Abstract
This work aimed to evaluate the lipid oxidation, color, and sensory acceptance of sausages formulated with potassium bixinate (BP) as a substitute for carmine (Car) and sodium nitrite (SNi). Six different treatments (CT-control; CA-40 ppm Car; NIT-150 ppm SNi; C/N-40 ppm Car, and 150 ppm SNi; C/N/B-20 ppm Car, 75 ppm SNi, and 250 ppm BP; and BIX-500 ppm BP) were evaluated along 15 days. BP provided significantly lower levels of lipid oxidation to the samples (C/N/B and BIX) when compared to CT and significantly equal to CA, NIT, and C/N after 15 days (both p < 0.05). BP significantly increased the red (a*) and yellow (b*) intensity of sausages (p < 0.05), providing the highest values in both raw and roasted samples. Sausages formulated with BP did not differ in preference in visual analysis (p > 0.05), and both roasted were preferred over CT (p < 0.05). Although sausages formulated with carmine had better visual acceptance, BIX and C/N did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) after five days. BP was identified in taste analysis; however, it was preferred in the ordination analysis (both p < 0.01). Therefore, the replacement of SNi and Car by BP showed to be a viable alternative.