Quality characteristics of low-salt restructured poultry with microbial transglutaminase and seaweed

Characteristics of restructured poultry steaks as affected by addition of Sea Spaghetti seaweed (3% dry matter) combined with NaCl reduction and a microbial transgutaminase/caseinate (MTGase/caseinate) system as a cold binding agent were studied during chill storage. The incorporation of Sea Spaghetti caused a slight (P < 0.05) increase in purge loss but reduced cooking loss in the products. Addition of MTGase/caseinate did not affect water binding properties. The added seaweed and the MTGase/caseinate system both increased (P < 0.05), the Kramer shear force (KSF) of raw products, making them easier to handle. No such effect was observed in cooked products. Products with Sea Spaghetti had higher levels (P < 0.05) of total viable counts and lactic acid bacteria, and also higher levels of tyramine and spermidine. All products were judged acceptable by a sensory panel. During chill storage no important changes were found in the target properties due to composition.