Effect of acorn feeding on quality and aromatic profile of dry sausages produced from Turopolje pigs
Turopolje pig (TP) is an endangered Croatian autochthonous breed typically reared in an outdoor production system linked to local oak forests and marsh meadows in Turopolje region in Central Croatia. To self-sustain TP breed the utilization of meat products with added value has recently been proposed in TREASURE project. So far little information is available on the quality attributes of TP meat products, including the effect of locally available feeding resources. Hence present study aimed to examine the quality and aromatic profile of dry-fermented sausages of TP that were reared in similar conditions but fed either conventional (CF) or acorn supplemented (AF) finishing diet. The quality of end product, pH and aw values, moisture, fat and protein content, fatty acid (FA) profile, oxidative stability, texture profile analysis (TPA), sensory evaluation and aromatic profile were determined. Data were analysed by TTEST or NPAR1WAY (for sensory data) procedure at an alpha level of 0.05. Compared to CF, AF sausages tended (P<0.1) to have higher moisture content and TPA chewiness, but generally had similar physicochemical, rheological and sensorial traits and FA composition, except for higher share of C14:0. Lipid oxidation, measured as 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, was more pronounced in AF than CF sausages. Aromagram showed terpenes as the most abundant volatiles (around 52% of the total area) in both types of sausages, followed by aldehydes (11-14%), aromatic hydrocarbons (6-10%), phenols (6-7%), alcohols (5-6%), acids (4-6%), Sulphur compounds (2- 5%), ketones (around 3%), esters (less than 2%) and aliphatic hydrocarbons (less than 1%). Compared to CF, AF sausages had less aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons and sulphur compounds, and more esters. These results suggest that acorn feeding may affect some properties of TP dry-fermented sausages but more research is needed. Funded by European Union's H2020 RIA program (grant agreement no. 634476).