3. Results and discussion
3.1. Influence of infrared process parameters on cooking characteristics of meatballs
During cooking, some components will lost from the meat. This loss is in the form of vapor, which is almost entirely steam and drip which is made up of liquified fat and water. Loss of fluids diminishes the sensory outcome of the cooking process and reduces the weight of the product and perhaps its consequent sale value (Sheridan & Shilton, 2002). An increasing rigidity of the myofibrillar structure occurs with cooking, due to the denaturation of proteins and this is associated with increased water loss during cooking