Screening, Identification, and Application of Superior Starter Cultures for Fermented Sausage Production from Traditional Meat Products

In this study, 43 strains of <i>Staphylococcus</i> spp. and 22 strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), isolated from six representative fermented meat products (domestic and international), were subjected to a comprehensive safety evaluation, including hemolytic activity, catalase test, h...

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Main Authors: Zijie Dong, Longfei Wang, Yanzheng Ge, Yongqiang An, Xiaoxue Sun, Ke Xue, Haoyang Xie, Ran Wang, Junguang Li, Lishui Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Fermentation
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5637/11/6/306
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author Zijie Dong
Longfei Wang
Yanzheng Ge
Yongqiang An
Xiaoxue Sun
Ke Xue
Haoyang Xie
Ran Wang
Junguang Li
Lishui Chen
author_facet Zijie Dong
Longfei Wang
Yanzheng Ge
Yongqiang An
Xiaoxue Sun
Ke Xue
Haoyang Xie
Ran Wang
Junguang Li
Lishui Chen
author_sort Zijie Dong
collection DOAJ
description In this study, 43 strains of <i>Staphylococcus</i> spp. and 22 strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), isolated from six representative fermented meat products (domestic and international), were subjected to a comprehensive safety evaluation, including hemolytic activity, catalase test, hydrogen sulfide production, and antibiotic susceptibility screening. Nine strains were selected for secondary screening based on safety criteria, fermentation characteristics, and acid and salt tolerance tests. Two optimal strains were identified—<i>Staphylococcus saprophyticus</i> LH-5 and <i>Latilactobacillus sakei</i> OFN-11—demonstrating excellent compatibility and no mutual antagonism. Both strains were non hemolytic, catalase positive, susceptible to some of the antibiotic tested, and did not produce hydrogen sulfide, mucus, or gas. These favorable fermentation characteristics included lipase/protease production, amino acid decarboxylase negativity, and salt and acid tolerance. Application experiments in fermented sausages were analyzed for 55 volatile compounds, related to meaty, fruity, and fatty aroma profiles compared to commercial starter cultures. The formulation including the selected strains exhibited lower acidity than its commercial unterparts while maintaining superior sensory and physicochemical attributes. These findings suggest that the <i>S. saprophyticus</i> LH-5 and <i>L. sakei</i> OFN-11 consortium holds promising potential as a starter culture for fermented meat products, offering technological advantages to become a fermentation agent that meets the preferences of Chinese consumers.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-05-01
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series Fermentation
spelling doaj-art-ebb7b38bea3d4e8c9890516c24c99dbf2025-08-20T03:27:10ZengMDPI AGFermentation2311-56372025-05-0111630610.3390/fermentation11060306Screening, Identification, and Application of Superior Starter Cultures for Fermented Sausage Production from Traditional Meat ProductsZijie Dong0Longfei Wang1Yanzheng Ge2Yongqiang An3Xiaoxue Sun4Ke Xue5Haoyang Xie6Ran Wang7Junguang Li8Lishui Chen9Food Laboratory of Zhongyuan, Luohe 462300, ChinaFood Laboratory of Zhongyuan, Luohe 462300, ChinaFood Laboratory of Zhongyuan, Luohe 462300, ChinaFood Laboratory of Zhongyuan, Luohe 462300, ChinaFood Laboratory of Zhongyuan, Luohe 462300, ChinaFood Laboratory of Zhongyuan, Luohe 462300, ChinaFood Laboratory of Zhongyuan, Luohe 462300, ChinaDepartment of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100091, ChinaCollege of Food and Bioengineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou 450002, ChinaFood Laboratory of Zhongyuan, Luohe 462300, ChinaIn this study, 43 strains of <i>Staphylococcus</i> spp. and 22 strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), isolated from six representative fermented meat products (domestic and international), were subjected to a comprehensive safety evaluation, including hemolytic activity, catalase test, hydrogen sulfide production, and antibiotic susceptibility screening. Nine strains were selected for secondary screening based on safety criteria, fermentation characteristics, and acid and salt tolerance tests. Two optimal strains were identified—<i>Staphylococcus saprophyticus</i> LH-5 and <i>Latilactobacillus sakei</i> OFN-11—demonstrating excellent compatibility and no mutual antagonism. Both strains were non hemolytic, catalase positive, susceptible to some of the antibiotic tested, and did not produce hydrogen sulfide, mucus, or gas. These favorable fermentation characteristics included lipase/protease production, amino acid decarboxylase negativity, and salt and acid tolerance. Application experiments in fermented sausages were analyzed for 55 volatile compounds, related to meaty, fruity, and fatty aroma profiles compared to commercial starter cultures. The formulation including the selected strains exhibited lower acidity than its commercial unterparts while maintaining superior sensory and physicochemical attributes. These findings suggest that the <i>S. saprophyticus</i> LH-5 and <i>L. sakei</i> OFN-11 consortium holds promising potential as a starter culture for fermented meat products, offering technological advantages to become a fermentation agent that meets the preferences of Chinese consumers.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5637/11/6/306fermented meat products<i>Staphylococcus</i>lactic acid bacteriafermentation characteristicsfermented sausagesvolatile compounds
spellingShingle Zijie Dong
Longfei Wang
Yanzheng Ge
Yongqiang An
Xiaoxue Sun
Ke Xue
Haoyang Xie
Ran Wang
Junguang Li
Lishui Chen
Screening, Identification, and Application of Superior Starter Cultures for Fermented Sausage Production from Traditional Meat Products
Fermentation
fermented meat products
<i>Staphylococcus</i>
lactic acid bacteria
fermentation characteristics
fermented sausages
volatile compounds
title Screening, Identification, and Application of Superior Starter Cultures for Fermented Sausage Production from Traditional Meat Products
title_full Screening, Identification, and Application of Superior Starter Cultures for Fermented Sausage Production from Traditional Meat Products
title_fullStr Screening, Identification, and Application of Superior Starter Cultures for Fermented Sausage Production from Traditional Meat Products
title_full_unstemmed Screening, Identification, and Application of Superior Starter Cultures for Fermented Sausage Production from Traditional Meat Products
title_short Screening, Identification, and Application of Superior Starter Cultures for Fermented Sausage Production from Traditional Meat Products
title_sort screening identification and application of superior starter cultures for fermented sausage production from traditional meat products
topic fermented meat products
<i>Staphylococcus</i>
lactic acid bacteria
fermentation characteristics
fermented sausages
volatile compounds
url https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5637/11/6/306
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