Effectiveness of Chilli Powder Incorporation to Microbial Loads, Physicochemical and Sensory Characteristics of Vietnamese Fermented Pork Roll (Nem Chua)

Vietnamese fermented pork roll (Nem Chua) is delicious by its distinctive and unforgettable sweet, crunchy and spicy feeling. It becomes a specialty of many regions in Vietnam. Recently consumers always pay much attention to hygiene. Spices and herbs can be considered as alternatives of artificial additives. This research evaluated the possibility of chilli powder incorporated to Vietnamese fermented pork roll (Nem Chua) during storage. Different percentages of chilli powder (0÷2.5 %) were added Nem Chua. In 12 hour-interval, samples were taken to examine Enterobacteriaceae load, pH, thiobarbituric acid value (TBA), total volatile bases nitrogen (TVB-N), overall acceptance (sensory score). During 60 hours of lactic fermentation, Enterobacteriaceae load decreased with the amount of chilli powder added. On the control sample, Enterobacteriaceae load increased during storage. Much more reduction of pH value was noticed when increasing chilli powder. There was a significant retardation of TBA and TVB-N accumulation by chilli powder addition. At 1.5% of chilli powder supplemented, the highest sensory score was noticed. Chilli powder would be a promising natural spice to control food hygiene and maintain physciochemical and sensory attributes of meat products.