing to salt reductions, the challenges involved in improving the quality of reduced-salt meat products have been addressed. During the development of low-salt meat products, it is important to reduce sodium content and address the problems that arise with this reduction. Modified salt, organic acids, amino acids, nucleotides, hydrocolloids, high-pressure, ultrasound, electric pulsed field, and irradiation have been suggested as strategies to replace or reduce sodium content, and sensory scores could be improved by these strategies. Therefore, when developing a low-salt meat product, several perspectives must be considered and the latest technologies that could resolve this problem should be adopted.

Effect of citric acid on physicochemical properties and protein structure of low-salt restructured tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) meat products.

The growing consumer demand for healthy products has encouraged the development of low-salt meat products. In this study, to develop low-salt restructured tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) meat products, citric acid was used to improve the properties of restructured tilapia products. In comparison with control restructured fish products (RP) and surimi products (SP), 0.2% citric acid-treated restructured fish products (RPC) and surimi products (SPC) showed a significant decrease in expressible water and water activity and a remarkable increase in whiteness, dry matter, hardness, chewiness, gumminess, and acceptability. Mechanistic studies suggested that citric acid significantly changed the content of total protein and myofibrillar proteins and promoted degradation of heavy myosin chains. Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectra revealed the citric acid-mediated alteration in the peak intensities of amide I and amide II bands, which changed the secondary structures of RPC and SPC. It is feasible to prepare low-salt restructured tilapia meat products using citric acid, which offers a means of using muscle by-products and exploiting new functional products with an added commercial value. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Inclusion of seaweeds as healthy approach to formulate new low-salt meat products

• New eating habits promote the formulation of healthier meat products. • Seaweeds are a good option to develop new low-salt meat products. • Seaweeds are a source of omega-3 fatty acids, essential amino acids and minerals. • Type and dose of seaweed must be optimized to obtain marketable products. In the last years, the consumption of meat products is associated with a higher incidence of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. The outstanding profile of seaweeds in nutritive and bioactive compounds turns them into promising candidates to formulate healthy products. Accordingly, due to the increasing interest of consumers by new functional foods and healthier eating habits, several studies have been focused on the incorporation of seaweeds in meat products to enhance some of their properties considered unhealthy. In particular, this review encompasses the use of seaweeds as salt substitutes in meat products as well as their effects on sensorial and physicochemical properties, microbiological stability and shelf-life of the formulated meat products.

Evaluation of Pork Myofibrillar Protein Gel with Pork Skin Gelatin on Rheological Properties at Different Salt Concentrations.

This study was performed to evaluate the physicochemical properties of myofibrillar protein (MP) gels containing pork skin gelatin at different salt concentrations. MP gels were prepared to the different salt levels (0.15, 0.30, and 0.45 M) with or without 1.0% of pork skin gelatin. Cooking yield (CY), gel strength, shear stress were measured to determine the physical properties, and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, scanning electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, sulfhydryl group and protein surface hydrophobicity was performed to figure out the structural changes among the proteins. The addition of gelatin into MP increased CYs and shear stress. MP at 0.45 M salt level had the highest CY and shear stress, as compared to MPs at lower salt concentrations. As the salt concentration of MP gels increased, the microstructure became the compact and wet structures, and decreased the amount of α-helix/unordered structures and β-sheet. MP with gelatin showed a decreased amount of α-helix/unordered structures and β-sheet compared to MP without gelatin. The addition of gelatin to MP did not affect the sulfhydryl group, but the sulfhydryl group decreased as increased salt levels. MP mixtures containing gelatin showed a higher hydrophobicity value than those without gelatin, regardless of salt concentration. Based on these results, the addition of gelatin increased viscosity of raw meat batter and CY of MP gels for the application to low salt meat products.

Activities of Endogenous Lipase and Lipolysis Oxidation of Low-Salt Lactic Acid-Fermented Fish (<i>Decapterus maruadsi</i>)

There is increasing demand for low-salt meat products that retain traditional flavors. In this study, dry-salted fish (Decapterus maruadsi) were processed by 2 methods to obtain traditional salted fish (HS) and low-salt lactic acid-fermented fish (LAF). The relationship between lipolysis and lipid oxidation was investigated by evaluating changes in endogenous lipase (lipolytic enzymes; lipoxygenase, LOX), free fatty acid composition, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and peroxide value (POV) during processing. Lipolytic enzyme activity showed a decreasing trend, in general. LOX activity initially increased and eventually decreased. Phospholipase, acid lipase, and neutral lipase activity was 0.33, 0.17, 0.57 (in HS) and 0.39, 0.25, 0.67 (in LAF) times in the final product than the activity levels observed in fresh fish. A principal component analysis indicated that phospholipase and neutral lipase play major roles in promoting lipid hydrolysis (in HS and LAF), the correlation between lipolytic activity and lipid oxidation in HS is greater than the correlation in LAF, and the contribution of LOX to lipid oxidation was minor in salted fish.

Effects of membrane-filtered soy hull pectin and pre-emulsified fiber/oil on chemical and technological properties of low fat and low salt meat emulsions.

The objectives of this study were to determine efficacy of a membrane filtration in soy hull pectin purification and evaluate combined effects of soy hull pectin and pre-emulsified fiber/oil (PE) on chemical composition and technological properties of low fat and low salt meat emulsions. Soy hull pectin was purified through two different methods (alcohol-washed (ASP) and membrane-filtered (MSP)). Insoluble soy hull residues after pectin extraction were incorporated with sunflower oil and water for the PE preparation. Meat emulsion was formulated with 58% pork, 20% ice, 20% pork backfat, and 2% NaCl as control. A total of six low fat and low salt meat emulsions (1% NaCl and 10% backfat) was manufactured with 1% pectin (with/without ASP or MSP) and 10% PE (with/without). The pectin content of ASP and MSP was 0.84 and 0.64g L-galacturonic acid/g dry sample, respectively. The inclusion of soy hull pectin caused similar results on chemical composition, color, cooking loss, and texture of the meat emulsions, regardless of the purification method. In addition, positive impacts of the combined treatments with soy hull pectin and PE compared to single treatments on cooking loss and texture of the meat emulsions were observed. Results suggest that membrane filtration could be an effective alternative method to purify pectin, instead of alcohol-washing, and both soluble pectin and insoluble fiber from soy hulls could be used as a functional non-meat ingredient to manufacture various low fat and low salt meat products.

Low-Sodium Meat Products: Retaining Salty Taste for Sweet Health

There is a positive correlation between excessive intake of sodium and incidence of hypertension. As diet is the main source of sodium, awareness among people regarding its possible role upon health has driven demand for various low sodium foods including meat products. Meat products contribute a significant amount of dietary sodium, thus maligning their own image. However, this is not an easy task as common salt affects taste and flavor, functional attributes, stability, and food safety of meat products. The various properties such as taste and flavor, binding, as well as microbiological characteristics should be given due care while developing low salt meat products and accordingly different approaches have been proposed for processing of such products. Potassium chloride has been mostly used to replace sodium; however, a number of other salts, flavor enhancers, bitter blockers and water, as well as fat binders have also been attempted either alone or in different combinations. A number of low sodium meat products have been developed but their economy and consumer acceptability are the major concerns needing proper attention. In future it is anticipated that these challenges would be overcome to provide well acceptable and cost-effective healthier meat products to the consumers.

인산염 조합에 따른 Transglutaminase를 첨가한 저염 돈육 목심 세절육의 물성 증진 효과

본 연구는 돈육 목심 세절육에서 식염함량의 저하에 따른 기능성 및 조직감을 분석하였고, 저염 육제품의 transglutaminase(TG)와 두 종류의 인산염(sodium polyphosphate, STPP; sodium pyrophosphate, SPP)을 첨가하여 저염 돈육제품의 물성을 증진시키기 위해 수행되었다. 식염함량에 따른 목심 균질육의 특성을 평가한 실험 1에서는 식염함량이 증가함에 따라 지방 함량, 명도 그리고 황색도는 감소한(p<0.05), 반면, 수분 함량과 가열수율은 증가하였다(p<0.05). 실험 1의 결과에 따라 1.0% 식염함량을 저염조건으로 저염 돈육 목심 세절육에서 TG와 두 종류의 인산염(STPP, SPP)의 단일 혹은 복합첨가 효과를 조사하였다(실험2). 실험 2에서는 인산염을 첨가함에 따라 pH가 유의적으로 상승하였으며(p<0.05), 특히 SPP가 단일 또는 STPP와 혼합하여 첨가된 처리구는 STPP를 단일 첨가한 처리구에 비해 높은 pH값을 보였다(p<0.05). TG와 인산염을 첨가한 처리구들은 대조구 보다는 낮고 인산염 무첨가구 보다는 높은 가열수율의 결과를 나타냈다(p<0.05). 조직감 검사에서는 탄력성 항목에서 SPP를 단일 첨가한 처리구가 대조구보다 높은 값을 나타냈다(p<0.05). 따라서 저염 조건에서 인산염의 첨가를 통한 가열수율의 저하를 보완하고, TG 첨가를 통하여 조직감을 증진시켜 기능성 저염 육제품의 제조가 가능할 것으로 사료된다. This study was performed to evaluate functional and textural properties of low-salt pork meat products treated with transglutaminase (TG) using sodium polyphosphate (STPP) and sodium pyrophosphate (SPP). In experiment 1, lightness and yellowness decreased (p>0.05), but moisture content and cooking yield (%) increased with increased salt level (p<0.05). Based on these results, at least 1.0% salt was required to manufacture comminuted pork meat without quality defects. The effect of STPP and SPP with TG in low-salt (1%) pork comminuted shoulder meat products was evaluated in experiment 2. pH values increased with the addition of phosphate (p<0.05), with pH values in treatments containing TG and PP alone or in combination being higher than those with STPP alone (p<0.05). Cooking yield of treatments with TG and phosphates was higher than those without phosphates, but lower than CTL (1.5% salt and 0.4% STPP; p<0.05). Springiness of pork comminuted meat containing SPP was higher than those of CTL (p<0.05). These results indicate that low-salt meat products can be produced by the combination of TG and phosphate either alone or in combination to maintain cooking yield and textural properties.

Consumer attitude towards sodium reduction in meat products and acceptability of fermented sausages with reduced sodium content

Lowering salt content in meat products is possible from a technological and sensorial point of view, although little information is available about the consumers’ attitude and acceptance of these products. Attitude towards low salt meat products, following the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) proposed by Ajzen, was evaluated by 392 consumers. Acceptability of small calibre fermented sausages with 50% molar substitution of NaCl by six different mixtures of KCl (0–50%) and K-lactate (0–50%) and the control (22 g NaCl/kg) was determined by 98 consumers. The preference of the previous best two treatments was compared to the batch control by 279 consumers. In general consumers had a positive attitude towards low salt meat products, being higher for women than for men. Women showed stronger ideas and higher Perceived Control on the Behaviour towards reduced sodium meat products than men. Smokers showed lower intense beliefs than non-smokers. Consumers with a basic level of education were more affected by what other people important for them thought they should do. The final model obtained using the Theory of Planned Behaviour showed a good predictive capacity ( R 2 = 0.60) and a good internal consistency. Regarding the acceptability study, batches with substitution levels of 50% and 40% by K-lactate, showed lower overall acceptance than the control batch. Significant differences in acceptability were found regarding the gender and place of residence of the consumers. The preference study showed no differences between the batch control and batches with 50% KCl and 40% KCl + 10% of K-lactate substitution levels. According to these results and from a sensorial point of view, it is possible to reduce NaCl content in small calibre fermented sausages by 50% and obtain a product acceptable for consumers.

Sodium reduction in cooked meat products by using commercial potassium phosphate mixtures

In addition to salt (NaCl), sodium phosphate also increases the sodium content of meat products. Thus, the effects of replacing sodium phosphate with potassium phosphate on sodium content and properties of low-salt cooked bologna-type sausage and cooked ham were studied. Four sausage formulations were prepared. In formulations 1 and 2, the target sodium content was 0.55 g Na/100 g, and in recipes 3 and 4, 0.63 g Na/100 g. The salt content in formulation 2 was the same as in formulation 3, namely 1.2% NaCl, but the sodium content in the former was lower. In the cooked hams of recipes 1 and 2, the salt content was 1.4%, and in recipes 3 and 4, 1.8%. Sodium phosphate was used in recipes 1 and 3, and potassium phosphate in recipes 2 and 4. Very low-salt (i.e. 1.0-1.4% NaCl) meat products can be prepared providing that phosphates are added. Further reduction of sodium content in low-salt meat products is possible by replacing sodium phosphate with potassium phosphate. The extent of sodium reduction depends on the phosphates used and their sodium content, being equivalent to a sodium content of 0.2% NaCl or more. The replacement resulted in no adverse effects. Alkaline phosphates are also recommended in very low-salt products to minimize risk of purge.

Actitud de los consumidores frente a los productos cárnicos con un menor contenido en sodio

Food choice and food purchase are complex phenomena influenced not only by the sensorial char acteristics of the product and its price, but also by other factors such as consumer attitudes towards the product. In this study the model of planned behavior of Ajzen was used to measure consumer attitudes towards low salt meat products. A 48-item questionnaire was completed in by 112 consumers representing different sociodemographic levels. The results obtained showed that the beliefs were not completely unitary and only health- and taste-related beliefs significantly improved attitude prediction. Perceived control was the most important aspect in explaining the behavioral intention of the consumers despite its relatively low consistency. Attitude and the subjective norm also had a significant effect on intention. Sociodemographic parameters clearly divided the consumers in several components of the model, the sex of the individuals being the most important aspect. The predictive ability of the model was clearly different depending on whether separation of the consumers by sex and indirect measures of attitude and subjective norm were taken into account. The model of planned behavior proved to be effective in predicting consumers' behavioral intention. However, there are some aspects of this model such as the biased measurement of attitude and consistency of perceived control which need further improvement.