EFFECT OF SELECTED DAIRY STARTER CULTURES ON MICROBIOLOGICAL, CHEMICAL AND SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF VENISON (Dama dama) NITRITE-FREE DRY-CURED SAUSAGES

The aim of this study was the evaluation of the use of selected lactic acid bacteria starter culture of dairy origin in the production of nitrite-free low-acid fermented venison (Dama dama) sausage (Salame di daino) produced in a small-scale plant in Umbria (Italy), and their effect on microbiological, physico-chemical and sensorial properties of the products. Salame di daino was obtained with two different processes: with and without the addition of selected LAB starter cultures. Microbial counts of safety indicators were lower in salami made with the addition of starter cultures. Pathogens after the first week of ripening were only detected from salami made without the addition of starter cultures. Control salami were paler and harder, whereas those made with the addition of starter cultures slightly saltier, juicier and in general more acceptable. Selected dairy-origin starter (SDS) cultures did prevent the growth of safety indicators, greatly reduced the rate of isolation of pathogens and increased the acceptability of full-ripened salami.