High-Pressure Pretreatment to Improve the Water Retention of Sodium-Reduced Frozen Chicken Breast Gels with Two Organic Anion Types of Potassium Salts

The effect of high-pressure pretreatment (HPP, 100–300 MPa) before heating on the water holding capacity (WHC) and cooking loss (CL) of sodium-reduced (1.35% NaCl) frozen chicken breast gels with the organic anion types potassium lactate (KL-gel) and potassium citrate (KC-gel) was investigated. The results showed that 100–300 MPa could significantly decrease the CL of both gels, and 200 MPa increased the WHC of the KC-gel (P < 0.05). HPP could decrease the storage modulus (G′) of meat batters, increase the thermal stability of their proteins, facilitate gelation with a dense and uniform microstructure, and immobilize free water, thus improving the gel’s water retention. The water retention of the pressurized sodium-reduced gel varied with the organic anion types of salts. The water retention was better with pressurized KC-gel than with KL-gel, resulting from higher pH and thermal stability of the batters. These results indicate that proper HPP could improve the water retention of sodium-reduced meat gels with organic potassium salts, thus increasing the economic benefit and properties of sodium-reduced products from frozen meat.