NMR, rheological, calorimetric and microscopy approaches
were applied as means to better elucidate the underlying
mechanisms governing the physico-chemical responses in
reduced-fat sausage formulations. NMR analysis gave a better
indication of the water properties within the sausages
compared to empirical methods of moisture assessment,
e.g. cook loss. Populations of bound, trapped and free water
were present in the sausage and increased water retention
was noted in samples with increasing inulin inclusion.
Rheological data showed an increase in the elastic (solid)
component of the sausage batters with increasing substitution
of fat with inulin which would have a direct effect on the
instrumental and sensory textural attributes. Heat ramps for
rheology and DSC analyses correlated thereby showing
complementary protein denaturation profiles and increasing
elastic behavior (gel hardening). Microscopy techniques
showed the differences in the distribution and morphology
of inulin enriched emulsions compared to their control (fat
containing) counterparts.