Investigating the Effects of Pink-Generating Ligands on Enhancing Color Stability and Pigment Properties in Pork Sausage Model Systems Cured with Sodium Nitrite or White Kimchi Powder.

In this study, we investigated the effects of different nitrite sources (sodium nitrite or white kimchi powder) and pink-generating ligands (cysteine, histidine, or nicotinamide) on the development and stability of cured meat color in pork sausage model systems over 30 d of refrigerated storage. The samples were prepared in a 2 × 3 factorial design with two nitrite sources and three ligands, and their physicochemical properties were evaluated on days 0, 15, and 30. Although white kimchi powder induced cured color development similar to that of synthetic sodium nitrite, it resulted in higher cooking loss and lower residual nitrite content in cured pork sausages (p < 0.05). The addition of cysteine resulted in significantly higher CIE a* values, cured meat pigment, and curing efficiency than histidine and nicotinamide (p < 0.05), while yielding lower pH values, residual nitrite content, and total pigment content (p < 0.05). The storage duration significantly reduced the residual nitrite and total pigment contents of the products. These findings suggest that white kimchi powder can serve as a natural alternative to sodium nitrite in pork sausage models and that the incorporation of cysteine has a favorable impact on the development and enhancement of cured meat color.

Effect of Chinese chives and perilla seed incorporation on physicochemical, functional properties and sensory attributes of pork sausage.

Meat and meat products, apart from being highly nutritious, comes with several health risk factors as they are also high in saturated fatty acids which can trigger various health issues. This can be modified functionally by incorporating various herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables that has functional properties benefiting the human health. Attempt has been made in this study to investigate the benefits ofincorporation of two such functional ingredients, viz., Chinese chives and perilla seeds to pork sausage. The resultant products were analyzed forproximate composition, biochemical properties and sensory attributes. Storage study was conducted and evaluated based on five parameters, viz., pH, WHC, Cooking loss, Cooking yield and Shrinkage percentage. Addition of functional ingredients has improved the sensory attributes and enhanced the antioxidant capacity and physiochemical properties of the product. Improved texture of pork sausage with functional herbs has led to decreased cooking loss and shrinkage percentage and increased cooking yield and WHC. Commercialization of these functional meat products will create a better market opportunity and benefit the consumers in the world. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-023-05899-6.

Effect of Faba Bean Isolate and Microbial Transglutaminase on Rheological Properties of Pork Myofibrillar Protein Gel and Physicochemical and Textural Properties of Reduced-Salt, Low-Fat Pork Model Sausages.

The study was performed to determine the effect of faba bean protein isolate (FBPI) alone or in combination with microbial transglutaminase (MTG) on the rheological properties of pork myofibrillar protein gel (MPG), and physiochemical and textural properties of reduced-salt, low-fat pork model sausages (LFMSs). The cooking yields of MPGs with MTG or FBPI alone decreased and increased, respectively. However, the combination of FBPI and MTG was similar to the control (CTL) without FBPI or MTG. Gel strength values of MPG added with both FBPI and MTG were higher than treatments with FBPI or MTG alone. The hydrophobicity values of CTL were lower than those of MPG with FBPI alone, whereas the addition of MTG decreased the hydrophobicity of MPGs. The incorporation of FBPI alone or in combination with MTG decreased sulfhydryl groups (p<0.05). Shear stress values of MPGs with MTG tended to be higher than those of non-MTG treatments at all shear rates, and the addition of FBPI into MPGs increased shear stress values. Reduced-salt (1.0%) LFMSs with FBPI alone or combined with MTG had both lower cooking loss and expressible moisture values than those of CTL and similar values to the reference sample (REF, 1.5% salt). Textural properties of reduced-salt LFMSs with FBPI or MTG were similar to those of REF. These results demonstrated that the combination of FBPI and MTG could improve the water binding capacity and textural properties of pork MPGs and LFMSs and might be suitable for application in the development of healthier meat products.

Effects of pork sausage on intestinal microecology and metabolism in mice.

BACKGROUND: Processed meat, as an important part of the human diet, has been recognized as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Although numerous epidemiological reports supported the IARC's view, the relevant evidence of a direct association between processed meat and carcinogenicity has been insufficient and the mechanism has been unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of pork sausage (as a representative example of processed meat) intake on gut microbial communities and metabolites of mice. Microbial communities and metabolites from all groups were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and Ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometer (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS), respectively. RESULTS: The levels of Bacteroidetes, Bacteroides, Alloprevotella, Lactobacillus, Prevotella_9, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Alistipes, Blautia, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Allobaculum, Helicobacter, Desulfovibrio, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, Lachnospiraceae_UCG-006 and Streptococcus (P < 0.05) were obviously altered in the mice fed a pork sausage diet. Twenty-seven metabolites from intestinal content samples and fourteen matabolites from whole blood samples were identified as potential biomarkers from multivariate analysis, including Phosphatidic acid (PA), Sphingomyelin (SM), Lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC), Diglyceride (DG), D-maltose, N-acylamides and so forth. The significant changes in these biomarkers demonstrate metabonomic variations in pork sausage treated rats, especially carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. CONCLUSION: The present study provided evidence that a processed meat diet can increase the risk of colorectal cancer and other diseases significantly by altering the microbial community structure and disrupting the body's metabolic pathways. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Identification of antioxidant peptides targeting Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway from in vitro digestion of pork sausage with partial substitution of NaCl by KCl.

The Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response elements (ARE) pathway is one of the most important cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stress. This study focuses on finding antioxidant peptides from in vitro digestion products of pork sausage with partial substitution of NaCl by KCl by virtual screening. Six antioxidant peptides, LIVGFPAYGH, DWWGSTVR, WNSLLIR, IVGFPAYGH, FDNLWDQGL, and LRSPSWDPF, could activate the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway and protect cells from oxidative stress. DWWGSTVR exhibits the most robust activity among them. Further studies indicated that DWWGSTVR could increase the expression of many antioxidant enzymes by enabling the transfer of Nrf2 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. In summary, these six peptides are proven to be Nrf2 activators and could be used as functional foods to prevent and treat various oxidative stress-induced diseases.

Effect of sea tangle extract on the quality characteristics of reduced-salt, low-fat sausages using pre-rigor muscle during refrigerated storage.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate quality characteristics of reduced-salt, low-fat pork sausage (PS) using pre-rigor muscle and sea tangle extract (STE) to reduce salt level of sausages during refrigerated storage. METHODS: Pork ham was prepared with pre-rigor and post-rigor muscle from the local market. Sausages using post-rigor muscle were manufactured with the 1.5% of salt content, and samples with pre-rigor muscle were processed by different salt concentrations (0.8%). Accordingly, PSs were prepared in 4 treatments (REF, PS with 1.5% of salt using post-rigor muscle; CTL, PS with 0.8% of salt using pre-rigor muscle; TRT1, PS with 0.8% of salt and 5% of STE using pre-rigor muscle; TRT2, PS with 0.8% of salt and 10% of STE using pre-rigor muscle). For the evaluation of quality characteristics and shelf-life of reduced-salt PS, pH and color values, cooking loss (%), expressible moisture (%), textural properties, lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric reactive substances), protein denaturation (volatile basic nitrogen), and microbiological analysis (total plate counts and Enterobacteriaceae counts) were determined. RESULTS: The pH and temperature of pre-rigor raw pork ham were higher than those of post-rigor pork ham. Hardness of TRT2 was higher than that of REF or CTL. TRT2 had higher gumminess and chewiness than CTL. TRT1 and TRT2 had lower volatile basic nitrogen than CTL. Total plate counts of TRT2 were lower than those of CTL. Expressible moisture values of TRT1 and TRT2 were similar to those of REF. The addition of STE into PS improved functional properties and shelf-life of PS. CONCLUSION: Reduced-salt PS containing pre-rigor muscle and STE had similar functional properties to those of regular-salt ones, while containing approximately 47% less salt compared to regular-salt level.

Evaluation of salt level and rigor status on the physicochemical and textural properties of low-fat pork sausages added with sea tangle extract using rapidly chilled pre-rigor pork ham.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the quality characteristics of pork sausage (PS) with sea tangle extract (STE) and rapid chilled pre-rigor muscle (RCPM) for the development of reduced-salt low-fat sausage. METHODS: Pre- and post-rigor pork ham muscles were prepared to process PSs. Positive control (reference, REF) using post-rigor muscle were manufactured at a regular-salt level of 1.5%. Fresh and rapid-chilled pre-rigor muscle (FPM and RCPM) were used to manufacture reduced-salt sausages with 0.8% salt. Reduced-salt PSs were prepared with four treatments: FT1 (FPM alone), FT2 (FPM with 5% STE), RT1 (RCPM alone), and RT2 (RCPM with 5% STE). The physicochemical and textural properties of the sausages with reduced-salt levels and RCPM combination were measured to determine if the characteristics of RCPM were similar to those with FPM. RESULTS: The pH values of PS with FPM and RCPM were higher than those of REF with post-rigor muscle. Color values (L*, a*, b*) were not affected by different rigor-states and salt addition level. Textural properties of reduced-salt PSs were similar to those of REF due to the improved functionalities of pre-rigor muscle. RT2 had lower expressible moisture (%) than other treatments with post-rigor muscle and RCPM except for RT1. CONCLUSION: The addition of STE and RCPM to reduced-salt PS increased the waterholding capacity, which was lower than those of PS with STE using RCPM but similar to those of regular-salt sausage.

Effects of nitrite-rich and pigment-rich substitutes for sodium nitrite on the quality characteristics of emulsion-type pork sausages during cold storage.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of nitrite-rich (celery powder; CP) and pigment-rich (purple sweet potato powder, PSP; red beet powder, RB) substitutes for synthetic sodium nitrite (CON) on the quality characteristics of emulsion-type pork sausages during four weeks of cold storage. Natural substitutes decreased the pH, lightness, and textural properties of pork sausages during storage (P < 0.05). Pigment-rich substitutes showed a decreased antioxidant effect after two weeks of storage when compared to the nitrite-rich groups (CON and CP; P < 0.05). Pigment-rich substitutes also accelerated the discoloration of pork sausages by increasing yellowness (RB and PSP) and decreasing redness (PSP) during storage (P < 0.05). However, these two pigment-rich substitutes showed different trends in redness (higher in PSP and lower in RB) and yellowness (higher in RB and lower in PSP) when compared to the nitrite-rich groups (CON and CP). Different types (nitrite-rich and pigment-rich) of natural substitutes for sodium nitrite had different effects on the quality characteristics of emulsion-type pork sausages throughout the four weeks of storage evaluated in this study.

Evaluation of Commercial Anti-Listerial Products for Improvement of Food Safety in Ready-to-Eat Meat and Dairy Products.

In ready-to-eat products, such as cooked ham, fresh cheese, and fuet in which Listeria monocytogenes is a concern, the use of biopreservation techniques represents an additional hurdle to inhibit pathogen growth during storage. The objective of this study was to apply several biopreservation techniques in three different food matrices to reduce the growth of Listeria innocua, used as a surrogate of L. monocytogenes. Several lactic acid bacteria, the bacteriocin nisin, the bacteriophage PhageGuard ListexTM P100, and the enzyme lysozyme were evaluated. Cooked ham treated with the bacteriophage PhageGuard ListexTM at 0.5% or with the lactic acid bacteria SafePro® B-SF-43 (25 g/100 kg) reduced L. innocua population to below the detection limit after 7 days of storage (4 °C plus modified atmosphere packaging). In fresh cheese, the application of PhageGuard ListexTM at 0.2 and 0.5% reduced L. innocua counts by more than 3.4 logarithmic units after 6 days at 4 °C. In fuet, the 1.0% of PhageGuard ListexTM reduced L. innocua population by 0.7 ± 0.2 logarithmic units in front of control with no significant differences to other evaluated biopreservative agents. The present results confirm that the application of biopreservation techniques was able to inhibit L. innocua in fuet, cooked ham, and fresh cheese, and suggest that the type of food matrix and its physicochemical characteristics influence the biopreservative efficacy.

In vitro digestibility of proteins, peptidomic analysis and antioxidant ability of sodium-reduced pork sausage with partial substitution of NaCl by KCl.

High salt (NaCl) consumption can impact on human health, and KCl is the most widely used replacement salt in meat products. This study investigated the effects of 0% NaCl (NS), 3% NaCl (HS), 1.95% NaCl (RS), 1.95% NaCl+1.05% KCl (RS + K) on protein digestibility of pork sausage in vitro. The results indicated that RS + K showed the highest gastrointestinal digestibility (GID) because of the structure of looser cross-linked strands and uniform cavities, while HS exhibited the lowest GID. RS + K released more peptides (2499) during gastrointestinal than NS (2301), RS (2130) and HS (2235), with a higher proportion of peptides with molecular weights <1000 Da, and more unique peptides. Meanwhile, the digestion product of RS + K exhibited excellent radical scavenging activity and improved the antioxidant abilities to reduce oxidative injury which was induced by H2O2 in HepG2 cells. These results demonstrated that partial substitution with KCl can be an effective strategy for improving the digestibility of sodium-reduced gel-type meat products.

Development of Chinese-Style Sausage Enriched with Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz) Using Taguchi Method: Applying Modern Optimization to Indigenous People's Traditional Food.

Djulis (Taiwanese quinoa) has gained popularity among researchers due to its biological characteristics and rich nutritional value. Incorporating Djulis is expected to enhance the sausage's texture, flavor, and storage stability due to the presence of antioxidants and nutritional components. However, limited studies focus on product development based on this emerging health-promoting ingredient in the food industry. This study aims to develop Chinese-style sausage enriched with Djulis using the Taguchi L9(34) orthogonal matrix methodology and evaluate the influence of four factors, including un-hulled to hulled Djulis ratios of 0, 50, 100% (A), backfat-to-lean meat ratios of 0/100, 30/70, 50/50% (B), cooking temperature of 55, 75, 95 °C (C), and nitrite content of 0.03, 0.05, 0.07 g/kg (D) on products' sensory and physicochemical properties. The optimal Taguchi formulation was then verified and compared with conventionally formulated sausage (original sausage) in terms of hardness, springiness, gumminess, CIE color values, and peroxide value (POV). The optimal formulation was A3B2C2D3, which consisted of 16.8% hulled Djulis, 30/70 backfat-to-lean meat ratio, 75 °C cooking temperature, and 0.03 g/kg nitrite content. The most influential independent parameters were identified as B > A > C > D, placing Djulis incorporation as the first runner-up, just after the backfat-to-lean meat ratio. Optimized condition verification identified the Signal-to-Noise ratio (S/N) of 16.63. Comparing the optimized Djulis-enriched sample and the original sausage indicated similar CIE L*, a*, b*, hardness, and springiness but different gumminess according to Texture Profile Analysis (TPA). The Djulis-enriched sausage at the optimized formulation had a significantly lower POV compared to the control sample (4.65 vs. 9.64 meq/kg), which was found to be correlated with Djulis antioxidant effects with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) free radical antioxidant activity of 62.37%. This suggests that Djulis effectively mitigates sausage organoleptic deterioration. Djulis sausage, with natural antioxidants and reduced fat content, could cater to consumer preferences and enhance the market for the food industry and indigenous farmers.

In Utero Heat Stress Has Minimal Impacts on Processed Pork Products: A Comparative Study.

This study aimed to determine what effects in utero heat stress (IUHS) in pigs may have on quality of processed pork products. In two experiments, patties and emulsion sausages were prepared from lean and fat from pigs subjected to IUHS or in utero thermoneutral (IUTN) conditions. Patties formulated to contain 25% added fat had altered textural properties compared to those without additional fat, as shown by lower hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, and chewiness values (p < 0.05), which was not affected by IUHS treatment. Neither fat content nor IUHS treatment affected fluid losses of patties (p > 0.05). In general, 25% added fat patties had greater L*, a*, b*, hue angle, and chroma values than lean patties (p < 0.05). However, 25% added fat patties from the IUHS treatment maintained superior color stability during aerobic display, despite lean patties from this treatment exhibiting increased lipid oxidation (p < 0.05). For emulsion sausages, minimal differences in quality attributes and oxidative stability were found between treatment groups. Subcutaneous fat from IUHS pigs had greater C20:1 and C20:2 than IUTN (p < 0.05), although the magnitude of these differences was slight. Overall, the findings of this study suggest IUHS would have minimal impacts on the functional properties of raw pork, resulting in similar final quality of processed products to IUTN.

Survivability of Clostridioides difficile spores in fermented pork summer sausage during refrigerated storage.

Background and Aim: Clostridioides difficile is a spore-forming pathogen that causes serious enteric disease in humans. Strains have been isolated from food animals and meat, including pork, which suggest a potential for foodborne transmission. Pork summer sausage is a popular fermented meat product, which is consumed cooked or cooked to a lower internal temperature due to acidification of the product. The effect of acidity and cooking on the viability of C. difficile spores in a fermented meat product has not been determined. Therefore, the aim was to study the survivability of C. difficile spores in fermented pork summer sausage. Materials and Methods: Fermented pork sausages were prepared according to a commercial recipe with or without starter culture and C. difficile spores followed by fermentation at 37°C for ~12 h under 85% relative humidity until pH 5.0 was reached and further processed as cooked (>57°C) or uncooked (≤57°C) and stored at 4°C. C. difficile spores in sausages were enumerated at 1 h following inoculation and on days 0, 1, 7, 14, 21, 30, 60, and 90 of storage. Results: It was observed that C. difficile spore viability in control unfermented treatment was significantly different on day 0 from the fermented, fermented cooked, and control unfermented cooked treatments (p<0.05); however, there was no significant difference among the latter three treatment groups throughout 90 days of storage (p>0.05). On day 90 of storage, the unfermented control sausages yielded ~4.0 log colony-forming unit (CFU)/g of C. difficile spores compared to ~3.5 log CFU/g recovered from fermented samples and the unfermented cooked control samples identifying spore viability in all treatment groups. Conclusion: C. difficile spores were found to survive the acidity and cooking of fermented pork summer sausage and storage at 4°C for 3 months, thereby highlighting the need for effective intervention strategies to reduce the risk of C. difficile contamination in pork products.

Effects of different frozen temperatures of pork sausage batter on quality characteristics of reduced-salt sausages using pre-rigor muscle.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate quality characteristics of reduced-salt pork sausage (PS) using pre-rigor muscle compared to those of regular-salt PS. In addition, effects of freezing on sausage batter with different temperatures (-30°C vs -70°C) on quality characteristics of both sausage batter and cooked sausages during frozen storage were observed. METHODS: Pre-rigor and post-rigor pork hams were used to manufacture low-fat sausages. Sausages using post-rigor (Post) muscle were manufactured at a salt level of 1.5%, whereas those with pre-rigor (Pre) muscle were processed at salt level of 1.0%. After these muscles were made at two salt levels (1.5% salt, Post-rigor; 1.0% salt, Pre-rigor), Sausage batters were stored at two frozen temperatures (-30°C vs -70°C). During storage for 12 wks, they were measured for physicochemical and textural properties every 4 wks up to 12 wks. RESULTS: pH values and temperatures of sausage batter of pre-rigor muscle were higher than those of post-rigor muscle regardless of the frozen temperature. The lightness and yellowness values of batter at the initial storage were the highest during storage. For PS, there were no differences in most parameters measured among all treatments. However, expressible moisture values (%) of Pre-30 and Pre-70 were lower than those of Post-30 (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Regardless of frozen temperature during storage, quality characteristics of pre-rigor PS with salt level of 1.0% salt were similar to those of post-rigor PS with salt level of 1.5%. By using the pre-rigor muscle, salt content could be reduced by one third of the regular-salt level (1.5%) of post-rigor muscle.

Disinfectant and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Studies of Staphylococcus aureus Strains and ST398-MRSA and ST5-MRSA Strains from Swine Mandibular Lymph Node Tissue, Commercial Pork Sausage Meat and Swine Feces.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) causes gastrointestinal illness worldwide. Disinfectants are used throughout the food chain for pathogenic bacteria control. We investigated S. aureus bioavailability in swine Mandibular lymph node tissue (MLT) and pork sausage meat (PSM), established susceptibility values for S. aureus to disinfectants, and determined the multilocus sequence type of MRSA strains. Antimicrobial and disinfectant susceptibility profiles were determined for 164 S. aureus strains isolated from swine feces (n = 63), MLT (n = 49) and PSM (n = 52). No antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was detected to daptomycin, nitrofurantoin, linezolid, and tigecycline, while high AMR prevalence was determined to erythromycin (50.6%), tylosin tartrate (42.7%), penicillin (72%), and tetracycline (68.9%). Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains, ST398 (n = 6) and ST5 (n = 1), were found in the MLT and PSM, 4 MRSA in MLT and 3 MRSA strains in the PSM. About 17.5% of feces strains and 41.6% of MLT and PSM strains were resistant to chlorhexidine. All strains were susceptible to triclosan and benzalkonium chloride, with no cross-resistance between antimicrobials and disinfectants. Six MRSA strains had elevated susceptibilities to 18 disinfectants. The use of formaldehyde and tris(hydroxylmethyl)nitromethane in DC&R was not effective, which can add chemicals to the environment. Didecyldimethylammonium chloride and benzyldimethylhexadecylammonium chloride were equally effective disinfectants. ST398 and ST5 MRSA strains had elevated susceptibilities to 75% of the disinfectants tested. This study establishes susceptibility values for S. aureus strains from swine feces, mandibular lymph node tissue, and commercial pork sausage against 24 disinfectants. Since it was demonstrated that S. aureus and MRSA strains can be found deep within swine lymph node tissue, it may be beneficial for the consumer if raw swine lymph node tissue is not used in uncooked food products and pork sausage.

Effect of high-pressure treatment and storage temperature on top-quality (Montanera) Iberian dry-cured pork sausages (chorizo).

The stability after hydrostatic high pressure (HHP) (600 MPa/8 min/10 °C) and 180 days of storage at 4 and 20 °C was evaluated on Iberian dry-cured pork sausages (chorizo) packaged sliced or as half-pieces from pigs raised outdoors. Microbiological, physical-chemical, oxidative, and sensory changes were analyzed. The evolution of mesophilic aerobic and molds and yeasts counts was different in the half and sliced packaged pork sausages after processing and during storage. Sliced and half-packaged pork sausages had instrumental color stability after HHP and during storage. TBA-RS values were quite stable in both products. Protein oxidation values of pork sausage in half-products were increased by at 20 °C. In sliced pork sausage, both HPP and 20 °C storage favored the development of protein oxidation at the end of storage. In the sensory analysis, the sliced product developed more rancidity than the half-pieces during the storage. Therefore, the storage temperature has great importance for the preservation of dry-cured pork sausages, the increases of protein oxidation, and rancidity could reduce the shelf-life at these conditions. The presentation of the product is also relevant when HHP is applied, and this would also compromise the stability of the product when it is stored at room temperature. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Chorizo is a traditional dry-fermented pork sausage that is generally considered to be microbiologically safe. However, the initial contamination of the raw materials, and some processes, such as the slicing or packaging, can compromise the safety of these products. Additionally, packaged dry-cured sausages require long shelf-life, and although they are normally stored at refrigeration temperature; sometimes, they are preserved at room temperature. The application of hydrostatic high pressure could increase the safety of dry-cured meat products even when they are stored at room temperature. Initial characteristics of each type of pork sausage could determine their technological behavior during processing or during storage under different conditions.

Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Curing Potentials of Micronized Celery Powders added to Pork Sausages.

Meat industries utilize plant material such as celery in cured meat products. Extraction of valuable bioactive compounds, nitrates and nitrites often involves processes that increase cost or lack sustainability. Thus, this study investigated the effect of ball-milled celery powders (CP) on the physicochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties along with curing efficiency in comminuted meat product. Pork sausages loaded with CPs with different average particle sizes: 265 µm (T1), 68 µm (T2) and 7 µm (T3) were compared to those added without and with sodium nitrite (150 ppm). The a* values were increased for sausages with larger particle size. The L* values decreased for all CPs. Residual nitrite for all particle sizes increased in the earlier stages and decreased at the end of storage period. The curing efficiency also increased for larger size particles with an increase until day 9 followed by a gradual decrease. Superfine CP had a tendency to improve the antioxidant activities. The antimicrobial activity of CPs was not comparable with nitrite added sausages. The textural parameters remained unaffected by particle size. Thus, instead of extracts or juices, micronized CPs could be used to improve the antioxidant activities and curing efficiency of label friendly reformulated meat products.

Effect of porcine plasma hydrolysate on physicochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of emulsion-type pork sausage during cold storage.

This study evaluated the effect of porcine plasma hydrolysates (PPH) on the physicochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of emulsion-type pork sausages. Five levels of PPH were added to sausages (CON, 0 g/kg; T1, 5 g/kg; T2, 10 g/kg; T3, 15 g/kg; and T4, 20 g/kg) and their chemical composition, purge loss, lipid oxidation, microbial count, pH, color, texture, and sensory properties were compared on day 1 and after 4 weeks of cold storage. At 4 weeks of storage, hardness, cohesiveness, and gumminess were highest in T3 (P < 0.05). The peroxide value increased in all treatments during the 4-weeks of storage (P < 0.05); however, it was not significantly different between CON, T2, and T3 (P > 0.05). The total aerobic plate count was the lowest in T4 at week 4 (P < 0.05). Therefore, PPH addition could improve the texture of the emulsion-type pork sausages, and an antimicrobial effect was expected following exposure to at least 20 g/kg PPH.

Effects of Smoking Temperature, Smoking Time, and Type of Wood Sawdust on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Accumulation Levels in Directly Smoked Pork Sausages.

Smoking is an excellent food preservation method but also a source of contamination of foodstuffs with carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Herein we investigated the influence of smoking temperature, smoking time, and type of wood sawdust used as smoke source on PAH levels attained through controlled smoking of pork sausages. Four PAHs (benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene) were monitored, as required by European Commission Regulation 835/2011. PAH concentrations increased continuously both with higher temperatures (55-95 °C) and with longer smoking periods (2-9 h), although the level of benzo[a]pyrene exhibited a tendency to plateau after 6 h. Among seven types of hardwoods tested, plum, alder, and birch yielded PAH concentrations considerably higher than that of commonly used beech, and oak showed similar levels to beech while apple and, to a lesser extent, walnut caused lower levels of sausage contamination. These findings could guide the establishment of good practices in the smoked meat industry.

Tomato pomace extract and organic peppermint essential oil as effective sodium nitrite replacement in cooked pork sausages.

The effect of supercritical fluid extract of tomato pomace (TP) and essential oil of organic peppermint (PM) on pH, color, residual nitrite content, lipid oxidation (TBARS value) and total plate count (TPC) of cooked pork sausages produced with 50 mg/kg of sodium nitrite was investigated. Five batches were produced: T1: 100 mg/kg of sodium nitrite; T2: 50 mg of sodium nitrite; T3: 50 mg of sodium nitrite and 0.150 µL/g TP; T4: 50 mg of sodium nitrite, 0.075 µL/g TP and 0.075 µL/g PM; T5: 50 mg of sodium nitrite and 0.150 µL/g PM. The lowest residual nitrite content and TBARS value were observed in treatment T4. The inclusion of TP increased redness of cooked pork sausages. TPC was the lowest in treatment T5. The results of this study showed that the addition of TP and PM enhanced quality of cooked sausages produced with reduced level of sodium nitrite.