ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of temperature (50, 60, and 70 degrees C) and moisture content (18, 21, and 24%) on the quality ofjerky products from ostrich meat. The jerky products were evaluated by physicochemical and sensory methods. The tensile strength of the samples prepared to 24% w.b. moisture content at 50 degrees C was lowest (p < 0.05; 124 N) while those prepared under other conditions were in the range of 208-268 N (p > 0.05). The water activity of the jerky products was 0.51-0.72, and significant influence of drying temperature on protein solubility was also observed, but the samples dried at the same temperature had similar levels of soluble protein (p > 0.05) regardless of moisture content of samples. The pH of the samples dried at 50 degrees C and 60 degrees C showed little change in different moisture content, but samples dried at 70 degrees C tended to affect the pH by moisture content. Hunter a-values showed a predominantly increasing trend in all moisture levels as the heating temperature increased. The jerky product prepared to 24% w.b. moisture content at 60 degrees C showed the best sensory overall acceptability.
