Effect of intensifying high-temperature ripening on lipolysis and lipid oxidation of Jinhua ham

The orthogonal experiment for fermenting–ripening process was carried out to effectively shorten the process time of Jinhua ham by intensifying high-temperature ripening. Lipolysis and lipid oxidation in the ham were affected by the process time, temperature and salt content during processing. Intensifying high-temperature ripening could accelerate the lipolysis and lipid oxidation. Both saturated and unsaturated free fatty acids (FFAs) were steadily increased with temperature rising (p < 0.01). The daily-increment of total FFAs in the muscle of modern process products was significantly higher than that in the traditional ones (p < 0.01) and kept at a high level through high-temperature ripening. TBARS in ripened hams was remarkably lower than that in traditional products (p < 0.01). These results explained that longtime high-temperature (35–37 °C) ripening could effectively promote lipolysis, decrease TBARS value and accelerate the development of flavor in Jinhua ham.