The inoculation of yeasts in dry cured hams has shown different
effects. High levels of long chain and branched hydrocarbons, furanones,
carboxylic acids and ester compounds were reported (Martín et al.,
2006). However, yeast inoculation did not produce an impact on
flavour, only a low toasted flavour, although the hams had a better
overall acceptability. On the other hand, these authors indicated that
the effect of curing time was significantly higher than yeast inoculation
on VOCs production. In summary, they concluded that the inoculated
yeast did not alter the VOCs profile when it was compared to the hams produced with wild fungal population. Recently, Purriños et al.
(2013a) inoculated different yeast D. hansenii, Candida deformans and
C. zeylanoides on the surface of dry cured ham (Spanish Lacon) and reported
a high production of ester compounds except by C. zeylanoides.
Also, the lowest production of aldehydeswas reported in the inoculated
batches as a result of an antioxidant effect produced by the inoculated
yeast although no sensory results were presented.