Effects of pH and polyphosphate blends (PB) on the physico-chemical properties of buffalo meat and patties were studied. Minced buffalo meat was blended with 2% sodium chloride (NaCl) and the pH of the meat was increased with 0·5N sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to the pH of the meat containing 2% NacL and 0·5% PB. Increasing the pH by NaOH incorporation significantly improved (P < 0·01) the water-holding capacity (WHC), emulsifying capacity (EC), emulsion stability (ES) and yield of patties and decreased (P < 0·01) cooking loss of meat and shrinkage of patties as compared to controls. Addition of PB improved (P < 0·05) EC, increased (P < 0·01) ES and yield of patties and reduced (P < 0·01) cooking loss and shrinkage of patties as compared to the NaOH-treated meat, which had higher (P < 0·05) WHC.