Sensory quality, colour and oxidative stability of cured cooked ham with propolis extract

Abstract

The effect of 0.06% propolis ethanol extract on the sensory quality, colour and oxidative stability of cured cooked ham was evaluated. Half of the experimentally processed hams treated with 0.06% ethanolic extract of propolis with ascorbic acid (EEP), only with ascorbic acid (AA) and control samples (C) were sliced and vacuum packaged. Samples were kept at 4 °C 21 days (sliced) respectively 20, 50 and 100 days (unsliced). The results revealed that all samples were characterized without any significant colour discrepancies. In general, the thiobarbituric acid value (mg malondialdehyde/kg) increased gradually in all samples examined, with a significantly lower (P <0.05) level for treated samples than for controls. The significantly lowest (P <0.05) sensory parameters in comparison to unsliced hams were observed in sliced hams packaged in vacuum. Sliced hams with EEP were characterized with significantly lowest (P <0.05) intensity of characteristic aroma. Undesirable taste was detected in control sliced hams after storage period. Significantly (P <0.05) more desirable taste of sliced hams was observed in those with only ascorbic acid in comparison with EEP. In our study was demonstrated that 0.06% ethanol extract of propolis positive affected oxidation stability and not negative affected others technological (pH, colour) and sensory characteristics of poultry meat product - cured cooked ham.