Effects of formulation on the textural stability of intermediate-moisture,
flour-based, "jerky"-type extrudates were assessed. Potato-based extrudates
containing various particulate-meat concentrations and different plasticiz
ers (sucrose, fructose, glycerol, and glucose) were produced and subjected
to accelerated storage for three weeks. The elastic modulus of the samples
was measured before storage and then weekly. The relative fluidity and mois
ture mobility of the specimens were assessed by dynamic mechanical spectrom
etry (DMS), electron spin resonance (ESR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (
NMR). Samples were also evaluated by fluorometry and X-ray diffraction to d
etermine the extent of browning reaction and degree of molecular ordering,
respectively. While elastic modulus increased appreciably during storage, f
irming was progressively reduced by entrained meat content and also by plas
ticizers, especially glycerol; plasticized and meat-containing samples had
correspondingly lower tan delta peak temperatures as measured by DMS. Textu
ral results were also in keeping with fluidity and local viscosity as asses
sed by ESR measurements. NMR Tl relaxation values, reflecting moisture mobi
lity, increased during storage. Diffraction spectra were consistent with pu
blished observations of hydrated starch, suggesting that water may have bee
n released due to increased association of proteinaceous constituents. Fluo
rescence measurements confirmed moderate Maillard browning in all samples a
nd significant chlorogenic browning in glucose-containing samples, although
these effects were unrelated to degree of firming. It was concluded that t
extural stability was optimized by interruption of the matrix by dispersed
meat or by plasticization by low molecular weight constituents.