(P < 0.05) than control meatball (no added fibre) when 2–6% RBHB
fibre preparation was added to the meatball. Darkness of the
crumb was directly related to increased fibre content. odour ratings
were significantly different for dietary fibre-supplemented
meatball and control. The scores for softness and chewiness of
the meatball were all at acceptable values for 2–6% RBHB. Panellists
also commented that the meatball were comparable to highfibre
meatball currently available in the market. The 6% RBDF
added meatball received the lowest score. Sensory evaluations
revealed that meatball with 2%, 4% and 6% RBHB were overall
acceptable. In view of the therapeutic potential of dietary fibre,
more fibre incorporated food products are being developed. Addition
of dietary fibre to a wide range of products will contribute
to the development of value-added foods or functional foods that
currently are in high demand. This confirms that the RBHB preparations
from defatted rice bran have great potential in food applications,
especially in development of functional foods including
functional meat products.
An increase in dietary fibre intake is desirable as the recommended
daily intake (25–35 g) for the maintenance of health and
prevention of diseases rarely is achieved by the population in Western
countries (Gray, 2006). Table 4 summarises dietary fibre content
of the meatball. The end products received high content
dietary fibre (4.86%) for the 6% RBHB added meatball. Results indicated
that contents of dietary fibre in the end products were less
than expectant amounts. Some of the water-soluble fibre, especially
from RBHB, may be lost during cooking. Nevertheless, an
appreciable amount of dietary fibre remained in both RBHB and
RBDF incorporated meatball and this may contribute to health benefits,
for example increasing faecal bulk and lowering of plasma
cholesterol.