Sensory Attributes and Instron Measurements of Reduced-Nitrite Poultry Frankfurters With Sorbic Acid or Potassium Sorbate

Poultry frankfurters (0 and 40 ppm nitrite) with sorbic acid or potassium sorbate were studied. Flavor characteristics were influenced by nitrite but not by ascorbic acid or potassium sorbate. Frankfurters with sorbic acid were softer and those with potassium sorbate were firmer than those without. Nitrite alone increased firmness. Sorbic acid appeared to counteract that increased firmness and potassium sorbate enhanced the increase in firmness when those compounds were used in combination with nitrite in the poultry frankfurters. Simulated-teeth attachments for the Inston gave results similar to sensory firmness scores. Frankfurters with sorbic acid added had lower pH than frankfurters from other treatments.