Impact of replacing pork backfat with rapeseed oleosomes – Natural pre-emulsified oil – On technological properties of meat model systems

The application of natural oil droplets called oleosomes (OSs) as a potential fat replacer in comminuted meat products was investigated by evaluating the influence of rapeseed OS incorporation at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% pork fat substitution levels on the technological properties of meat model systems. The moisture content, pH, L* and b* of meat model systems increased while the fat content and a* decreased with the increasing levels of fat replacement. Treatments prepared with OSs showed improvements in emulsion and oxidative stability of meat batters. Texture profile analysis revealed the production of softer, less gummy and less chewy meat systems, whereas micrographs showed smaller-sized fat globules within compact protein matrices as OS levels were increased. Sensory evaluation results exhibited that treatments with partial replacement (≤ 50%) of pork fat by OSs were generally acceptable. The results demonstrate the possibility of maintaining or improving certain technological properties of meat systems with the use of OSs as fat replacer.