MANUFACTURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF SNACK-TYPE PRODUCTS CONTAINING MEAT AND STARCH

Extrusion conditions were optimized for blends of ground lamb and starch using a single-screw extruder for the purpose of producing expanded snack-type products. A central composite rotatable response surface methodology(RSM) design was used with variation in feed moisture, process temperature, and screw speed. The three variables significantly affected one or more of the measured physical properties of extrudates. The optimum conditions for minimum shear force values were 26.5% feed moisture, $148^{\circ}C$ process temperature, and 134 rpm screw speed. Lean ground beef, chicken, goat, lamb or mutton was blended with corn starch, and extruded at the optimum condition established from RSM experiments. Physical/rheological properties were generally similar, water activity was low (<0.12) and total aerobic plate counts were <10 for all products. Extrudates containing chicken had the highest ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids, whereas those containing beef had the highest ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids. Sensory data indicated that texture was acceptable and flavor characteristics were not different among the products.