S.K. Mendiratta

Effect of age and gender on the processing characteristics of buffalo meat

Comparison of processing characteristics of meat from young male, spent male and spent female buffaloes was made to find the suitability of the meat for developing ready to eat meat products. Intensively reared young male buffalo meat showed higher moisture, collagen solubility, sarcomere length, myofibrillar fragmentation index and water holding capacity than meat from the other animals. A higher pH, total meat pigments, salt soluble protein, emulsifying capacity and lower collagen solubility were observed in spent male buffalo meat. Spent female buffalo meat had higher fat, total collagen, muscle fibre diameter and shear force value. Sensory evaluation of pressure cooked meat chunks indicated a marked toughness in spent male and female buffalo meat samples. These results suggest that young male buffalo meat is more suitable for processing in chunks and spent male and female buffalo meat is more suitable for processing in smaller particles.

Identification of species origin of meat and meat products on the DNA basis: a review.

The adulteration/substitution of meat has always been a concern for various reasons such as public health, religious factors, wholesomeness, and unhealthy competition in meat market. Consumer should be protected from these malicious practices of meat adulterations by quick, precise, and specific identification of meat animal species. Several analytical methodologies have been employed for meat speciation based on anatomical, histological, microscopic, organoleptic, chemical, electrophoretic, chromatographic, or immunological principles. However, by virtue of their inherent limitations, most of these techniques have been replaced by the recent DNA-based molecular techniques. In the last decades, several methods based on polymerase chain reaction have been proposed as useful means for identifying the species origin in meat and meat products, due to their high specificity and sensitivity, as well as rapid processing time and low cost. This review intends to provide an updated and extensive overview on the DNA-based methods for species identification in meat and meat products.

Efficacy of flaxseed flour as bind enhancing agent on the quality of extended restructured mutton chops.

Consumers have become very conscious about their nutrition and well being due to changes in their socio-economic lifestyle and rapid urbanization. Therefore, development of technology for production of low cost and functional meat products is urgently required. One such approach is innovative restructuring technology in which binding of meat pieces still remains the main challenge and extension of product is generally associated with poor binding and texture. Thus, the present study was envisaged as an attempt to solve this problem by the incorporation of flaxseed flour (FF) as bind enhancing agent. The FF was used at three different levels viz., 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% to replace lean meat in pre-standardized restructured mutton chops formulation. The products were subjected to analysis for physico-chemical, sensory and textural properties. Cooking yield, moisture percentage and fat percentage increased with increase in the level of incorporation of FF, however, protein percent and pH decreased with increase in the level of incorporation. Shear force value of product incorporated with 1.5% FF was significantly higher (p<0.01) than control and product containing 0.5% FF level. Among the sensory attributes, product with 1% flaxseed flour showed significantly higher values (p<0.05) for general appearance, binding, texture and overall acceptability. Hardness showed significant increasing (p<0.01) values with increasing levels of incorporation of flaxseed flour, however all other parameters of texture profile analysis showed a decreasing trend. On the basis of sensory scores and physico-chemical properties, the optimum incorporation level of FF was adjudged as 1%. Products incorporated with optimum level of flaxseed flour (1%) were also assessed for water activity and microbiological quality during the storage period of 15 days. It was found that the extended restructured product could be safely stored under refrigeration (4°C±1°C) in low density polyethylene (LDPE) pouches for 15 days without marked deterioration in sensory and microbiological quality. Thus, it was concluded that flaxseed flour can be used as a good bind enhancing agent in extended restructured meat products at an economic cost.

Development and characterization of essential oils incorporated carrageenan based edible film for packaging of chicken patties

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to develop an antimicrobial edible film coated with essential oils for packaging application with characterization of its physicochemical properties. Livestock products especially meat products need special packaging system for protection. The most well-known packaging materials are polyethylene or co-polymer-based materials which have led to serious ecological problems due to their non-biodegradability and non-renewable nature. There has been a growing interest for edible films in recent years trying to reduce the amount of wastes, capable of protecting the food once the primary packaging is open, and because of public concerns about environmental protection. Various kinds of antimicrobial substances can also be incorporated into edible films to improve their functionality, as these substances could limit or prevent microbial growth on food surface. Design/methodology/approach – Biopolymers such as carrageenan and carboxymethylcellulose and their various combinatio...

Preparation and storage stability of meat spread developed from spent hens

Aim: The present study was carried out to develop a meat spread as a healthier alternative to already existing meat products utilizing undervalued spent hen meat to add a new dimension to meat products. Materials and Methods: Carcasses were processed within 30 min of slaughter and conditioned at 4±1°C for about 24 h and then braised along with other ingredients to get the final product. The products were evaluated for proximate composition, peroxide values, pH, microbiological, and sensory qualities as per standard procedures. Results: The mean percent values for moisture, crude protein, ether extract, and total ash content of developed product were 58.75±0.32, 9.12±0.44, 11.19±0.16, and 2.35±0.17, respectively. No significant difference was observed for mean coliform and the yeast and mold counts with the progression of storage period, but samples differed significantly for mean pH, thiobarbituric acid and total viable plate count during storage of meat spread. A progressive decline in mean sensory scores was recorded along with the increase in storage time. Conclusion: The meat spread was found to be a good alternative to process the underutilized spent hens for its efficient utilization for product development.

Sequence analysis of mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene to identify meat species

In the present study, mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis was used for identification of Cattle (Bos taurus), buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), sheep (Ovis aries), goat (Capra hircus) and pig (Sus scrofa) species in fresh and processed meat. The DNA was extracted from fresh and processed meat including autoclaved meat and meat emulsion followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of about 497 bp DNA fragments of mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. Then the amplified PCR fragments were sequenced and analysed to differentiate the species. No adverse effect of ingredients and processing conditions was observed on PCR amplification of DNA extracted from heat-treated meat and meat emulsion. The closely related species such as cattle and buffalo, sheep and goat were differentiated from each other by sequence analysis. Thus, PCR amplification and sequence analysis of mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene can be used as a tool for authentic identification of meat species.

Quality evaluation of mutton nuggets incorporated with optimized level of flaxseed flour

Purpose Flaxseed is considered as a source of functional ingredients because it contains alpha-linolenic acid and high amount of dietary fiber which provides potential health benefits. Therefore, this paper aims to evaluate the effect of flaxseed flour on the quality of mutton nuggets. Design/methodology/approach Mutton nuggets were incorporated with three different levels of hydrated flaxseed flour (1:1), namely, 4, 8 and 12 per cent to optimize the level of incorporation. Detailed profile analysis was carried out to study various physico-chemical parameters, texture profile analysis and color values in the product with optimum level and compared with control product. Findings There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in sensory attributes of product with 4 and 8 per cent level of incorporation except for binding; however, significantly lower (p < 0.01) scores were observed for 12 per cent incorporation level. On the basis of sensory scores, 8 per cent level of incorporation was adjudged as optimum. Incorporation of flaxseed flour resulted in significantly lower (p < 0.01) moisture content, but higher (p < 0.01) fat and dietary fiber content. Texture profile analysis showed increased hardness of the product but resulted in decreased springiness and chewiness parameters. Incorporation of flaxseed flour significantly increased (p < 0.01) redness and yellowness of the product which improved overall acceptability. Originality/value The research work is original.

Estimation of Production Cost of Extended Restructured Mutton Chops Developed by Incorporating Pre-Optimized Level of Different Bind Enhancing Agents

Along with nutritive value and sensory acceptability of meat product, economics is also very important criteria that determine the marketability of any product. The characteristics of mutton such as high nutritive value and its gradual increasing demand in other countries provide a wide scope for its use in meat products processing. But in order for the meat sheep producer to survive, new avenues for marketing mutton must be created and it can be best accomplished by the production of value added products with appeal to Indian consumers. Therefore, the present study was envisaged to determine the production cost of extended restructured mutton chops by incorporating pre-optimized level of different bind enhancing agents i.e tamarind seed powder (1%), flaxseed flour (1%), gum tragacanth (0.1%) and gum acacia (0.5%) and compared with control and it was found that the cost of 1 kg product was worked out to be Rs. 244, 237, 240, 245 and 245 for control and treatments including TSP, FF, GT and GA respectively. The studies indicated that out of four bind enhancing agents, two of them i.e TSP and FF resulted in reduction in cost of ERMC by Rs.6 and Rs.3per kg, respectively as compared to control. Hence, it could be inferred that restructured mutton chops could be prepared with 10% extension and the quality can also be improved with 1% TSP incorporation to make it a profitable enterprise.

Development and evaluation of extended restructured chicken meat block incorporated with colocasia (Colocasia esculenta) flour.

At present the restructuring technology is preferred by the meat processors for the production of low cost, convenient meat products. To improve the functionality, products quality and acceptance of the processed meat various vegetative binders and extenders can be incorporated in the formulation. The present study was envisaged to incorporate Hydrated Colocasia Flour (HCF) at three different levels viz., 5, 7.5 and 10% in Extended Restructured Chicken Block (ERCB), by replacing lean meat in pre-standardized formulation. The products were subjected to analysis for physico-chemical, sensory, textural properties and storage quality. Cooking yield, water activity and moisture percentage increased with increasing level of incorporation of HCP, however, protein and fat percent, pH and Shear force value of products decreased with increase in the level of incorporation. Among the sensory attributes, product with 7.5% HCF showed significantly higher values (P<0.05) for general appearance, flavor, texture and overall acceptability in comparison to control. Springiness, gumminess and chewiness values showed an increasing trends with increasing extender levels, however all other parameters of texture profile analysis showed decreasing values other than hardness, which did not differ significantly (P<0.05) in comparison to control. The microbiological quality and the changes in pH value were studied for the storage period of 15 days and it was found that the products could be safely stored under refrigeration (4 ± 1°C) temperature in LDPE pouches for 15 days without marked deterioration in sensory and microbiological quality. On the basis of sensory scores, physico-chemical properties and the microbial study the optimum incorporation level of HCF was adjudged as 7.5%.

Effect of incorporation of functional ingredients on quality of low fat restructured goat meat product

Purpose This paper aims to evaluate the effects of inulin (3 per cent), chitosan (1 per cent) and carrageenan (0.5 per cent) addition on the physico-chemical, sensory and textural attributes of restructured goat meat products. Health conscious consumers are much more interested in product with added health benefit. Keeping this in mind, this study was undertaken to find out effective ingredient for low fat restructured goat meat product. Design/methodology/approach Formulation for restructured goat meat blocks was optimized and four different formulation containing different ingredients, namely, control, inulin (3 per cent), chitosan (1 per cent) and carrageenan (0.5 per cent), were used to find out best ingredient for healthier goat meat product and various physicochemical and sensory properties of the product were evaluated. Findings Results showed that addition of carrageenan improved (p < 0.01) the product yield (86.0 per cent) significantly. The proximate composition, expressible water and water activity were similar. The moisture retention percentage was significantly (p < 0.01) reduced (86.0 per cent) due to addition of inulin. Carrageenan significantly (p < 0.05) increased the lightness (42.4) and yellowness (10) values. Significantly (p < 0.05) lower shear force values were observed in inulin (0.5) and chitosan (0.4) containing samples than control (0.7 kg/1.5 cm2). Hardness values were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in restructured product containing chitosan (56.1 N/cm2) and carrageenan (59.4 N/cm2). Similarly, springiness values were significantly (p < 0.05) lower (0.7 vs 0.8 cm) in carrageenan containing product. Inulin, chitosan and carrageenan did not significantly influence the sensory attributes of restructured goat meat product. It is concluded that inulin, chitosan and carrageenan could be used to improve technological and functional attributes of the healthier restructured goat meat product. Research limitations/implications Future research may benefit from efforts to modify shelf life of the product by modifying packaging condition. Originality/value The healthier meat-based restructured goat meat product has been developed, and the effect on its quality characteristics have been extensively examined, limited research has focused on this aspect.