Conformation Changes and Flavor Binding Capacity of Myofibrillar Proteins Upon Different Amounts of Sugar Additions: Relating to the Processing of Cantonese Sausage

Sugar plays a crucial role in the processing of Cantonese sausages, endowed it unique flavor perceptions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sugar levels on the structure and flavor binding capacity of pork myofibrillar proteins (MPs) during the processing of Cantonese sausages. Results showed that sugar addition could significantly enhance the concentration of flavor compounds in Cantonese sausages, with ester emerging as the key aroma compounds. Moreover, 6% sugar addition generally showed the highest flavor concentration, which could be associated with the structural changes mediated by different sugar levels. Sugar addition could cause structural unfolding and reassembly to MPs, forming more loose structures with significant decrease in α-helix and increase in β-sheets. And the surface hydrophobicity first decreased and then increased with increasing in sugar content, peaking at 6% and 9% sugar addition. All these could affect the flavor adsorption capacity of MPs, showing improved adsorption capacity to alcohol and ketone compounds and releasing effect to ester and aldehyde compounds upon sugar addition. The driving force for the adsorption could be attributed to the exposure of the hydrophobic sites in MPs, which could reduce the surface tension and thus promote the adsorption of flavor compounds. The results obtained in this study provided theoretical basis and data support for the processing of low-sugar Cantonese sausage with good flavor perception.