The objective of this study was to investigate effect of okara on the textural, color
and rheological properties of pork meat gels. Pork meat gels with okara had better
cooking characteristics than those without okara. As okara content increased in
pork meat gels, there were significant increases in lightness (L*), hardness,
chewiness and breaking force of gels but decreases in cohesiveness, while there was
no significant difference found in gel springiness and resilience. Addition of okara
also increased storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) of pork batters during
the heating. Loss tangent (tan δ) patterns indicated that okara facilitate to hold
more water and accelerated the denaturation to form an elastic gel network.
Overall, okara can be used as an ingredient to improve the quality of pork-based
products, especially to replace animal fats.