Effect of tiger nut fibre addition on the quality and safety of a dry-cured pork sausage (“Chorizo”) during the dry-curing process

- Co-products from tiger nuts milk production are a suitable fibre source.
- Tiger nut fibre addition decreases fat and increases moisture content in “Chorizo”.
- Tiger nut fibre addition increases the total dietary fibre content of “Chorizo”.
- Weight loss during the dry-curing process is lower in “Chorizo” with fibre added.
- Tiger nut fibre addition to chorizo provides rich fibre and a healthier product.

There is a growing interest in the revalorization of co-products from the food industry. Co-products from tiger nuts (Cyperus esculentus) milk production are a suitable fibre source. “Chorizo” is the most popular dry-cured meat product in Spain. The aim of this work was to study the effect of the tiger nut fibre addition (0, 5, and 7.5%) on the quality (composition, physicochemical, and sensorial properties) and safety (oxidation and microbial quality) of a Spanish dry-cured sausage, during the 28 days of its dry-curing process. Tiger nut fibre (TNF) addition decreased fat and increased moisture content. The addition of TNF significantly increased (p < 0.05) the total dietary fibre content of “Chorizo”. Lightness (L*), yellowness (b*) and redness index (a*/b*) were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the fibre content. The addition of 5% and 7.5% TNF to chorizo provided rich fibre and a healthier product. Although there were slight changes in the physicochemical properties, its quality (traditional characteristics) and its safety remained.