Evaluation of physicochemical and textural properties of myofibrillar protein gels and low-fat model sausage containing various levels of curdlan

OBJECTIVE: Curdlan has been widely used as a gelling agent in various food systems. This study was performed to evaluate the rheological properties of pork myofibrillar protein (MP) with different levels of curdlan (0.5% to 1.5%) and its application to low-fat model sausages (LFS). METHODS: MP mixtures were prepared with 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% of curdlan. Cooking loss (%), gel strength (gf), shear stress (Pa), and scanning electron microscopy were measured. Physicochemical and textural properties of LFS containing different levels of curdlan were measured. RESULTS: The shear stress of MP mixtures increased with increasing levels of curdlan. MP gels with increased levels of curdlan decreased cooking loss and increased gel strength (p<0.05). The MPs with 1.0% and 1.5% of curdlan were observed more compact three-dimensional structure than those with 0.5% curdlan. Increased curdlan level in LFS affected redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) values. Although expressible moisture of LFS did not differ among curdlan levels, LFSs with various levels of curdlan decreased cooking loss as compared to control sausages. Hardness values (2,251 to 2,311 gf) of LFS with 0.5% and 1.0% curdlan was increased and differ from those (1,901 gf) of control sausages. CONCLUSION: The addition of 1.0% curdlan improved the functional and textural properties of LFS.