Effects of temperature and NaCl percentage on lipid oxidation in pork muscle and exploration of the controlling method using response surface methodology (RSM)

This study investigated the effects of temperature (15, 20, 25, 30 or 35 °C) and sodium chloride (NaCl) (0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 3.0% or 4.0%) on lipid oxidation by measuring the peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in minced pork muscle. Both temperature and NaCl showed significant (P < 0.05) pro-oxidant effect within studied range. The activation energy (92.35 kJ/mol) for PV was higher than that (65.66 kJ/mol) for TBARS, indicating that lipid primary oxidation was more affected by temperature than the secondary oxidation. Temperature and NaCl had extremely significant (P < 0.001) interaction for lipid oxidation. Elevating temperature could significantly (P < 0.05) decrease the threshold value of NaCl concentration affecting lipid oxidation in the minced pork muscle. Based on the results, a relatively high temperature and a moderate or slightly lower level of NaCl, are recommended conditions for the fastest lipid primary oxidation rate in pork muscle.

► Activation energy for primary lipid oxidation in belly muscle is higher than that for secondary lipid oxidation.
► NaCl at levels of lower than 5% (w/w) in belly muscle could decrease the activation energy for lipid oxidation.
► High temperature and moderate level of NaCl content could in favour of lipid oxidation during belly muscle drying–ripening.