Screening and evaluating yeast strains with antioxidant potential from the traditional dry sausage of northern China

The antioxidant yeast strains isolated from the traditional dry sausage of northern China were screened, and their antioxidant role in dry sausage was evaluated. The survival abilities of seven strains were relatively superior when exposed to 12 mM H₂O₂ after 48 h, and these were subsequently inoculated into dry sausage. Among them, Debaryomyces hansenii HRB1 and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa SH9 treatments yielded lower peroxide value (0.48 and 0.51 mmol/kg, respectively), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance value (0.51 and 0.50 mg MDA/kg, respectively), and carbonyl content (8.67 and 8.70 nmol/kg protein, respectively) values (P < 0.05), indicating the superior antioxidant activity of these two strains. Meanwhile, yeast inoculation reduced the alcohol content and increased the ester content in the dry sausage. In particular, the level of hexanal, a byproduct of lipid oxidation, was reduced. A sensory evaluation demonstrated that the inoculated dry sausage had the higher salty taste and the lower sour taste and rancid taste. Overall, D. hansenii HRB1 not only effectively inhibited lipid and protein oxidation and reduced the perception of oxidative taste, but also enhanced the aroma profile of dry sausage and improved overall sensory quality. This study offers a novel perspective for the development of antioxidant starters and enhancement of fermented meat product quality.