Extension of the Vane Pump-Grinder Technology to Manufacture Finely Dispersed Meat Batters

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Stefan B. Irmscher - , University of Hohenheim (Author)
  • Monika Gibis - , University of Hohenheim (Author)
  • Kurt Herrmann - , University of Hohenheim (Author)
  • Anja Maria Oechsle - , University of Hohenheim (Author)
  • Reinhard Kohlus - , University of Hohenheim (Author)
  • Jochen Weiss - , University of Hohenheim (Author)

Abstract

A vane pump-grinder system was extended to enable the manufacture of finely dispersed emulsion-type sausages by constructing and attaching a high-shear homogenizer at the outlet. We hypothesized that the dispersing capabilities of the extended system may be improved to the point of facilitating meat-fat emulsification due to an overall increased volumetric energy input EV. Coarsely ground raw material mixtures were processed to yield meat batters at varying volume flow rates (10 to 60 L/min) and rotational rotor speeds of the homogenizer nrotor (1000 to 3400 rpm). The normalized torques acting on pump, grinder, and homogenizer motors were recorded and unit power consumptions were calculated. The structure of the manufactured meat batters and sausages were analyzed via image analysis. Key physicochemical properties of unheated and heated batters, that is, texture, water-binding, color, and solubilized protein were determined. The mean diameter d10 of the visible lean meat particles varied between 352 and 406 μm whereas the mean volume-surface diameter d32 varied between 603 and 796 μm. The lightness L* ranged from 66.2 to 70.7 and correlated with the volumetric energy input and product structure. By contrast, varying process parameters did not impact color values a* (approximately 11) and b* (approximately 8). Interestingly, water-binding and protein solubilization were not affected. An exponential process-structure relationship was identified allowing manufacturers to predict product properties as a function of applied process parameters. Raw material mixtures can be continuously comminuted, emulsified, and subsequently filled into casings using an extended vane pump-grinder.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)E618-E626
JournalJournal of Food Science
Volume81
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2016
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

PubMed 26799444
ORCID /0000-0003-3146-2454/work/170587808

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Degree of dispersion, Emulsion-type sausages, Process-structure relationship, Product characteristics, Volumetric energy input