Beneficial Effects of Traditional Seasonings on Quality Characteristics of Fermented Sausages

Effects of non-meat proteins on the quality of fermented sausages

Introduction. Non-meat proteins are widely used in meat processing. In our study, we analyzed the effects of whey and soy protein isolates on the physicochemical and sensory properties of domestic fermented sausage. Study objects and methods. Five groups of sausages were traditionally fermented under industrial conditions. The sausage group without the additives was labelled the control, while other sausages were manufactured with the addition of 0.5% and 1.5% protein isolates of whey and soybean. Using a quantitative descriptive test, we assessed the sensory characteristics of the sausages and instrumentally determined their color, hardness, water activity (aw), and pH. Results and discussion. The proteins added to fermented sausages improved emulsification, texture, as well as water and fat binding capacity, which was confirmed by the results for hardness. Using a 0.5% soy protein isolate resulted in a firmer product. The additives had a minor effect on the color: the samples with the additives had a slightly lower L* value, and those with a soy protein had higher yellowness (b*). Conclusion. Using the additives did not have a significant effect on the chemical composition and overall sensory quality of all tested samples (P > 0.05).

Effect of Rice Bran and Wheat Fibers on Microbiological and Physicochemical Properties of Fermented Sausages during Ripening and Storage

This study investigated the effect of rice bran fiber (RBF) and wheat fibers (WF) on microbiological and physicochemical properties of fermented sausages during ripening and storage. The experimental design included three treatments: Control, no addition; RBF, 1.5%; and WF, 1.5%. During the ripening periods, the addition of dietary fibers rapidly decreased pH and maintained high water activity values of fermented sausages (p<0.05). Lactic acid bacteria were more prevalent in fermented sausages with rice bran fiber than control and sausages with added wheat fiber. During cold storage, lower pH was observed in sausages with dietary fibers (p<0.05), and the water activity and color values were reduced as the storage period lengthened. Fermented sausages containing dietary fibers were higher in lactic acid bacteria counts, volatile basic nitrogen and 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values compared to the control (p<0.05). The results indicate that, the addition of dietary fibers in the fermented sausages promotes the growth of lactic bacteria and fermentation, and suggests that development of functional fermented sausages is possible.