RESEARCH INTO MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF MINCED MEAT AND FINISHED PRODUCTS

Abstract

Studies were conducted of the stressed-strained state of biopolymers of meat, which were exposed to the processes of elastic, residual and highly elastic deformation at cutting and mincing. Analysis of the structure of this natural biopolymer and the evaluation of mechanical characteristics of meat under normal and low temperatures are important factors that are taken into account for the rational selection of meat mincing machines and tools in the production of meat products, minced meat, semi-finished and sausage products.

The structure of meat is a system of structured protein fibers, impregnated with tissue fluid, which is protein sol that contains organic and inorganic substances, soluble in it. The tissues that the meat is composed of belong to natural biopolymers, so conducting analytical studies into mechanical properties of meat within the framework of our understanding of the mechanics of polymers will make it possible to improve mincing processes, employed during manufacturing of meat products.

In order to prevent meat overheating, the mincing process is performed at several stages. For example, in cutting mechanisms of choppers, they use a row of knives and grids with holes, diameter of which gradually changes from the original size of0.06 mto 0.003-0.002 min the outlet grids. Quality indicators of the finished products are affected by mechanical characteristics of raw materials and the way the cutting process is carried out.

In the course of conducted analysis it was found that in modern food production there remain unresolved important problems, which address current issues, related to rheological and structural mechanical properties of meat raw material. First of all, it concerns theoretical and practical developments that enhance an understanding of physico-chemical and mechanical properties of raw materials, which will make it possible to develop theoretical foundations and experimentally substantiate the new conceptual approach to solving the task of improving the quality of semi-finished products and durability of equipment at meat processing enterprises of APC. The research is the basis for constructive and technological solutions, choice of mode, kinematic and dynamic parameters of cutting devices, steel and wear resistant coatings for cutting tools that provide saving of energy and materials at meat mincing, high quality of minced meat. and finished products and appropriate service life of the equipment.

It was established that in order to determine characteristics of the strained state of meat, it is necessary to apply a circular diagram of loading-unloading, which allows analysis of behavior of the sample in a closed cycle of changing in external load. An analysis indicates a very large dependence of meat elasticity module on temperature. Dependences of this kind are generally characteristic of polymer bodies.