3.5. Consumer sensory evaluation
HPP did not significantly (P N 0.05) impact the acceptability of deli
ham samples for all evaluated parameters, across all 4 time periods
(Table 4). This demonstrates that the application of HPP to reduced
sodium and natural nitrite deli ham may be used without negatively
impacting the consumer acceptability of these products. Pietrzak et al.
(2007) also reported no significant effect of HPP treatment (600 MPa
for 10 min) on color, smell, taste, and consistency of ham formulated
with 2.5 and 1.5% salt. Similar results were found when longissimus
pork chops were subjected to HPP, with a trained panel unable to find
significant differences in juiciness and off-flavor between HPP and nonHPP
treated samples (Souza et al., 2011).
All attributes were negatively affected by partial salt replacement,
with KCl containing samples rated significantly (P b 0.05) lower compared
to NaCl. However, the effect of salt level on overall acceptability,
flavor, saltiness and aftertaste was dependent on storage time, with
KCl treatments negatively affected at weeks 4, 8 and 12 but not at
week 0. With free water leaving the system over time, it is possible
that KCl became more concentrated within the ham and led to more
pronounced bitterness and/or metallic flavor over time. It is possible
that off flavors elicited by potassium chloride (a main ingredient in
the Nu-Tek salt replacer) addition may have resulted in lower acceptability
scores for flavor. Therefore, the use of modified potassium chloride
as a salt replacer may lead to a decrease in consumer acceptance
of flavor compared to regular salt. Previous work has shown a detrimental
effect of KCl on the flavor and aftertaste acceptability of restructured ham
(Pietrasik & Gaudette, 2014), the taste of dry cured ham (Armenteros,
Aristoy, Barat, & Toldra, 2012), and the taste and overall impression
of frankfurters (Horsch et al., 2014). This suggests that the use of KCl
containing salts at certain levels for some meat products remains
problematic. Higher juiciness and texture acceptability ratings for regular
salt compared to low salt samples might be due to the increased water
binding capacity and bind of regular salt ham.
The main effect of nitrite source significantly impacted overall
acceptability and the acceptability of appearance, flavor and aftertaste
across all 4 time periods (P b 0.05). Here, nitrite containing samples
were rated significantly higher compared to samples containing celery
powder. It is possible that any off flavors elicited by the addition of