Microbiological and sensory suitability of a novel raw material from porcine blood and collagenous rind protein as an ingredient in a fermented raw salami-type sausage.

The aim of this investigation was to develop a treatment for combined porcine blood corpuscle concentrate (BCC) and porcine collagenous connective tissue (rind) so as to make more use of these slaughter by-products as an ingredient in a high-quality product such as salami-type sausage. For this study, BCC was preserved, standardized (sBCC) (15% NaCl and 25% protein content), and then added (proportion of sBCC to rind, 15:85) to rind subjected to different treatments designated A, B, and C (A, 2 h at 90 degrees C; B, 5 min at 90 degrees C; and C, 2 h at 3 degrees C). One half of each mixture was again heated (designated A1, B1, and C1; F70, approximately 15), and the other half was only cooled (designated A2, B2, and C2). The now colored, highly proteinaceous rind mixtures (A1 to C2) were then cooled and granulated (designated GBR-A1 to GBR-C2). Three of the granulates (GBR-A1, -B1, and -B2) proved to be promising new raw materials: their aerobic plate counts were <log 4.0 CFU/g, and their color was appealing (L* values, 23.9 to 25.9; a* values, 17.7 to 22.2; b* values, 11.5 to 12.7). These granulates were then substituted for part (5%) of the meat in the production of fermented raw salami-type sausages. Two of the sausages (SA1 and SB1) were microbiologically stable (containing mainly lactobacilli) and had positive sensory, chemical, and physical properties (e.g., protein, 21%; water activity, 0.90; pH, between 5.3 and 5.4 on day 36) meeting all standards for commercially produced raw sausages. Our investigation yielded a practicable way to treat and combine two slaughter by-products for use in a high-quality meat product.