In laboratory experiments, the smoke
phenols have been shown to reduce signifi -
cantly the concentration of thiol and amino
groups in solutions of amino acids, peptides,
and proteins and in meat. Such interactions
may decrease the lysine availability some-
what. However, since the concentration of
smoke components is the highest on the
surface and in the thin outer parts of the
smoked meat products, no significant
decrease in the nutritional value of the meat
proteins should be expected. Furthermore,
the phenolic constituents of smoke absorbed
by the sausage can be oxidized. The contents
of guaiacol and phenol in smoked sausages
stored 1 month may decrease by about 35%.