Hybrid meat batter system: effects of plant proteins (pea, brown rice, faba bean) and concentrations (3–12%) on texture, microstructure, rheology, water binding, and color

A lean meat batter system was mixed with four plant proteins at 3, 6, 9, and 12% (w/w): pea protein A (PA), pea protein B (PB), brown rice protein (BR) and faba bean protein (FB). Texture profile analysis (TPA) revealed that increasing plant protein levels hardened the hybrid meat batters, with PA and PB leading to the hardest gels. TPA results were supported by micrographs, demonstrating that the two pea proteins formed large aggregates, contributing to a firmer hybrid meat gel. Dynamic rheology showed that the incorporation of plant proteins lowered the storage modulus (G') during the heating stage (20 to 72°C), yet the 6% PA treatment produced a final G' (after cooling) closest to the control (CL). Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) T2 relaxometry also demonstrated that plant proteins reduced the water mobility in hybrid meat batters. Results were in line with the cooking loss, except for a higher cooking loss in the BR formulation compared to the CL. Color measurement showed that increasing plant protein levels led to darker and yellower meat batters; however, the effect on redness varied among treatments. Overall, the findings suggest that pea proteins have superior functionality and compatibility within a lean poultry meat protein system, compared to BR and FB tested here.