Microbiological and Sensory Suitability of a Novel Raw Material from Porcine Blood and Collagenous Rind Protein as an Ingredient in a Fermented Raw Salami-Type Sausage

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to develop a treatment for combined porcine blood corpuscle concentrate (BCC) and porcine collagenous connective tissue (rind) so as to make more use of these slaughter by-products as an ingredient in a high-quality product such as salami-type sausage. For this study, BCC was preserved, standardized (sBCC) (15% NaCl and 25% protein content), and then added (proportion of sBCC to rind, 15:85) to rind subjected to different treatments designated A, B, and C (A, 2 h at 90°C; B, 5 min at 90°C; and C, 2 h at 3°C). One half of each mixture was again heated (designated A1, B1, and C1; F70, ∼15), and the other half was only cooled (designated A2, B2, and C2). The now colored, highly proteinaceous rind mixtures (A1 to C2) were then cooled and granulated (designated GBR-A1 to GBR-C2). Three of the granulates (GBRA1, -B1, and -B2) proved to be promising new raw materials: their aerobic plate counts were <log 4.0 CFU/g, and their color was appealing (L* values, 23.9 to 25.9; a* values, 17.7 to 22.2; b* values, 11.5 to 12.7). These granulates were then substituted for part (5%) of the meat in the production of fermented raw salami-type sausages. Two of the sausages (SA1 and SB1) were microbiologically stable (containing mainly lactobacilli) and had positive sensory, chemical, and physical properties (e.g., protein, 21%; water activity, 0.90; pH, between 5.3 and 5.4 on day 36) meeting all standards for commercially produced raw sausages. Our investigation yielded a practicable way to treat and combine two slaughter by-products for use in a high-quality meat product.