Effects of sodium lactate and trisodium phosphate on the physicochemical properties and shelf life of low-fat Chinese-style sausage.

The efficacy of using additives to improve the shelf life of low-fat (approximately 18%) Chinese-style sausages was demonstrated. Sausages containing 3% sodium lactate (SL), 0.2% trisodium phosphate (TSP) or 0.2% potassium sorbate (KS) compared with the control (CONT) were manufactured and stored at 4°C for 12 weeks. Treatment TSP was the highest in pH during any storage intervals. Generally speaking, all microbial counts were lower for SL but higher for TSP; nonetheless, all treatments had bacterial counts less than 10(7) CFU/g. Low-fat Chinese-style sausage containing 3% sodium lactate resulted in better quality regarding physicochemical and microbiological characteristics. Results also suggested a potential utilization of sodium lactate as an antimicrobial agent.