Color dynamics of cooked sausages after nitrite reduction and incorporation of biologically active substances

Abstract

   In most cases, the color of meat products is the factor influencing consumer choice. It’s formation and preservation is the highest priority. Sodium nitrite is used for fixation of the pleasant pink-red color, but also has a negative image from the consumers oriented towards clean label products. The valorization of rose oil-industry by-products by their incorporation in foods as natural additives is growing research area. The formulated cooked sausage recipes, contain blend of three biologically active substances (BAS) and different level of sodium nitrite reductions: AN100, AN75, AN50, AN25, AN0 and control - C. Color attributes CIE L*, a*, b* were assessed during 14 days of chilled storage (0-4 °C) and their changes in dynamics were evaluated every 10 min for an hour at air exposure. The incorporation of the inhibit the oxidation of meat pigments during the chilled storage and slowed down the fading of the pinkred color of the cross-cut surface during the 60 min of air exposure. The sausages produced with up to 50 % nitrite reduction and the blend of three BAS have lower lightness (L*), higher intensity of the red color (a*) and lower yellowness (b*) of the cross-cut surface in comparison to the control.