Effect of high-pressure-processing and modified-atmosphere-packaging on the volatile compounds and odour characteristics of sliced ready-to-eat “lacón”, a cured–cooked pork meat product

• Volatiles of high-pressure-processed, MAP and vacuum-packaged “lacón” were studied.
• Esters, alcohols, acids and benzenic compounds increased in VP “lacón” held at 4 °C.
• Esters, sulphur compounds and alcohols were lowered in MAP “lacón”.
• Acids, alcohols, esters and sulphur compounds were lowered in HPP “lacón”.
• “Lacón” treated at 500 MPa maintained a more stable volatile profile until day 120.

Volatile compounds and odour characteristics of sliced “lacón”, a cured–cooked pork meat product, vacuum-packaged (VP), modified-atmosphere-packaged (MAP), and high-pressure-processed (HPP) at 500 or 600 MPa were investigated during a 120-day refrigerated-storage period. A total of 142 volatile compounds were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Benzenic compounds, alcohols, esters and ketones predominated, followed by acids, aldehydes, hydrocarbons, nitrogen compounds, terpenoids, sulphur compounds, halogenated compounds and ethers. In VP “lacón”, levels of esters, alcohols, acids and benzenic compounds increased until day 120 while ketones and sulphur compounds peaked on day 60 and declined afterwards. In MAP “lacón”, the levels of esters, sulphur compounds and alcohols were lower, and the levels of hydrocarbons higher, than in VP “lacón”. In HPP “lacón”, the levels of acids, alcohols, esters and sulphur compounds were lower, and the levels of aldehydes higher, than in VP “lacon”. Differences in odour characteristics between treatments were negligible, according to sensory analysis.Industrial relevanceHigh-pressure-processing (HPP) and modified-atmosphere-packaging (MAP) prolonged the shelf-life of sliced “lacón”, a cured–cooked meat product. Different volatile profiles evolved in HPP, MAP and vacuum-packaged (VP) “lacón” stored at 4 °C. HPP “lacón” showed on day 60 a volatile profile similar to that of VP “lacón” on day 0. In particular, “lacón” treated at 500 MPa maintained a more stable volatile profile.