Air Drying Bacon Slices to Reduce aw: An Anti‐Clostridial Alternative to Sodium Nitrite

Abstract
Low temperature air drying studies were conducted on bacon slices to determine the practicality and effectiveness of this method for reducing water activity (aw) as an anti‐clostridial alternative to sodium nitrite. Isotherms were developed to determine the extent of moisture removal required to achieve aw= 0.92 or lower; these levels have been found to inhibit C. botulinum. Drying to these levels of inhibition can be accomplished in approximately 1.75 hr. Drying rates are significantly affected by air temperature, air flow rate, and slice overlap. Experimental data indicate drying can be accomplished with no substantial change in product quality.

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