Effects of Microbial Transglutaminase on Technological, Rheological, and Microstructural Indicators of Minced Meat with the Addition of Plant Raw Materials

The aim of the study was to analyse the effects of transglutaminase on the physicochemical, technological, rheological, and microstructural indicators of minced meat with the addition of plant raw materials. The formulations of minced meat from beef trimming, hemp protein, and flax flour were optimized in terms of biological value and optimal content of essential amino acids. The addition of plant components in amounts greater than 18% caused an increase in the content of protein, fat, and ash in the minced samples. The rheological properties of minced meat samples without enzyme treatment changed depending on the proportion of plant raw materials. When the content of the flax flour was increased, the minimum ultimate shear stress and viscosity were observed, while the maximum values for these indicators were achieved in samples containing about 15% hemp protein, as well as in samples without plant additives. When adding transglutaminase to the formulation, increases in the ultimate shear stress and viscosity were proven for all combined minced samples. The combined minces, containing flax flour, had a more plastic structure and the lowest modulus of elasticity, while minces including 14% hemp protein or more than 87% meat components were identical to the control samples in terms of deformation and elasticity. In enzyme-treated minces, the plasticity of the samples reduced while density and elasticity increased. Transglutaminase treatment contributed to the formation of optimal technological properties of combined minces. Microstructural analysis showed the intermolecular bonds between protein particles in combined minced samples with the addition of enzymes. The research results have demonstrated the effectiveness of using transglutaminase in the composition of combined minced meat for the formation of a homogeneous and dense system with the necessary technological and rheological properties.