Effects of Replacing Pork with Tuna Levels on the Quality Characteristics of Frankfurters

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pork and tuna levels on the quality characteristics of frankfurters and to establish a suitable percentage of added tuna. The levels of pork meat (PM) and yellow-fin tuna (YFT) in the test frankfurters were as follows: 100% PM (control), 90% PM+10% YFT (T1), 80% PM+20% YFT (T2), 70% PM+30% YFT (T3), 60% PM+40% YFT (T4), and 50% PM+50% YFT (T5). The pH of the frankfurter batters significantly decreased with increasing tuna levels, because the pH of the tuna is lower than that of the pork. The water holding capacity did not differ significantly in frankfurters containing up to 30% tuna, whereas that of the 40% tuna-containing frankfurter was significantly lower than the control. Cooking loss did not differ significantly. At up to 10% tuna, apparent viscosity did not differ significantly, whereas at 20% tuna, it was significantly lower than the control. Fat separation and total expressible fluid separation at up to 30% tuna did not differ from the control; however, when more than 30% was added, higher losses were observed. The hardness of frankfurters containing more than 40% tuna was lower than that of the control, but there was no significant difference in springiness. The overall acceptability of frankfurters manufactured with up to 30% tuna did not differ significantly from the control. These results suggest that the addition of 30% tuna does not affect the quality of frankfurters made from pork.