THE EFFECT OF BRINE TEMPERATURE ON SMOKEHOUSE YIELD AND COLOR STABILITY ON SHELF LIFE IN THE RETAIL SETTING OF BACON
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Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine if higher brine temperatures would effect brine uptake, smokehouse yield, retail color score, microbial load, and sensory characteristics. Treatments consisted of three brine temperatures -1°C (cold), 10°C (medium), and 21°C (warm). There was no differences in chilled processed weight percentage, Minolta a* and b* values, or microbial load (P > 0.05) by d 35. The L* values had varied differences over 35 days (P < 0.05). By d 35 the cold treatment had (P < 0.05) less oxidized flavor and medium and warm treatments had less fading (P < 0.05), and a darker cured color. Nitrite levels were higher (P < 0.05) in the cold treatment, salt percentage was higher (P < 0.05) in the warm treatment. Higher brine temperatures did not effect overall yield and microbial growth; however, they did effect brine uptake, color score, and sensory characteristics.