The bioprotective activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to modulate the microbiota and quality of nitrite-reduced fermented goat meat sucuk was investigated. Antagonistic activity of LAB strains against foodborne pathogens was evaluated using agar well diffusion, spot-on lawn, and cross-streak assays. Three LAB isolates affiliated with the genera Weissella, Limosilactobacillus, and Lactiplantibacillus, exhibiting inhibition zones > 18 mm, were selected and applied as a mixed culture (MC; 2:1:1). Sucuk formulations with 150, 75, and 0 ppm sodium nitrite were produced in the presence or absence of a MC and analyzed during fermentation (days 0 and 7) and refrigerated storage (days 7 and 14). Among the treatments, 75 ppm nitrite combined with MC (75-MC) exhibited the highest LAB counts, enhanced acidification (pH 4.7 on fermentation day 7), inhibited pathogens and spoilage microorganisms, and improved moisture and color stability (> 90% of initial L* and a*), with a significant treatment × day interaction (P < 0.05). Metagenomic analysis of the 16 S rRNA (V3–V4) and ITS2 regions revealed a LAB-dominated sucuk microbiota, characterized by Levilactobacillus (69.5%), Lactiplantibacillus (12.1%), Psychrobacter (8.8%), and Lacticaseibacillus (3.0%) among bacteria, and Yarrowia (46%), Kurtzmaniella (11.8%), Geotrichum (6.7%), and Cladosporium (5.5%) among fungi. This microbial composition was associated with enhanced microbial stability and technological quality, while mixed-culture strategies under nitrite-reduced conditions promoted a Lactobacillaceae-enriched microbiota, highlighting their potential role in bioprotection and product quality.
Şen et al. (2026) studied this question.