3.2. Myoglobin and related pigments in meat batter
The effects of nitrite and WFC levels on relative proportions of three myoglobin (Mb) forms in meat batter are shown in Fig. 3. In meat batters without nitrite, addition of WFC had no influence (P > 0.05) on the changes in proportions of deoxymyoglobin (MbFe2+), oxymyoglobin (MbFe2+O2), and metmyoglobin (MbFe3+). On the other hand, addition of WFC continually decreased MbFe2+O2 and MbFe2+ but increased MbFe3+ contents of meat batters with 120 ppm nitrite. At an added level of 2% WFC, meat batters without nitrite showed higher MbFe2+ (P < 0.05) and MbFe2+O2 (P < 0.001) but lower MbFe3+ (P < 0.001) contents than that with only 120 ppm nitrite.