Washed deboned meat having high protein recovery

Abstract

Deboned meat is subjected to processing in a surimi-type procedure in order to substantially reduce the heme content and thus the color intensity of the deboned meat, with bone marrow components and fat also being removed. When desired, the washed meat is subjected to dewatering, such as by pressing, in order to provide a color and fat reduced deboned meat. Multiple-stage separation is practiced, and the protein yield of the washed meat is advantageously elevated.

1 - 34 . (canceled) 
   
   
       35 . A washed deboned meat made by a process comprising:
 mixing deboned meat with water so as to prepare a meat slurry;   passing said meat slurry through openings of a separation interface having a first porosity thereby separating said meat slurry into a first meat retentate and a first filtrate;   passing said first filtrate through openings of a separation interface having a second porosity thereby separating said first filtrate into a second meat retentate and a second filtrate, said second porosity being less than said first porosity;   passing said second filtrate through openings of a separation interface having a third porosity thereby separating said second filtrate into a third meat retentate and a third filtrate, said third porosity being less than said second porosity; and   transporting each of said first, second and third meat retentates through a presser whereupon said meat retentates are pressed to provide a washed and dewatered deboned meat.   
   
   
       36 . The washed deboned meat in accordance with  claim 35 , wherein said washed and dewatered deboned meat has a protein content of at least about 50 weight percent of the deboned meat protein content. 
   
   
       37 . The washed deboned meat in accordance with  claim 35 , wherein said first, second and third retentates have a combined protein content of at least about 60 weight percent of the deboned meat protein content. 
   
   
       38 . The washed deboned meat in accordance with  claim 35 , wherein said washed and dewatered deboned meat product has a protein content which is approximately equal to that of the deboned meat prior to preparing the meat slurry. 
   
   
       39 . The washed deboned meat in accordance with  claim 38 , wherein the protein content of the washed and dewatered deboned meat is within about 2 weight percentage points of the deboned meat protein content. 
   
   
       40 . The washed deboned meat in accordance with  claim 35 , wherein the water content of the washed and dewatered deboned meat approximates that of the deboned meat, and the fat content is approximately half or less of the deboned meat fat content. 
   
   
       41 . The washed deboned meat in accordance with  claim 35 , wherein said washed and dewatered deboned meat has a heme content which is significantly reduced from that of the deboned meat whereby the washed deboned meat is of a significantly lightened color. 
   
   
       42 . The washed deboned meat in accordance with  claim 35 , wherein said deboned meat is prepared from poultry, bovine, porcine or mutton meat sources and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       43 . Washed deboned meat comprising: deboned meat having known protein, fat and heme contents and which had been washed and collected from a multi-stage liquid-solid separation, said washed deboned meat has a protein content of at least about 60 weight percent of the deboned meat protein content, a fat content which is approximately one half or less of the deboned meat fat content, and has a heme content which is significantly reduced from that of the deboned meat whereby the washed deboned meat is of a significantly lighter color. 
   
   
       44 . The washed deboned meat in accordance with  claim 43 , wherein said washed deboned meat had been dewatered to provide a washed and dewatered deboned meat, said washed and dewatered deboned meat has a protein content which is approximately equal to that of the deboned meat protein content. 
   
   
       45 . The washed deboned meat in accordance with  claim 44 , wherein the protein content of the washed and dewatered deboned meat is within about 2 weight percentage points of the deboned meat protein content.