The particular treatments (T) were prepared as follows: T1 and T2 were added with 3 and 6 g/kg of the SSE, respectively (the SSE was prepared into solution by dissolving the defined amounts in 100 mL of distilled water before adding to the corresponding treatments, and the initial pH value of SSE solution was 5.62). T3 was added with 0.01% (w/w) NaNO2 and 0.005% (w/ w) NaNO3, while T4 added with 0.02% (w/w) (BHT) was served the positive control. The batches made with the meat mixture and additives without SSE were served as the negative control (Fig. 1).
To determine whether the SSE exerts its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities in fermented sausage, the common seasonings such as garlic and pepper etc. were not added because these spices may also possess some antioxidant and antimicrobial characteristics which may interfere and mask the real effect of the added SSE content in the product