Physicochemical characteristics, textural properties and volatile compounds in comminuted sausages as affected by various fat levels and fat replacers

Summary Physicochemical and textural properties, and volatile compounds of comminuted sausages with various added fat levels and fat replacers were evaluated. Sausages without added fat had higher expressible moisture and texture values, but their lightness and yellowness values were lower, as compared with sausages with 5%, 10%, or 15% fat. Increased fat levels with constant amounts of lean meat and added water increased the lightness and yellowness values, but tended the redness values tended to be similar. Low‐fat sausages (LFSs, <3%) containing non‐meat proteins, except egg white protein, had reduced texture values similar to those of regular‐fat counterparts (RFC). The addition of non‐meat proteins, except egg white protein, as components of fat replacers in LFS improved the textural characteristics, making them similar to those of RFC. LFSs containing sodium caseinate had reduced concentrations of pentadecanal and octadecanal, resulting in similar volatile compositions to those of RFC. Thus, sodium caseinate was the best non‐meat protein for the improvement of both texture and flavour of LFSs.