Physico-chemical and sensory properties of reduced-fat mortadella prepared with blends of calcium, magnesium and potassium chloride as partial substitutes for sodium chloride

Blends of calcium, magnesium and potassium chloride were used to partially replace sodium chloride (50-75%) in reduced-fat mortadella formulations. The presence of calcium chloride reduced the emulsion stability, cooking yield, elasticity and cohesiveness and increased hardness; however, it yielded the best sensory acceptance when 50% NaCl was replaced by 25% CaCl2 and 25% KCl. There was no effect of the salt substitutes on mortadella color, appearance and aroma. All salt combinations studied showed stable lipid oxidation during its shelf life. The use of a blend with 1% NaCl, 0.5% KCl and 0.5% MgCl2 resulted in the best emulsion stability, but the worst scores for flavor. This study suggests that it is possible to reduce the sodium chloride concentration by 50% in reduced-fat mortadella using the studied salt combinations with necessary adjustments to optimize the sensory properties (MgCl2 25%; KCl 25%) or emulsion stability (CaCl2 25%; KCl 25%).

► Blends of KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2 and NaCl can reduce sodium content in mortadellas. ► CaCl2 contributes to the best sensory acceptance of mortadellas with partial replacement of NaCl. ► Blends of KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2 and NaCl have no effect on the mortadella color, appearance and aroma. ► MgCl2 as a partial replacement of NaCl results in bitter taste, but does not reduce the cooking yield.