Characterisation of a traditional Finnish liver sausage and different types of Spanish liver pâtés: A comparative study

The physico-chemical characteristics of a traditional Finnish liver sausage (FLS) and different types of Spanish porcine liver pâtés (commercial, home-made and experimental) were studied. The characteristic recipes and different protocols of manufacture influenced the chemical composition and oxidative stability of the liver products. FLS showed, amongst the liver products, the smallest percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and the highest of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) acids, including long-chain PUFAs. From a nutritional point of view, the FLS showed the smallest n − 6/n − 3 value whereas the experimental liver pâté (ELP) presented the smallest ratio between hyper- (lauric, myristic and palmitic acids) and hypocholesterolemic fatty acids (oleic and linoleic acids). A large variety of volatile compounds were isolated from the liver products including lipid-derived volatiles, Strecker aldehydes and alcohols, sulphur and nitrogen containing compounds and volatile terpenes, providing information on their oxidative stability and aroma characteristics. The FLS presented a balanced profile between lipid-derived volatiles and volatile terpenes from spices. The presence of potent odorants from added flavourings in the commercial liver pâté (CLP) could mask undesirable aroma odours from a large variety of lipid-derived volatiles. The home-made liver pâté (HMLP) also presented large amounts of lipid-derived volatiles as a likely consequence of strong thermal treatment during cooking, the presence of high amounts of iron and the absence of sodium nitrites and ascorbate in its composition. The ELP showed the simplest profile due to its high oxidative stability and the absence of added spices.