Evaluation of quality properties of emulsified pork sausages containing sorghum distillers grains

Abstract

This study examined how the quality of emulsified pork sausages is affected by the amount of sorghum distillers grains (SDG) the sausages contain. Sausages containing SDG instead of potato flour had significantly higher levels of hardness, gumminess, and chewiness; however, the SDG addition ratio (percentage of potato flour replaced with SDG) had no significant effect on springiness or cohesiveness. The sausage pH ranged between 6.21 and 6.43 and decreased significantly as the SDG addition ratio increased. The cooking loss rate decreased significantly at high SDG addition ratios (80% and 100%). Regarding sausage emulsification stability, water and fat loss rates were significantly lower at high SDG addition ratios, but no significant difference in water-holding capacity compared with the control group was observed. The control sausages had the highest L, a, and b; these values decreased significantly as the SDG addition ratio increased. Practical applications: The results of this study demonstrate a valuable application of sorghum distillers grains (SDG), a waste product generated during the brewing process. It can replace potato starch in the production of emulsified meat products, such as emulsified pork sausages, to create products with favorable quality characteristics (such as texture profile, pH value, cooking loss rate, emulsification stability, and color). Ultimately, the results of the current study can serve as a reference for exploring the diverse roles that SDG can play in derivative food processing, investigating the added value of SDG, and reducing wastage and environmental problems caused by leftover distillers grains generated during the brewing process.