Cholesterol Oxidation Products and Quality Attributes of NaCl‐Reduced Beef Sausages Fortified With Honey

ABSTRACT The effects of salt combinations and honey supplementation on cholesterol oxidation products, physicochemical properties, and sensory attributes of beef sausages were investigated. Beef sausages were formulated with either 1.5% NaCl (H‐1), 1% KCl + 0.5% NaCl + 5% honey (H‐2), or 1% potassium citrate (C 6 H 5 K 3 O 7 ) + 0.5% NaCl + 5% honey (H‐3), and oven‐cooked at 180°C for 20 min. The chemical composition, sensory attributes, and concentrations of 7β‐hydroxycholesterol, 22 R ‐hydroxycholesterol, 25‐hydroxycholesterol, and 7‐hydroxycholesterol were not influenced by the formulations ( p > 0.05). The concentrations of 20α‐hydroxycholesterol and 7‐ketocholesterol in H‐3 sausages were lower than in H‐1 and H‐2 sausages ( p < 0.05). H‐1 sausages had higher levels of (25 R )‐26‐hydroxycholesterol, sodium content, and malondialdehyde (MDA) than the other sausages ( p < 0.05). H‐2 sausages had lower levels of 7α‐hydroxycholesterol compared to the other sausages. H‐1 sausages had higher lightness and cook loss and lower pH compared to the other sausages ( p < 0.05). Redness and yellowness were lower in H‐3 sausages than in the other sausages. Honey supplementation in NaCl‐reduced beef sausages lowered sodium, MDA, and selected oxysterols without impairing the organoleptic properties of the sausages. Practical Application: High intake of sodium chloride and oxysterols can have harmful effects on human health. Reducing sodium and oxysterols in processed meat products is beneficial for improving health outcomes. The use of KCl, C 6 H 5 K 3 O 7 , and honey supplementation in beef sausages can effectively reduce sodium content, lipid oxidation, and the formation of selected cholesterol oxidation products such as 20α‐hydroxycholesterol, (25 R )‐26‐hydroxycholesterol, and 7‐ketocholesterol, without negatively impacting the sensory attributes of the product. This strategy addresses the need for healthier processed meat without compromising consumer appeal.