Alheira is a traditional non-ready-to-eat sausage produced mainly in northern Portugal. The objective of this study was to evaluate the associations between some relevant physicochemical and microbiological attributes of alheiras produced by different regional producers. Finished products from 8 regional factories amounting to 40 samples were analyzed. Counts of mesophiles, lactic acid bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, presumptive Clostridium perfringens, and Salmonella spp., as well as pH, water activity (aW), and proximate analysis were determined. Principal component analysis (PCA) of these variables was conducted to construct quality maps. Three meaningful components were extracted, accounting for 63% of data variability. PC1 (26% data variability) was positively associated with LAB, mesophiles, and S. aureus, characterizing therefore longer fermentation. PC2 (22% data variability) correlated negatively with moisture, aW and positively with C. perfringens, and thus has been linked to greater dehydration of sausages. PC3 (15% data variability) correlated positively with pH and protein content, implying the use of more meat in the formulation. This preliminary work has identified three quality factors underpinning the variability in artisanal alheiras; and has also highlighted the need to implement better microbiological control and process standardization during the production of artisanal alheiras.

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In Portugal, the main autochthonous sheep breeds exploited for meat production are Churra Galega Bragançana (CGB) and Bordaleira de Entre Douro e Minho (BEDM). This study aimed to characterise the evolution of spoilage microorganisms in refrigerated vacuum-packed (VP) lamb meat from BEDM and CGB breeds and to elucidate how the intrinsic properties of meat can affect its microbial spoilage. Meat from the BEDM breed presented higher (p < 0.0001) populations of mesophiles, lactic acid bacteria, Pseudomonas spp. and psychrotrophic bacteria, since its higher ultimate pH (means: 5.77 for BEDM vs. 5.58 for CGB) accelerated spoilage rate (p < 0.0001). While water activity and protein content were not found to regulate microbial deterioration (p > 0.05), the growth of spoilage bacteria was exacerbated by higher moisture (p < 0.0001) and higher ash content (p < 0.001). On the contrary, a higher intramuscular fat content slowed down (p < 0.0001) the growth of spoilage bacteria in VP lamb meat.

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