Process optimization and kinetics of deep fat frying conditions of sausage processed from goat meat using response surface methodology

This study investigated the effects and optimization of cooking time (30, 45, 60 min), frying temperature (150, 170, 190°C) and time (3, 6, 9 min) on the quality (moisture content, moisture loss, fat and protein content, color), textural, and sensory characteristics of deep fat fried goat meat sausage by response surface methodology (RSM) using a three-level Box–Behnken design. The kinetic of moisture loss and fat absorption were also determined using first-order equation. The goat meat was precooked and fried using a 2.5-L electric deep fryer with a temperature control of ± 10°C. The results showed that all the quality, textural, and sensory characteristics of goat meat sausage investigated were significantly influenced (p <.05) by the frying conditions. The effective moisture diffusivity ranged from 1.22 × 10^–8 to 2.84 × 10^–8 m²/s and 2.43 × 10^–9 to 1.22 × 10^-8m²/s for the moisture loss and fat absorption, respectively. Activation energies estimated were 71.04 to 77.76 KJ/mol and 65.82 to 67.2 KJ/mol, respectively. The frying kinetics obeyed the first-order rate constant, and the temperature dependency of moisture loss was higher compared to fat absorption of the fried goat meat sausage in all the samples. The optimal conditions for the deep fat frying of goat meat sausage were achieved using cooking time of 45 min fat frying temperature of 150°C and time of 9 min with (R² > 0.9) and were the most preferred sausage sample and accepted by the sensory panelists. This study has shown that the optimal frying conditions observed could be a viable alternative for the commercialization of quality goat meat sausages and other fried meat products in the food industry.