Effectiveness of high pressure processing on the hygienic and technological quality of porcine plasma from biopreserved blood

The effects of a high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment (450MPa, 15min at 20°C) on both the microbiological quality and the functional properties of plasma from biopreserved porcine blood were evaluated. Blood was inoculated with Enterococcus raffinosus-PS99 (10(7)ufcmL(-1)) and stored at 5°C. After 72-h storage, bacterial counts in inoculated samples decreased by 52, 70, 81 and more than 99% for coliforms, Pseudomonas spp, hemolytic and proteolytic bacteria, respectively. Counts of these bacterial groups were undetectable in the final product after pressurization, whereas total lactic acid bacteria were detected at levels up to 10(2)ufcmL(-1). Gelling, foaming and emulsifying properties of the plasma proteins were not noticeably affected by HHP. The results show that it is possible to obtain high-quality and microbiologically stable blood derivatives as functional ingredients, by combining biopreservation and HHP.     

Effect of high pressure treatment on microbial populations of sliced vacuum-packed cooked ham

In this study, culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches were used to reveal the microbial diversity and dynamic changes occurring in sliced vacuum-packed cooked ham after high pressure processing (HPP, 400MPa or 600MPa for 10min at 22°C) during refrigerated storage over 90days. Direct extraction of genome DNA and total RNA from meat samples, followed by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and RT-PCR-DGGE on 16S rDNA V3 region, was performed to define the structure of the bacterial populations and active species in pressurized cooked ham. Results showed that HPP affected differently the various species detected. The predominant spoilage organisms of cooked ham, such as Lactobacillus sakei and Lactobacillus curvatus, were found to be very sensitive to pressure as they were unable to be detected in HPP samples at any time during refrigerated storage. Weissella viridescens and Leuconostoc mesenteroides survived HPP at 600MPa for 10min at 22°C and were responsible for the final spoilage. An RNA-based DGGE approach clearly has potential for the analysis of active species that have survived in pressurized cooked ham. High pressure processing at 400 or 600MPa for 10min at room temperature (22°C) has a powerful inhibitory effect on the major spoilage bacteria of sliced vacuum-packed cooked ham. High pressure treatment may lead to reduced microbial diversity and improve the products' safety.     

The effects of high hydrostatic pressure at subzero temperature on the quality of ready-to-eat cured beef carpaccio

We compared the application of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on unfrozen carpaccio (HHP at 20°C) and on previously-frozen carpaccio (HHP at -30°C). HHP at 20°C changed the color. The pressure increase from 400 to 650MPa and the time increment from 1 to 5min at 400MPa increased L* and b*. a* decreased only with 650MPa for 5min at 20°C. The prior freezing of the carpaccio and the HHP at -30°C minimized the effect of the HHP on the color and did not change the shear force, but increased expressible moisture as compared to the untreated carpaccio. HHP at 20°C was more effective in reducing the counts of microorganisms (aerobic total count at 30°C, Enterobacteriaceae, psychrotrophs viable at 6.5°C and lactic acid bacteria) than HHP at -30o C. With HHP at 20°C, we observed a significant effect of pressure and time on the reduction of the counts.     

Preservation and shelf-life extension of shrimps and clams by high hydrostatic pressure

Clam ( Venus gallina ) and shrimp ( Parapenaeus longirostris ) samples were high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treated at 200, 220 and 250 MPa at 25, 30, 40 and 50 °C for 10 and 20 min. Based on the results of microbial reduction, the best combinations of HHP treatments were determined as 250 MPa, 50 °C, 10 min for shrimps and 220 MPa, 50 °C, 10 min for clams. HHP-treated samples stored at 25 °C (room tempertur) and 4 °C (refrigeration temperature) were analysed. According to the results evaluated, shelf-life of shrimps was found to be 12 and 16 days for storage at room and refrigeration temperatures, respectively, as compared with 4 days for non-HHP-treated samples at 4 °C. Similarly shelf-life for the clam samples was found to be 12 days for storage at room temperature and 18 days for storage at refrigeration temperature as compared with 4 days for non-HHP-treated samples at 4 °C.     

Modeling the growth of lactic acid bacteria in sliced ham processed by high hydrostatic pressure

The main responsible for the spoilage of cooked cured meat products stored under refrigerated and anaerobic conditions are lactic acid bacteria. The application of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) reduces the lactic acid bacterial growth extending the product shelf-life and preserving natural taste, texture, color and vitamin content. This work studied the influence of pressure level and holding time on the lactic acid bacterial growth in vacuum-packaged sliced ham. Modified Gompertz and Logistic models were used to fit experimental data obtained from post-treatment microbial counts carried out along the product storage. Samples of sliced vacuum-packaged ham treated by HHP and control samples (non-treated) were stored at 8 °C until the microorganism population reached 10⁷ CFU/g. An experimental planning 2² with triplicate at the central point was designed to determine the influence of pressure level (200, 300, and 400 MPa) and holding time (5, 10, and 15 min) on the product shelf-life. The results have shown that the pressure intensity and the holding time significantly influenced microbial population over the product storage. Shelf-life of ham treated at 400 MPa for 15 min was extended from 19 (control samples) to 85 days.     

Inactivation of Escherichia coli and Listeria innocua in kiwifruit and pineapple juices by high hydrostatic pressure

Escherichia coli and Listeria innocua in kiwifruit and pineapple juices were exposed to high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) at 300 MPa for 5 min. Both bacteria showed equal resistance to HHP. Using low (0 degrees C) or sub-zero (-10 degrees C) temperatures instead of room temperature (20 degrees C) during pressurization did not change the effectiveness of HHP treatment on both bacteria in studied juices. Pulse pressure treatment (multiple pulses for a total holding time of 5 min at 300 MPa) instead of continuous (single pulse) treatment had no significant (p>0.05) effect on the microbial inactivation in kiwifruit juice; however, in pineapple juice pulse treatment, especially after 5 pulses, increased the inactivation significantly (p<0.05) for both bacteria. Following storage of pressure-treated (350 MPa, 20 degrees C for 60 s x 5 pulses) juices at 4, 20 and 37 degrees C up to 3 weeks, the level of microbial inactivation further increased and no injury recovery of the bacteria were detected. This work has shown that HHP treatment can be used to inactivate E. coli and L. innocua in kiwifruit and pineapple juices at lower pressure values at room temperature than the conditions used in commercial applications (>400 MPa). However, storage period and temperature should carefully be optimized to increase the safety of HHP treated fruit juices.     

Preservation of Manzanilla Aloreña cracked green table olives by high hydrostatic pressure treatments singly or in combination with natural antimicrobials

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatments (singly or in combination with natural antimicrobials) were tested for stabilization of Manzanilla Aloreña seasoned olives stored at 25 °C. HHP (5 min) was highly effective on yeast populations at 300 MPa or higher. No viable yeasts were detected in samples treated at 400 MPa for up to three months. Low levels of endospore-forming bacteria were always detected after HHP treatments. Addition of nisin to the brines reduced bacterial counts by 1.4 log cycles but it had no effect on yeasts when tested singly or in combination with HHP treatment (400 MPa, 5 min). Thyme oil had almost no effect on yeast concentrations, but rosemary oil reduced yeast viable counts progressively during storage. Essential oils in combination with HHP (400 MPa, 5 min) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the concentrations of aerobic mesophilic bacteria. Low-salt brined olives purged with N₂ or supplemented with ascorbic acid and then pressurized for 5 min at 450 or 550 MPa were preserved for up to 5 months without spoilage, suggesting that the NaCl content in brines of packed Manzanilla Aloreña table olives could be reduced considerably by application of HHP as a stabilization treatment.     

Influence of high hydrostatic pressure processing on physicochemical characteristics of a fermented pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) beverage

The effect of high hydrostatic pressure at 500 MPa/10 min (HHP1), 550 MPa/10 min (HHP2) and 600 MPa/5 min (HHP3) on the microbiological, physicochemical, antioxidant and sensory characteristics of a fermented pomegranate (FP) beverage, stored for 42 days (4 ± 1 °C), was evaluated. The FP beverage was also pasteurized at 63 °C/30 min (VAT) and 72 °C/15 s (HTST). The high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and VAT pasteurized beverages did not show microbial growth (<10 CFU/mL) throughout 42 days of storage. The physicochemical characteristics were not affected (p > 0.05) by HHP or pasteurization. Color of the samples showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in all HHP processed and pasteurized beverages. Antioxidant activity, total phenolic compounds, flavonoids and anthocyanins increased slightly after HHP processing. Antioxidants decreased throughout the storage in all treatments. Both HHP processed and pasteurized beverages were well accepted by average consumers when evaluated using a 9-points hedonic scale.Industrial relevanceThe high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) improves the microbiological, antioxidant and sensorial stability of fermented pomegranate beverages during storage. The HHP is more common for processing fruit juices than for fermented beverages; therefore, it can be expanded to the fermented beverages industry, which could modify the today usual thermal processing methods and, or the addition of preservatives, that are not natural, for delivering high quality and healthier pomegranate fermented beverages to consumers.     

A preliminary study about the influence of high hydrostatic pressure processing on the physicochemical and sensorial properties of a cloudy wheat beer

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) (400 MPa/15 min, 500 MPa/10 min, 600 MPa/5 min at 20 °C) and heat (60 °C/15 min) processing of wheat beers were evaluated by examining their impacts on microorganisms, colloidal haze, flavour, foam stability and shelf‐life prediction during 84 days of storage at 20 °C. The results obtained showed that the microbiological stability of HHP beers was comparable with heat‐treated samples, and the development of both aerobic bacteria and lactic acid bacteria was inhibited for 84 days of storage. The main parameters of the wheat beer, such as ethanol content, original extract, pH, bitterness and viscosity, were scarcely affected by either treatment compared with the control samples; however, heat pasteurization increased the colour value. Heat‐pasteurized beer resulted in an increase in the phenethyl alcohol concentration and a decrease in isoamyl acetate and ethyl acetate levels compared with the HHP samples. These treatments did not affect the amount of 4‐vinylguaiacol and 4‐vinylphenol in the beer. The HHP‐treated beers had higher colloidal haze and foam stability values than the heat‐pasteurized beers. Dynamic light scattering analysis showed that HHP treatments at 500 MPa/10 min resulted in smaller and more uniform particle sizes, which had a positive effect on beer haze stability during storage. Copyright © 2016 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Effect of high hydrostatic pressure on functional properties and quality characteristics of Aloe vera gel (Aloe barbadensis Miller)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of high hydrostatic pressure treatment at three pressure levels (300, 400 and 500 Mpa) on the functional and quality characteristics of Aloe vera gel including vitamin C and E, aloin, minerals, phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The results show that HHP exerted a clear influence on minerals content, vitamin C and E content, antioxidant activity, total phenolic and aloin content. After 35 days of storage all treated samples presented a decrease in mineral content, except for phosphorus. Total phenolic content and vitamin C and E content decreased at high pressures (500 MPa), while all pressurised samples showed a higher antioxidant activity and aloin content than untreated sample after 35 days of storage. The maximum values of antioxidant activity and aloin were 6.55 ± 1.26 μg/ml at 300 MPa and 24.23 ± 2.27 mg/100 g d.m. at 400 MPa.     

High pressure and freezing temperature effect on quality and microbial inactivation of cured pork carpaccio

The effects of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP: 0, 400, and 600 MPa) and freezing temperature (-15° vs. -35°C) were evaluated on the quality and microbial inactivation of cured pork carpaccio. Samples treated with HHP resulted in lighter and yellower color, higher Chroma, shear force, scores for pink color, cooked and gel appearance, incidence of iridescence, lower scores for brightness and raw meat appearance and lower levels of lactic acid bacteria and psychrotrophs during shelf life compared with untreated samples (P<0.05). Treating carpaccio at -35°C resulted in a darker color and a more tender carpaccio with a higher rating for crumbliness and lower rating for fibrousness and chewiness compared with -15°C (P<0.05). While HHP is effective in microbial inactivation and shelf life extension of pork carpaccio, product quality may be decreased due to lower tenderness and poorer appearance. However, HHP in combination with low freezing temperature can be used successfully to deliver high quality pork carpaccio with extended shelf life to the ready-to-eat market.     

A comparative study of changes in the microbiota of apple juice treated by high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) or high pressure homogenisation (HPH)

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of High Pressure Homogenisation (HPH) compared with High Hydrostatic Pressure (HHP) on the microbiological quality of raw apple juice during storage at ideal (4 °C) and abuse (12 °C) temperatures. In the case of HPH, only low numbers of micro-organisms were detected after treatment at 300 MPa (typically between 2 and 3 log.ml⁻¹). These were identified as Streptomyces spp., and numbers did not increase during storage of the juice for 35 days, irrespective of storage temperature. In the case of HHP, the total aerobic counts were also reduced significantly (p < 0.05) after treatment for 1 min at 500 and 600 MPa and the numbers did not increase significantly during storage at 4 °C. However, during storage at 12 °C the counts did increase significantly (p < 0.05) and by day 14 counts at 500 MPa were not significantly different from the control juice. This confirms that good temperature control is important if the full benefits of HHP treatment are to be realised.Frateuria aurantia dominated the microbiota of the HHP apple juice stored at 12 °C along with low levels of Bacillus and Streptomyces spp.The HPH and HHP juices both turned brown during storage indicating that neither treatment was sufficient to inactivate polyphenol oxidase. The enzyme is known to be pressure resistant and this discolouration was controlled by a heat treatment (70 °C for 1 min) used in commercial practice and given prior to HP treatment.     

Effect of combined treatments of ultrasound and high hydrostatic pressure processing on the physicochemical properties,microbial quality and shelf-life of cold brew tea

Effects of ultrasound combined with high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on physicochemical properties,microorganisms and storage attributes of cold brew tea were investigated. HHP at 400 MPa/5 min/25 °C inactivated the total aerobic bacteria, yeast and mould in cold brewed tea prepared by static brewing (SB-tea) at 13 h/4 °C, ultrasonic bath (UB-tea) at 150 W/120 min/0 °C and ultrasonic pulveriser (UP-tea) at 600 W/40 min/0 °C, ensuring their microbiological safety. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the concentration of tea polyphenols between hot brewed tea prepared by 7 min/100 °C and cold brewed tea under different preparation conditions, while the caffeine in cold brewed tea was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that in hot brewed tea. During the storage period of 8 days, compared with the untreated group, the cold brewed tea after HHP treatment had better microbiological safety. In addition, HHP treatment constantly maintained the tea polyphenols, pH, colour, antioxidant capacity and turbidity in cold brewed tea. The untreated and HHP-treated cold brew tea were evaluated by 20 trained volunteers. Results showed that UB-tea was more close to SB-tea than UP-tea in sensory profile, while HHP seem to maintain a good sensory profile as well. Therefore, this particular combined technology of ultrasonic bath and HHP displayed considerable potential for application in the cold brew tea manufacturing industry.     

Effects of high-pressure treatment on the microflora of oysters (Crassostrea gigas) during chilled storage

The microbiological quality of oysters high-pressure (HP)-treated in-shell at 260 MPa for 3 min, or 500 or 800 MPa for 5 min and then stored at 2 °C, were investigated. Microbial counts after HP treatment showed that the bacterial load was reduced after treatment at all pressures to levels below the detection limit. Randomly-selected isolates from the total aerobic viable counts of untreated and HP-treated oysters after 14 days of storage were identified by the API identification system. Bacteria isolated from oysters HP-treated at 260 MPa were Shewanella putrifaciens and Pseudomonas fluorescens. For oysters HP-treated at 500 or 800 MPa, the main bacteria isolated were Pseudomonas spp. Vibrio spp. comprised 44% of the microflora in untreated oysters after storage for 14 days at 2 °C, but no Vibrio were detected in HP-treated oysters. This study confirmed that HP processing can inactivate microorganisms and delay microbial growth in chilled stored oysters.

Industrial relevance

High-pressure (HP) treatment is being increasingly employed for commercial processing of oysters but no studies of the microflora of HP-treated in-shell oysters have been reported. HP treatment significantly changed the microflora of oysters and apparently has good potential for inactivation of Vibrio spp as HP treatment, in combination with adequate chilled storage, can improve the microbiological shelf-life and safety of oysters.     

Effects of high hydrostatic pressure on shelf life of lager beer

Filtered bright lager beer samples were either treated with high hydrostatic pressure (HHP, 350 MPa for 3 and 5 min at 20 °C) or conventional heat pasteurization (60 °C for 15 min). A storage period of 56 days showed that HHP and heat pasteurization had similar results in terms of pH and color (p<0.05). However HHP-treated samples had lower bitterness and protein sensitivity and higher chill haze values than the heat pasteurized samples at the end of the storage period. The microbiological stability of HHP-treated beers was the same as that of heat-treated beers, and the development of both lactic and acetic acid bacteria was inhibited for 56 days of storage. Although more studies should be carried out to investigate the effects of HHP treatment on different types of lagers and ales, our results revealed that HHP could be successfully used to increase the shelf life of beer even at temperatures well below those required for heat pasteurization.     

Ultra-high pressure homogenisation of milk: technological aspects of cheese-making and microbial shelf life of a starter-free fresh cheese

Fresh cheeses from pasteurised (80 °C for 15 s), homogenised-pasteurised (15 + 3 MPa at 60 °C; 80 °C for 15 s) or ultra-high pressure homogenised milks (300 MPa and inlet temperature of 30 °C) were produced in order to evaluate different technological aspects during cheese-making and to study their microbial shelf life. Although the coagulation properties of milk were enhanced by ultra-high pressure homogenisation (UHPH), the cheese-making properties were somewhat altered; both conventional homogenisation and UHPH of milk provoked some difficulties at cutting the curd due to crumbling and improper curd matting due to poor cohesion of the grains. Cheese-milk obtained by UHPH showed a higher microbiological quality than milk obtained by conventional treatments. Starter-free fresh cheeses made from UHPH-treated milk showed less syneresis during storage and longer microbiological shelf-life than those from conventionally treated milk samples.     

高静压处理对黄桃罐头微生物和质构的影响

以黄桃罐头为试材,研究了高静压处理的杀菌效果,并用质地多面分析(TPA)方法,对高静压造成黄桃质构的变化进行分析。结果表明,400MPa下处理25min即可杀灭所有细菌,300MPa下处理15min就能杀灭所有霉菌和酵母菌。高静压处理(600MPa,5min)后黄桃罐头的硬度、凝聚性和咀嚼性与未处理无显著差异,但显著好于热处理。高静压技术能使黄桃罐头达到商业无菌,并保持良好质构。     

High hydrostatic pressure inactivation of vegetative microorganisms, aerobic and anaerobic spores in pork Marengo, a low acidic particulate food product

To prolong the shelf-life of particulate food products, high pressure processing is one of the emerging technologies to be studied as an alternative to classical pasteurization and sterilization by heat. Pork Marengo (a low acidic, partially prepared stew of pieces pork, carrots and peas) was inoculated with several strains of sporulating and vegetative microorganisms. The microbial spoilage of the product was evaluated after a high pressure treatment of 400 MPa during 30 min at, respectively, 20 and 50 °C. Several Clostridium spp. and Bacillus spp. survived the treatment, and the Gram-positive cocci Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus were revealed to be more pressure resistant than Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens and Escherichia coli. The high pressure treatment at 20 °C demonstrated that high pressure processing (HPP) of neutral-pH foods cannot rely on pressure alone as a pasteurization/sterilization process. Another physical agent like heat is needed. High pressure treatment at 50 °C demonstrated that heat transfer limitations in particulate food products still can trouble their successful pasteurization/sterilization.     

高静压对桃汁杀菌、钝化酶活性的效果

研究在不同处理压力和时间条件下,高静压加工技术对桃汁中微生物(细菌总数、霉菌、酵母菌、大肠菌群)以及酶(多酚氧化酶、果胶甲基酯酶、脂肪氧化酶)的影响。结果表明:经400MPa、5min高静压处理即可完全杀灭桃汁中的微生物;在400MPa和500MPa条件下,桃汁中的多酚氧化酶和脂肪氧化酶的活性出现了不同程度的激活现象,但在600MPa时,随着处理时间的延长,其活性逐渐降低,经30min处理后,分别被钝化了0.7662和0.641。而果胶甲基酯酶在400、500、600MPa条件下,出现了不规律的激活或钝化现象。另外,研究表明在高静压加工前增加漂烫工艺,可以有效杀灭桃汁中的微生物及钝化酶活性。