Dietary fiber as fat substitute in emulsified and cooked meat model system

- Amorphous cellulose fiber (Z-trim®) act as a fat replacer.
- Amorphous cellulose fiber (Z-trim®) promotes the emulsion stability.
- The use of 1.3% of Z-trim® reduced 50% of fat in meat model system.
- Fat replacer is an ingredient that can result in healthier meat products.

Fat intake has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. The aim of this study was to reformulate meat products using amorphous cellulose fiber (Z-trim®) as a fat substitute. Based on a Response Surface Methodology, an emulsified and cooked meat model system was carried out with a standard formulation with 20 g/100 g pork fat, and replacement levels of pork fat (from 0 to 20 g/100 g) by amorphous cellulose fiber (from 0 to 1.5 g/100 g). The independent variables within the levels studied influenced the dependent variables emulsion stability (from 73.64 to 91.76 g/100 g), firmness (from 27.32 to 48.02 N), hardness (from 50.86 to 83.00 N), b* color coordinate (14 days) (from 13.08 to 14.45), and weight loss during storage (from 1.88 to 5.16 g/100 g). Comparing the fitted models to the results of the standard sample, it is possible to obtain products with 1.3 g/100 g amorphous cellulose fiber and 10 g/100 g pork fat (50% fat reduction), with technological characteristics similar to the standard sample.