The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of different concentrat
ions of crude pig plasma transglutaminase (TGase) at 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4
and 1.0% on the quality of low-salt chicken meat-balls. Yield, color, gel
strength, microstructure and sensory evaluation were measured. The results
showed that both the yield and gel strength of the meat-balls increased as
TGase supplement increased (P < 0.05) without any obvious effect on color.
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated firmer and more regular gel st
ructures with increasing TGase addition. Texture, juiciness and overall acc
eptability as judged by sensory evaluation were not statistically affected
until the level of TGase reached 1.0% (P < 0.05). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science
Ltd. All rights reserved.