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 center dot kg-1 meat and 500 g center dot 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 center dot kg-1 meat) had a signifi-cantly higher L*-value (lightness) and lower cooking loss and total expressible fluid (P < 0.05) than the high-fat sausage (500 g center dot kg-1 meat) and exhibited a denser and more homogeneous microstructure. Additionally, T23 (relaxation time) of the low-fat sausage shifted toward a slower relaxation time, and higher A23 (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.