Packaging and irradiation effect on lipid oxidation,color, residual nitrite content,and nitrosamine formation in cooked pork sausage

The packaging and irradiation effect on physicochemical changes in pork sausage was studied. Emulsion-type cooked pork sausage was made with (156 ppm) or without NaNO₂ and packaged in aerobic, vacuum, and CO₂ (100%) conditions. The samples were irradiated at 0 and 5 kGy absorbed dose, and lipid oxidation, color, content of residual nitrite and volatile N-nitrosamines were analyzed during storage at 4 °C. The NaNO₂ addition to sausage significantly reduced lipid oxidation and increased Hunter color a-value. Residual nitrite content was the lowest in the sausage with CO₂ packaging, but no irradiation effect was found at 5 kGy. Irradiation at 5 kGy reduced the content of nitrosodimethylamine at 0 week and nitrosopyrrolidine at 4 week. Results indicated that CO₂ packaging is better in terms of lower residual nitrite content in the sausage. In addition, irradiation may minimize the risk of exposure to carcinogenic volatile N-nitrosamines possibly present in cooked pork sausage.     

Influence of argon modified atmosphere packaging on the growth potential of strains of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) based on carbon dioxide (CO₂) – nitrogen (N₂) gas mixtures has been applied to maintain the safety and quality of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products. The use of argon (Ar) gas as a supplement to CO₂–N₂ mixtures or as substitute for N₂ is a current approach to enhance the effectiveness of MAP. As there is limited information on the effect of Ar MAP on the growth behaviour or the survival of pathogenic bacteria in RTE foods, the aim of the present study was to assess the influence of Ar in MAP on the growth of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli strains under different conditions. For this purpose, a CO₂–N₂ (20:80) atmosphere was compared with a CO₂–N₂–Ar (30:30:40) and CO₂–Ar (30:70) atmosphere based on the assessment of bacterial growth (δ) on a gelatin-agar medium and ham. Additionally, a shelf life monitoring study was performed to evaluate the effect of these treatments on the background microflora of ham. The findings suggest that under the CO₂–N₂ MAP the product matrices supported the growth (δ > 0.5 log CFU g⁻¹) of L. monocytogenes throughout an observation period of 21 days at 4 ± 2 °C. On the contrary, both MAP containing Ar were equally able to reduce the δ below 0.5 log CFU g⁻¹. In this regard it was irrelevant whether L. monocytogenes was inoculated in depth (per slice) or at the surface (top slice) of the ham. Regarding the influence of the different gas atmospheres on E. coli all gas mixtures applied had the capacity to reduce the δ of E. coli below −0.5 log CFU g⁻¹. Further, shelf-life extension could not be managed with the gas atmospheres considered.     

Antimicrobial efficacies of plant extracts and sodium nitrite against Clostridium botulinum

This study was conducted to evaluate the antibotulinal activities of some plant extracts, alone or in combination with nitrite (NaNO₂). Water- and 99.5% ethanol-soluble extracts (1:9 plant material weight-by-solvent volume, 25 °C, 48 h) of 90 kinds of fresh and dehydrated herbs and spices were tested. The aqueous extract of clove and alcohol extracts of lemon eucalyptus, mace and licorice exhibited greater antibotulinal activities in TPGY medium with MIC ranging from 0.05% to 0.2%. However in TPGY, only the aqueous extract of Coptis rhizome exhibited synergistic antibotulinal activity with NaNO₂, reducing the individual MIC of NaNO₂ from 6–8 ppm to 2 ppm with 0.05% Coptis extract. In a model meat food, the alcohol-soluble extracts of nutmeg (0.05%) and sage (0.02%), and the aqueous fraction of clove extract (0.05%) exhibited antibotulinal activities in combination with 10 ppm NaNO₂. The observed synergy between plant extracts and NaNO₂ that resulted in lower MIC of both additives have significant repercussion in the control of botulism in minimally processed meat products without compromising organoleptic properties.     

Natural occurrence of aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A and citrinin in Croatian fermented meat products

When domestic animals are exposed to mycotoxins, significant amounts of the latter shall be carried over into animal products such as milk, eggs and meat. This study was carried out in order to determine the possible presence of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CIT) in game sausages (n = 15), semi-dry sausages (n = 25) and fermented dry-meat products (n = 50), randomly taken from individual producers and the Croatian market. AFB₁ and OTA were quantified using ELISA, while CIT was quantified using HPLC-fluorescence detector. Out of 90 samples, the fungi most frequently isolated from dry-cured meat products were of Penicillium species, while Aspergillus was isolated from only one sample. As much as 68.88% of the samples were positive for mycotoxins. Finally, the analysis of different types of meat products resulted in OTA identification in 64.44%, CIT identification in 4.44% and AFB₁ identification in 10% of the samples. The maximum OTA concentrations established in the commercial sausage samples equalled to 7.83 μg/kg, while that of AFB₁ amounted to 3.0 μg/kg. Generally, although OTA was detected in all three types of products in different percentage shares, mutual differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05).     

Biogenic amine inhibition and quality protection of Harbin dry sausages by inoculation with Staphylococcus xylosus and Lactobacillus plantarum

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of inoculation with Staphylococcus xylosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, or a mixture of strains (L. plantarum + S. xylosus) on the formation of biogenic amines (BAs) and quality characteristics in Harbin dry sausage. Microbial analysis shows that total aerobic bacteria and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts were higher in the inoculated sausages, especially in those inoculated with a mixture of strains, but the growth of enterobacteriaceae was inhibited (P < 0.05). A sharp decrease in the pH value of the sausages was observed, and the moisture content and water activity were significantly decreased during fermentation. Sausages inoculated with a mixture of bacterial strains had the lowest pH, moisture content and water activity (P < 0.05). Inoculation of dry sausages with S. xylosus or L. plantarum, especially a mixture of strains (L. plantarum + S. xylosus), significantly delayed lipid oxidation, improved sensory characteristics, and inhibited BA accumulation. Six types of BAs (cadaverine, putrescine, tryptamine, 2-phenylethylamine, histamine, and tyramine) were inhibited by the presence of L. plantarum and S. xylosus, and a mixture of them had the most inhibitive effect. Correlation analysis showed that the BA concentrations correlated well with enterobacteriaceae counts, and some BAs were negatively correlated with LAB counts. These results demonstrate that S. xylosus and L. plantarum could be used as starter cultures in Harbin dry sausage production to inhibit BA accumulation and improve quality characteristics.     

Survival and growth of Bacillus cereus during Gouda cheese manufacturing

Survival and growth of Bacillus cereus was investigated during manufacturing of Gouda type cheese. The cheese was prepared in the pilot plant from pasteurised milk artificially contaminated with spores to give a final concentration of approximately 10² B. cereus spores per millilitre of cheese milk. B. cereus was enumerated by surface plating on B. cereus selective media and lactic acid bacteria were enumerated on lactic agar and MRS agar (de Man-Rogosa-Sharpe). Samples were taken for microbiological analysis of the milk before renneting, curd at cutting, at half whey removal, at final whey removal, at hooping of the curd, the cheese after pressing, after brining, after 1 week, after 2 weeks, after 4 weeks and after 6 weeks. The spores germinated into vegetative cells, which grew and reached a maximum of approximately 10⁴ CFU per gram of cheese at hooping (about 4 h after renneting). After pressing (approximately 16 h after renneting ) the viable cells were reduced to less than 10² CFU per gram. After brining (about 40 h after renneting) B. cereus was not detected in the cheese curd. At this stage the conditions of the cheese, particularly lower moisture content and a_w, lower Eh, high salt content, depleted lactose content combined with high acidity may have inhibited the growth of B. cereus. B. cereus did not affect the growth of lactic acid bacteria during cheese manufacturing. Lactic acid bacteria grew from 10⁷ to 10⁹ CFU per gram of curd during cheese manufacturing and stayed fairly constant at about 10⁹ for 6 weeks.     

Microbial profile of buffalo sausage during processing and storage

A study was made on the microbial levels of buffalo sausage during preparation and storage at 4 ± 1 °C. Microbial counts in raw minced meat were, total plate count (TPC) (log cfu/g) 5.41 ± 0.25; coliforms (MPN/g) 23.2; Staphylococcus aureus (log cfu/g) 1.57 ± 0.11; yeasts and molds (log cfu/g) 2.29 ± 0.07 and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (log cfu/g) 0.60 ± 0.20. Sausage emulsion showed similar trend in microbial counts with minimal microbial contamination during the preparation of emulsion. Cooked buffalo sausage gave the following microbial counts: TPC (log cfu/g) 3.75 ± 0.31; coliforms (MPN/g) 0.2; LAB (log cfu/g) 0.07 ± 0.01; yeast and molds (log cfu/g) 0.72 ± 0.07. S. aureus, Clostridium perfringens and Bacillus cereus were not detected in cooked sausages. These results indicate that steam cooking for 45 min followed in the study was effective in reducing the microbial counts substantially. The investigation revealed that shelf life of cooked buffalo sausage was 31 days in either vacuum or CO₂ at 4 ± 1 °C. The results indicated that spoilage of vacuum packed cooked buffalo sausage was likely due to LAB while microflora other than LAB may be responsible for spoilage of CO₂ packed cooked buffalo sausage. The study suggests that measures such as low initial microbial counts, hygienic precautions during preparation of sausage, steam cooking for 45 min, vacuum or CO₂ packing and storage at 4 ± 1 °C would control the microbial growth and provide wholesomeness and safety to the buffalo sausage.     

Characterization of the predominant spoilage bacteria in sliced vacuum-packed cooked ham based on 16S rDNA-DGGE

16S rDNA DGGE fingerprinting and phylogenetic analysis were used to reveal the dynamics and identification of the predominant spoilage bacterial in sliced vacuum-packed cooked ham during storage at 4 °C. Total bacteria DNA was directly extracted from the ham. Simultaneously, culture methods were performed. The Nest PCR and touchdown protocol were applied to amplify the V3 region of the 16S rDNA. By analysis of the community dynamic directly obtained from the DGGE profiles, the predominant spoilage bacteria were found to be Lactobacillus sakei, Lactobacillus curvatus and minor components were members of the genus Leuconostoc (Leuconostoc mesenteroides and uncultured Leuconostoc).     

Shelf-life and safety characteristics of Italian Toscana traditional fresh sausage (Salsiccia) combining two commercial ready-to-use additives and spices

The main objective of this paper was to evaluate the efficacy, in terms of safety, shelf life extension and keeping quality of different commercial ingredients, including nitrite/nitrate and spices, of fresh Italian Toscana traditional sausages. In particular, the role of spices, in the possible reduction or replacement of nitrate and nitrite, was investigated. The data evidenced the significant role of the spices on the growth reduction of deliberately inoculated Listeria monocytogenes,. The Principal Component Analyses of the microbial metabolite and sausage flavours suggested that the microbial activity was affected more by spices than by nitrite and nitrate extent.     

Influence of smoking in traditional and industrial conditions on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons content in dry fermented sausages (Petrovská klobása) from Serbia

The aim of this study was to determine the content of 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (acenaphthylene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene and benzo[ghi]perylene) from Environmental Protection Agency list (US-EPA PAHs) in traditional dry fermented sausage Petrovská klobása. Sausages, stuffed in collagen and natural casings, were smoked in traditional (A1, A2, B1 and B2 - direct smoking) and industrial (B3 and B4 - indirect smoking) conditions.The highest total content of 13 US-EPA PAHs was determined in sausages stuffed in natural casings and smoked in traditional conditions at both examined periods, at the end of drying, as well as at the end of storage period (220 μg/kg and 495 μg/kg, respectively). The lowest content of these compounds was determined in sausages stuffed in collagen casings and smoked in industrial conditions, also at both examined periods (31.3 μg/kg; 54.1 μg/kg respectively). Phenanthrene (A1-120; A2-119; B2-37.6 and B4-13.1 μg/kg) and acenaphthylene (B1-45.0 and B3-18.3 μg/kg) were the most abundant PAHs in all examined sausage samples at the end of drying period, while at the end of storage period the most abundant PAHs were phenanthrene (A1-201; A2-107; B2-49.4 and B3-38.7 μg/kg) and anthracene (B1-34.4 and B4-20.1 μg/kg). Benzo[a]pyrene, whose maximum allowed content in smoked meat products is 5 μg/kg (EC No. 1881/2006), was below the limit of detection in all examined samples. Also, PAH4 (sum content of benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene) a more suitable indicator for the occurrence of PAHs, with maximum allowed content in smoked meat products of 30 μg/kg (EC No. 835/2011), was below the limit of detection in all examined samples.According to the results obtained in this study, traditional dry fermented sausage Petrovská klobása, smoked in traditional and industrial conditions was safe for its consumers regarding European regulation on PAHs content.     

Susceptibility of Clostridium perfringens to antimicrobials produced by lactic acid bacteria: Reuterin and nisin

The effectiveness as antimicrobials of lactic acid bacteria produced compounds reuterin and nisin was assessed against vegetative cells and spores of Clostridium perfringens isolates (from ovine milk obtained in farms with diarrheic lambs) and C. perfringens CECT 486 (type A toxin producer). We also tested the inhibitory effect of lysozyme and sodium nitrite on Clostridium. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of antimicrobials were determined in modified RCM (mRCM) and milk by using a broth microdilution method, after 7 d at 37 °C under anaerobic conditions. The sensitivity of C. perfringens to the tested antimicrobials was strain and culture medium-dependent. In general, vegetative cells exhibited higher sensitivity than spores. Reuterin (MIC values 2.03–16.25 mM) inhibited the growth of vegetative cells and the outgrowth of spores of all tested C. perfringens, both in mRCM and milk, with higher resistance in milk. Nisin (MIC values 0.78–12.5 μg/ml) was also effective against vegetative cells and spores of tested C. perfringens in both culture media. However, lysozyme (up to 400 μg/ml) did not control the growth of any of the tested Clostridium. Sodium nitrite only inhibited the outgrowth of spores of two C. perfringens isolates at the maximum concentration assayed (300 μg/ml) exclusively in mRCM medium. These results suggest that reuterin and nisin have the potential to control the growth of C. perfringens, and might help to ensure safety at different stages of the food chain. Future studies in food/feed products would be necessary to further corroborate this hypothesis.     

Antibacterial effects of 16 formulations and irradiation against Clostridium sporogenes in a sausage model

The anti-Clostridial effects of 16 formulations consisting of nisin (12.5–25 ppm), nitrite (100–200 ppm), mixed essential oils (EOs) of Chinese cinnamon plus Cinnamon bark (0.025–0.05%) and mixed of potassium lactate plus sodium acetate (1.55–3.1%) against Clostridium sporogenes in a sausage model were evaluated. Further, the anti-Clostridial effects of combined treatments using these formulations with irradiation at 1.5 kGy were also conducted to see if there is any synergistic effect. The antimicrobial effects were evaluated at day 1, 4 and 7 during storage of sausage at 4 °C. Eight formulations that contained low nitrite concentration (100 ppm) and contained either low or high concentrations of other agents could reduce C. sporogenes by 0.69–1.39 log CFU/g meat during 7 days of storage. Eight formulations that contained high nitrite concentration (200 ppm) and contained either low or high concentration of other agents could reduce C. sporogenes by 0.93–1.93 log CFU/g meat during storage. The combined irradiation (1.5 kGy) and formulations are less anti-Clostridial effects than formulations alone, except for the formulations 10, 13 and 16 at day 1 as compared to their equivalents alone. The anti-Clostridial effects of the combined treatments were significantly decreased at day 4 and day 7 while formulations alone maintained well their activity during storage. It is possible that irradiation treatment caused a stress on vegetative cells of C. sporogenes and therefore, there might have the endospores formation which are difficult to eliminate them.     

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella strains isolated in ready-to-eat foods in Eastern Spain

Antimicrobial resistance is a major global public health concern and a food safety issue considered in the framework of Horizon 2020. Bearing this in mind, the current study determined the prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella strains isolated in ready-to-eat food sampled in industry and retail between 2006 and 2012 by the Official Food Control Services of the Valencian administration (Spain). The presence of L. monocytogenes was analysed in a total of 2864 samples including pasteurized cheese (624); cooked ham (487); dried pork sausages (192); ice cream (758) and smoked salmon (803). The presence of Salmonella was analysed in a total of 1264 samples: pasteurized cheese (289); cooked ham (316); dried pork sausages (78); ice cream (376) and smoked salmon (205). The results showed that L. monocytogenes was present in 3.8% of the samples, being most common in smoked salmon. Salmonella was not found in any of the products studied with the exception of 7 out 78 samples of dried pork sausage. Both L. monocytogenes and Salmonella showed resistance to 4 antimicrobials (ampicillin, cephalothin, tetracycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole). Moreover, the former was resistant to amikacin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin and vancomycin while the later showed resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanate and chloramphenicol. Furthermore, multi-resistance was found for both microorganisms.     

Kinetics of traditional Turkish sausage quality aspects during fermentation

Changes in chemical (pH, moisture, salt, ash, fat, protein, free fatty acids (FFA), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and residual nitrite contents), colour (Hunter L*, a* and b*, hue angle, chroma (saturation index), browning index (BI) and total colour difference (ΔE)) and microbiological (total mesophilic aerobic bacterial (TMAB), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), total Enterobacteriaceae (TE) and Staphylococcus and Micrococcus (SM)) quality characteristics of traditional fermented sausage “sucuk” during fermentation were investigated and kinetic modeling of these parameters were performed, in this study. The fermentation of the sucuk lasted 9 days. Analysis of the quality parameters was run on the beginning of the fermentation and on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 9th days of the fermentation process. Changes in the chemical and colour parameters were represented by zero, first and second order kinetic models. Microbial increments were represented by linear (first order kinetic) models and reductions were represented by both linear and Weibull distribution models.     

Assessment of aflatoxin contamination in raw milk and feed in Macedonia during 2013

This work presents the first insight on the aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) occurrence in raw milk collected from Macedonia, during the mycotoxin incidence in 2013. The total tested samples number was 3635, collected from February 2013 to January 2014. They were analyzed for AFM₁ with ELISA as screening, and HPLC – fluorescence detection as confirmatory method. The AFM₁ concentrations exceeded the maximum permitted levels in 2.9% of the samples, and the highest detected concentration was 408.1 ng/kg. The follow-up actions including feed sampling revealed aflatoxin B₁ contamination in 31.8% of the samples tested, applying the HPLC-FD method. We estimated the carry-over rate between 0.22 and 3.47%. The experience obtained from the coordinated milk-feed aflatoxin survey could contribute towards increasing awareness for establishing continuous monitoring systems.     

Assessment of estimated daily intake of nitrite by average consumption of processed foods in Korea

This study has been performed to estimate the average daily intake of nitrite used in Korea as a color fixative. The crude estimation of daily intake was calculated based on maximum permitted levels (MPL) and national food disappearance data in 1998. In order to refine estimated daily intake (EDI), daily food consumption nationwide National Health and Nutrition Survey in 1998 and the concentration of nitrite in their permitted foods were applied. The crude EDI of nitrite was 17.85 μg/kg bw/day, representing 25.5% of acceptable daily intake (ADI) assigned by JECFA. The refined average EDI for nitrite was 0.87 μg/kg bw/day, representing 1.25% of ADI. For average consumers of age–sex groups ranged from 0.2 to 4.8 μg/kg bw/day, representing 0.3%–6.9% of the ADI.     

Effects of inoculating Lactobacillus sakei starter cultures on the microbiological quality and nitrite depletion of Chinese fermented sausages

In order to improving the food safety of Chinese fermented sausages, Lactobacillus sakei as starter cultures was inoculated into sausages and effects on qualities of sausages were studied. The results clearly demonstrated that due to L. sakei inoculation, lactic acid bacteria rapidly dominated the total of microflora and the growth of food-borne pathogens, such as Escherichia coli and Enterobacteriaceae, was completely inhibited during sausages fermentation. The pH of sausages fermented by L. sakei significantly decreased from6.31 at to 4.52, whereas that of spontaneous fermentation dropped from 6.41 to 5.42. Furthermore, the nitrite content of sausages fermented by L. sakei dropped rapidly from 100 ppm to 9.6 ppm. Accordingly, for spontaneous fermentation, the nitrite content dropped slowly from 100 ppm to 32.1 ppm. After sensory evaluation, sausages fermented by L. sakei was more likely accepted and enjoyed by consumers. L. sakei inoculation was beneficial for microbiological quality against the growth of food-borne pathogens and contributed to nitrite depletion as well as to improving sensorial characteristics.     

Modelling the recovery of Listeria monocytogenes in high pressure processed simulated cured meat

Current EC regulations require that ready-to-eat products should not exceed the limit of 100 CFU/g for Listeria monocytogenes throughout their shelf-life. On that basis a quantitative analysis for high hydrostatic pressure to produce safe (regarding L. monocytogenes levels) cured meat products with low salt concentration has been developed. An extended Doehlert design for a range of pressures (450–800 MPa), sodium chloride (0–34.9 g/L) and sodium nitrite (mg/L) concentrations, as well as the resulting a_w (0.955–0.987) levels, was generated. Based on the logistic regression analysis, it appears that the recovery of L. monocytogenes is influenced by the applied pressure, the storage time and the synergistic effect of pressure and a_w on inhibiting microbial recovery. This means that the sodium chloride and sodium nitrite concentrations tested indirectly affected the recovery of Listeria and consequently the shelf-life of the product by regulating the a_w levels. The lower the water activity, the less the inactivation and recovery induced by pressure immediately and during storage, respectively.     

Hygienic conditions and microbiological status of chilled Ready-To-Eat products served in Southern Spanish hospitals

Chilled Ready-To-Eat (RTE) foods are of concern in hospital foodservices because they can support microbial growth when subjecting to time/temperature abuses during processing and distribution together with poor handling practices. This study was conducted in five different hospitals (A–E) of Southern Spain during 2008–2009 to perform an evaluation of their sanitary conditions and microbiological quality of two RTE meals: lettuce salads and cooked ham. A checklist based on hygiene principles embedded in Food European legislation was developed and applied in each hospital. In parallel, microbiological analysis of food contact surfaces, air quality and time/temperature measurements along the distribution chain were carried out. RTE samples (n = 150) were examined for mesophilic aerobic bacteria (MAB), total coliforms, coagulase-positive Staphylococci (CPS), Escherichia coli, Listeria spp. and Salmonella spp. Differences were found between hospitals regarding handling practices and cleanliness of working surfaces. Cooked ham samples presented lower counts of MAB and total coliforms (<10³ and <10 cfu/g respectively) than lettuce salads (10⁴ to 10⁵ and 10 to 10⁴ cfu/g respectively), although concentration of CPS was higher in cooked ham samples reaching maximum levels close to 10³ cfu/g. Neither Listeria spp. nor Salmonella spp. were detected in any food sample. Prevalence of E. coli was low (3%). Surface counts and air quality presented high variability among the different hospitals evaluated. It was concluded that good manufacturing practices and HACCP principles should be followed together with special training of food handlers. This study can help risk managers to better define the control measures to be adopted in healthcare settings in order to prevent foodborne infections.     

Effect of starter cultures on microbial ecosystem and biogenic amines in fermented sausage

The microbial ecology of fermented sausages inoculated with different starter cultures (Pediococcus pentosaceus + Staphylococcus xylosus, batch A; Lactobacillus farciminis + Staphylococcus saprophyticus, batch B) was studied by culture-dependent and independent methods. The concentration of biogenic amines, pH and a_w (water activity) were followed. The starter B can inhibit indigenous bacteria effectively judged by traditional microbiological method and PCR-DGGE fingerprint. There was no statistical difference in pH between batches A and B at 2 days when substantial amounts of BAs were produced, while the amounts of histamine, putrescine, cadaverine and tyramine in batch B was lower than in batch A significantly (P < 0.001). As a result, the starter cultures which can complete, grow well and inhibit amine-positive bacteria play an important role in reducing the production of BAs during ripening of fermented sausage.