Effects of Vegetable Juice Powder Concentration and Storage Time on Some Chemical and Sensory Quality Attributes of Uncured, Emulsified Cooked Sausages

Effects of radish powder concentration and incubation time on the physicochemical characteristics of alternatively cured pork products

Previous research has indicated that radish powder could be a suitable replacement for chemical nitrite sources in alternatively cured meat products. However, the effects of radish powder level on the physicochemical properties of cured meat have not been systematically studied. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of varying concentrations of radish powder and incubation time on the physicochemical properties and cured meat pigments of alternatively cured meat products. We divided our experimental setup into seven groups with different radish powder concentrations and incubation times: control (0.01% sodium nitrite), treatment 1 (0.15% radish powder and 2 h incubation), treatment 2 (0.15% radish powder and 4 h incubation), treatment 3 (0.30% radish powder and 2 h incubation), treatment 4 (0.30% radish powder and 4 h incubation), treatment 5 (0.30% celery powder and 2 h incubation), and treatment 6 (0.30% celery powder and 4 h incubation). The cooking yield, CIE a* values (redness), and total pigment levels were not significantly different (p > 0.05) between any of the alternatively cured treatments and the control. However, when 0.30% radish powder or celery powder was added to the products, the CIE b* values increased significantly (p < 0.05) with incubation time. At the same vegetable concentration, the nitrite content, nitrosyl hemochrome, and curing efficiency also increased significantly (p < 0.05) as the incubation time increased from 2 to 4 h, regardless of the types of vegetable powder. Among the meat products cured with radish powder, treatment 4 showed the highest increase in residual nitrite content, nitrosyl hemochrome content, and curing efficiency, but showed decreased lipid oxidation. Our results suggest that increased concentrations of radish powder and longer incubation times would be more suitable for producing alternatively cured meat products comparable to traditionally cured products treated with synthetic nitrite.

Effect of Using Vegetable Powders as Nitrite/Nitrate Sources on the Physicochemical Characteristics of Cooked Pork Products

This study investigated the potential for using vegetable powders as a natural replacement for sodium nitrite and their effects on the physicochemical characteristics of alternatively cured pork products. We analyzed pork products subjected to four treatments: control (0.015% sodium nitrite), Chinese cabbabe powder (CCP) treatment (0.4% Chinese cabbage powder), radish powder (RP) treatment (0.4% radish powder), and spinach powder (SP) treatment (0.4% spinach powder). Among the vegetable powders prepared in this study, SP had the highest (p<0.05) nitrate content, while CCP had the lowest (p<0.05). The cooking yields from these treatments were not significantly different from each other. However, the products with vegetable powders had higher (p<0.05) pH and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values than the control. Pork products with vegetable powders also showed lower CIE L* values and higher CIE b* values than the nitrite-added control. RP treatment had similar (p>0.05) CIE a* values to the control, while SP treatment had the lowest (p<0.05) CIE a* values. The residual nitrite content was lower (p<0.05) in the vegetable powder added pork products than in the control, although nitrosyl hemochrome and total pigment contents in the CCP and RP treatments were similar (p>0.05) to those in the control. The control, CCP, and RP treatments showed curing efficiencies greater than 80%, indicating that CCP and RP would be promising potential replacements for sodium nitrite. The results of this study suggest that RP may be a suitable natural replacement for sodium nitrite to produce alternatively cured meat products, compared to other leafy vegetable powders.

Chemistry, safety, and regulatory considerations in the use of nitrite and nitrate from natural origin in meat products - Invited review

Nitrite and nitrate have been traditionally used for the preservation of meat products because of the effective antimicrobial action of nitrite against Clostridium botulinum, the outgrowth of its spores as well as other bacteria. However, the use of nitrite and nitrate has been questioned in last half century due to the possible generation of N-nitrosamines through reaction of nitrite with secondary amines. Nitrite replacement strategies began in the 70s addressing these issues and instigated searches for natural alternatives to nitrate and nitrite, or for natural sources of nitrite and nitrate such as vegetable extracts. These alternatives have been considered by producers and consumers as an attractive practice even though they may also have some risks. This manuscript reviews and discusses the chemistry, safety, and regulatory considerations in the use of nitrite and nitrate from natural origin for the preservation of meat products.

Effects of the Addition Levels of White Kimchi Powder and Acerola Juice Powder on the Qualities of Indirectly Cured Meat Products

This study investigated the effects of the addition levels of white kimchi powder and acerola juice powder, as natural sources of sodium nitrite and sodium ascorbate, on the quality of cooked ground pork products. Freeze-dried white kimchi powder was prepared and used after fermentation for 2 wk. Six treatments were included: control (100 ppm sodium nitrite and 500 ppm sodium ascorbate), treatment 1 (0.2% white kimchi powder, 0.02 % starter culture, and 0.1% acerola juice powder), treatment 2 (0.2% white kimchi powder, 0.02% starter culture, and 0.2% acerola juice powder), treatment 3 (0.4% white kimchi powder, 0.04% starter culture, and 0.1% acerola juice powder), treatment 4 (0.4% white kimchi powder, 0.04% starter culture, and 0.2% acerola juice powder), and treatment 5 (0.4% celery powder, 0.04% starter culture, and 0.2% acerola juice powder). The pH values were decreased (p<0.05) because of lower pH of acerola juice powder, resulting in lower cooking yields (p<0.05) in these treatments. CIE L* and CIE a* values of indirectly cured meat products were not different (p>0.05) from the sodium nitrite-added control. However, indirectly cured meat products showed lower (p<0.05) residual nitrite contents, but higher (p<0.05) nitrosyl hemochrome contents and cure efficiency than the control. Treatments 2 and 4 had higher (p<0.05) total pigment contents and lipid oxidation than the control. This study indicates that white kimchi powder coupled with acerola juice powder has substantial potential to substitute synthetic nitrite to naturally cured meat products, which could be favored by consumers seeking clean label products.

Natural curing agents as nitrite alternatives and their effects on the physicochemical, microbiological properties and sensory evaluation of sausages during storage

This study investigated the effects of different curing agents on the physicochemical properties, microbiological properties and sensory evaluation of sausages formulated with and without nitrite over 4 weeks of cold storage. Seven batches were prepared: control, sodium nitrite 0.01%; celery powder 0.8% (T1); fruit extract powder 0.6% (T2); purple sweet potato powder 0.45% (T3); fruit and vegetable extract powders 0.5% (T4); gardenia red 0.04% (T5); paprika and blueberry powder 0.07% (T6). T1 produced significantly lighter, redder and yellower sausages compared to control and had a higher color intensity (C*) and hue (h). The residual nitrite ion concentration was the highest in the control and declined most rapidly in control, T1, and T2 during storage. The pH, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) content, and total microbe counts were the same for T1 and the control. T1 received comparable sensory attributes as the control. These results suggest that celery powder effectively protects sausages from quality deterioration during storage.

Effect of Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla) as Nitrite Replacement on Color Stability and Shelf-Life of Cooked Pork Patties during Refrigerated Storage

In this study, the effects of pre-converted nitrite from Swiss chard powder (PS) on the color stability and shelf-life of cooked pork patties during refrigerated storage for 28 d were investigated. Nitrite was added at a concentration of approximately 120 ppm. Five treatments were formulated as follows: Control (120 ppm nitrite), T1 (2% PS), T2 (2% pre-converted nitrite from celery powder; PC), T3 (1% PS + 60 ppm nitrite), and NC (nitrite-free). The T1 and T3 samples had higher nitrosoheme pigment contents, which were associated with the redness of the samples (p<0.05). T1 resulted in the highest redness value (p<0.05). The redness and yellowness of the cooked pork patties increased with increasing PS levels. The pH of the samples subjected to all treatments decreased with progress of the storage period (p<0.05). The pH of the T1 and T3 samples treated with PS was lower (p<0.05) than that obtained with other treatments, as PS has a lower pH value. The treatments in which PS was added were most effective for reducing the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and the residual nitrite content relative to the control. T1 resulted in the highest flavor, off-flavor, and overall acceptability scores during storage (p<0.05). The total viable bacterial count for all treatments was below 1 Log CFU/g, and E. coli and coliform bacteria were not detected during storage. Therefore, these results suggested that pre-converted nitrite from Swiss chard powder is a potential replacement for nitrite in meat products.

Nitrite formation from vegetable sources and its use as a preservative in cooked sausage

BACKGROUND

Due to the potential health risk associated with nitrites, nitrite alternatives from natural sources in meat products have been investigated. We compared the nitrate contents of young radish, lettuce and commercial vegetable powder (cabbage and Chinese cabbage). We also investigated the effect of incubation time and salt addition on vegetable nitrite formation from vegetable sources. The antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of vegetable nitrite in cooked sausage were also compared with sodium nitrite.

RESULTS

Young radish produced the greatest amount of nitrite after 24 h of incubation at 38 °C. On average, an approximately 32% reduction of nitrite was observed in sausage during 4 weeks of storage. Lipid oxidation in sausage was significantly prevented by vegetable nitrite produced from vegetable powder or young radish. The colour of the sausage prepared with young radish was most similar to that of the sausage with sodium nitrite. The addition of young radish to sausage significantly prevented the growth of Listeria monocytogenes at 4 °C and Staphylococcus aureus at 8 °C.

CONCLUSION

Young radish was more effective as a natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agent as compared to commercial vegetable powder, which is currently used to make natural meat products, indicating that young radish has a high potential as a natural preservative. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Ascorbate and Apple Phenolics Affect Protein Oxidation in Emulsion-Type Sausages during Storage and in Vitro Digestion

The effect of sodium ascorbate and apple phenolics on the oxidative stability of emulsion-type sausages during storage and digestion was investigated. Emulsion-type sausages containing 0.05% sodium ascorbate or 3% freeze-dried apple pomace were subjected to chilled illuminated storage and subsequent in vitro digestion. Lipid oxidation was assessed as TBARS, and protein oxidation was evaluated as thiol oxidation, total carbonyls, and γ-glutamic and α-amino adipic semialdehyde. Proteolysis was measured after digestion to evaluate protein digestibility. The results suggest the presence of protein-ascorbate and protein-phenol interactions, which may decrease protein digestibility and may interfere with spectrophotometric methods for measuring oxidation.

Use of tocopherol extract and different nitrite sources and starter cultures in the production of organic botifarra catalana, a cooked cured sausage

This research evaluates the effects of adding a tocopherol mix (0 or 200 mg/kg), two nitrite sources (sodium nitrite or a nitrate-rich vegetable concentrate) and the use of Staphylococcus carnosus together with fermentation types that varied in temperature (12 h at 4 ℃ or 16 ℃) on different quality parameters and acceptability of cooked cured sausages after vacuum packing and storage at 4 ℃ for 120 days. In the presence of S. carnosus, residual nitrate and nitrite levels were reduced. Sausages containing vegetable concentrates and without S. carnosus resulted in higher amounts of residual nitrate and lower curing efficiency. The lowest values in redness and acceptability were observed in those sausages without starter cultures. The addition of tocopherols had no effect on oxidative status and susceptibility to oxidation. However, the highest amount of hydroperoxides was related with nitrite decreased formation. Overall, vegetable concentrates can be used as curing agents if fermentation with a nitrate-reducing starter culture is allowed.

Identifying ingredients that delay outgrowth of Listeria monocytogenes in natural, organic, and clean-label ready-to-eat meat and poultry products

The objective of this study was to identify ingredients that inhibit Listeria monocytogenes in natural, organic, or clean-label ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. Fourteen ingredients were screened in uncured (no-nitrate-or-nitrite-added), traditional-cured (156 ppm of purified sodium nitrite), cultured (alternative cured, natural nitrate source, and Staphylococcus carnosus), or preconverted (alternative cured, natural nitrite source) turkey slurries. Slurries were cooked, cooled, inoculated to yield 3 log CFU/ml L. monocytogenes, stored at 4°C, and tested weekly for 4 weeks. Three antimicrobial ingredients, 1.5 % vinegar-lemon-cherry powder blend, 2.5 % buffered vinegar, and 3.0 % cultured sugar-vinegar blend, were incorporated into alternative-cured ham and uncured roast beef and deli-style turkey breast. Controls included all three meat products without antimicrobial ingredients and a traditional-cured ham with 2.8 % sodium lactate-diacetate. Cooked, sliced products were inoculated with 3 log CFU/g L. monocytogenes, vacuum packed, and stored at 4 or 7°C, for up to 12 weeks. For control products without antimicrobial agents stored at 4°C, a 2-log L. monocytogenes increase was observed at 2 weeks for ham and turkey and at 4 weeks for roast beef. Growth (>1-log increase) in the sodium lactate-diacetate was delayed until week 6. Compared with the control, the addition of either vinegar-lemon-cherry powder blend or buffered vinegar delayed L. monocytogenes growth for an additional 2 weeks, while the addition of cultured sugar-vinegar blend delayed growth for an additional 4 weeks for both ham and turkey. The greatest L. monocytogenes delay was observed in roast beef containing any of the three antimicrobial ingredients, with no growth detected through 12 weeks at 4°C for all the treatments. As expected, L. monocytogenes grew substantially faster in products stored at 7°C than at 4°C. These data suggest that antimicrobial ingredients from a natural source can enhance the safety of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, but their efficacy is improved in products containing nitrite and with lower moisture and pH.

Rosemary extract and celery-based products used as natural quality enhancers for colonial type salami with different ripening times

This study aimed to evaluate the use of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) extract (RE), celery (Apium graveolis), and low levels of NO3 and NO2 as natural agents to enhance the quality of colonial salami. Salami was produced according to three treatments: (A) Control: 0.1% curing salt; (B) Rosemary: 0.05% curing salt + 0.5% RE (rosemary extract); and (C) Rosemary+celery: 0.14% Veg 503 + 0.27% Veg 504 (sea salt plus celery) + 0.5% of RE (rosemary extract). There was no effect (P > 0.05) of the treatments on water activity, Na content, and residual NO3 and NO2. Fatty acids C18:2 and C20:4 were reduced (P < 0.05) during the ripening period in the Control treatment indicating possible oxidation. The use of celery resulted in lower pH values (P < 0.05) in the salami. Reduced addition of NO3 and NO2 resulted in salami lighter in color (higher L* values, P < 0.05) at the 12th day of ripening. In conclusion, celery-based products proved to be an effective source of NO2 and NO3 for color development, but the low pH of the product indicates the need for better evaluation of its use in fermented salami. The RE (rosemary extract) reduced fat oxidation in salami, but this needs further evaluation.

Effect of fermentation time and vegetable concentrate addition on quality parameters of organic Botifarra Catalana, a cured-cooked sausage

The effects of the addition of two different sources of nitrite (pure NaNO2 or a nitrate-rich vegetable concentrate) and three different fermentation times with nitrate-reducing cultures (6, 12, or 24 h at 16 °C) on microbial counts, pH, residual nitrate and nitrite amounts, and susceptibility to oxidation of botifarra catalana sausage were studied. Moreover, curing efficiency, color, tocopherol and tocotrienol contents, oxidative status, and consumer acceptability of these sausages were assessed after vacuum packaging and storage at 4 °C for up to 180 days. Residual nitrate and nitrite amounts were lower than the limits established by the European Union for organic meat products. Longer periods of fermentation produced higher meat curing efficiency ratios, whereas consumer acceptability scores were highest for sausages with added vegetable concentrate. Storage of the sausages caused small quality changes. Therefore, these results indicate that vegetable concentrate is a useful alternative for organic cured-cooked meat products.

Beyond celery and starter culture: advances in natural/organic curing processes in the United States

Over the past 10years there has been ongoing development of curing processes with natural ingredients designed to meet consumer demand and regulatory requirements for natural and organic processed meats. Initially, these processes utilized celery concentrates with a high nitrate content combined with a nitrate-reducing starter culture. Subsequent advances included celery concentrates with the nitrate converted to nitrite by suppliers. Further, as questions developed concerning reduced concentration of preservatives and the microbiological safety of these processed meats, additional advances have resulted in a wide variety of ingredients and processes designed to provide supplementary antimicrobial effects for improved product safety.

Survival and growth of Clostridium perfringens in commercial no-nitrate-or-nitrite-added (natural and organic) frankfurters, hams, and bacon

The popularity of "preservative-free" foods among consumers has stimulated rapid growth of processed meats manufactured without sodium nitrite. The objective of this study was to quantify the potential for Clostridium perfringens growth in commercially available processed meats manufactured without the direct addition of nitrite or nitrate. Commercial brands of naturally cured, no-nitrate-or-nitrite-added frankfurters (10 samples), hams (7 samples), and bacon (9 samples) were obtained from retail stores and challenged with a three-strain inoculation (5 log CFU/g) of C. perfringens. Reduced inhibition (P < 0.05) was observed in seven brands of frankfurters, six brands of hams, and four brands of bacon when compared with each respective sodium nitrite-added control. In naturally cured and truly uncured commercial frankfurters, growth over time was approximately 4.7 log, while conventionally cured frankfurters exhibited growth at 1.7 log. Naturally cured ham and bacon products exhibited growth at 4.8 and 3.4 log, respectively, while their conventionally cured counterparts exhibited growth at 2.6 and 2.3 log, respectively. These products also demonstrated variation in growth response. The results indicate that commercially available natural/organic naturally cured meats have more potential for growth of this pathogen than do conventionally cured products. Natural and organic processed meats may require additional protective measures in order to consistently provide the level of safety from bacterial pathogens achieved by conventionally cured meat products, and which is expected by consumers.