Impact of lard-based diacylglycerols on the quality and sensory characteristics of emulsion-type sausage

: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of fat levels (200 g·kg –1 meat and 500 g·kg –1 meat) and types [lard, glycerolised lard (GL), and purified glycerolised lard (PGL)] on the quality and sensory characteristics of emulsion-type sausages. As observed, at the same type of fat, the low-fat sausage (200 g·kg –1 meat) had a significantly higher L *-value (lightness) and lower cooking loss and total expressible fluid ( P < 0.05) than the high-fat sausage (500 g·kg –1 meat) and exhibited a denser and more homogeneous microstructure. Additionally, T 23 (relaxation time) of the low-fat sausage shifted toward a slower relaxation time, and higher A 23 (peak area) was found, which suggested the water mobility was restricted. However, at the same fat content, the low-GL and low-PGL sausages showed bet-ter textural properties and superior overall acceptability from sensory evaluation compared with the low-lard sausage ( P < 0.05). Still, they have no significant differences ( P > 0.05). Therefore, lard-based diacylglycerol could be effectively applied as a fat replacer in emulsion-type sausages with low-fat contents to produce healthier meat products.