Microbial Transglutaminase Improves the Property of Meat Protein and Sausage Texture Manufactured with Low-quality Pork Loins

Microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) was investigated to determine whether it was an effective binding agent for the processing of low-quality pork loins. MTGase especially promoted the coagulation of myosin heavy chain (MHC). However, the effect of MTGase on MHC from low-quality meat was less than that from the normal meat when the reaction time was not enough. The breaking strength of the heat-induced gel made of myosin B from low-quality meat with MTGase was lower than that of normal meat. Sausage made with low-quality meat with MTGase did not exhibit improved hardness, as compared to that made with normal meat. Results of this study indicated that use of low-quality meat in the manufacture of sausage was feasible to get textural property equal to that of normal meat sausage, when a half or more of the raw material was normal meat and MTGase was used in the sausage. (AsianAust. J. Anim. Sci. 2006. Vol 19, No. 1 : 102-108)