Some Chemical Characteristics of Sucuk and Salami Samples Available at Retail in Adana

The aim of this study was to investigate some chemical characteristics and residual nitrite and nitrate levels of sucuk and salami samples collected from retail outlets of major supermarkets in Adana province. A total of 36 sucuk samples (12 brands; 7 national and 5 local producers) and 30 salami samples (10 brands; Macar salamis) were purchased from local markets. Sucuk and salami samples were analyzed for pH value, moisture content, water activity and nitrite and nitrate contents. The average pH values of sucuk samples ranged between 4.69 and 6.56 indicating a higher variation while the average pH values of salami samples ranged between 6.05 and 6.43. Likewise, the average moisture contents of sucuk samples were between 33.56% and 46.78% whereas the average moisture contents of salami samples ranged between 62.09% and 67.91% indicating a relatively lower variation. Water activity values of the sucuk samples were between 0.932 and 0.861 while the average aw values of the salami samples ranged between 0.916 and 0.940. Among the sucuk samples analyzed in the present study mean nitrite and nitrate contents ranged from 58.65 mg/kg to 216.63 mg/kg and 34.86 mg/kg to 161.08 mg/kg, respectively. While relatively lower nitrite (14.30 mg/kg - 35.96 mg/kg) and no nitrate contents were observed in salami samples, the data indicated that a higher variation of both nitrite and nitrate contents were still present in sucuk samples in the local markets requiring more studies and inspections to lower the variation related to dietary exposure to nitrite and nitrite from these types of products.