properties were evaluated for low-fat and reduced-sodium meat
emulsions containing various levels of prebiotic fibers (inulin, FOS, polydextrose, and resistant starch) as
fat and starch substitutes. Low emulsion stability was observed, mainly in the treatments containing
inulin and polydextrose (3 and 6 g/100 g). Higher tenderness was observed in the low-fat bologna
sausages containing prebiotic fibers. The prebiotic fibers influenced the color of the meat batters but not
that of the bologna sausage, probably due to the curing reactions and fat melting and subsequent solidification
reaction. The meat batters presented elastic behavior, demonstrated by a G0 value that was
higher than the G00 value during oscillatory tests. An increase in the gelation temperature may result from
the addition of the fibers, which delayed the gelation reaction of the myosin. The microstructures
showed a porous matrix in the treatments containing prebiotic fibers, and a compact and dense network
was observed only in the control formulations and that one containing inulin, due to its chain length.
Further studies are required to evaluate the suitable levels in low-fat and reduced-sodium meat emulsions
of prebiotic fibers, including cassava starch, which it is not possible to remove completely from the
formulations.