Physicochemical and textural properties of ultrasound-degraded konjac flour and their influences on the quality of low-fat Chinese-style sausage

Physical and textural properties of varying molecular-weight konjac gels made by ultrasonic degradation were compared and gels were processed into low-fat Chinese-style sausages for the evaluation of textural and sensory characteristics. Results showed that as molecular weights decreased, storage modulus and loss modulus of konjac gels of varying molecular weights declined, indicating more elastic and viscous konjac gels. Shear values and textural springiness and cohesiveness of Chinese sausage were similar among all treatments. All treatments were found to have similar juiciness and overall acceptability scores. Results indicated that konjac gels with varying molecular weights could be used to partially replace pork fat to achieve similar textural properties. Incorporation of konjac gels with varying molecular weights at the current levels showed similar textural and sensory quality characteristics to the high-fat control, and contained less fat than traditional Chinese sausage. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.