Effect of the Addition of Soybean Protein and Insect Flours on the Quality of Cooked Sausages

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the effect of the addition (2%) of soybean protein (SP) and insect flours derived from house crickets (Acheta domesticus, HCF) and yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor, YMF) in cooked sausages. The technological characteristics of the batter, the chemical composition of the sausages, their technological traits and lipid stability during refrigerated storage, as well as their sensory properties, were investigated. The SP, HCF and YMF batters displayed higher pH (p = 0.0025) and stability (p p p = 0.0017), while YMF decreased its structural strength (p = 0.0274). Higher pH and darker colour were detected in SP-, HCF- and YMF-containing sausages; however, the effect of the alternative proteins depended on the duration of storage. The plasticity decreased in the insect-containing sausages (p = 0.0010) and increased over time (p = 0.0136), whereas the elasticity was lower in the YMF group (p p < 0.0001) in the sausages containing alternative protein. TBARS content decreased over time in these groups. The HCF and YMF sausages received lower scores for their appearance, colour, texture, flavour and taste, suggesting the need for further technological interventions to make such products more attractive to consumers.

Keywords

• insect flours
• soybean protein
• sausages
• technological characteristics
• lipid oxidation
• sensory quality