The inoculation of a Debaryomyces hansenii strain in dry fermented sausages with reduced fat and salt
contents was evaluated in terms of chemical, microbial and consumer acceptability. The implantation of
the inoculated yeast strain was confirmed by RAPDs of M13 minisatellite. A reduction of 17e20% salt and
10e16% fat content was achieved. These reductions affected the sausage quality by producing an increase
in aw, hardness and chewiness values and a decrease of staphylococci growth. However, D. hansenii
inoculation compensated these changes although it was not able to modify neither the hardness of
reduced fat batches nor the staphylococci growth decrease. In terms of sensory acceptability, different
preferences patterns of consumers were found. Yeast inoculation improved the aroma and taste quality
when fat or salt reductions were carried out in dry fermented sausages.