Investigating Flavor Enhancement Methods in NaCl-Reduced Chinese Bacon (Larou) by Focusing on Physicochemical Characteristics, Bacterial Diversity, and Volatiles

Abstract

The higher NaCl concentration of Chinese bacon, which features a unique flavor, is a major restriction to consumption. Investigating the role of NaCl in Chinese bacon (Larou) would be beneficial to optimize the dosage and enhance flavor. This study was conducted to categorize Larou by comparing the quality of Larou cured with different concentrations of NaCl and then to investigate the methods of flavor enhancement of NaCl-reduced Larou. The results showed that, based on the differences in quality, Larou were categorized into three types, including the low-NaCl type (<4%, LT), the medium-NaCl type (4–8%, MT), and the high-NaCl type (>8%, HT). The vital physicochemical characteristics (PCs), predominant bacteria, and key volatile compounds (VOCs) were different for each type of Larou. The PCs contributing to the regulation of VOCs were total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) and pH in LT, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance assay (TBARS) in MT, NaNO2, and moisture content in HT. Lactococcus or Lactobacillus, Staphylococcus, and Kocuria were flavor-producing bacteria in LT, MT, and HT, respectively. Vital PCs and predominant bacteria were associated with several key aldehydes, alcohols, and esters in Larou. Increasing the TVB-N, TBARS, and moisture content, decreasing the pH and NaNO2 properly, and inoculating with Staphylococcus and Kocuria were effective methods to enhance the flavor of LT. Vital PCs and predominant bacteria are prioritized to meet most of the quality and the biosafety, although key VOCs may be sacrificed at this point.