Spirulina platensis protein-based emulsion gel as fat substitute in meat analogs: Evaluation performance across post-processing.

In this paper, Spirulina platensis protein-based emulsion gels were investigated as fat substitutes in meat analogs and compared with conventional fat sources like palm oil, oleogel, and soybean oil. Evaluating parameters such as cooking loss, shrinkage, texture, appearance, and moisture distribution across various cooking methods. Emulsion gels imparted superior juiciness to meat analogs whereas palm oil and oleogel led to drier meat textures. Besides they also resulted in comparable cooking loss and shrinkage to traditional fats, indicating preferred fat options for incorporation of emulsion gels. The novel emulsion gel-filled meat analogs exhibited robust tolerance across three distinct cooking methods, boiling, steaming, and deep-frying. Steamed meat analogs exhibited brighter MRI signals, while fried counterparts displayed peripheral hollowing, attributed to steam's energy transfer and humidity-induced water migration, respectively. Overall, the study underscores the efficacy of these fat analogs in meat analogs, offering insights into their potential as viable alternatives in food formulations.