4. Conclusion
The obvious conclusion to be drawn from the findings is
that a significant reduction in nitrite content on meat
products such as hot dogs can be achieved using combined
treatments (hurdle technology) sensibly without technological,
microbiological, nutritional, legislative, and sensory
problems. Indeed, not only did the balanced hurdle
additions not negatively affect (p > 0.05) on sensory attributes
but they also improved the microbiological aspect.
Therefore, one should try to reduce the added nitrite content
further, while maintaining bacteriological safety and
stability.
The present study has also clearly established that nitrite
is necessary for color and flavor attributes, and for suppressing
lipid oxidation of cured meat products, but not
for its preservative. Thus it can be said that nitrite should
be added to cured meats and meat products as little as possible,
but as much as necessary. However, it should be
noted that in order to make sure, more extensive testing,
including effective challenge testing using C. botulinum
spores of various types, would be needed.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their gratitude to
Prof. Lothar Leistner and Prof. Leon Gorris for all their
kindly help and advice. The authors also thank to Goshtiran
meat products Firm for providing pilot plant section,
and supplied raw material. The authors also wish to thank
the University of Tehran’s research service (716/3/699) for
the financial support making it possible to carry out these
experiments.