Incorporation of Mycelium (Pleurotus eryngii) in Pea Protein Based Low Moisture Meat Analogue: Effect on Its Physicochemical, Rehydration and Structural Properties

Alternative Protein-Based Meat and Fish Analogs by Conventional and Novel Processing Technologies: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis

This study aimed to explore the extent of research on developing meat and fish analogs using alternative proteins. It examined the novel and conventional technologies employed to produce these analogs and identified the primary alternative proteins that were used in their production through a systematic literature review (SLR) using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and bibliometric analysis. The SLR resulted in 46 and 13 meat and fish analog records, respectively, according to defined selection and exclusion criteria. Meat analogs are mainly produced using extrusion, followed by the novel 3D printing and mixing technology. Additionally, fish analogs are mainly produced by mixing and 3D printing. Meat analogs are mainly produced from pulses, followed by cereal, fungi, microalgae, other sources, and insects. Similarly, pulse proteins were the most used alternative protein source for the fish analogs, followed by macro- and microalgae, plant, cereal, and fungal proteins. According to keyword analysis, rheological and textural properties are essential for meat and fish analogs. This review provides up-to-date information to clarify the critical role of alternative proteins and the utilization of novel technologies in the production of meat and fish analogs. It also gives essential insights into the expected increase in studies to determine sustainability and overcome challenges related to textural, sensorial, and nutritional properties.

Supercritical fluid extrusion of pea flour and pea protein concentrate: Effects on functional and structural attributes

This research investigated the effectiveness of supercritical fluid extrusion (SCFX) to modify the functional and structural characteristics of pea protein concentrate (PPC) and pea flour (PF). The results indicate that the SCFX process favorably modified the hydration properties of PPC and PF needed for developments in the structural and textural qualities of the meat analogs and other similar products. The water-holding capacity of extruded PPC and PF improved significantly. The SCFX-extruded samples showed greater emulsifying activity and stability index compared to the unextruded samples. The reduced solubility of the extruded samples indicates changes in the native protein structure and further denaturation due to the SCFX process. Denaturation is a prerequisite for protein texturization to produce meat analogs. Enhanced exposure of sulfhydryl (SH) groups indicates the favorable modification of the protein structure after extrusion. Free SH groups participate in covalent intramolecular disulfide linkages during the solidification process, enhancing the fibrous degree and formation of anisotropic structures. Additionally, the increase in surface hydrophobicity observed in the extruded samples demonstrates the ability of the SCFX process to enhance hydrophobic interactions among protein molecules, resulting in a stronger network formation. Overall, these findings showed the potential of SCFX processing as an innovative technique to effectively modify the structural and functional properties of PPC and PF, thereby enhancing their potential utility in creating novel food products from pea proteins.

Differences in the Physical Properties of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives Containing Root Vegetables

We investigated the textural characteristics of plant-based meat alternatives based on root vegetables, including Platycodon grandiflorum, Codonopsis lanceolata root, Gastrodia elata blume, and Panax ginseng. The samples with root vegetables had significantly higher moisture contents than those without because of the water retention capacity of dietary fiber contained in root vegetables. Heating affects the structures and interactions of the plant-based proteins and other ingredients. Therefore, from before to after heating, the L* values generally decreased, and the a* and b* values increased. During cooking, the hardness, gumminess, and chewiness of the sample containing Platycodon grandiflorum increased the most, and cohesiveness tended to increase The cooking loss was the lowest in the samples without root vegetable additives because the addition of root vegetables caused a decrease in Pleurotus eryngii content. The addition of root vegetables in samples had a positive effect on texture and overall acceptability in the sensory evaluation. Overall, the sample containing Platycodon grandiflorum was the most changed in terms of its physical properties. This study is expected to provide physical properties and foundational data for the future growth of the alternative food industry.

Smart proteins as a new paradigm for meeting dietary protein sufficiency of India: a critical review on the safety and sustainability of different protein sources

India, a global leader in agriculture, faces sustainability challenges in feeding its population. Although primarily a vegetarian population, the consumption of animal derived proteins has tremendously increased in recent years. Excessive dependency on animal proteins is not environmentally sustainable, necessitating the identification of alternative smart proteins. Smart proteins are environmentally benign and mimic the properties of animal proteins (dairy, egg and meat) and are derived from plant proteins, microbial fermentation, insects and cell culture meat (CCM) processes. This review critically evaluates the technological, safety, and sustainability challenges involved in production of smart proteins and their consumer acceptance from Indian context. Under current circumstances, plant-based proteins are most favorable; however, limited land availability and impending climate change makes them unsustainable in the long run. CCM is unaffordable with high input costs limiting its commercialization in near future. Microbial-derived proteins could be the most sustainable option for future owing to higher productivity and ability to grow on low-cost substrates. A circular economy approach integrating agri-horti waste valorization and C1 substrate synthesis with microbial biomass production offer economic viability. Considering the use of novel additives and processing techniques, evaluation of safety, allergenicity, and bioavailability of smart protein products is necessary before large-scale adoption.

Ingredient Functionality of Soy, Chickpea, and Pea Protein before and after Dry Heat Pretreatment and Low Moisture Extrusion

This study investigates the impact of dry heat pretreatment on the functionality of soy, chickpea, and pea protein ingredients for use in texturized vegetable protein (TVP) production via low moisture extrusion. The protein powders were heat-treated at temperatures ranging from 80 °C to 160 °C to modulate the extent of protein denaturation and assess their effects on RVA pasting behavior, water absorption capacity (WAC), and color attributes. The results indicate that the pretreatment temperature significantly influenced the proteins' functional properties, with an optimal temperature of 120 °C enhancing pasting properties and maintaining WAC, while a higher pretreatment temperature of 160 °C led to diminished ingredient functionality. Different protein sources exhibited distinct responses to heat pretreatment. The subsequent extrusion processing revealed significant changes in extrudate density and color, with increased density and darkness observed at higher pretreatment temperatures. This research provides insights into the interplay between protein sources, pretreatment conditions, and extrusion outcomes, highlighting the importance of controlled protein denaturation for developing high-quality, plant-based meat analogues. The findings have broad implications for the optimization of meat analogue manufacturing, with the aim of enhancing the sensory experience and sustainability of plant-based foods.

Possibility of Isolated Mung Bean Protein as a Main Raw Material in the Production of an Extruded High-Moisture Meat Analog

As consumer demand for meat analogs continues to grow, various plant proteins are being explored for their production. This study uses isolated mung bean protein (IMBP) to replace isolated soy protein (ISP), investigating the effects of IMBP content (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%) on the physicochemical and textural properties of high-moisture meat analogs (HMMAs) and exploring the potential of IMBP in the development and production of meat analogs. The results show that IMBP can bind water and cause protein denaturation, thus requiring more time and higher temperatures to be formed compared to HMMAs without IMBP. Additionally, increasing the IMBP content improves the gelling ability, thereby increasing the input of specific mechanical energy. As the IMBP content increases, the fibrous structure of the HMMA also increases. When the IMBP content reaches 40-50%, the most meat-like fibrous structure is observed. The water-holding capacity, water absorption capacity, springiness, and cohesiveness are negatively correlated with the IMBP content, while the oil absorption capacity is positively correlated with it. The integrity index and nitrogen solubility index show opposite trends with the increase in the IMBP content. When the IMBP content is 50%, the springiness and chewiness are the lowest, and the cutting strength is also the lowest, but the sample has a rich fibrous content, indicating that the HMMA with 50% IMBP content is soft and juicy. In conclusion, IMBP has the potential to be a substitute for ISP in the production of HMMAs.

Novel fungal alternative proteins from Penicillium limosum for enhancing structural and functional properties of plant-based meat analogues

Fungal proteins are excellent novel protein resources due to their high nutritional value and biological activity. In this study, a non-toxic strain of Penicillium limosum with a high biomass yield, protein, and essential amino acid contents, was isolated from wheat Qu (solid-state fermentation starter culture). Pea protein isolate (PPI) and P. limosum mycelial protein powder were extruded to prepare high-moisture meat analogues (HMMA), and their structural and functional properties were evaluated. Compared with 100% PPI, the addition of 5% mycoprotein enhanced the viscosity, gelling properties, chewiness, fibrous degree and in vitro protein digestibility (68.65%) of HMMA. Protein aggregates formed during high temperature extrusion, which increased the oil absorption capacity of HMMA (5% MY substitution). Conversely, their water absorption capacity indices were reduced by 5%. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the functional application of novel fungal alternative proteins.

Next-Generation Plant-Based Foods: Challenges and Opportunities

Owing to environmental, ethical, health, and safety concerns, there has been considerable interest in replacing traditional animal-sourced foods like meat, seafood, egg, and dairy products with next-generation plant-based analogs that accurately mimic their properties. Numerous plant-based foods have already been successfully introduced to the market, but there are still several challenges that must be overcome before they are adopted by more consumers. In this article, we review the current status of the science behind the development of next-generation plant-based foods and highlight areas where further research is needed to improve their quality, increase their variety, and reduce their cost, including improving ingredient performance, developing innovative processing methods, establishing structure-function relationships, and improving nutritional profiles.

The Effect of Type of Vegetable Fat and Addition of Antioxidant Components on the Physicochemical Properties of a Pea-Based Meat Analogue

In recent years, interest in functional foods and meat analogues has increased. This study investigated the effect of the type of vegetable fat and ingredients with antioxidant activity on the properties of a meat analogue based on textured pea protein. The possibility of using acai oil (AO), canola oil (CO) and olive oil (OO); propolis extract (P); buckwheat honey (H); and jalapeno pepper extract (JE) was investigated. The texture, colour and selected chemical parameters of plant-based burgers were analysed. Results showed that burgers from control group had the lowest hardness, while burgers with honey had the highest. The highest MUFA content was found in samples with olive oil. Samples with honey were characterised by the highest content of polyphenols, flavonoids and antioxidant capacity. The highest overall acceptability was observed in burgers from the JE-CO group. Therefore, it is possible to use selected ingredients with antioxidant activity in the recipe for a plant-based burger with high product acceptability.

Preparation of Whole-Cut Plant-Based Pork Meat and Its Quality Evaluation with Animal Meat

Low-moisture (20~40%) and high-moisture (40~80%) textured vegetable proteins (TVPs) can be used as important components of plant-based lean meat, while plant-based fat can be characterized by the formation of gels from polysaccharides, proteins, etc. In this study, three kinds of whole-cut plant-based pork (PBP) were prepared based on the mixed gel system, which were from low-moisture TVP, high-moisture TVP, and their mixtures. The comparisons of these products with commercially available plant-based pork (C-PBP1 and C-PBP2) and animal pork meat (APM) were studied in terms of appearance, taste, and nutritional qualities. Results showed the color changes of PBPs after frying were similar to that of APM. The addition of high-moisture TVP would significantly improve hardness (3751.96~7297.21 g), springiness (0.84~0.89%), and chewiness (3162.44~6466.94 g) while also reducing the viscosity (3.89~10.56 g) of products. It was found that the use of high-moisture TVP led to a significant increase in water-holding capacity (WHC) from 150.25% to 161.01% compared with low-moisture TVP; however, oil-holding capacity (OHC) was reduced from 166.34% to 164.79%. Moreover, essential amino acids (EAAs), the essential amino acids index (EAAI), and biological value (BV) were significantly increased from 272.68 mg/g, 105.52, and 103.32 to 362.65 mg/g, 141.34, and 142.36, respectively, though in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) reduced from 51.67% to 43.68% due to the high-moisture TVP. Thus, the high-moisture TVP could help to improve the appearance, textural properties, WHC, and nutritional qualities of PBPs compared to animal meat, which was also better than low-moisture TVP. These findings should be useful for the application of TVP and gels in plant-based pork products to improve the taste and nutritional qualities.

Effect of Marjoram Leaf Powder Addition on Nutritional, Rheological, Textural, Structural, and Sensorial Properties of Extruded Rice Noodles

Food-to-food fortification is an emerging technique to enrich the micronutrients in foods. Pertaining to this technique, noodles could also be fortified with natural fortificants. In this study, marjoram leaf powder (MLP) at a level of 2-10% was used as a natural fortificant to produce fortified rice noodles (FRNs) through an extrusion process. The MLP addition caused a significant increase in the iron, calcium, protein, and fiber in the FRNs. The noodles had a lower whiteness index than unfortified noodles but had a similar water absorption index. The water solubility index increased significantly due to the higher water retention ability of MLP. A rheological study showed a minimal effect of fortification on the gelling strength of the FRNs at lower levels. The microstructural studies found incremental cracks, which facilitated a lower cooking time and hardness but had an insignificant effect on the cooked noodle texture. Fortification improved the total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, and total flavonoid content. However, no significant changes in bonds were observed, but a reduction in the noodles' crystallinity could be seen. The sensory analysis of the noodles reflected a higher acceptability of the 2-4% MLP fortified samples compared to the others. Overall, the MLP addition improved the nutritional content, antioxidant activity, and the cooking time but slightly affected the rheological, textural, and color properties of the noodles.

The Effect of Fresh Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) Addition and Processing Conditions on Selected Biological, Physical, and Chemical Properties of Extruded Snack Pellets

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the addition of fresh kale and processing conditions on extruded pellet antioxidant activity and selected physicochemical properties. The results of the applied DPPH, FRAP, and TPC methods indicated that, for both 60 and 100 rpm screw speeds, snack pellet antioxidant activity and phenolic content were strongly linked to the fresh kale content, and these properties increased with the addition of this plant. The amount of fresh kale and the applied processing variables (extruder screw speed and the moisture content of the raw material blends) were also found to significantly affect the water absorption index, water solubility index, fat absorption index, fatty acid profile, and basic chemical composition of the obtained extrudates. The sample with the highest phenolic content (72.8 μg GAE/g d.w.), the most advantageous chemical composition (protein, ash, fat, carbohydrates, and fiber content), and high antioxidant properties was produced at a fresh kale content of 30%, a 36% moisture content, and a 100 rpm screw speed. The following phenolic acids were identified in this sample: protocatechuic, 4-OH-benzoic, vanillic, syringic, salicylic, caffeic, coumaric, ferulic, and sinapic. Sinapic acid was the prevailing phenolic acid.

Variations of nonvolatile taste components of mushrooms with different operating conditions and parameters from farm to fork

Mushroom is a sustainable food option and a meat substitute which yet needs some strategies to enhance sensory attributes. Especially, their taste characteristics (nonvolatile taste components: soluble sugars, organic acids, free amino acids, and 5'-nucleotides) can vary significantly due to operating conditions and parameters during different stages from farm to fork. This review is aimed to provide an overall view of the determined effects of operating conditions and parameters for mushroom taste attributes, suggestions for future research from lacking variables, and some recommendations for improving the taste perception of mushrooms. Taste compounds of mushrooms alter differently based on cultivation (species, cultivation or maturity stage, substrate composition, part, grade, mycelium strain), cooking (cooking method, time, temperature), preservation, and post-harvest storage conditions (drying parameters, pretreatment, preservation method, gamma irradiation, packaging, storage time and temperature). The dominant tastes of mushrooms given by sweet and umami taste active substances can be enhanced significantly with proper control of parameters during cultivation, cooking, drying, or post-harvest storage. The parameters and variations organized in this review can be used to develop a mathematical model for obtaining optimum taste attributes of mushrooms and mushroom-based meat alternatives and to discover the variables of mushroom species not studied yet.