Influence of fish oil and microencapsulated fish oil additives on water binding and the rheological properties of poultry sausage batters

BACKGROUND The composition of meat batters can be modified by the addition of fish oil or microencapsulation of oil. Such modifications affect the water binding and the rheological properties of the resulting systems. There is little information available on the behaviour of water molecules in model meat batter systems with microcapsules. The main goal of the study was to assess the degree of water binding by the meat batter system and to carry out a rheological analysis during heating and cooling. RESULTS The sample with the microcapsules was characterized by a slightly elevated level of total protein. The encapsulated oil additive reduced the pH and water activity value in the meat batter, compared with the control sample. There was one relaxation time T1 and two time components T2 in the control batter and the batter containing encapsulated oil. The sample with the oil additive was characterized by two components of relaxation time T1 and three components of relaxation time T2. There was an inverse correlation between the dynamic viscosity of the batters and the spin–spin relaxation times T21 and T22. The temperature courses of the modulus of elasticity in all the systems exhibited three areas of change (20–43 °C, 43–60 °C, and >60 °C). The highest dynamics of change in the modulus of elasticity was observed for the initial and final temperature range (60–85 °C). CONCLUSIONS The samples with the oil and microcapsule additives exhibited higher elastic energy accumulation capacity and dynamic viscosity than the control batter within the whole heating range. The fish oil microcapsules improved the mechanical properties of poultry sausage batters and their water‐binding properties. This may increase the juiciness and microbiological stability of the finished products. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry