Reducing Sodium Chloride Content in Meat Burgers by Adding Potassium Chloride and Onion

The goal of this paper was to examine the reduction of sodium chloride by partial replacing with potassium chloride and the influence on taste acceptability of meat burgers. Sodium chloride content in burgers produced with 1.5% of salt and half of partial replacement of sodium chloride with potassium chloride in burgers was 0.62-0.67% in fresh and 0.72-0.93% in grilled burgers. The best taste acceptability had burgers with 1.5% of added sodium chloride and burgers with 1.5% salt and 50 g of added onion, in which the partial replacement of sodium chloride with potassium chloride was one half.     

Sensory study of different sodium chloride substitutes in aqueous solution

The reduction of salt (sodium chloride) in food is one of the major challenges facing the food industry today and is motivated by the positive association between dietary salt intake and some diseases. Thus, the objectives of this study were to determine the equivalent amount of different sodium chloride replacements required to promote the same degree of ideal saltiness in aqueous solution and to study the sensory profile of sodium chloride and its substitutes using temporal dominance of sensations (TDS) analysis. The relative potencies of potassium chloride, monosodium glutamate, potassium phosphate, calcium lactate and potassium lactate compared to an aqueous solution with 0.75% sodium chloride were 74.75%, 59.52%, 60.48%, 11.40% and 4.96%, respectively. An evaluation of the sensory profiles of potassium chloride, potassium phosphate, calcium lactate and monosodium glutamate revealed saltiness as well as other tastes, including bitterness, sourness, umami and an unidentified undesirable taste as being dominant. The potassium chloride was the only one which showed temporal sensory profile similar to sodium chloride.     

肉制品加工中的减盐技术：研究进展与应用展望

随着社会的发展和生活方式的变化,食盐摄入过量成为影响人类健康的严重隐患,减少食盐摄入已成为共识。减盐的主要措施之一是控制加工食品中的食盐添加量,而肉制品成为主要减盐对象。目前有关肉制品减盐技术：一是直接减少食盐的添加量并辅以工艺改进,或者优化食盐的物理形态使之在减盐后仍尽可能保持原有咸度;二是以钾盐等非钠盐类替代食盐的调味、改善质构等作用;三是以植物提取物、风味增强剂或掩饰剂等替代食盐的改善风味、增香或抗氧化作用;四是应用新兴物理技术弥补食盐减少可能带来的工艺或功能特性缺失。鉴于食盐对保持食品的品质和安全性发挥的重要作用,尤其是在肉制品中调味、增香、保水、助色、抑菌和防腐等功能,目前尚未找到更为安全和廉价的替代品或替代技术。单一的减盐难以满足低钠肉制品的生产要求,而多因子互作的栅栏技术,即通过多种方法的共效,在安全、营养、品质、成本等维度寻找平衡点,将是实现减盐的有效途径。本文就上述肉制品加工中减盐的关键技术研究进展进行概要综述,并对未来可能的应用途径进行展望。     

Reducing sodium intake from meat products

Sodium intake exceeds the nutritional recommendations in many industrialized countries. Excessive intake of sodium has been linked to hypertension and consequently to increased risk of stroke and premature death from cardiovascular diseases. The main source of sodium in the diet is sodium chloride. It has been established that the consumption of more than 6g NaCl/day/person is associated with an age-increase in blood pressure. Therefore, it has been recommended that the total amount of dietary salt should be maintained at about 5-6g/day. Genetically salt susceptible individuals and hypertensives would particularly benefit from low-sodium diets, the salt content of which should range between 1 and 3g/day. In industrialized countries, meat products and meat meals at home and in catering comprise one of the major sources of sodium, in the form of sodium chloride. Sodium chloride affects the flavour, texture and shelf life of meat products. The salt intake derived from meat dishes can be lowered by, whenever possible, adding the salt, not during preparation, but at the table. In most cases, salt contents of over 2% can be markedly lowered without substantial sensory deterioration or technological problems causing economical losses. Salt contents down to 1.4% NaCl in cooked sausages and 1.75% in lean meat products are enough to produce a heat stable gel with acceptable perceived saltiness as well as firmness, water-binding and fat retention. A particular problem with low-salt meat products is, however, that not only the perceived saltiness, but also the intensity of the characteristic flavour decreases. Increased meat protein content (i.e. lean meat content) in meat products reduces perceived saltiness. The required salt content for acceptable gel strength depends on the formulation of the product. When phosphates are added or the fat content is high, lower salt additions provide a more stable gel than in non-phosphate and in low-fat products. Small differences in salt content at the 2% level do not have marked effects on shelf life of the products. By using salt mixtures, usually NaCl/KCl, the intake of sodium (NaCl) can be further reduced.     

Reducing the sodium content in meat products: The effect of the formulation in low-sodium ground meat patties

This study investigated the effect of formulation on quality characteristics of low-sodium ground meat patties. The variation in sodium content was achieved by varying the NaCl content. The formulation variables studied were sodium and fat content and the use of phosphate. The patties were made using 50% or 60% meat in the formulations. Formulation affected the perceived saltiness of ground meat patties. Fat and lean meat content affected perceived saltiness, but their effects were opposite. When the fat content was increased the perceived saltiness increased, but when the meat content increased the perceived saltiness decreased. However, the effect of fat content on perceived saltiness was less than the effect of meat content. The use of phosphate effectively decreased cooking loss, particularly of high-fat-low-sodium patties. The same firmness could be reached with lower sodium content when phosphate was used.     

Reducing salt: A challenge for the meat industry

Intake of dietary sodium has been linked to hypertension and consequently increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The estimated cost of CVD to both the EU and US economies is €169B and $403B, respectively. Currently the daily sodium adult intake is approximately three times the recommended daily allowance (Ireland and UK) and therefore public health and regulatory authorities are recommending reducing dietary intake of sodium to 2.4 g (6 g salt) per day. Processed meat products comprise one of the major sources of sodium in the form of sodium chloride (salt). Salt has an essential function in meat products in terms of flavour, texture and shelf-life. Apart from lowering the level of salt added to products there are a number of approaches to reduce the sodium content in processed foods including the use of salt substitutes, in particular, potassium chloride (KCl) in combination with masking agents, the use of flavour enhancers which enhance the saltiness of products when used with salt and finally optimising the physical form of salt so that it becomes more functional and taste bioavailable. The ultimate goal of ingredient suppliers and meat processors is to produce reduced sodium meat products that consumers can enjoy as part of an ongoing healthier diet and lifestyle. This article reviews some of the technological aspects of reduced salt meat products and how the meat and food ingredient industries are responding to this current health issue.     

Mineral analysis in rabbit meat from Galicia (NW Spain)

A total of 54 rabbits 50, 70 and 90 days old, were taken from farms in Galicia (NW Spain); 18 rabbits of each age were sampled. The minerals in the muscle meat from the back legs of the rabbits were analysed, and the following average concentrations were found: ash 1.21/100 g, potassium 388 mg/100 g; phosphorus 237 mg/100 g; sodium 60 mg/100 g; magnesium 27 mg/100 g; calcium 8.7 mg/100 g; zinc 10.9 mg/kg; iron 5.56 mg/kg; copper 0.78 mg/kg; and manganese 0.33 mg/kg.

The high potassium and low sodium concentration may make rabbit meat particularly recommended for hypertension diets. Rabbit meat is rich in phosphorus, and 100 g provides approximately 30% of the recommended daily intake. However, rabbit meat provides less zinc and iron than meats of other species. The Galician rabbit meat analysed in this study, shows higher copper and manganese, and lower calcium contents than those found in the literature for rabbit meat of other origins.     

Sanitizing effect of salts on experimentally inoculated organisms on pork carcasses

Pork forequarters procured from freshly slaughtered animals were decontaminated with hot water and inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Yersinia enterocolitica, Listeria monocytogenes, Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris. The forequarters were individually spray washed with 5% potassium sorbate and a combination of 5% sodium chloride and 2.5% each of sodium acetate, sodium citrate, sodium lactate and potassium sorbate solutions. The total viable count (TVC) of the treated meat samples was reduced by 0.96 and 1.31 log units by spraying with salt and salt combination respectively with marginal changes in colour and odour scores. Inoculated organisms were found to be highly sensitive to salt combination treatment as compared to potassium sorbate alone. Shelf-life of salt and salt combination treated samples was increased to 8 and 11 days as against 4 days in untreated samples. Carcass washing with salt and salt combination was found to be suitable for extension of shelf-life and improvement in the sensory and microbiological quality of meat.     

Low-sodium roasted peanuts: effects of salt mixtures (NaCl,KCl and glycine) on consumer perception and purchase intent

The effects of ten treatment combinations of two salts (NaCl, KCl) and glycine were evaluated on low-sodium roasted peanuts. Consumers’ (N = 330, recruited from college campus) liking, emotions, perceived saltiness and bitterness intensity, satisfaction and purchase intent (PI) of peanuts were measured following a balanced incomplete block design (t = 10, k = 3, r = 9, b = 30, λ = 2, e₂ = 0.74). Emotions and PI were evaluated both before and after presenting a low-sodium health benefit message. Sodium content of peanuts was reduced from 140 mg Na/50 g peanuts to 41.67 mg Na/50 g without significantly affecting liking scores and with positive PI over 60%. In general, high bitterness and low saltiness intensity ratings negatively affected liking and satisfaction. Consumers expressed less satisfaction when perceived saltiness intensity was ‘Not Enough’ than when ‘Too Much.’ Based on optimisation analysis, any formulation within the range of 59-100/0-40/0-12.5% NaCl/KCl/Gly- representing a potential 37% sodium reduction past minimum ‘low sodium’ requirements- will yield an acceptable product.     

Characterization of starter-free Queso Fresco made with sodium-potassium salt blends over 12 weeks of 4°C storage

Development of reduced-sodium cheese to meet the demands of consumers concerned about sodium levels in their diet is challenging when a high-moisture, higher pH, fresh cheese, such as Queso Fresco (QF), depends on its NaCl salt content to obtain its signature flavor and quality traits. This study evaluated the effects of different Na-K salt blends on the compositional, sensorial, microbial, functional, and rheological properties of QF stored for up to 12 wk at 4°C. Queso Fresco curd from each vat was divided into 6 portions and salted with different blends of NaCl-KCl (Na-K, %): 0.75-0.75, 1.0-0.5, 1.0-1.0, 1.0-1.3, 1.0-1.5, and 2.0-0 (control). Within this narrow salt range (1.5 to 2.5% total salt), the moisture, protein, fat, and lactose levels; water activity; pH; and the textural and rheological properties were not affected by salt treatment or aging. The total salt, sodium, potassium, and ash contents reflected the different Na-K ratios added to the QF. Total aerobic microbial count, overall proteolysis, the release of casein phosphopeptides, and the level of volatile compounds were affected by aging but not by the salt treatment. Only the 1.0-1.3 and 1.0-1.5 Na-K cheeses had sensory saltiness scores similar to that of the 2.0-0 Na-K control QF. Loss of free serum from the cheese matrix increased steadily over the 12 wk, with higher losses found in QF containing 1.5% total salt compared with the higher Na-K blends. In conclusion, KCl substitution is a viable means for reduction of sodium in QF resulting in only minor differences in the quality traits, and levels of 1.0-1.3 and 1.0-1.5 Na-K are recommended to match the saltiness intensity of the 2.0-0 Na-K control. The findings from this study will aid cheese producers in creating reduced-sodium QF for health-conscious consumers.     

鸭腿减盐滚揉腌制过程中的传质动力学

用减盐（30% KCl＋70% NaCl）和氯化钠食盐（即普通食盐,NaCl质量分数≥99.1%）分别腌制肉鸭鸭腿,测定滚揉腌制过程中鸭腿肉总质量、水分质量分数、食盐质量分数变化情况,获得鸭腿肉在不同食盐腌制时的传质动力学数据,并进行十二烷基硫酸钠-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳实验,研究不同食盐滚揉腌制过程对鸭腿肉蛋白质的影响。结果显示：氯化钠腌制和减盐腌制中鸭腿肉的总质量变化量（ΔMt0）、水分质量分数变化量（ΔMtw）以及盐分含量变化量（ΔMts）均与腌制时间的平方根（t0.5）呈现出较好的相关性,而且前4 h ΔMt0、ΔMtw以及ΔMts增长较快;氯化钠腌制和减盐腌制的有效扩散系数De分别为4.432×10－8 m2/s和4.462×10－8 m2/s,相差较小;十二烷基硫酸钠-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳图谱显示两种腌制方法肌原纤维蛋白都在不断降解。综上,减盐腌制和氯化钠腌制相比,对传质速率并无明显影响。     

Sanitizing effect of salts on experimentally inoculated organisms on pork carcasses

Pork forequarters procured from freshly slaughtered animals were decontaminated with hot water and inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Yersinia enterocolitica, Listeria monocytogenes, Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris. The forequarters were individually spray washed with 5% potassium sorbate and a combination of 5% sodium chloride and 2.5% each of sodium acetate, sodium citrate, sodium lactate and potassium sorbate solutions. The total viable count (TVC) of the treated meat samples was reduced by 0.96 and 1.31 log units by spraying with salt and salt combination respectively with marginal changes in colour and odour scores. Inoculated organisms were found to be highly sensitive to salt combination treatment as compared to potassium sorbate alone. Shelf-life of salt and salt combination treated samples was increased to 8 and 11 days as against 4 days in untreated samples. Carcass washing with salt and salt combination was found to be suitable for extension of shelf-life and improvement in the sensory and microbiological quality of meat.     

Effectiveness of gelatine and chitosan spray coating for extending shelf life of vacuum-packaged beef

The effects of applying gelatine (10%) and chitosan (1%) as spray coatings to extend the shelf life of vacuum-packaged beef was studied and compared against uncoated vacuum-packaged beef for up to 21 days. The impact of edible coatings on the water-holding properties of vacuum-packaged beef was investigated by LF-NMR together with physicochemical, microbiological and sensorial assessments. Chitosan coating significantly reduced lipid oxidation by ~30% to 36% and inhibited the growth of lactic acid bacteriaby ~ 1–2 log cfu compared to purge collected from uncoated and gelatine coated samples. It did not negatively affect the meat pH, tenderness and colour, and exhibited significantly higher sensorial acceptance compared to beef coated with gelatine. Both coatings were not effective in reducing purge loss in vacuum-packaged meat as the storage time increased. This study suggests that chitosan spray coating could be easily adapted to industrial plant settings as an antioxidant and antimicrobial application before carrying out meat vacuum packaging operation.     

Development of a long‐life vacuum‐packaged ready‐to‐eat meat product based on a traditional Portuguese seasoned meat

Carne do alguidar is a Portuguese traditional pork fried meat, usually manufactured for self‐consumption purposes. This study developed a ready‐to‐eat (RTE) meat product, to meet today's consumers’ convenience, manufactured at the industrial scale evaluating its quality and shelf life, assessing the effect of vacuum packaging and the use of an antioxidant (50 ppm BHT) to enhance oxidative stability. Physicochemical and microbiological parameters were assessed, and a sensory analysis was performed. Interestingly, no significant differences were recorded between control (non‐BHT) and antioxidant (BHT) samples. Microbiological counts remained at low levels throughout the storage period, ensuring the product's required microbiological quality. At later storage stages, higher values of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances arose and off flavours and aromas were perceived. Still, overall appreciation was not affected until 12 months of storage and a significant depreciation was perceived only after 15 months. Fibrousness and rising of off flavours were negatively correlated with overall appreciation.     

Evaluation of the use of lactic acid bacteria and Thymus vulgaris essential oil on Suffolk and Ile de France lamb breed (MuscuIus gluteus) quality parameters

In the present study, Lactobacillus plantarum (LUHS135), Thymus vulgaris essential oil (0.1% v/v) and their combination were used to treat Suffolk and Ile de France lamb meat. Changes in the microbiological profile and physicochemical parameters of meat were evaluated after 24 h of treatment at 4 °C. Treatments resulted in significantly lower mould/yeast, total enterobacteria (by up to 45%) counts, water-holding capacity (by 21–63%) and cooking loss (by 17–35%) in all samples. Moisture content increased, on average, by 14.5% in the Suffolk meat. Polyunsaturated fatty acid content increased after all treatments. Treatments and breed significantly affected the content of malondialdehyde and some biogenic amines. Sensory analysis showed that raw lamb meat colour was more acceptable after all treatments, while the odour acceptability was ranked highest after combined treatment. These findings suggest that the applied treatments could be used to improve microbiological safety and some quality characteristics and to increase the PUFA content of lamb meat.     

Using taste-induced saltiness enhancement for reducing sodium in Cheddar cheese: Effect on physico-chemical and sensorial attributes

Reduced sodium Cheddar cheese (RSCC) was prepared by substituting 75% of sodium chloride (NaCl) with potassium chloride (KCl). To mask the inherent bitterness of KCl and to improve the flavour profile of RSCC, hydrolysed vegetable protein (HVP) as flavour enhancer (FE) and adenosine-5′-monophosphate (AMP) as bitter blocker (BB) were used. The study evaluated physico-chemical and sensory attributes of RSCC and changes in these attributes during ripening. Flavour, colour and appearance, saltiness and bitterness scores of both the samples were at par (p < 0.05) throughout the period of ripening, but body and texture scores of RSCC was significantly (p < 0.05) lower. This was probably due to increased casein hydration caused by substitution of sodium by potassium. Water activity (a_w) of RSCC was found to be significantly higher. The study suggested successful use of FE and BB for increasing the flavour profile of RSCC.     

Ion uptakes and diffusivities in pork meat brine-salted with NaCl and K-lactate

The addition of K-lactate has been proposed as a NaCl substitute in dry-cured meat products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of K-lactate as NaCl substitute in meat with different pH on the ion uptakes of meat during the brine-salting process and on the ion diffusivities within meat at 2 °C and 12 °C after the salting process. The addition of K-lactate did not modify the chloride uptake and tended to reduce the sodium uptake, which was partially compensated by a higher potassium uptake.No interference caused by the lactate ion on the diffusivity of the chloride was observed. Meat pH significantly affected the ion uptake but did not significantly affect the post-salting ion diffusivities (D). Although the ion D values were of the same order, the D of lactate was significantly lower than that of the rest of the ions. Moreover, the post-salting temperature applied and the muscle type had a significant effect on ion diffusivities.     

Fructooligosaccharides as a fat replacer in fermented cooked sausages

Fermented cooked sausages with a 50% reduction in pork back fat and addition of 0%, 3%, 6% or 9% of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) were produced and studied during manufacturing and storage. Their production was monitored by physicochemical (pH, water activity, weight loss, proximate composition, colour and texture profiles) and microbiological analysis (aerobic mesophiles, lactic acid bacteria, and total and faecal coliforms). During storage, it was evaluated the sensory properties, stability to lipid oxidation and microbiological safety. The final fat content of the control was 27.54%. F0, F3, F6 and F9 treatments had final fat contents of 17.63%, 17.55%, 17.91% and 17.59%, respectively, representing an approximately 40% reduction in the fat content. The simple reduction in pork back fat without fat substitute adversely affected the technological and sensory properties of the fermented cooked sausages, but the addition of FOS suppressed the defects caused by the fat reduction. The content of FOS did not changed during storage, indicating that this functional prebiotic compound can be used for developing of reduced fat fermented meat products.     

Physico chemical,microstructural and sensory characteristics of low‐fat meat emulsion containing aloe gel as potential fat replacer

In this study, a possible use of aloe gel (AG) as a potential fat replacer in the manufacture of low‐fat meat emulsion was investigated. The low‐fat meat emulsions with added AG and vegetable oil (VO) in different proportions [AG7.5 (7.5% AG + 7.5% VO); AG5 (5% AG + 10% VO); AG2.5 (2.5% AG + 12.5% VO)] were compared with full‐fat meat emulsion [Control (15% VO only)]. A substantial fat reduction (P < 0.05) up to 50% as compared to full‐fat control meat emulsion was recorded without compromising other sensory attributes of meat emulsion. Microstructural properties as studied by scanning electron microscopy indicated more homogenous regular emulsion matrix with fewer cracks and more regular shaped oil droplets in AG‐added samples than the control samples.