Importance

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Abstract

There is disclosed an improved collagen sausage casing and a method to produce such a casing. The normal processes for manufacturing collagen casing are employed. Immediately prior to the point in the process where the collagen extrusion mass is extruded, a proteolytic enzyme is injected into the collagen gel stream. The proteolytic enzyme is immobilized and becomes non-functioning as the free water required for its activity is restricted by the further steps of the process. Upon stuffing the casing with a meat emulsion and subjecting the stuffed casing to the smokehouse or cookhouse cycles in the normal sausage manufacturing process or by cooking in the home, the enzyme is again reactivated and continues to breakdown the collagen thereby tenderizing the casing. The proteolytic enzyme may be papain, bromelain, ficin, fungal protease, bacterial protease, trypsin, chymotrypsin, pepsin and protease.

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First Claim