Physico-chemical and sensorial properties of fermented sausages formulated with different proportions of meat from swine and culling ewes/ Propriedades fisico-quimicas e sensoriais de embutidos fermentados formulados com diferentes proporcoes de carne suina e de ovelhas de descarte

The influence of including different proportions of meat from swine and culling ewes on the quality of fermented sausage type salami was evaluated. Five different formulations were prepared containing 0, 15, 35, 55, or 75% of meat from leg, shoulder, and neck of the ewes, added of swine meat and 10% of swine fat. Evolution of pH and water activity ([a.sub.w]) was evaluated on days 0, 3, 7, and 14 of the maturation period. After that, it was still determined the weight loss, microbiological quality, and the sensorial features of the sausages. The inclusion of sheep meat in the formulation did not changed pH and [a.sub.w] evolution. However, differences in final values of pH, [a.sub.w], and weight loss were found (P < 0.05). Sausages with sheep meat in the formulation had lower pH than that without sheep meat. The control sausage (0% sheep meat) also showed lower [a.sub.w] and a greater weight loss than sausage with 15% of sheep meat. All formulations attended the actual legislation about microbiological quality. In the sensorial analysis, the sausage prepared with 15% of sheep meat in the formulation was considered better than that formulated just with swine meat in relation to color, flavor, and texture features. However, there were no differences in sensorial characteristics among sausages with sheep meat. Thus, it is possible to produce fermented sausages with until 75% of meat from culling ewes in the formulation.