Nitrite reacts with adipose tissue when conditions are similar to those for meat curing. Whole adipose tissue (ground and unground) was subjected to a curing procedure, and it was established that a more homogeneous distribution of nitrite occurred in the ground adipose tissue. 80 −90% of the added nitrite was analyzable as free nitrite in cured whole adipose tissue. When Na 1 S NO 2 was used, the recovery of 1 5 N was low and variable; the amount of 1 5 N recovered was found to be dependent on the protein content of the adipose tissue sample. When whole cured adipose tissue was separated into lipid, connective tissue and water phases, free nitrite was detected in each. The results also include analyses for nitrate which was present though in small amounts. 1 5 N from Na 1 5 NO 2 was bound to connective tissue and lipid in low but detectable amounts; this occurred if whole adipose tissue was treated with nitrite and then fractionated or if fractionation was accomplished prior to treatment with nitrite. Experiments on various fatty acids and glycerides showed a binding which was apparently related to the degree of unsaturation. Serious question was raised about the meaning of so‐called “free” or “residual” nitrite. The importance of protein bound nitrite was emphasized, and the suggestion was made that some of the bound nitrite is released by sample preparation. The implications of this are discussed.
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Goutefongea et al. (1977) studied this question.