Effect of grind size and fat levels on the physico-chemical and sensory characteristics of low-fat ground buffalo meat patties

Two experiments were carried out to investigate the influence of grind size (3, 4 or 6 mm) and fat levels (6, 8, 10 or 20%) on the physico-chemical and sensory characteristics of low-fat ground buffalo meat patties prepared using a combination of carrageenan (0.5%) and sodium alginate (0.1%). At a constant fat level of nearly 8%, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the cooking yield, pH, proximate composition and dimensional changes of patties prepared at different grind sizes. However, shear force value increased significantly (P<0.05) with an increase in grind size. The sensory scores were significantly (P<0.05) higher for patties prepared using 3 mm grind size as compared to those prepared at 4 and 6 mm grind sizes and hence it was adopted as the optimum grind size for low-fat ground buffalo meat patties. At a constant grind size of 3mm, cooking yield, moisture, protein and gain in height were significantly (P<0.05) higher and shear force values were significantly (P<0.05) lower for patties at all low-fat levels as compared to the control with 20% fat. Based on its significantly higher (P<0.05) sensory scores, 10% fat level was selected as optimum for low-fat ground buffalo meat patties, although even at 8% fat level sensory rating remained between good to very good.