The use of commercial starter cultures in the production of Turkish semi-dry fermented sausages

The effects of three different starter cultures (Pediococcus acidilactici, Staphylococcus xylosus plus P. pentosaceus, S. carnosus plus Lactobacillus pentosus) were evaluated during the production of Turkish semi-dry fermented sausages. Sausages were studied during the fermentation phase, after heat processing and after drying for 24 h and 72 h, Chemical and organoleptical results indicated that in the processing of these semi-dry sausages a starter culture of P. acidilactici should be used. The use of this culture significantly reduced the pH, increased the lactic acid content and percentage of total heme pigments converted to the cured pigment and improved the development of the sausages' characteristics, i.e. color, appearance, flavor and general acceptability.