Palatability and physicochemical properties of sausages prepared via lactic acid fermentation and drying at low temperature

The present study aimed to assess the palatability of sausages undergoing low-temperature fermentation and drying process. Lactobacillus sakei D-1001 or Lactobacillus salivarius A001 were used as starter cultures for fermentation, and the following properties of the sausages were investigated: colony-forming units of lactic acid bacteria; concentrations of lactic acid, protein, peptides, and free amino acids; distribution of protein; composition of free amino acids; and physical properties and taste. Alterations in the composition of proteins, peptides, and free amino acids as well as in various physical properties were caused by fermentation by lactic acid bacteria. A sensory test indicated that the palatability of the fermented sausages was greater than that of the non-fermented sausages, particularly in terms of hardness and juiciness. This was considered to be due to protein degeneration and changes in the physical properties of the sausages as a result of fermentation by lactic acid bacteria. However, the taste of the fermented sausages was sourer than that of the non-fermented sausages, and therefore, inferior. Our study revealed that the palatability of the sausages in terms of hardness and juiciness were increased by low-temperature fermentation by lactic acid bacteria and the drying process.