Probiotic strains Lactobacillus plantarum 299V and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG as starter cultures for fermented sausages

- The suitability of probiotic strains as starters for fermented sausages was assessed.
- L. plantarum 299V inoculated at 105 CFU/g co-dominated with the endogenous microbiota.
- Co-dominance resulted in good quality probiotic fermented sausages.
- L. rhamnosus GG dominated the fermentation but resulted in sensory negative impact.

Probiotic food products are a fast growing area. Although probiotic strains are currently used in dairy products, their commercial application in fermented meat products is not yet common. The aim of this study was to assess the competitiveness of two probiotic Lactobacillus strains (Lactobacillus plantarum 299V and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG) during the manufacture of Spanish fermented sausages and their effect on the hygienic and sensory qualities of the final products. The inoculated strains were successfully monitored by Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR. Both strains prevented the growth of Enterobacteriaceae throughout the entire ripening process. L. rhamnosus GG and L. plantarum 299V at high inoculum (ca. 107 CFU/g) produced a sharp decrease of pH values and low growth of Gram-positive Catalase-positive Cocci (GCC+), leading to a negative effect on the sensory attributes evaluated. Nevertheless, L. plantarum 299V inoculated at 105 CFU/g achieved and maintained high counts until the end of ripening and storage (ca.108 CFU/g), co-dominating (60%) with the endogenous microbiota, producing functional sausages with a satisfactory overall sensory quality. No major differences in physico-chemical parameters or sensory attributes were recorded when compared to spontaneously fermented sausages, thus adding further value to this type of meat product as a probiotic vehicle.