The present study aimed at evaluating the utilization possibility of encapsulated
probiotic Bifidobacterium longum for production of functional
fermented sausages. The B. longum isolated from the feces
samples of healthy Korean infants encapsulated with glycerol as a cryprotectant
was used for fermented sausages production as a functional bacterial ingredient,
and its effect was also compared with those inoculated with commercial starter
culture (CSC). Results showed that most inoculated encapsulated B.
longum (initial count, 5.88 Log CFU/g) could survive after 4 days
fermentation (5.40 Log CFU/g), and approximately a half (2.83 Log CFU/g) of them
survived in the products after 22 days of ripening. The products inoculated with
encapsulated B. longum presented the lowest lipid oxidation
level, while had higher total unsaturated fatty acid content and more desirable
n-6/n-3 fatty acids than those inoculated
with CSC or non-inoculated control. Moreover, the odor and taste scores in the
samples made with B. longum were comparable to those in the
treatment with CSC. The inoculation with the B. longum had no
effects on the biogenic amine contents as well as did not cause defects in color
or texture of the final products. Thus, the encapsulation could preserve the
probiotic B. longum in the meat mixture, and the encapsulated
B. longum could be used as a functional ingredient for
production of healthier fermented meat products.