Effect of processing conditions on the quality of naturally fermented Turkish sausages (sucuks).

Effects of temperature and different fat levels on the quality of Turkish sausages (sucuks) were studied during the ripening period. Sausage batters prepared at 10%, 20% and 30% fat levels were processed at 20-22 and 24-26 °C. A high ripening temperature and low fat level caused fast dehydration. Fat level affected water activity, colour, total viable and lactic acid bacteria counts of the sausages. Increasing fat content and ripening temperature resulted in high lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) and low redness (a*) at the end of ripening. The sausages with 10% fat resulted in higher redness values. Growth of total viable and micrococci-staphylococci bacteria was affected by ripening temperature. Sausages ripened at 24-26 °C had a rapid increase in micrococci-staphylococci counts.