Microbial and physicochemical succession in fermented sausages produced with bacteriocinogenic culture of Lactobacillus sakei and semi-purified bacteriocin mesenterocin Y

The influence of the bacteriocinogenic culture Lactobacillus sakei (105/g) and semi-purified bacteriocin mesenterocin Y (2560 AU/kg) on the safety and quality of traditional Croatian fermented sausages was investigated. The addition of Lb. sakei and/or mesenterocin Y reduced microbial counts (P < 0.05) in the final products. After 28 days of ripening, coagulase-negative cocci decreased 1.5–2.0 log, yeasts 1.2–1.4 log and enterococci 1.7–2.7 log. In the case of the addition of Lb. sakei, the lactic acid bacteria count was significantly (P < 0.05) higher at day 7 of ripening, and was accompanied by a lower pH and a higher amount of lactic acid (P < 0.05). In the final product the amount of acetic acid was significantly lower. More intensive proteolysis and an increase in ammonia content were found at the beginning of fermentation, and in the second phase of ripening in the control samples, respectively. The free fatty acid concentration was significantly lower during the entire ripening process compared to the control (P < 0.05). Semi-purified mesenterocin Y did not affect the sensory properties of the sausages, whilst the addition of Lb. sakei enhanced them.