title: Sodium lactate affects sensory and objective characteristics of tray-packed broiler chicken breast meat.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the antimicrobial properties of sodium lactate solutions adjusted to various pH values. The effectiveness of sodium lactate increases with increased concentrations; however, there are off-flavor development problems associated with increasing concentrations of sodium lactate above 2.0%. This study evaluated the effects of 2% sodium lactate treatments, adjusted to various pH values, on sensory characteristics, instrumental texture, and microbial populations of tray-packed broiler breast meat. Breast meat was treated with either tap water (pH 7.85) or 2% sodium lactate solutions (pH 7.30, 5.50, 5.00, 4.50, and 4.00) and stored at 2 +/- 1 C for 12 d. Approximately 15% of the panelists reported acidic aftertastes in samples treated with pH 5.00 sodium lactate solutions, and 10% of the panelists reported slight sodium or metallic off-flavor in all samples treated with sodium lactate. Instrumental texture measurements were similar (P > 0.05) for all treatments. Sodium lactate (pH 7.30 and 5.50) enhanced (P < 0.05) cooking yields and retarded the growth of spoilage bacteria (pH 5.50 and 5.00). Due to the development of severe discoloration and intense acidic off-odors and -flavors, testing was not conducted on samples treated with pH 4.50 and 4.00 sodium lactate solutions.
authors.affiliation: Animal Science Department, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611-0910, USA. Williams@Animal.ufl.edu
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000382:microbiology; D003116:Color; D005511:Food Handling; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009812:Odorants; D012677:Sensation; D019354:Sodium Lactate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012996:Solutions; D013649:Taste
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions; D019354:Sodium Lactate