Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026

The Effect of the Application of Thyme Essential Oil on Microbial Load During Meat Drying
Published on: March 14, 2018
The effect of paprika, garlic and salt on rancidity in dry sausages
M M Aguirrezábal1, J Mateo, M C Domínguez
1Departamento de Higiene y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus Vegazana s/n, 24007 León, Spain.
Abstract:
Eight batches of ground fat and eight batches of a mixture of meat and fat (70 and 30%, respectively), were prepared by adding salt, paprika and garlic, in the proportions used for making chorizo - a dry fermented sausage - stuffed into natural casings and then ripened. The evolution of rancidity in these products was evaluated by means of total free fatty acid content, peroxide value and TBARS during the ripening period. Spanish paprika and salt showed antioxidant and prooxidant properties, respectively. Paprika was even able to inhibit the prooxidant effect of salt. Also, four batches of chorizo were made to compare the antioxidant effect of the spices (garlic and paprika) with a mixture of nitrate, nitrite and ascorbic acid. In this respect, paprika and garlic were as effective as the mixture of additives in inhibiting lipid oxidation.
Related Concept Videos
Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods
Methods of Controlling Food Spoilage
Microbial Spoilage of Food
The Scientific Method
Generally, predictions are tested using carefully-designed experiments. Based on the outcome of these...
Pasteurization and Food Preservation
Principles of Food Preservation

