Untargeted metabolomics and conventional quality characterization of rowanberry pomace ingredients in meatballs

In this study, a rowanberry pomace defatted with supercritical CO(2) (2%-AC), its ethanolic extract (1%-E) and extraction residue (2%-R), were tested in meatball preparation. The meatballs with 1%-E demonstrated the highest in vitro radical scavenging capacity. In the case of 1%-E the pH of meatballs was significantly lower compared to the control sample (P = 0.0132) on the 5-day. The lowest cooking loss was achieved when the meatballs contained mainly fibre-rich 2%-R. The UHPLC method detected 184 metabolites, including strong antioxidants, such as chlorogenic acids, 3′,4′-methylenedioxy-5,7-dimethylepicatechin, hyperin, isoquercitrin. The 1%-E was particularly effective against the development of unpleasant off-flavours caused by carbonyl compounds. Consistently, the decrease in lipid oxidation, indicated by reduced 7-dodecenal and 2,4-heptadienal contents, has been observed following the addition of rowanberry extract to meatballs. Metabolomics coupled with conventional quality evaluations provided a deeper understanding of the potential utilization and valorisation of different rowanberry pomace extracts as meat ingredients.