Abstract:
Chicken burgers were prepared by incorporation of blanched Kohila
(Lasia spinosa) and Oyster mushroom (Plueratus ostreatus) with an objective of
developing a low cost healthy meat product. The reference batch of chicken
burgers (chicken meat, fat, bread-crumb and other ingredients were 60%, 20%,
4% and 16% of the formulation, respectively) was formulated by using bread crumb as the extender. In the experiment, bread-crumb was replaced by Kohila
and mushroom with different combinations, separately. Through sensory
evaluations, (75% blanched Kohila and 25% bread-crumb) T1, (75% blanched
mushroom and 25% bread-crumb) T2 and (50% blanched Kohila and 50%
blanched mushroom) T3 were selected as the best extender formulations.
Chicken burgers prepared by using these different extender formulations were
subjected to nutritional properties analysis: Crude protein, fat and ash content
by proximate analysis and keeping quality determination: pH using pH meter,
rancidity using Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances test (TBARS) and
Water Holding Capacity (WHC) using filter paper method. Moreover, cost
analysis was conducted. Based on the sensory evaluation test, T1 showed higher
median values (p<0.05) for aroma, taste, appearance and overall acceptability.
Protein, ash and fat contents of all three treatments were not significantly
different. The moisture content of T2 was the highest (p<0.05). The fiber content
of T1 was the highest (p<0.05) and followed by T3 and T2, respectively. A
positive relationship showed between the added amount of Kohila and the fiber
content. pH values of all three samples have increased during the storage only up
to second week and then gradually decreased with storage time. Up to the
second week of storage, WHC of all the treatments were increased significantly
and then reduced with storage time. High WHC of the second week of storage
were in agreement with high pH of the products at the corresponding storage
time period. There was no significant difference among treatments in relation to
the TBARS values but rancidity has increased during the storage period in all the
treatments. The cost of production per burger of T1, T2 and T3 were Rs 6.04, Rs
6.58 and Rs 6.31, respectively. Therefore, Kohila can be used in burger production
as an alternative for bread-crumb up to 75% by improving the healthiness of the
end product without any organoleptic failures while reducing the cost of
production. Use of oyster mushroom is not economical as compared to the
Kohila in chicken burger production.