Effect of Cacao Bean Husk Powder on the Quality Properties of Pork Sausages

Cacao bean husk (Theobroma cacao L.) contains a high level of dietary fiber and therefore can be used as raw material in food processing. The objective of the present study was to measure the physicochemical properties and sensory traits of emulsion-type pork sausages with various levels of cacao bean husk powder (0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1%, and 2%). The moisture content in cooked sausages increased as the level of cacao bean husk power increased, whereas the protein content decreased (p<0.05). With respect to color, as the level of cacao bean husk power increased, there was a decrease in lightness and yellowness, but there was a considerable increase in redness (p<0.05). Cacao bean husk powder exhibited a positive effect on emulsion stability and apparent viscosity. In the sensory evaluation, increased level of cacao bean husk increased flavor acceptability; the 0.75% and 1% treatment groups showed significantly high overall acceptability (p<0.05). The thiobarbituric acid reactive species content of cooked sausages indicated that with the addition of cacao bean husk powder significantly inhibited lipid oxidation in the sausages during refrigerated storage (p<0.05). Overall, the findings of the present study suggest that adding 0.75% and 1% cacao bean husk powder as a natural ingredient in sausages can help develop meat products with excellent qualities.