A comprehensive review of the role of microorganisms on texture change, flavor and biogenic amines formation in fermented meat with their action mechanisms and safety

Abstract

Meat fermentation ensures its preservation, improved safety and quality. This prominently used traditional process has survived for ages, creating physical, biochemical, and microbial changes, and to significantly affect the functionality, organoleptic property, and nutrition of the fermented products. In some process, the growth of various pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms is inhibited. The production of fermented meat relies on naturally occurring enzymes (in the muscle or the intestinal tract) as well as microbial metabolic activities. In this review, fermented meat types and their health benefits were firstly introduced. This was followed by a description of fermentation conditions vis-à-vis starters, bacterial, yeast and mold cultures, and their role in meat. The review focuses on how microorganisms affect texture change, flavor formation, and biogenic amines (BA) accumulation in fermented meat. In addition, the production conditions and the major biochemical changes in fermented meat products were also introduced to present the best factors influencing the quality of fermented meat. Microorganisms and microbial enzymes in fermented meats were discussed as they could affect organoleptic characteristics of fermented meats. Moreover, safety concerns and prospects for further research of fermented meat were also discussed with emphasis on novel probiotic and starter cultures development; bioinformatics, omics technologies and data modeling to maximize the benefit from fermentation process in meat production.

Keywords:

• Meat fermentation
• biogenic amines
• organoleptic and functional properties
• health benefits

Acknowledgements

Thanks to GAIN (Axencia Galega de Innovación) for supporting this review (grant number IN607A2019/01). Jose M. Lorenzo is member of the HealthyMeat network, funded by CYTED (ref. 119RT0568).

Authors contribution

Conceptualization and data curation—MAF and TJA; Original draft writing—TJA, IK and MAM; Review and editing—TJA. Critical revision and supervision—JML and MAF.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interests associated with this manuscript.