The effect of process and storage on the volatiles and odorant profile of Chinese dry sausage was evaluated, as well as its physicochemical parameters. Microbial esterification and wine (27.54%–43.35%), and lipid oxidation (11.30%–34.92%) played a key role in flavor profile during process and storage. A significant increase of each volatile was detected during process except gradual decrease of volatiles from spices, while a gradual decrease of each volatile was detected during storage except significant increase of volatiles from lipid oxidation and esterification. 15 and 6 odor-active compounds were respectively correlated (P < 0.05) with the process and storage time. Level of heptanal, 1-octen-3-ol, the ethyl of 2-methylbutanoic, 3-methylbutanoic, butanoic, benzoic, hexanoic, heptanoic, octanoic and decanoic acid were best discriminators of process stage, while (E)-2-nonenal, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl heptanoate, and methyl decanoate, were marker compounds of storage time. An objective method was established to evaluate the stages of process and storage for samples.

The effect of sodium chloride (NaCl) curing salt content on protein oxidation, lipid oxidation and lipolysis of Chinese dry sausage was investigated. Two groups Chinese dry sausages with 2% and 4% (m/m) salt content were studied. The degree of protein oxidation increased during the processes in two groups sausages, while the content of phospholipids decreased, neutral lipids and free fatty acids increased. The degree of protein oxidation, lipid oxidation and lipolysis in 4% NaCl content group was higher than those in 2% NaCl content group, while 4% NaCl content group has higher lipase activity. In conclusion, 4% NaCl may facilitate the protein oxidation, lipid hydrolysis and oxidation in Chinese dry sausage, and the protein oxidation had strong correlation with lipid oxidation and lipolysis. The results could provide a basis for improving the technology of industrial production.