The Influence of Sodium Reduction on the Quality and Safety of Hot Dogs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing of sodium nitrite curing salt with the mixture of sodium and potassium chloride (Na-max 27 g/kg-min K 16 g/kg) at a rate of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% on the quality, microbiological stability and colour of the cooked sausages - hot dog. Five production batches (PB) were manufactured. The first C (control) was prepared according to the manufacturer’s original recipe. Experimental PB I was made by adding 50 g of mixed sodium-potassium salt (25%) and 150 g nitrite curing salt into 10 kg of stuffing, in PB II was replaced 50%, in PB III 75% nitrite salt. Hot-dogs of PB IV were made by adding 200 g (100%) of combined sodium-potassium salt into 10 kg of mass.The results obtained clearly indicate a continuous decrease of sodium content in samples originating from the control group to the experimental samples PB IV, in which the nitrite salt was fully replaced with a mixture of potassium-sodium salt. Replacing of sodium nitrite salt with the mixture of sodium and potassium chloride did not significantly affect examined chemical parameters (content of moisture, proteins, fat, ash) of experimentally prepared hot-dogs. Replacing of sodium nitrite salt with the mixture of sodium and potassium chloride did not significantly affect examined colour (CIE L*, a*, b*) of experimentally prepared hot-dogs.