4. Conclusions
Overall, this study has demonstrated the potential of rapid ohmic
heating methods to cook whole turkey breast to yield levels of
quality which are broadly comparable to those achieved by conventional
cooking. While cook losses with the mild LTLT ohmic
method were lower than those obtained in the latter, flavour
development was slightly reduced as a result of the lower cook values
achieved. Further optimisation of the ohmic heating procedure
would be required prior to commercialisation – possibly by selecting
an end-point temperature intermediate between that of HTST
and LTLT protocols – to maintain the speed and cook loss advantages
of the method while increasing cook values to levels that allow
for optimal flavour development.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support of the
Non-Commissioned Food Research Measure, funded by the Irish
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.