OPTIMIZATION OF TUMBLING AND KCI SUBSTITUTION IN LOW SODIUM RESTRUCTURED HAMS

Criteria to reduce sodium in restructured ham were developed by analyzing the effects of tumbling time (X1), tumbling speed (X2), and KCl substitution level (X3). Tumbled (68 kPa abs., 2 ° C) hams, stuffed into two 60 mm diameter water proof casings, were cooked in a water bath at 75°C to an internal temperature of 70±1°C. Quality was measured by evaluating color, shrinkage, textural parameters, water holding capacity (WHC), and sensory attributes. The conditions of XI = 15.6 h, X2 = 12 rpm, and X3 = 15.2% NaCl substitution with KCl minimized shrinkage and maximized cooked yield and WHC. Similarly, the conditions of X1 = 12.4 h, X2 = 16.8 rpm, and X3 = 18.3% substitution provided the optimal sensory attributes.