Mixture design methodology using a D-optimal design was found to
be an effective technique to investigate the effects of fat substitution
with inulin on the physico-chemical properties and eating quality of
breakfast sausages. It reduced the number of experiments, studying as
many factors as possible in order to identify the impact of each component
in the mixture. The health profile of the sausageswas improved by
reducing fat and increasing inulin. Fructan analysis suggests that the inulin
remained stable through processing and subsequent heat treatment.
Increasing inulin inclusions did reduce cook loss and improve
emulsion stability but resulted in greater texture and sensory quality
modification compared to controls, particularly at the extremes (fullfat
substitution). The optimisation tool was used to predict sausage
formulations with significantly lower fat levels than control and an
acceptable desirability level, with one serving of either formulameeting
or exceeding the reported requirements to confer a prebiotic health
effect. The addition of inulin to added-fat containing meat products,
such as sausages, could appeal to health conscious consumers as they
are important to human nutrition in the context of dietary guidelines.