Biochemical traits of Ciauscolo, a spreadable typical Italian dry-cured sausage

Abstract

Ciauscolo is a short-ripened fermented sausage manufactured in the Marche region (central Italy) that has recently received a protected geographical indication product classification (PGI). The aim of this study was the exploration of the biochemical traits of this traditional Italian salami, with a special focus on protein and lipid composition. Ciauscolo salami was characterized by pH of 5.1 and 0.91 water activity. A prevalence of lactic acid bacteria in the microbiota was found. The free amino acids and biogenic amines average content was 2657 and 255 mg/kg, respectively. With regards to lipids composition unsaturated fatty acids represented 63% and 72% of total and free fatty acids. Despite these results had wide statistical variability, attributable to differences in the processing parameters and raw matter used, some peculiar traits were found: (1) structural muscular proteins underwent to less proteolysis than sarcoplasmic ones; (2) glycogen phosphorylase, enolase, and aldolase were the most proteolyzed among the sacoplasmic proteins; (3) there was inverse correlation between histamine content and yeasts population, and a direct correlation between the gly-pro content and lactic acid bacteria counts; (4) the content of aspartic acid and methyonine seem to be a possible molecular marker able to distinguish between double and single milling.