These are chemical substances with strong toxic, mutagenic, neurotoxic, nephrotoxic and carcinogenic effects ( Karl-Otto, 2008 and Rywotycki, 2002). These potential risks make the reduction or elimination of nitrite in foods desirable. According to Brazilian legislation for additives and preservatives in meat products, the maximal concentration of sodium or potassium nitrite, with or without nitrate, should not exceed 150 mg/kg or 0.015% in the final product ( Brazil, 2009). Reducing nitrite in meat emulsions, however, can lead to fat auto-oxidation, a major deteriorative reaction that results in off flavors and color alteration. In a complex sequence of selleck chemicals chemical changes, this process

promotes the formation of compounds that react easily with oxygen; the production of these highly reactive compounds can be delayed by adding antioxidants. However, when lipid oxidation occurs, hemepigments (myoglobin and hemoglobin) also oxidize in a coupled lipid-pigment reaction, which results in a color change (Hernández-Hernández, Ponce-Alquicira, Jaramillo-Flores, Apoptosis Compound Library & Guerrero Legarreta, 2009). Various synthetic antioxidants, such as BHA, BHT, TBHQ, are used in the food industry to inhibit lipid oxidation. However, their use has

been restricted because of possible health risks and toxicity. Consumers increasingly demand natural products as alternative preservatives in foods because the safety of synthetic additives has been questioned in the last few years. Alternative preservation techniques using naturally derived ingredients are being investigated for their application in food products. Due to negative consumer perceptions of artificial preservatives, attention is shifting toward alternatives that

consumers perceive as natural, including essential oils (EOs) and essences of plant extracts. Sunitinib In particular, plant EOs are attracting interest as potential preservatives because they are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and have a wide acceptance from consumers (Burt, 2004, Gutierrez et al., 2009 and Smith-Palmer et al., 1998). The use of natural additives has attracted attention, and some authors report that natural compounds have antioxidant capabilities similar to or better than synthetic preservatives. EOs are volatile, natural and complex compounds that are characterized by a strong odor. They are formed by aromatic plants as secondary metabolites. In addition to their use as flavoring agents in foods, EOs exhibit antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties (Bakkali, Averbeck, Averbeck, & Idaomar, 2008). Satureja montana L., commonly known as winter savory or mountain savory, belongs to the Lamiaceae family, Nepetoideae subfamily and Mentheae tribe. It is a perennial semi-shrub (20–30 cm in height) that inhabits arid, sunny and rocky regions. S. montana L.