The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of gelatin type (powder vs. hydrated) with or without transglutaminase (TGase) on the physicochemical and textural properties of low-fat model sausages (LFS). Treatments included LFS (control), LFS with hydrated-gel form of gelatin (1%), and LFS with powder form of gelatin (1%). Yellowness values of LFS with any type of gelatin were higher than those without gelatin (P<0.05). Moisture content (%) of LFS containing powder form of gelatin (1%) was higher than those with hydrated-gel form of gelatin or control (P<0.05). Expressible moisture (EM, %) of LFS with hydrated-gel form of gelatin was lower than those with powder form of gelatin (P<0.05). Thus, sausages with hydrated-gel form of gelatin showed better functional properties as compared to those with powder form of gelatin. To elucidate the interaction between gelatin and TGase in meat product, five actual sausages were manufactured: reference [konjac flour (KF), carrageenan (CN), and soy protein isolate], control (KF and CN alone), TRT1 (KF and CN, TGase 1%), TRT2 (KF and CN, gelatin 1%), and TRT3 (KF and CN, TGase 1%+gelatin 1%). EM (%) of sausages with TGase alone was higher than those of other treatments (P<0.05). Most textural properties of TRT3 were higher than those of other treatments. Thus, TRT3 showed better functional properties than those with single addition. In conclusion, a combination of TGase and gelatin could be used to manufacture LFSs with improved functional and textural properties.

Keywords: low-fat sausage, gelatin, transglutaminase, quality characteristics