Nonmeat Ingredients and Additives

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

The main ingredients in a typical meat product are raw muscle and fat. Nonmeat ingredients include a variety of additives that are small molecules (salt, phosphate, antioxidant, and antimicrobial compounds present in plant-derived spices and seasoning, etc.) or large molecules (starch, gums, nonmuscle proteins, etc.). All these additives can be referred to as chemical ingredients (Table 33.1). Nonmuscle proteins and protein hydrolysates (peptides), such as, soy protein, soy protein hydrolysate, and sodium caseinate, are used in meat processing to improve textural characteristics and water-binding capacity in finished products. Common small ingredients influence meat product quality through interaction with proteins and lipids in meat processing. Examples include monobasic salts (NaCl, KCl, etc.), divalent cationic salts (CaCl2, MgCl2, etc.), various alkali and acid compounds, and different phosphates. Lipid and nonlipid free radicals, which are commonly generated in meat processing, can also have a profound impact on the quality of meats because they not only cause off-flavors but also impair products’ texture by reducing muscle protein functionality. To control oxidation, antioxidant compounds are widely used. Moreover, the cross-linking enzyme microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) is beneficial in improving gelling properties of muscle proteins under both low-and high-salt conditions and has been used in the manufacture of restructured meatloaves, meatballs, steaks, and nuggets. Overall, the intended roles of many of the large-and small-molecular chemical ingredients are affected by the specific meat processing conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHandbook of Meat and Meat Processing, Second Edition
Pages573-587
Number of pages15
ISBN (Electronic)9781439836842
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2012

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2012 by Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering
  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

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