Using a Functional Carrot Powder Ingredient to Produce Sausages with High Levels of Nutraceuticals

Abstract

In this study, a functional carrot powder (FCP) ingredient was obtained by applying wounding stress to carrot (shredding and storing for 48 hr at 15 °C) prior to dehydration (60 °C) and milling. Likewise, FCP was incorporated into sausage formulations, which were further characterized. The application of wounding stress in carrots resulted in a FCP with higher fiber (30.1%) and chlorogenic acid (798.4%) content as compared with control carrot powder (CCP). Likewise, FCP showed higher water (19%) and oil (3.9%) absorption capacity as compared with CCP. Sausage formulation with 4% (w/w) of FCP was characterized, further evaluated during storage (42 days, 4 °C), and compared with a formulation added with 4% (w/w) CCP. FCP and CCP formulations increased fiber of sausages by 72.7%, and fortified them with carotenoids, providing 30% to 40% of vitamin A daily requirements per portion (62.5 g). FCP did not affect purge loss, and sausages contained 270% and 377% more total phenolics and chlorogenic acid content as compared with CCP sausages. FCP formulation presented adequate sensory acceptability and its carotenoid and phenolic content remained stable during storage. Results indicated that FCP could be used as an ingredient in sausage formulation to increase the content of nutraceuticals without affecting its shelf-life. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Wounding stress (by shredding) was applied to carrots prior to dehydration and milling to obtain a carrot powder with higher fiber and phenolic compounds as compared with control carrot powder (CCP). FCP showed higher water and oil absorption capacity than CCP. FCP addition to sausage formulations at 4% didn't affect purge loss, and resulted in sausages with higher phenolic compounds and dietary fiber. Furthermore, FCP formulations presented adequate sensory acceptability and its carotenoid and phenolic content remained stable during storage. FCP could be used as an ingredient in sausage formulation to increase the content of nutraceuticals without affecting its shelf-life.