Pig palette was used as ra w material, and a meat product similar to the Spanish cured ham was produced. Some physical and chemical parameters (pH, a w, NO2, moisture and sodium chloride), as well as microbiological countings (mesophilic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, Micrococcaceae, Staphylococcus xylosus) were assessed in the internal part pig palette, during the steps of processing and storage. These parameters were correlated with the actions that they exert in fermented and cured meat products. The results showed that the concentration of sodium chloride after the 20th day presented bacteriostatic action on the bacteria that modify the product. The values of a w lower than 0.93 and moisture lower than 64%, during the storage period, acted as obstacles to the development of bacteria of the Entreobacteriaceae family. Representatives of the Microccocaceae family and of the lactic acid bacteria grew at low a w and at high concentration of sodium chloride.
cured pig palette; Staphylococcus xylosus; moisture; processing; storage
