Changes in physico-chemical, microbiological, textural and sensory attributes during ripening of dry-cured foal salchichón.

The changes in the physico-chemical, microbiological, textural and sensory attributes of foal salchichón were followed during ripening. Foal salchichón samples were taken at 0 days (mix before stuffing), and after 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 49 days of ripening. The final a(w) was 0.82, whereas pH values stayed around their initial values. TBAR'S values increased significantly (P<0.001) during processing, from 0.44 to 2.26 mg/kg of sausage. Ripening time also affected the lightness (L*), redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) (P<0.001). Hardness, gumminess and chewiness increased (P<0.001) from 0.96, 0.6 and 0.47 to 46.92 kg/cm(2), 21.34 kg/cm(2) and 15.14 kg, respectively during processing, whereas cohesiveness and springiness values decreased during ripening. Lactic acid bacteria increased slowly in number and a large increase of Micrococcaceae was noticed. Regarding sensorial characteristics, foal salchichón samples showed high values for intensity of flavour (7.22±0.44), hardness (7.33±0.71) and dryness (6.67±0.71) and low scores for acid taste (1.67±0.71) and saltiness (3.11±0.6).