Development of dietary fibre enriched chicken sausages by incorporating corn bran, dried apple pomace and dried tomato pomace

The aim of this study was to develop dietary fibre-enriched chicken sausage by incorporating fibre from a by-product of corn milling, apple and tomato processing.

Sausages were developed by replacing lean meat with corn bran (CB), dried apple pomace (DAP) and dried tomato pomace (DTP) each at 3, 6 and 9 per cent levels. Organoleptic, nutritional and physico-chemical quality attributes of treated sausages were evaluated. One product from each fibre source with very good organoleptic acceptability was selected to estimate total dietary fibre content and assess shelf life under refrigerated temperature.

Organoleptic acceptability of 3 per cent fibre-incorporated sausages were comparable with control. Moisture content decreased significantly in all treated sausages, protein content decreased in CB- and DAP-treated sausages, while ash content increased significantly in DTP-treated sausages. Emulsion stability and cooking yield was significantly higher in 6 and 9 per cent treated sausages, while crude fibre content was significantly higher in all the treated sausages.

Chicken sausages with very good acceptability, higher dietary fibre content and storability up to 15 days at refrigerated temperature were developed by incorporating CB at 3 per cent level and DAP and DTP each at the 6 per cent level.

The research is of value to meat processors. By-products like corn bran, apple and tomato pomace which are of low value can be profitably utilized to develop fibre enriched chicken sausage. Developed products will also help in promoting the image of meat as a healthy food.