Irene Cilla

Effect of different concentrations of carbon dioxide and low concentration of carbon monoxide on the shelf-life of fresh pork sausages packaged in modified atmosphere.

This paper reports the effects of different concentrations of carbon dioxide and the presence of low levels of carbon monoxide on quality attributes throughout storage of fresh pork sausages. Four pork forelegs (initial pH 5.5-5.7) were used to prepare a total of 120 fresh sausages, which were packaged in different atmospheres containing (%O(2)/%CO(2)/%N(2)): 0/20/80; 0/60/40; 40/20/40; 40/60/0; 80/20/0; and 0.3% CO/30% CO(2)/rest argon. The packs were stored for 20 days at 2±1 °C in the dark. Three packs for each atmosphere were opened every 4 days for subsequent analysis of pH, colour CIE L*, a*, b*, TBARS formation, microbial psychotrophic aerobes and sensory discolouration and off-odour. Results showed that increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide promoted oxidation of both myoglobin and lipids, most probably due to its effect of lowering pH. Therefore, preservation of colour and odour of fresh pork sausages packaged in modified atmosphere was better achieved using atmospheres containing low CO(2) concentrations (20%) rather than high (60%). However, their shelf-life depended also on the concentration of O(2); 20% CO(2) with high O(2) (80%) enhanced the red colour, but shortened shelf-life, while 20% CO(2) in the absence of O(2) extended freshness to 16 days. The atmosphere containing 0.3% CO, together with 30% CO(2), maintained the red colour for 20 days, but failed to keep fresh odour longer than 16 days.

Effect of different Duroc line sires on carcass composition, meat quality and dry-cured ham acceptability.

Carcasses of 399 malignant hyperthermia gene free pigs from crosses sired by three types of Duroc (Virgen de la Fuente, DU1; Diputación de Teruel, DU2; DanBred, DU3) were analyzed for carcass and meat quality. Carcass leanness and fat parameters were measured at the last rib and at the space between the 3rd and 4th last ribs counting from the last one. Weights, pH, electrical conductivity, colour and intramuscular fat were also measured. A sample of 133 legs per cross were processed by dry-curing. The ham portion including Biceps femoris, Semimembranosus and Semitendinosus muscles was evaluated for instrumental texture and colour, biochemical and sensory analyses and acceptability (trained panel and consumers). DU3 carcasses were well conformed but lean. DU1 carcasses had a lower conformation but higher marbling. DU2 carcasses were intermediate. Dry-cured hams from DU1-sired pigs had a higher overall acceptability, although fat content influenced a consumers group negatively. Leaner DU3 hams had the lowest acceptability.

Dry-cured ham quality and acceptability as affected by the preservation system used for retail sale

Dry-cured ham cuts and slices were stored at 4±2°C for 8 months under vacuum and modified atmosphere (20% CO(2)+80% N(2)), respectively. Instrumental colour and texture, pH, non-protein nitrogen, total volatile basic nitrogen, acidity, lipid oxidation, sensory profile and consumer acceptability and purchase satisfaction were measured throughout storage. The overall quality of vacuum-packaged dry-cured ham cuts showed limited changes. Significant changes of sensory attributes involved only loss of flavour. The overall acceptability assessed by both trained and consumer panels did not decrease significantly throughout storage and the willingness to purchase remained above 50%. Conversely, modified-atmosphere-packaged ham slices had intense and extensive changes affecting sensory quality, particularly in visual appearance, flavour loss, off-flavour formation, saltiness and rancidity. Some of these changes were related to oxidation caused by low pH due to the presence of carbon dioxide in the protective atmosphere. Acceptability was significantly lower from the 4th month of storage and willingness to purchase fell below 50% at the same time.

Effect of illumination on the display life of fresh pork sausages packaged in modified atmosphere. Influence of the addition of rosemary, ascorbic acid and black pepper

Pork forelegs were used for manufacturing fresh sausages, treated with different natural antioxidants (rosemary, ascorbic acid and black pepper), packaged in 80% O(2)+20% CO(2) atmosphere and displayed at 2±1°C under different lightings (darkness, standard fluorescent, low-UV colour-balanced lamp and standard fluorescent plus a UV-filter). Two packs for each treatment were opened every 4 days for subsequent analysis of colour CIE L(∗), a(∗), b(∗), TBARS, microbial psychrotrophic aerobes and sensory discolouration and off-odour. Lighting with standard fluorescent was highly deleterious for sausage display life, which fell from 12 to 8 days due mainly to early discolouration. Inserting a UV-filter extended display life to 12 days, while the use of a low-UV lamp was not effective in protecting from discolouration. Addition of rosemary plus ascorbic acid, in the absence of black pepper, retarded discolouration only in sausages illuminated with the UV-filter, reaching a display life of 16 days, equal to that of sausages maintained in the dark.

Effect of low-temperature preservation on the quality of vacuum-packaged dry-cured ham: Refrigerated boneless ham and frozen ham cuts

The effect of storage on dry-cured ham quality was studied. Sixteen vacuum-packaged boneless dry-cured hams and sixteen vacuum-packaged dry-cured ham cuts were stored in darkness under refrigeration (4±2°C; 8 months) or freezing (-18±1°C; 24 months), respectively. Instrumental colour and texture, physico-chemical and biochemical parameters, sensory profile and consumer acceptability and purchase satisfaction were measured throughout storage. The overall quality of refrigerated boneless dry-cured hams and frozen dry-cured ham cuts showed only limited changes throughout long-term storage. Significant changes involved loss of odour and flavour, increased adhesiveness and modification of hardness, the Semimembranosus muscle became tender while Biceps femoris became harder, leading to a higher textural homogeneity. In agreement with those changes, the overall acceptability assessed by a trained panel decreased throughout storage, though this was significant regarding only frozen hams. However, consumer evaluation of acceptability, as well as satisfaction with hypothetical purchasing, did not vary significantly throughout storage.

Combined effect of modified atmosphere packaging and addition of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), ascorbic acid, red beet root (Beta vulgaris), and sodium lactate and their mixtures on the stability of fresh pork sausages.

The effects of rosemary, in combination with ascorbic acid, red beet root, and sodium lactate, as well as their mixtures, on the inhibition of both lipid and pigment oxidation of fresh pork sausages packaged in a modified atmosphere were studied. Sausages (240) were packaged in a 80% O2 + 20% CO2 gas mixture and analyzed for CIE a, metmyoglobin, TBARS, psychrotrophic aerobes, and sensory discoloration and off-odor throughout 20 days of storage at 2 +/- 1 degrees C. The mixture of rosemary + ascorbic acid + sodium lactate + red beet root extract extended the shelf life of fresh pork sausages from 8 to 16 days. Results demonstrated that all of the components of the mixture contributed to obtaining the maximum delay in color and/or odor decay, due to a combined inhibitory action on both pigment and lipid oxidation, as well as on microbial growth.

Interlaboratory evaluation of dry-cured hams (from France and Spain) by assessors from two different nationalities.

Two panels of assessors from France and Spain assessed 41 dry-cured hams from diverse geographical origins, pig breedings and feedings. Univariate (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and t-test) and multivariate (canonical correlation and principal component analysis) statistical procedures have been used to explain the agreement and disagreement between panels evaluating similar and dissimilar sensory attributes quantified with a 9-points structure scale. The results pointed out that there were basic agreements between panels, although some disagreements were detected in mould, acorn and crust attributes. The classification of Iberian and white dry-cured hams and the sensory attributes that characterise them are also displayed.

Consumer Beliefs and Attitudes Towards Dry-cured Ham and Protected Designation of Origin Teruel Ham in Two Spanish Regions Differing in Product Knowledge

This work compared the responses of a consumer survey on beliefs and attitudes towards dry-cured ham and protected designation of origin (PDO) Teruel ham carried out in two Spanish regions differing in Teruel ham knowledge: Aragon (high knowledge) and Catalonia (lower knowledge). Results revealed that only small differences were found regarding dry-cured ham consumption habits. With regard to beliefs related to factors affecting ham quality, differences were even lesser; raw material and maturing process, as well as marbling, colour and flavour and proper saltiness were rated as the most important quality factors. Nevertheless, large significant differences were evident between both regions in knowledge, consumption, beliefs and attitudes towards PDO Teruel ham. However, there were no differences regarding the willingness to pay a higher price for PDO ham. Multiple correspondence analysis of all data revealed large effects of age, education, income level and size of the place of residence, independent from the region of origin of the consumer.