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Special Meat Binder vs Encapsulated Citric Acid

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  • Ridley AcresR Ridley Acres

    Dr_Pain said in Special Meat Binder vs Encapsulated Citric Acid:

    Well steve4102 it is between you and I now…

    I was following because I like the science behind things and was being lazy. Before going to Physical Therapy school my undergraduate degree was in Biochemistry. Again I was being lazy because I could have research it for you. So let me get to work to find the answer for us…

    From my summary research I found that phosphates are:

    1. Hygroscopic, which means they attract moisture. The reason to use the following i.e. potassium tripolyphosphate, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, and sodium hexameta-phosphate is because they are more hygroscopic than salt, increasing water holding capacity in order to lead to higher yields
    2. In the right concentration phosphates affects flavor. Some researchers have indicated that phosphates, particularly at high levels, result in “soapy” or bitter tastes, improving texture and sensory properties (tenderness, juiciness, color and flavor)
    3. Polyphosphates also chelate or “tie up” divalent cations (calcium, magnesium or iron) from hard water supplies, so basically act as a water conditioners
    4. The phosphates (alkaline compounds) will enhance the stability of emulsion products and improve the binding of meat chunks in sectioned and formed meat products. Because your mince may be affected by temperature (cooking or emulsifying in the processors), phosphates also helps in protecting the emulsion from those temperature variations which is extremely valuable in the production of low-sodium meat products (since they have less myosin extraction then a high sodium content product).
      5)Phosphates exhibit a high pH in water (the pH value listed in phosphate specifications), but since meat is a buffer itself, phosphates’ effect on meat pH is considerably less. Even the limited increase in pH (approximately 0.6 unit maximum) appears to increase water-holding capacity and protein solubility. On the negative side, this increase on pH will reduce cured color development.
    5. Lastly, phosphates in meat products are also sources of the supply of phosphorus for consumers through diet, which is an essential mineral

    So, in summary (and relevant to your original question) Sodium Phophates (for example, 0.9 g of Na2HPO4 (anhydrous) to distilled H2O to make a volume of 1 L) will generate a pH of 7.4, which correct is alkaline however as described above the meat will act as a buffer and the pH will actually be stabilized rather than alkalotic.

    Although adding Encapsulated Citric Acid may sound counter productive initially on the basis of pH remember that Sodium Phosphate is not only slightly alkaline and will only affect pH by 0.6 units. The addition of Phosphates does have additional benefits that ECA may not have (did not research it). Comparatively Encapsulated Citric acid has a pH of 4.2 which is added to the buffer (mince) to produce a tang in the pH range of 4.8-5.2 normally. Personally I use cultures such as LHP-Dry etc… over ECA but I did buy some recently because you can go from processed to cooking much faster than holding over night and using a digital pH meter to verify the end of your acidifying period.

    Hopefully this was not too bad of a read

    Have a great day!!!

    yeah, uh, what he said!

    Dr_PainD Offline
    Dr_PainD Offline
    Dr_Pain
    Sous Vide Dry Cured Sausage Traeger Team Blue
    wrote on last edited by
    #11

    Ridley Acres said in Special Meat Binder vs Encapsulated Citric Acid:

    yeah, uh, what he said!

    via GIPHY

    1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • Ridley AcresR Ridley Acres

      Dr_Pain said in Special Meat Binder vs Encapsulated Citric Acid:

      Well steve4102 it is between you and I now…

      I was following because I like the science behind things and was being lazy. Before going to Physical Therapy school my undergraduate degree was in Biochemistry. Again I was being lazy because I could have research it for you. So let me get to work to find the answer for us…

      From my summary research I found that phosphates are:

      1. Hygroscopic, which means they attract moisture. The reason to use the following i.e. potassium tripolyphosphate, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, and sodium hexameta-phosphate is because they are more hygroscopic than salt, increasing water holding capacity in order to lead to higher yields
      2. In the right concentration phosphates affects flavor. Some researchers have indicated that phosphates, particularly at high levels, result in “soapy” or bitter tastes, improving texture and sensory properties (tenderness, juiciness, color and flavor)
      3. Polyphosphates also chelate or “tie up” divalent cations (calcium, magnesium or iron) from hard water supplies, so basically act as a water conditioners
      4. The phosphates (alkaline compounds) will enhance the stability of emulsion products and improve the binding of meat chunks in sectioned and formed meat products. Because your mince may be affected by temperature (cooking or emulsifying in the processors), phosphates also helps in protecting the emulsion from those temperature variations which is extremely valuable in the production of low-sodium meat products (since they have less myosin extraction then a high sodium content product).
        5)Phosphates exhibit a high pH in water (the pH value listed in phosphate specifications), but since meat is a buffer itself, phosphates’ effect on meat pH is considerably less. Even the limited increase in pH (approximately 0.6 unit maximum) appears to increase water-holding capacity and protein solubility. On the negative side, this increase on pH will reduce cured color development.
      5. Lastly, phosphates in meat products are also sources of the supply of phosphorus for consumers through diet, which is an essential mineral

      So, in summary (and relevant to your original question) Sodium Phophates (for example, 0.9 g of Na2HPO4 (anhydrous) to distilled H2O to make a volume of 1 L) will generate a pH of 7.4, which correct is alkaline however as described above the meat will act as a buffer and the pH will actually be stabilized rather than alkalotic.

      Although adding Encapsulated Citric Acid may sound counter productive initially on the basis of pH remember that Sodium Phosphate is not only slightly alkaline and will only affect pH by 0.6 units. The addition of Phosphates does have additional benefits that ECA may not have (did not research it). Comparatively Encapsulated Citric acid has a pH of 4.2 which is added to the buffer (mince) to produce a tang in the pH range of 4.8-5.2 normally. Personally I use cultures such as LHP-Dry etc… over ECA but I did buy some recently because you can go from processed to cooking much faster than holding over night and using a digital pH meter to verify the end of your acidifying period.

      Hopefully this was not too bad of a read

      Have a great day!!!

      yeah, uh, what he said!

      kyleK Offline
      kyleK Offline
      kyle
      Regular Contributors Veteran Canning Team Blue Power User Sous Vide
      wrote on last edited by
      #12

      Ridley Acres he lost me as soon as I got to the word science. Sometimes I wish I was smart, then I just assume it must be magic if I dont understand

      hey vegetarians, my food poops on your food!

      Dr_PainD 1 Reply Last reply
      1
      • Dr_PainD Dr_Pain

        Well steve4102 it is between you and I now…

        I was following because I like the science behind things and was being lazy. Before going to Physical Therapy school my undergraduate degree was in Biochemistry. Again I was being lazy because I could have research it for you. So let me get to work to find the answer for us…

        From my summary research I found that phosphates are:

        1. Hygroscopic, which means they attract moisture. The reason to use the following i.e. potassium tripolyphosphate, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, and sodium hexameta-phosphate is because they are more hygroscopic than salt, increasing water holding capacity in order to lead to higher yields
        2. In the right concentration phosphates affects flavor. Some researchers have indicated that phosphates, particularly at high levels, result in “soapy” or bitter tastes, improving texture and sensory properties (tenderness, juiciness, color and flavor)
        3. Polyphosphates also chelate or “tie up” divalent cations (calcium, magnesium or iron) from hard water supplies, so basically act as a water conditioners
        4. The phosphates (alkaline compounds) will enhance the stability of emulsion products and improve the binding of meat chunks in sectioned and formed meat products. Because your mince may be affected by temperature (cooking or emulsifying in the processors), phosphates also helps in protecting the emulsion from those temperature variations which is extremely valuable in the production of low-sodium meat products (since they have less myosin extraction then a high sodium content product).
          5)Phosphates exhibit a high pH in water (the pH value listed in phosphate specifications), but since meat is a buffer itself, phosphates’ effect on meat pH is considerably less. Even the limited increase in pH (approximately 0.6 unit maximum) appears to increase water-holding capacity and protein solubility. On the negative side, this increase on pH will reduce cured color development.
        5. Lastly, phosphates in meat products are also sources of the supply of phosphorus for consumers through diet, which is an essential mineral

        So, in summary (and relevant to your original question) Sodium Phophates (for example, 0.9 g of Na2HPO4 (anhydrous) to distilled H2O to make a volume of 1 L) will generate a pH of 7.4, which correct is alkaline however as described above the meat will act as a buffer and the pH will actually be stabilized rather than alkalotic.

        Although adding Encapsulated Citric Acid may sound counter productive initially on the basis of pH remember that Sodium Phosphate is not only slightly alkaline and will only affect pH by 0.6 units. The addition of Phosphates does have additional benefits that ECA may not have (did not research it). Comparatively Encapsulated Citric acid has a pH of 4.2 which is added to the buffer (mince) to produce a tang in the pH range of 4.8-5.2 normally. Personally I use cultures such as LHP-Dry etc… over ECA but I did buy some recently because you can go from processed to cooking much faster than holding over night and using a digital pH meter to verify the end of your acidifying period.

        Hopefully this was not too bad of a read

        Have a great day!!!

        YooperDogY Offline
        YooperDogY Offline
        YooperDog
        Team Orange Masterbuilt Big Green Egg Dry Cured Sausage Sous Vide Canning Power User
        wrote on last edited by
        #13

        Dr_Pain Yowser!!! It was like I was back in chemistry class and I understood the words.

        B Dr_PainD GWG8541G 3 Replies Last reply
        1
        • YooperDogY YooperDog

          Dr_Pain Yowser!!! It was like I was back in chemistry class and I understood the words.

          B Offline
          B Offline
          bocephus
          Team Orange Power User Canning Masterbuilt Veteran
          wrote on last edited by
          #14

          YooperDog I don’t think I want to go back to that class, metal shop maybe.

          1 Reply Last reply
          2
          • Dr_PainD Dr_Pain

            Well steve4102 it is between you and I now…

            I was following because I like the science behind things and was being lazy. Before going to Physical Therapy school my undergraduate degree was in Biochemistry. Again I was being lazy because I could have research it for you. So let me get to work to find the answer for us…

            From my summary research I found that phosphates are:

            1. Hygroscopic, which means they attract moisture. The reason to use the following i.e. potassium tripolyphosphate, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, and sodium hexameta-phosphate is because they are more hygroscopic than salt, increasing water holding capacity in order to lead to higher yields
            2. In the right concentration phosphates affects flavor. Some researchers have indicated that phosphates, particularly at high levels, result in “soapy” or bitter tastes, improving texture and sensory properties (tenderness, juiciness, color and flavor)
            3. Polyphosphates also chelate or “tie up” divalent cations (calcium, magnesium or iron) from hard water supplies, so basically act as a water conditioners
            4. The phosphates (alkaline compounds) will enhance the stability of emulsion products and improve the binding of meat chunks in sectioned and formed meat products. Because your mince may be affected by temperature (cooking or emulsifying in the processors), phosphates also helps in protecting the emulsion from those temperature variations which is extremely valuable in the production of low-sodium meat products (since they have less myosin extraction then a high sodium content product).
              5)Phosphates exhibit a high pH in water (the pH value listed in phosphate specifications), but since meat is a buffer itself, phosphates’ effect on meat pH is considerably less. Even the limited increase in pH (approximately 0.6 unit maximum) appears to increase water-holding capacity and protein solubility. On the negative side, this increase on pH will reduce cured color development.
            5. Lastly, phosphates in meat products are also sources of the supply of phosphorus for consumers through diet, which is an essential mineral

            So, in summary (and relevant to your original question) Sodium Phophates (for example, 0.9 g of Na2HPO4 (anhydrous) to distilled H2O to make a volume of 1 L) will generate a pH of 7.4, which correct is alkaline however as described above the meat will act as a buffer and the pH will actually be stabilized rather than alkalotic.

            Although adding Encapsulated Citric Acid may sound counter productive initially on the basis of pH remember that Sodium Phosphate is not only slightly alkaline and will only affect pH by 0.6 units. The addition of Phosphates does have additional benefits that ECA may not have (did not research it). Comparatively Encapsulated Citric acid has a pH of 4.2 which is added to the buffer (mince) to produce a tang in the pH range of 4.8-5.2 normally. Personally I use cultures such as LHP-Dry etc… over ECA but I did buy some recently because you can go from processed to cooking much faster than holding over night and using a digital pH meter to verify the end of your acidifying period.

            Hopefully this was not too bad of a read

            Have a great day!!!

            GWG8541G Offline
            GWG8541G Offline
            GWG8541
            Regular Contributors Cast Iron Sous Vide Canning Team Blue Power User Military Veterans
            wrote on last edited by
            #15

            Dr_Pain what kind of sorcery is this.

            “You never really die until you end up on the wall at a Cracker Barrel”

            Dr_PainD 1 Reply Last reply
            1
            • processheadP Offline
              processheadP Offline
              processhead
              Regular Contributors Power User
              wrote on last edited by
              #16

              Would it be safe to say that these two additives have their effect on meat at different times during processing?
              Wondering if phosphates impact protein extraction and water binding during mixing prior to cooking and ECA does it’s thing during thermal processing.

              Paul

              Dr_PainD Ridley AcresR 2 Replies Last reply
              0
              • kyleK kyle

                Ridley Acres he lost me as soon as I got to the word science. Sometimes I wish I was smart, then I just assume it must be magic if I dont understand

                Dr_PainD Offline
                Dr_PainD Offline
                Dr_Pain
                Sous Vide Dry Cured Sausage Traeger Team Blue
                wrote on last edited by
                #17

                kyle said in Special Meat Binder vs Encapsulated Citric Acid:

                Ridley Acres he lost me as soon as I got to the word science. Sometimes I wish I was smart, then I just assume it must be magic if I dont understand

                Everyone is gifted somewhere. God saw that science made sense

                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • YooperDogY YooperDog

                  Dr_Pain Yowser!!! It was like I was back in chemistry class and I understood the words.

                  Dr_PainD Offline
                  Dr_PainD Offline
                  Dr_Pain
                  Sous Vide Dry Cured Sausage Traeger Team Blue
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #18

                  YooperDog said in Special Meat Binder vs Encapsulated Citric Acid:

                  Dr_Pain Yowser!!! It was like I was back in chemistry class and I understood the words.

                  Don’t you wish you could back in time and go through those classes again knowing what you know now?!?

                  YooperDogY 1 Reply Last reply
                  1
                  • GWG8541G GWG8541

                    Dr_Pain what kind of sorcery is this.

                    Dr_PainD Offline
                    Dr_PainD Offline
                    Dr_Pain
                    Sous Vide Dry Cured Sausage Traeger Team Blue
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #19

                    GWG8541 said in Special Meat Binder vs Encapsulated Citric Acid:

                    Dr_Pain what kind of sorcery is this.

                    Now that is funny!!! It is definitely not sorcery. Just applied research on subject I somewhat understand. Thanks for the laugh!!

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • processheadP processhead

                      Would it be safe to say that these two additives have their effect on meat at different times during processing?
                      Wondering if phosphates impact protein extraction and water binding during mixing prior to cooking and ECA does it’s thing during thermal processing.

                      Dr_PainD Offline
                      Dr_PainD Offline
                      Dr_Pain
                      Sous Vide Dry Cured Sausage Traeger Team Blue
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #20

                      processhead said in Special Meat Binder vs Encapsulated Citric Acid:

                      Would it be safe to say that these two additives have their effect on meat at different times during processing?
                      Wondering if phosphates impact protein extraction and water binding during mixing prior to cooking and ECA does it’s thing during thermal processing.

                      Hey Paul, based on what is added when, I would say you are on the money. Obviously Phosphates will have longer effects on the mince and will definitely help in protein extraction (because it is a salt, because it denatures the myosin and because of water trapping)

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • Dr_PainD Dr_Pain

                        YooperDog said in Special Meat Binder vs Encapsulated Citric Acid:

                        Dr_Pain Yowser!!! It was like I was back in chemistry class and I understood the words.

                        Don’t you wish you could back in time and go through those classes again knowing what you know now?!?

                        YooperDogY Offline
                        YooperDogY Offline
                        YooperDog
                        Team Orange Masterbuilt Big Green Egg Dry Cured Sausage Sous Vide Canning Power User
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #21

                        Dr_Pain A new focus and a wealth of experience puts a whole new spin on learning. Before I had to take the classes now I can take the courses that I actually have an interest in. And if I am paying for the course the instructor better bring their A-game.

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        1
                        • processheadP processhead

                          Would it be safe to say that these two additives have their effect on meat at different times during processing?
                          Wondering if phosphates impact protein extraction and water binding during mixing prior to cooking and ECA does it’s thing during thermal processing.

                          Ridley AcresR Offline
                          Ridley AcresR Offline
                          Ridley Acres
                          Regular Contributors
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #22

                          processhead said in Special Meat Binder vs Encapsulated Citric Acid:

                          Would it be safe to say that these two additives have their effect on meat at different times during processing?
                          Wondering if phosphates impact protein extraction and water binding during mixing prior to cooking and ECA does it’s thing during thermal processing.

                          That was my understanding also when reading into it.

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • YooperDogY YooperDog

                            Dr_Pain Yowser!!! It was like I was back in chemistry class and I understood the words.

                            GWG8541G Offline
                            GWG8541G Offline
                            GWG8541
                            Regular Contributors Cast Iron Sous Vide Canning Team Blue Power User Military Veterans
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #23

                            YooperDog isn’t it funny that the stuff we didn’t pay real attention to in school, actually meant something. Who would have thought so much science went into making sausage.

                            “You never really die until you end up on the wall at a Cracker Barrel”

                            Dr_PainD 1 Reply Last reply
                            1
                            • GWG8541G GWG8541

                              YooperDog isn’t it funny that the stuff we didn’t pay real attention to in school, actually meant something. Who would have thought so much science went into making sausage.

                              Dr_PainD Offline
                              Dr_PainD Offline
                              Dr_Pain
                              Sous Vide Dry Cured Sausage Traeger Team Blue
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #24

                              GWG8541 said in Special Meat Binder vs Encapsulated Citric Acid:

                              YooperDog isn’t it funny that the stuff we didn’t pay real attention to in school, actually meant something. Who would have thought so much science went into making sausage.

                              “Why the heck am I studying that!?!?! I’ll never use it in real life!!” ROFL!

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              2
                              • JonathonJ Offline
                                JonathonJ Offline
                                Jonathon
                                Team Blue Admin Walton's Employee Power User
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #25

                                Hey guys, sorry this one somehow initially slipped by me and JohnG5 and then we did answer a question on it on one of the livestreams so I didn’t think to come back and provide a more detailed answer. Personally, I don’t think it can be answered much better than Dr_Pain did and I am certainly not going to try to poke holes in what he said as he is obviously knowledgable on the subject.

                                We are contacting a few university meat departments to have their professors on as Meatgistics Podcast guests and a further explanation of this will absolutely be on there. AS well as the |Encapsulated-Citric-Acid question someone asked a few weeks back about how ECA keeps the meat “safe” while in the danger zone if it doesn’t melt fully until 130°. I believe the answer to that is enough of it is released earlier that it creates enough of an acidic environment to prevent the microbes from being able to reproduce. The cells can’t let anything in through their cell walls so they can’t “feed” and die off. BUT I have read an interesting article that claims that isn’t the case. Anyway, long story short, awesome job by Claude and we will do better at getting to the sciency ones sooner!

                                Get more help with your processing questions and learn more about processing meat by subscribing to our waltonsinc.com youtube page at https://wltns.link/waltonstv I am a Gorilla, love yourself

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