Effects of partial substitution of nitrites with purple-fleshed sweet potato powder on physicochemical characteristics of sausages

Synthetic nitrite imparts a reddish-pink color to meat and a distinct flavor to meat products, delays lipid oxidation, and inhibits microbial growth and pathogens. However, excessive intake of nitrite might result in the production of carcinogenic nitrosamine, which might increase the risk of cancer in humans. Therefore, we aimed to find an alternative natural colorant for pork sausages. Pork sausages were mixed with 0.014% sodium nitrite (NaNO₂) alone (CON), without either NaNO₂ or purple-fleshed sweet potato powder (PP; CON1), 0.5% PP alone (PP1), 1% PP (PP2) alone, 0.011% NaNO₂ and 0.5% PP (SP1), and 0.011% NaNO₂ and 1% PP (SP2). The sausages were then cooked and stored for physicochemical analysis on days 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20. The a* and W* values were the greatest and lowest in the SP2 and CON1 treatments, respectively (p < 0.05). The concentrations of residual nitrite in the sausages at 20 days decreased in the order of CON > SP1, SP2 > PP2 > PP1, CON1. The fatty acid content was higher, and flavorous amino acids were more in PP2 (p < 0.05). The fatty acid composition was comparable between the SP2 and CON groups, but the contents of glutamic acid and alanine were greater in the SP2 group. In conclusion, SP2 (0.011% NaNO₂ with 1% PP) could be added as a natural colorant for pork sausage production, and NaNO₂ could be substituted with up to 20% PP without detrimental effects on sausage appearance and/or quality.