Textural and Sensory Properties of Pork Jerky Adjusted with Tenderizers or Humectant

This study was carried out to investigate the textural and sensory properties of pork jerky with differently added sources of tenderizer or humectant at final concentrations of 2 or 5% (v/w). Pork jerky treated with 5% glycerol, kiwi, or pineapple had lower moisture content and water activity than that of control pork jerky (p<0.05). The addition of tenderizer or humectant resulted in a lower shear force than that of control (p<0.05). The addition of 2 or 5% glycerol resulted in higher equilibrium moisture content (EMC) than other treatments, and addition of tenderizer or humectant produced a higher EMC than that of control (p<0.05). Furthermore, addition of pineapple and kiwi to the samples affected the structures of the myosin heavy chain and the actin filaments of myofibrillar protein, respectively. Trained panel sensory evaluations indicated that pineapple enhanced the flavor score, whereas tenderness score was improved by the addition of tenderizer or humectant (p<0.05).