The starch could improve the water binding capacity of meat
emulsions (Dexter, Sofos, & Schmidt, 1993; Khalil, 2000). This is
mainly due to the fact that starch could easily form the stronger
heat-induced structures through the swelling of starch granules
embedded in the protein gel matrix. This could increase water
binding capability in the protein gel matrix leading to a firmer and
more compact structure. Serdaroglu (2006) suggested that fat
retention in ground meat products was a complex process. The fat
migration from inside of the product to outside was prevented
during heat treatment due to the swelling of the starch causing
interactions with the protein of the ground meat matrix. With high
content of amylopectin in GRF, the combination between amylopectin
and protein of the ground meat may be further improved.
Further study may be deserved to investigate the three dimensional
structure of ground pork patties with the different addition of the
above additives.