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Nitrite reduction in mortadella using gamma irradiation and chitosan: effects on quality and Clostridium botulinum
Onara Jandafet Sampaio Martins Magalhães1, Isadora da Silva Ribeiro1, Marcelo Stefanini Tanaka1
1Department of Food Science, School of Agricultural Sciences of Lavras, Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), Lavras, Minas Gerais, 37200-900, Brazil.
Abstract:
Reducing nitrite levels in cured meat products remains a major challenge due to its key role in controlling Clostridium botulinum. This study evaluated the combined effects of chitosan (0 and 1.5%), sodium nitrite (0, 50, and 150 mg/kg), and gamma irradiation (0, 2, 4, and 6 kGy) on C. botulinum control (stored at 4 °C for 30 days) and technological quality of mortadella. Chitosan and irradiation effectively controlled C. botulinum regardless of nitrite level, with irradiation showing a dose-dependent effect. In the absence of chitosan, spores were inactivated at 6 kGy, and no viable cells were recovered at 4 kGy after storage. With 1.5% chitosan, 2 kGy was sufficient for spore inactivation, and no viable cells were detected after storage in non-irradiated samples containing nitrite. Treatments did not affect (P > 0.05) chemical composition of mortadella, but chitosan addition reduced (P < 0.05) lipid oxidation (0.68 vs. 0.53 mg malondialdehyde/kg), elasticity (0.869 vs. 0.834), and chewiness (44.57 vs. 40.92 N), while increased (P < 0.05) residual nitrite (13.78 vs. 8.77 mg/kg) and lightness (L*). Irradiation did not affect (P > 0.05) the oxidative or cured color stability of mortadella during the 30-days storage period. Overall, the combination of 1.5% chitosan, 50 mg/kg nitrite, and 2 kGy irradiation effectively controlled C. botulinum while maintaining the technological quality of mortadella, indicating a viable strategy to reduce nitrite levels in cured meat products.
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