Effects of three preservative agents on the shelf life of vacuum packaged Chinese-style sausage stored at 20°C.

The influence of 3% sorbitol, 3% sodium lactate and 100 mg/kg nisin on the shelf life of vacuum packaged Chinese-style sausage stored at 20°C was studied. Growth of microbiological populations (aerobe, anaerobe, lactic acid bacteria, leuconostocs) and slime formation on the sausage were not retarded during storage by addition of nisin. Sorbitol lowered the initial water activity of the sausage, however, microbiological spoilage accompanied with pH decline, increase in volatile basic nitrogen compounds and a sour odour defect were observed after 10 days storage. Sodium lactate was bacteriostatic as it inhibited microbial as well as chemical changes during storage so that the shelf life was 25 days at 20°C. The dextran content of the vacuum packaged Chinese-style sausage indicated the spoilage 2-3 days earlier than that seen by other chemical assays or sensory evaluation.