Quality Characteristics of Poultry Products Containing Plant Components with Enhanced Health Benefits

An innovative approach to improving the quality of meat products is to change their recipe composition. The aim of the study was to improve the quality of poultry products with different proportions of plant components. The test groups consisted of paste products: P₁-with 50% slaughter turkey meat and 40% plant additives; P₂-with 30%, respectively. The control group consisted of classic poultry pâté in paste form. The assessment of paste quality considered the physical characteristics (pH, color), nutritional value (basic chemical composition, fatty acid profile, fiber content, vitamin E, cholesterol, minerals), microbiological quality (total number of aerobic bacteria, <i>Pseudomonas</i>) and sensory quality of the samples. It was found that poultry products containing plant components had increased nutritional value, including reduced fat and cholesterol content, while maintaining a favorable fatty acid profile, increased fiber, vitamin E and mineral content (Mg, Mn, K, Na, Ca, Fe) as well as microbiological safety and acceptable sensory characteristics compared to the control group. Within the research groups, the product from group P2, with a 60% share of plant components, received a higher recommendation with regard to health-promoting properties (higher fiber, Mn, Mg, Na, Ca, Zn content, optimal ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids) and sensory characteristics (tastiness, spreadability).