Effect of processing conditions on proteolysis and taste of dry-cured sausages

This paper deals with the influence of industrial practices such as use of starters (Lactobacillus sake and Staphylococcus car carnosus), preripening (3 days at 5 degrees C) and drying temperatures (8 and 16 degrees C) on proteolysis, ammonia production and the taste of ''salchichon'', a traditional Spanish dry-cured sausage lacking surface mould. pH dropped more sharply in the presence of a starter and at a high drying temperature (16 degrees C); preripening did not affect the pH. The highest value for non-protein nitrogen (NPN), 16% of total nitrogen, was observed to occur in samples with the lowest pH (4.7-4.8). Total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) increased during drying due to the deaminase activity of internal microbial flora, which was not great (0.5-1.0% of total nitrogen) enough to affect the pH, and significantly in samples showing a larger decrease of pH. The greater proteolysis in samples with starter did not affect the assessors' taste preference. Assessors clearly preferred those samples without starter that were dried at low temperature (8 degrees C); however, samples with starter showed excellent commercial appearance since they dried more homogeneously. An equilibrium point must be found between acid production and taste.