Toward "clean label" processed meat using starter culture and beetroot powder: A case-study in restructured cooked ham.

This study evaluated the effects of the combination of beet powder, starter culture, and sodium erythorbate as a curing agent on the chemical and microbiological characteristics of restructured cooked ham during cold storage. Five treatments were developed: the positive control group (COP) with the addition of nitrite and sodium erythorbate, negative control treatment (CON) with the addition of sodium erythorbate; ham added with beet powder (AP), ham added with beet powder and starter culture (APC), ham added with beet powder, starter culture, and sodium erythorbate (APCE). The ham's curing properties and oxidative stability were analyzed for 30 days under refrigeration.