Nitrosohemoglobin synthesis

Nitrosohemoglobin synthesis parameters were optimized to produce a pigment which was readily soluble in a pickling liquid. Optimum reaction pH was approximately 6. Optimum homogenizing speed was 9,000 rpm for 10 minutes. Optimum contact time of hemoglobin with nitric oxide was 4 minutes, at 135 mL/min.;The average iron content of the dried nitrosohemoglobin was approximately 3000 ppm, making the payload of spray and freeze dried pigments 3.18% and 3.26% respectively.;Solubility experiments of dried pigments in 0.04M sodium carbonate revealed optimum solubility between pH values of 9 and 11. Mixing by means of a magnetic stirring was optimim.;Low and nitrite-free hams were made on a semi-industrial scale level using spray and freeze dried nitrosohemoglobin, standard DNFH pigment and a full nitrite standard. Low nitrite freeze dried nitrosohemoglobin hams were visually and quantitatively closest to full nitrite standard. Both dried nitrosohemoglobin pigments had no pigment accumulation at muscle membranes.