Method and composition for preparing cured meat products

Abstract

The invention provides a curing agent comprising a plant-based nitrite derived from plant material comprising nitrate and a process for preparing the curing agent comprising contacting a plant material with an organism capable of converting nitrate to nitrite. The curing agent can be used to preserve or cure meat or meat products.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The preservation of meat and meat products has been practiced for many years in a variety of ways, such as by smoking, treatment with salt or nitrite, or combinations thereof. In one method for preparing cured meat and meat products, the meat or meat product desired to be cured is exposed to a nitrate-containing substance. Bacteria or other organisms that are capable of converting the nitrate to nitrite are then added to the mixture of the meat or meat product to be cured and the nitrate-containing substance to ferment the nitrate to nitrite. The presence of nitrite gives the meat a distinct color and flavor, in addition to preventing the growth of harmful microorganisms. The curing processes described in the prior art present several problems. The number and sensitivity of the steps involved in such curing processes leads to variable curing of the meat, resulting in an inconsistent product. In addition, the process of converting nitrate to nitrite u...