Abstract:
An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of substituting wheat flour (WF) for cassava flour (CF) on chemical composition, storage stability and sensory qualities of beef sausage. The WF in the sausage was replaced with CF at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% levels. Values obtained for protein content were comparable with one another. However, fibre content increased with the increase in the levels of CF in the sausage. The highest fibre content of 0.43% was recorded in sausage with 15% CF. Fat content tended to decrease with increase in the levels of CF in the sausage. Values obtained for cooking and refrigeration losses were comparable with one another. Cooking losses ranged between 1.08 - 1.85% while refrigeration loss ranged from 7.60-8.53%. Compared with the control, higher panel scores were recorded on sensory qualities for sausages containing CF.
WF in beef sausage can be substituted with 100% CF without adverse effect on chemical composition, processing yield or sensory qualities. This approach will satisfy the growing demand of consumers for gluten-free meat products, thereby minimising the incidence of coeliac disease in humans.
