The improvement effect and mechanism of citrus fiber on the water-binding ability of low-fat frankfurters.

Water-binding ability is a major quality attribute of low-fat meat products. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of citrus fiber on the water-binding ability of low-fat frankfurters. Low-fat (10% fat) frankfurters with different contents (0, 1, 2, and 3%) of citrus fiber were prepared. Their cooking loss, water distribution, microstructure, and protein structure were assessed and compared to those of normal-fat (20% fat) frankfurters. Results demonstrated that citrus fiber could significantly reduce the cooking loss of low-fat frankfurters from 12.69 to 4.71%. Adding citrus fiber led to a faster relaxation time in low-fat frankfurters, and a significant increase in the proportion of immobilized water. Frankfurters with citrus fiber exhibited a more compact, continuous protein network structure. Furthermore, the intensity changes in the Raman bands near 760 and 2930 cm showed that citrus fiber increased hydrophobic interactions around hydrocarbon chains and tryptophan residues in myofibrillar proteins. In conclusion, citrus fiber effectively improved the water-binding ability of low-fat frankfurters by increasing the hydrophobic interactions of myofibrillar proteins and changing the frankfurter microstructure.