Effects of High Level of Sucrose on the Moisture Content, Water Activity, Protein Denaturation and Sensory Properties in Chinese-Style Pork Jerky

The effects of a high level of sucrose on the moisture content, water activity, protein denaturation and sensory properties in Chinese-style pork jerky were investigated. The pork jerky with different levels (0, 12, 15, 18 and 21%) of sucrose was prepared. Fifteen frozen boneless pork legs from different animals were used in this trial. Sucrose is a non-reducing disaccharides and would not undergo non-enzymatic browning. Some studies pointed out that sucrose might be hydrolyzed during freezing, dehydration and storage into glucose and fructose, and cause non-enzymatic browning in meat products. The results showed that moisture content and water activity of pork jerky decreased with increase of the level of sucrose. At the same time, shear value was increased due to the reduced moisture content and water activity by osmotic dehydration. However, a higher level of sucrose had a significantly negative effect on protein solubility and extractability of myosin heavy chain of pork jerky due to non-enzymatic browning. From the results of sensory panel tests, the pork jerky with 21% of sucrose seems to be more acceptable by the panelists in hardness, sweetness and overall acceptability. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002. Vol 15, No. 4 : 585-590)