Toward the reduction of nitrite in cured meat : role of ascorbate

Aline Bonifacie (Inrae) et al., 66th Congress of meat science and technology (ICOMST) and 73rd reciprocal meat conference, 2-7 août 2020, Etats-Unis (conférence virtuelle), poster Nitrite and/or nitrate added in cured meat are involved in the formation of nitroso-compounds (nitrosamines, nitrosothiols and nitrosylheme) potentially mutagenic. Oxidation in meat affects health by formation of mutagenic aldehydes. An excessive consumption of cured meat is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the role of ascorbate regarding the reduction of nitrites in cured meat.