Sodium reformulation and its impact on oxidative stability and sensory quality of dry-cured rabbit legs

Meat Sci. 2021 Jul:177:108485. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2021.108485. Epub 2021 Mar 3.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative stability and sensory quality of dry-cured rabbit legs produced with a reduction or replacement of 50% of NaCl by KCl and with the addition of monosodium glutamate (MG). Oxidative stability was evaluated during 90 days of storage at 20 °C by determining pH, redox potential (Eh), and TBARS while overall liking and sensory profile were measured at the beginning of storage. The results indicated that oxidative stability of the dry-cured rabbit legs was not affected by the sodium reformulation. However, TBARS values increased about 15-fold during storage in all treatments. Dry-cured rabbit legs produced with KCl showed lower scores (P < 0.05) for the overall liking and flavor attributes as "astringent flavor", "bitter taste" and "metallic flavor". The addition of MG to products with 50% NaCl reduction provided a liking and a sensory profile similar to the product with 100% NaCl.

Keywords: CATA; Exotic meat; Flavor enhancer; KCl; Lipid oxidation.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Consumer Behavior
  • Female
  • Flavoring Agents*
  • Food Handling / methods
  • Food Storage
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Male
  • Meat Products / analysis*
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxidation-Reduction*
  • Potassium Chloride
  • Rabbits
  • Sodium Chloride
  • Sodium Glutamate*
  • Taste
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / analysis

Substances

  • Flavoring Agents
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
  • Sodium Chloride
  • Potassium Chloride
  • Sodium Glutamate