Abstract
SUMMARYResearch backgroundBaranjski kulen is one of the most popular fermented meat sausages originating from Croatia. It has protected geographical indication, and is traditionally produced in the Baranja region of Croatia. Kulenova seka is a fermented sausage very similar to baranjski kulen, but it has a different calibre and consequently, a shorter time of production. In recent decades, due to the high demand and popularity of these products, industrially produced baranjski kulen and kulenova seka have become available on the market. This work aims to identify specific characteristics of traditional and industrial sausages baranjski kulen and kulenova seka on proteome, peptidome and metabolome level, which could potentially lead to better optimization of the industrial production process in order to obtain an equivalent to the traditional product.Experimental approachProtein profiles of baranjski kulen and kulenova seka (traditional and industrial) were analysed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by differential display analysis and protein identification by mass spectrometry. Peptidomic profile was analysed via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Furthermore, aroma profiles were investigated via headspace solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.Results and conclusionsThe major identified characteristics of each product were: industrial baranjski kulen: specific degradation of myosin-1 and titin, overabundance of stress-related proteins and increased phenylalanine degradation; traditional baranjski kulen: decreased concentration of phenylalanine and overabundance of fructose-bisphosphate aldolase A and carbonic anhydrase 3; industrial kulenova seka - specific myosin-4 and haemoglobin subunit alpha degradation process; traditional kulenova seka - overabundance of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase [NADP(+)] and myosin light chain 1/3, skeletal muscle isoform, degradation of albumin and myoglobin, decreased concentrations of almost all free amino acids and increased amounts of smoke-derived volatile compounds. Presented results showed that potential product type-specific quality markers for each sausage could be found.Novelty and scientific contributionIn this preliminary communication, the first insights into protein degradation processes and generation of peptides, free amino acids and aroma compounds of industrial and traditional baranjski kulen and kulenova seka are presented. Although further research is needed to draw general conclusions, the specific profile of proteins, peptides, amino acids and volatile compounds represents the first step in the industrial production of sausages that meet the characteristics of traditional flavour.
Highlights
Traditional fermented meat production has a long production history and is very popular in different parts of the world
This work aims to identify specific characteristics of traditional and industrial sausages, Baranjski kulen and Kulenova seka on proteome, peptidome and metabolome level which could potentially lead to better optimization of the industrial production process in order to obtain an equivalent to the traditional product
For the purpose of the preliminary study, we have analysed the industrially and traditionally produced sausages Baranjski kulen and Kulenova seka via the proteomic and peptidomic approach complemented with the amino acid analysis and aroma profile analysis
Summary
Traditional fermented meat production has a long production history and is very popular in different parts of the world. Amino acids are precursors of many volatile compounds indirectly contributing to the development of the typical aroma of the final meat product [2,5]. Traditional Baranjski kulen is a naturally fermented sausage made with minced pork meat and pork back fat, mixed with spices and filled in a natural casing, derived from a pig’s caecum. Kulenova seka is a fermented sausage very similar to Baranjski kulen but made by stuffing the meat into a natural casing derived from pig’s rectum. These two types of sausages have very similar raw material; they are different in calibre, and time of production. The information about the similarity of Baranjski kulen and Kulenova seka on the molecular level is still limited
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