ABSTRACT: This study compares five types of lamb jerky, namely, CO (without starter culture), PL-4 (with producing putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, and tyramine), BL4-8 (degrading putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, and tyramine), CL4-3 (degrading putrescine and tyramine), and X3-2B (degrading histamine and tyramine). A study was performed to examine the effects of starter culture on the physical–chemical quality, flavor, and biogenic amines (BAs) during fermentation and ripening. At the end of fermentation, the pH value of the BL4-8 group (4.75) was significantly lower than that of other groups (p < 0.05). After high-temperature roasting, the water activity (0.55), water content (22.6%), nitrite residue (0.41 mg/kg), and TBARS value (0.27 mg/100 g) of the X3-2B group were significantly lower than those of other groups (p < 0.05). The findings show that adding starter BL4-8, CL4-3, and X3-2B can increase the variety and content of flavor in the product. The levels of histamine, putrescine, and tyramine were significantly lower in the BL4-8, CL4-3, and X3-2B groups than in CO and PL-4 groups. This study shows that BL4-8, CL4-3, and X3-2B are potential starters for fermented meat products.
