Microbial analysis and textural properties of cantonese sausage

Abstract

Cantonese sausage is one of the traditional meat products in China. In the present study, eight Cantonese sausage samples from different manufacturers were collected. Their microbial and textural properties were characterized. The chemical compositions were determined as follows: moisture, 15.18 ± 3.40%; protein, 33.75 ± 7.26% (expressed in dry matter); fat, 42.12 ± 6.64% (expressed in dry matter); total carbohydrates, 9.11 ± 3.73%; sodium chloride, 6.13 ± 0.41%; and sodium nitrite, 35.55 ± 6.69 mg/kg. The pH was determined to be 6.22 ± 0.14, while the acid value was 2.02 ± 0.71 mg potassium hydroxide/g lipid, and the peroxide value was 0.03 ± 0.04 g potassium iodide/100 g lipid. The total viable counts were 5.55 ± 1.48 log10 cfu/g, lactic acid bacteria were 3.59 ± 0.68 log10 cfu/g, staphylococci/micrococci were 3.96 ± 0.54 log10 cfu/g and yeasts/molds were 3.55 ± 0.47 log10 cfu/g. Staphylococci/micrococci were the dominant microbial group in Cantonese sausage. This was different from other sausages. The textural profiles of Cantonese sausage were determined as follows: average values of hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess and chewiness were 3,066.56 g, 0.96 mm, 0.57, 1,736.76 g and 1,658.26 g × mm, respectively. Analysis of between-variable relationships indicated that the pH value of Cantonese sausage was significantly correlated to its microbial and textural properties. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Cantonese sausage has gained much popularity and acceptance in China and many other countries. Commercial products from different manufacturers were collected in this work. The microbiological and textural characteristics of Cantonese sausage as well as the chemical compositions were evaluated. It is helpful to understand this type of sausage in order to improve its quality. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.