Nitrosamine in meat and meat products: a review

Abstract

Nitrosamines (Nams) have been demonstrated to possess carcinogenic properties in certain animal species, suggesting a potential link between the consumption of this compound and the development of cancer in humans. Multiple reports have highlighted the presence of nitrosamine contamination in various food groups, particularly meat and meat products. Consequently, the presence of nitrosamines in meat products has raised significant concerns. This study aims to examine the levels of nitrosamines in meat and meat products, explore the mechanisms underlying their formation in these foods, and identify potential strategies for reducing this compound in food. To achieve this objective, scholarly articles about the keywords Nitrosamine, Exposure, Meat and Meat Products, and Mechanism of Formation were retrieved from academic databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, among others. The formation of nitrosamines (Nams) can be influenced by several factors including nitrosating agents, pH levels, the presence or accessibility of nitrite and nitrosable amines, and oxidative status. Moreover, the rate at which Nams form can be impacted by reducing these factors. Additionally, processed meat products may contain natural components and additives that interact with these factors to either hinder or facilitate the formation of Nams. Given the increasing consumption of sausages in daily diets, evaluating the levels of nitrosamines in meat products can serve as a quality measure for assessing nutritional value and the effectiveness of processing and thermal treatments.