The effect of the addition of three types of tropical edible seaweeds, Kappaphycus alvarezii (KA), Sargassum polycystum (SP), and Caulerpa lentilifira (CL), on sausages were studied. Nine sausage formulations with three levels of inclusion (2%, 4%, and 6%) of each seaweed were prepared, analysed, and compared with the control sample (without seaweed) in terms of their physicochemical properties, total phenolic content, and lipid oxidation. The modified sausages had low moisture and fat content (p < 0.05) but high ash and dietary fiber content (p < 0.05) compared to the control sausage. The addition of seaweed powder changed the texture of the sausages, mainly its hardness and chewiness (p < 0.05), but no significant difference in cohesiveness and springiness was found (p < 0.05). The modified sausages were shown to have high water holding capacities and cooking yields. The different types of seaweed modified the colour of the chicken sausages differently. In general, the L* (brightness) and b* (yellowness) values was low for all sausage samples containing seaweed powder (p < 0.05), while the a* (redness) value increased with the addition of the KA and SP seaweed powder but decreased for the sausage sample with added CL seaweed powder (p < 0.05). Moreover, the modified sausages have higher total phenolic contents and high antioxidant capacities, which contributed to slowing the oxidation of lipid in sausages during storage (p < 0.05). Sensory evaluation showed that the panellists found up to 4% of KA and 2% of SP to be acceptable. Overall, the seaweeds, especially KA and SP, could potentially be developed as excellent additives for the manufacture of highly technological high-quality meat products.

This study investigates the effect of salt reduction through the inclusion of seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii) on the physicochemical and sensory qualities of chicken patties. A control sample (1.5% salt and without seaweed) and four chicken patty formulations were used with two levels of salt (1% and 1.5%) and two levels of seaweed (2% and 4%). Adding seaweed improves water holding capacity and minimized cooking loss in reduced-salt patties. In addition, adding seaweed decreases the shrinkage of the diameter and thickness of chicken patties (p > 0.05). However, adding seaweed made the patties darker, as shown by lower L* values (p > 0.05). Additionally, the incorporation of seaweed significantly increased (p < 0.05) the hardness, chewiness, cohesiveness, and elasticity of patties. Reduced-salt chicken patties with the addition of 2–4% of seaweed showed lower extracted water than 1.5% salt chicken patties with seaweed (p < 0.05), indicating a higher water holding capacity. The sensory evaluation showed that the chicken patty with 1.5% salt and 4% seaweed had the highest overall acceptability. However, the overall acceptability of the chicken patties with 1% salt and 4% seaweed was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the control. In conclusion, the addition of Kappaphycus alvarezii to reduced salt patties improved textural properties with acceptable taste profiles.

Meat products are widely consumed worldwide and, as a result, they may be an exciting supplier of health benefits due to the need for better formulations, such as reduced fat and increased fibre in processed meats. This study was carried out to determine how the banana peel (BP) flour of Saba (Musa balbisiana) and Berangan (Musa acuminata) affect the functional properties and sensory acceptance of chicken sausage. Berangan BPs showed better water- and oil-holding capacity than Saba BP flour. Conversely, Saba BP flour exhibited better swelling power, but was less soluble than Berangan BP flour. Sausages containing high BPs, especially Saba banana, had a more rigid texture, a high storage modulus, and a darker colour. The ability to retain more water in Berangan peel positively affected the sausage’s textural and rheological properties. With 2%, chicken sausage received the highest sensory score, with Saba BP-containing sausage following closely behind. However, adding >2% BP of both varieties negatively affected the sausage texture and colour, resulting in reduced sensory acceptance. Thus, the BP from Saba and Berangan bananas showed promise as a potential value-adding ingredient in the formulation of functional meat products. In addition, it has potential health benefits, such as increased dietary fibre.