Active packaging using an olive leaf extract and high pressure processing for the preservation of sliced dry-cured shoulders from Iberian pigs

Abstract

Abstract The effect of an active packaging (AP) based on olive leaf extract and/or high pressure processing (HPP) was evaluated for the preservation of sliced Iberian dry-cured shoulders during storage. Shoulders came from Iberian pigs (100%) reared outdoors in the Dehesa and fed with acorns and pasture. Dry-cured shoulders were sliced and vacuum packaged in an active packaging with olive leaf extract. HPP at 600 MPa for 7 min was applied to packages and microbiological, color, oxidative and sensory changes were evaluated during 150 days of refrigerated storage. High reductions of microbial counts were found after HPP and the subsequent storage. Instrumental color parameters of dry-cured shoulder were similar in control and AP and/or HPP, and values were stable during storage. Neither AP and/nor HPP modified lipid oxidation values; and during refrigerated storage similar increases of TBA-RS were found in all treatments. Protein oxidation did not show significant differences among treatments, however, protein oxidation was not modified during storage. Most sensory parameters (appearance, taste, flavor and texture) did not show significant differences due to AP and/or HPP. Therefore, AP with olive leaf extract was not effective to preserve sliced dry-cured shoulder alone or combined with HPP. HPP was effective to decrease microbial counts, also, oxidative, color and sensory parameters were not affected after processing and after 150 days of refrigerated storage. Likely oxidative characteristics of shoulders from pigs reared outdoors would be partly responsible of the high stability of this product during processing and storage. Industrial relevance The demand of sliced dry-cured Iberian ham has importantly increased in the last years. During the slicing and packaging, the shelf-life and the safety of the hamcan be reduced. Industrial sector demands new methods to prolong the shelf-life and maintain the original quality of sliced ham during storage. The utilization of an active packaging with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties could increase the shelf-life of this product. Hydrostatic high pressure processing is a non-thermal food processing technology which allows the inactivation of pathogens. The combined effect of both methods (processing and packaging) could improve the antimicrobial effect while preserve the quality after processing to enhance the shelf-life of the product.