EFFECT OF FAT LEVEL ON QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF TRADITIONAL SUCUK SAUSAGES. PART 2: TEXTURE, COLOUR AND SENSORY QUALITY

Abstract

Traditional dry fermented sucuk sausages were made from beef and formulated with 10, 20 and 30% of added fat (LF, MF and HF group, respectively). The production was carried out in a traditional smoking house, and fermentation and ripening lasted 28 days. After the end of the production process, colour (CIE L*a*b*), texture TPA parameters and sensory quality were analysed. An increase in fat content significantly affected the reduction in TPA values for hardness, springiness, cohesiveness and chewiness (p<0.01). Data obtained in this study indicate that sausages with higher fat content were less firmly bound (lower cohesiveness) and less elastic (lower springiness). Additionally, fat content significantly influenced an increase in lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) and a decrease in redness (a*) of sucuk sausages (p<0.05). The lowest sensory scores were obtained for HF sausages, especially for consistency, cut appearance and taste.