Effect of Combined Salt and Animal Fat Reductions on Physicochemical and Biochemical Changes During the Manufacture of Dry-Fermented Sausages

Abstract

Reducing salt and fat contents in dry-fermented sausages could benefit consumer health. This study aimed to quantify, from an experimental design, the effects of salt and fat contents and combined salt and fat reductions on the time-course of several physicochemical (product weight loss, mean water activity and pH values) and biochemical (proteolysis, lipolysis and lipid and protein oxidations) parameters. Statistical analyses found that time, salt and fat contents had a very significant impact on weight loss and aw and that time and salt content (not fat content) had a significant impact on pH. Biochemical results indicated that proteolysis was salt-content-dependent and amplified by combined salt and fat reductions. Intensity of lipolysis was mainly dependent on fat content. Lipid and protein oxidations were more intense in higher-fat formulations. Combined salt and fat reductions in dry-fermented sausages increased acidification, weight losses and aw, leading to more proteolysis, less lipolysis and less oxidation. Sensory studies are now required to investigate consumer acceptability of these healthier sausages. However, the present results constitute a valuable set of data for helping professionals wishing to reduce salt and fat contents in dry-fermented sausages.