Slow fermented sausages with reduced ingoing amounts of sodium nitrate were manufactured: control (250 ppm), 15% (212.5 ppm) and 25% (187.5 ppm) reduction. The effect of nitrate reduction on microbiology and chemical parameters, volatile compounds and aroma production was studied. Parameters like, pH, a and colour decreased during ripening, without being affected by nitrate reduction. Lipid oxidation increased during ripening and it was higher in control sausages due to fat content. Residual nitrite was below the detection limit during the whole process and residual nitrate decreased during ripening, with higher reduction in RN25 sausages. Lactic acid bacteria, total mesophilic bacteria and yeasts and moulds increased during ripening but Gram positive cocci decreased. Microbial counts from nitrate reduced sausages at the end of the manufacturing process were not statistically different from the control sausages with nitrate. Regarding volatile compounds formation, compounds derived from amino acid degradation were increased by nitrate reduction. Aroma compounds derived from amino acid degradation and responsible for strong odours, dimethyl disulphide (toasted, garlic) and methional (cooked potato) and, to a lesser extent, compounds derived from esterase activity producing fruity odours (ethyl acetate, ethyl butanoate, ethyl‑2‑hydroxypropanoate, ethyl‑2‑methylbutanoate and ethyl‑3‑methylbutanoate) and several compounds from carbohydrate fermentation acetic acid (vinegar odour) and 2-butanone (fruity) were related to the high nitrate reduction (25%). Despite nitrate reduction up to 25% produced minor effect on microbial growth, their metabolism is regulated by nitrate content and therefore by nitrite generation affecting the production of key aroma compounds that alter the sausage aroma profile.

Slow fermented sausages with reduced ingoing amounts of sodium nitrate (control, 15% and 25% reduction) were stored under vacuum up to three months. Changes in microbiology, chemical parameters and volatile compounds were studied. Residual nitrate was not affected by vacuum storage and its reduction resulted in a reduction of sausage redness. General microbial counts decreased during vacuum storage, though nitrate reduction increased the growth of total mesophilic bacteria and Gram positive cocci. Long storage time and 25% nitrate reduction affected microbial activity and sausage aroma profile. Short vacuum storage times and moderate nitrate reduction (15%) were related to compounds producing pleasant odours (3-hydroxy-2-butanone, ethyl octanoate, ethyl-3-methylbutanoate and 2,3-pentanedione) and cheesy/buttery odour (2,3-butanedione and ethyl-2-hydroxypropanoate). In contrast, 25% nitrate reduction increased compounds like heptanal (green, unpleasant odour) and those related to unpleasant odours, methanethiol (rotten odour) and methional (cooked potato).

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