Konjac/gellan gum mixed gels improve the quality of reduced-fat frankfurters

Mixed gels of konjac (1%, 2%) and gellan gum (0.25%, 0.5%) were incorporated into reduced-fat (18%) frankfurters and compared with reduced-fat and high-fat (28%) controls for physicochemical, textural, sensory properties and storage stability. C28 (control at 28% fat) had the highest (P<0.05) lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) values but the lowest redness (a*). C28 had the lowest textural hardness, shear force value and sensory firmness but highest juiciness scores. Treatments containing konjac/gellan gum mixed gels were not different from C28 in sensory overall acceptability, among them K1G5 (1% konjac/0.5% gellan gum) was numerically higher. C18 had the highest TPC (similar to7.8 log CFU/g) after 12 weeks of storage, followed by gum-containing treatments. In conclusion, it appears feasible to incorporate konjac/gellan gum mixed gel at current levels to reduced-fat frankfurter for acceptable sensory merits with reasonable shelf life. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.