Cellulose hydrocolloids in meat products: Current status and challenges in developing functional food

Abstract

Due to the growing health problems associated with the increased intake of saturated and trans fats, and the unbalanced n-6/n-3 ratio in the diet, in recent years numerous studies have focused on finding adequate substitutes for fat in meat products, while the meat industry made additional efforts to implement the obtained formulations (oleogels) in the standard production processes. Insoluble cellulose fibre in the form of microcrystalline cellulose has proven to be a promising ingredient in reduced fat, fibre-enriched functional food development, since it has been safely used as a food additive for many years with a known beneficial effect on human health. This review will discuss the recent advances of MCC application associated with alternative cellulose sources and processing technology, functional physico-chemical properties and potential as organogelator in fat mimetics. Finally, recently published data concerning its practical application in meat products as fat or starch substitutes will be presented.