Effect of non-meat proteins on hydration and textural properties of pork meat gels enhanced with microbial transglutaminase

The combined effect of incorporation of four non-muscle proteins, NMP (blood plasma, BP; sodium caseinate, SC; soy protein isolate, SPI; gelatin, G) at 2 g/100 g levels on hydration and textural characteristics of pork gels processed without or with 0.6 g/100 g microbial transglutaminase preparation (MTG) was investigated. Addition of SC and BP most favourably affected hydration properties and thermal stability, yielding lower cooking loss and expressible moisture for pork gels. Interactions between NMP and MTG were observed. Improvement of gel strength by addition of transglutaminase was observed for treatments containing SC and BP but not G nor soy isolate. Of the four proteins tested SC was found to be a superior substrate for MTG in enhancing textural properties of a gelled meat system. None of the tested ingredients was able to yield gel cohesiveness equivalent to the control containing 8% muscle proteins. Results of this study indicate a potential for using MTG to improve or modify the functional and textural properties of investigated food proteins (SC and BP in particular) in comminuted meat products.     

Meat species identification and Halal authentication using PCR analysis of raw and cooked traditional Turkish foods

The method performance characteristics of commercially available PCR kits for animal species identification were established. Comminuted meat products containing different levels of pork were prepared from authentic beef, chicken, and turkey. These meat products were analysed in the raw state and after cooking for 20 min at 200 °C. For both raw and cooked meats, the PCR kit could correctly identify the animal species and could reliably detect the addition of pork at a level below 0.1%. A survey of 42 Turkish processed meat products such as soudjouk, salami, sausage, meatball, cured spiced beef and doner kebap was conducted. Thirty-six samples were negative for the presence of pork (< 0.1%) and four were found to be correctly labelled as containing pork. However, one sausage sample was labelled as containing 5% beef, but beef DNA was not detected and a meatball sample labelled as 100% beef was found to contain chicken. Another turkey meatball sample was predominantly chicken.     

Occurrence of heterocyclic amines in cooked meat products

Heterocyclic amines (HCAs), potent mutagens and a risk factor for human cancers, are produced in meats cooked at high temperature. The aim of this study was to determine the HCA content in cooked meat products (beef, chicken, pork, fish) prepared by various cooking methods (pan frying, oven broiling, and oven baking at 170 to 230 °C) that are preferred by U.S. meat consumers. The primary HCAs in these samples were PhIP (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4,5-b]pyridine) (1.49-10.89 ng/g), MeIQx (2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoxaline) (not detected-4.0 ng/g), and DiMeIQx (2-amino-3,4,8-trimethyl-imidazo [4,5-f]quinoxaline) (not detected-3.57 ng/g). Type and content of HCAs in cooked meat samples were highly dependent on cooking conditions. The total HCA content in well-done meat was 3.5 times higher than that of medium-rare meat. Fried pork (13.91 ng/g) had higher levels of total HCAs than fried beef (8.92 ng/g) and fried chicken (7.00 ng/g). Among the samples, fried bacon contained the highest total HCA content (17.59 ng/g).     

7-Ketocholesterol and 7-hydroxycholesterol in pork meat and its gravy thermally treated without additives and in the presence of onion and garlic

The effect of onion and garlic on the formation of two cholesterol oxidation products (COPs): 7-ketocholesterol and 7-hydroxycholesterol was evaluated by comparing their concentrations in meat and gravy samples obtained from three pork dishes prepared in the presence and absence of these flavourings. The concentration of these compounds in meat samples was between 82.4 and 1331.6 ng/g of cooked meat. Gravies contained lower amounts: from 18.3 to 45.6 ng/g of cooked meat. The addition of onion (30 g/100 g of meat) caused a decrease in 7-ketocholesterol and 7-hydroxycholesterol concentrations in all of the investigated pork dishes by 9.5–79%, whilst the addition of 15 g of garlic to 100 g of meat lowered the concentration by 17 to 88%. The greatest decrease was found in grilled minced chops. The quantitative assessment of 7-ketocholesterol and 7-hydroxycholesterol was carried out by thin-layer chromatography with densitometric detection.     

The nutrient composition of three cuts obtained from P-class South African pork carcasses

The shoulder, loin and leg from P-class pork carcasses were used to determine the nutrient composition of both raw and cooked cuts. Significantly lower fat content were observed in the current study for the leg (5.21 g/100 g) and loin (6.99 g/100 g) compared to the shoulder cut (10.32 g/100 g). The overall percentage fat for all three cuts was less than 10% which is recommended by the South African Heart Mark. The cooked loin cut contained the most protein (27.50 g/100 g) of the three cooked cuts. When compared to other meat products (beef, mutton and chicken) it is clear that pork is a good source of B vitamins, especially vitamin B₃. The cooked loin cut contained the least vitamin B₁ (0.22 mg/100 g), B₂ (0.02 mg/100 g) but the most vitamin B₃ (7.09 mg/100 g), of the three cooked cuts. The 100 g cooked shoulder, loin and leg cuts provide on average 40.11% protein, 5.19% magnesium, 3.37% calcium, 24.29% phosphorus, 18.22% zinc, 22.33% iron and 22.50% vitamin B₁, 2.57% vitamin B₂ and 42.6% vitamin B₃ of Recommended Daily Allowances for males, age 25–50. Energy from a 100 g portion provides 5.81% of the Recommended Daily Allowances. To conclude, the pork cuts are undoubtedly a good source of nutrients that is required for good health because it is high in protein, have a low fat content and are a nutrient-packed choice for the family and compares favourably with the fat, energy, and cholesterol content of many other meats and poultry.     

Production and partial characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific to cooked poultry meat

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific to cooked poultry muscle proteins have been developed for the detection of poultry adulterants in cooked mammalian meat. Saline (0.85% NaCl) extract of heat-treated (100 °C, 15min) chicken muscle proteins was used to immunize mice for MAb development. The specificity of MAbs was tested against chicken antigen and protein extracts from seven other meat species (pork, beef, lamb, deer, horse, turkey and duck) by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent immunoassay (ELISA). The immunogenic components in the poultry protein extracts were determined by SDS-PAGE followed by immunoblotting. A total of six hybridoma cell lines that secrete IgG class MAbs have been developed: MAbs 3E12 and 1A5 were able to distinguish between cooked poultry and mammalian meats, MAbs 9C6 and 6F7 reacted strongly with cooked chicken only, and MAbs, 5D2 and 6G8, reacted with both cooked turkey and chicken but not other species. All six MAbs demonstrated a proportional increased ELISA response to respective adulterated poultry samples in pork over a 0-100% range of aduleration.     

Evaluation of the effects of selected plant-derived nutraceuticals on the quality and shelf-life stability of raw and cooked pork sausages

The effect of lutein (200 μg/g meat), sesamol (250 μg/g meat), ellagic acid (300 μg/g meat) and olive leaf extract (200 μg/g meat) on total viable counts (TVC), pH, water holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss, lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, TBARs), colour stability, texture and sensory evaluation of fresh and cooked pork sausages stored in aerobic or modified atmosphere packs (MAP) was investigated. Addition of sesamol, ellagic acid and olive leaf extract reduced (P < 0.001) lipid oxidation in all packaged raw and cooked pork sausages. Antioxidant potency followed the order: sesamol 250 > ellagic acid 300 > olive leaf extract 200 > lutein 200 for both raw and cooked pork sausages. Addition of sesamol increased (P < 0.001) WHC on days 2 and 12 of MAP storage. Meat addition of lutein, sesamol, ellagic acid and olive leaf extract had no detrimental effect on pH, cooking losses, TVCs, tenderness, juiciness, texture or product flavour. Lutein, sesamol, ellagic acid and olive leaf extract were effective as natural functional ingredients in suppressing lipid oxidation and have the potential to be incorporated into functional raw and cooked pork sausages.     

Low-fat meat sausages with fish oil: Optimization of milk proteins and carrageenan contents using response surface methodology

Response surface methodology was used to analyze the effect of milk proteins and 2:1 κ:ι-carrageenans on cooking loss (CL), weight lost by centrifugation (WLC) and texture attributes of low-fat meat sausages with pre-emulsified fish oil. A central-composite design was used to develop models for the objective responses. Changes in carrageenans affected more the responses than milk proteins levels. Convenience functions were calculated for CL, WLC, hardness, and springiness of the product. Responses were optimized simultaneously minimizing CL and WLC; ranges for hardness and springiness corresponded to commercial products (20 g of pork fat/100 g). The optimum corresponded to 0.593 g of carrageenans/100 g and 0.320 g of milk proteins and its total lipid content was 6.3 g/100 g. This formulation was prepared and evaluated showing a good agreement between predicted and experimental responses. These additives could produce low-fat meat sausages with pre-emulsified fish oil with good nutritional quality and similar characteristics than traditional ones.     

Effect of added phosphate and type of cooking method on physico-chemical and sensory features of cooked lamb loins

This study evaluated the effect of brining with phosphates on the physico-chemical and sensory features of sous-vide and roasted cooked lamb. Lamb loins (n = 48) were injected with either 10% w/w of distilled water or a solution containing 0.2% or 0.4% (w/v) of a mixture of phosphate salts. After injection, samples were either sous-vide cooked (12 h—60 °C) or oven roasted (180 °C until 73 °C of core temp.). Expressible moisture, cooking loss, instrumental color, pH, water holding capacity, instrumental texture and sensory properties were evaluated. Brining with phosphates led to lower cooking loss in both sous-vide and oven roasted samples, but only the former showed significantly higher moisture content. Phosphates increased instrumental hardness and shear force values in sous-vide samples, while this effect was not as evident in roasted ones. Toughness was reduced and juiciness was improved as a consequence of phosphate addition. Overall, injection of a phosphate solution appears as a potential procedure for improving sensory textural features of cooked lamb whole cuts.     

Quantitative Detection of Poultry in Cooked Meat Products

ABSTRACT: There is a growing awareness of perceived harm from meat species adulteration, both intentional and accidental. The present study developed a monoclonal antibody (Mab)-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the quantitative detection of chicken and turkey meat adulterated in cooked (100 °C, 15 min) mammalian meat. The specificity of Mab 5D2 to different species (pork, beef, lamb, deer, horse, duck, chicken, and turkey) and tissues (serum, gizzard, heart, and liver) was studied by noncompetitive ELISA. The detection of cooked chicken in beef, and turkey in pork was accomplished by competitive and noncompetitive ELISAs. Both ELISAs were optimized to quantify cooked poultry in red meats. The new Mab-based ELISAs enabled the detection of cooked poultry in red meats at levels as low as 1% (v/v) or better. The correlation ( r > 0.994) between chicken or turkey concentrations and ELISA signals permitted the quantification of poultry adulterants in cooked non-poultry meats.     

Dependence of microbial transglutaminase on meat type in myofibrillar proteins cross-linking

The objectives of this study were to determine the factors that cause differences in the improvements of gel strength and ε(γ-glutamyl)lysine (G-L) content in chicken and beef (Japanese black cattle) myofibrillar proteins after adding microbial transglutaminase (MTG). As the amount of MTG added increased, the breaking strength increased progressively (p < 0.01) in chicken and beef samples, with the exception of chicken samples treated at 40 °C. The values of elasticity in the chicken samples were lower than those of the beef samples (p < 0.01). Surprisingly, the elasticity level, ε(γ-glutamyl)lysine contents and myosin heavy chain (MHC) band sizes of chicken and beef at all levels of MTG were significantly different (p < 0.01). The results of this study suggest that MTG activity was affected by MTG inhibitors; that MTG develops the texture of myofibrils differently in different species. However, the activity is limited and inconstant among meat proteins, as suggested by the data collected from the chicken samples. As a result, when the transferable amino acid residues are depleted (cross-linked) by MTG activity, the function of MTG will be insignificant. The correlation between MTG and different sources of meat protein is quite unstable but it is strong, which was observed when chicken and beef responded differently to MTG because their chemical and physiological properties were different. The remarkable rate of formation of cross-linked proteins and the discrepancy between the expected and observed amount of dipeptide raises the possibility that there are enzymes capable of reversing the reaction induced by transglutaminase in chicken and beef myofibrils. In summary, our results suggest that access of MTG to chicken and beef myofibrils is different because it depends on physiological (muscles and their fibre types), biological (substrates) and biochemical (inhibitors and amino acids) variables.     

The effect of heat treatment on the cholesterol oxides,cholesterol, total lipid and fatty acid contents of processed meat products

The effects of heat treatment on the formation of cholesterol oxides and on alterations of fatty acid composition were investigated in processed meat products. Meatballs (beef), hamburger (beef and Chester), sausage (pork, chicken and Chester) and frankfurter (mixed meat, chicken and Chester) were analysed. There was no cholesterol oxide formation caused by heat treatment of the samples analysed. The fatty acid compositions, calculated as g/100 g sample, showed alterations only between the raw and grilled beef hamburger. Only the cholesterol levels were significantly changed when comparing the raw and grilled pork sausages and the raw and grilled Chester hamburger, the values being lower in the grilled samples. Also, the total lipid contents of grilled beef hamburgers were lower than the values.     

Antioxidative effect of dietary grape pomace concentrate on lipid oxidation of chilled and long-term frozen stored chicken patties

Grape pomace concentrate (GPC) is a natural source of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant capacity. The effect of a diet containing GPC on lipid peroxidation levels (TBARS) and antioxidant capacity (ABTS method) of raw and cooked chicken breast meat patties stored in chilled conditions (4 °C) for 0, 3, 6, 13 and 20 days, and long-term frozen storage (6 months) was investigated. Chickens were fed GPC at levels of 0, 30 and 60 mg/kg from 3 to 6 weeks of age. Dietary GPC did not affect chicken performance. Lipid oxidation (TBARS value) was significantly increased by the storage time (0–20 days and 6 months of storage, respectively) in raw and cooked samples. Dietary GPC significantly caused an inhibitory effect on lipid oxidation of raw and cooked breast chicken patties compared with samples obtained from birds fed the control diet at 20 days and long-term frozen storage (6 months). Radical scavenging capacity was significantly increased at 20 days in cooked samples and significantly reduced at 6 months of storage in raw and cooked samples. The higher concentration of dietary GPC increased the ABTS values only in the raw samples. These results indicated that dietary grape pomace concentrate could be effective in inhibiting lipid oxidation of chilled and long-term frozen stored chicken patties.     

Textural and sensory quality of poultry meat batter containing malva nut gum, salt and phosphate

The effect of crude malva nut gum (CMG) addition to poultry breast meat batters formulated with different salt levels (0-3 g/100 g NaCl) and phosphate (0 and 0.5 g/100 g) was studied. Increasing the salt level resulted in an overall increase of cook yield, and the addition of CMG (0.2 g/100 g) further improved yield at all salt levels. The cooked batter with 2 g/100 g NaCl and phosphate showed the highest values for all of textural parameters. However, the cohesiveness and chewiness were reduced by the addition of 0.2 g/100 g CMG. In addition, the effect of incorporating CMG (0.0, 0.2 and 0.6 g/100 g) into commercial type frankfurters, made from mechanically deboned chicken meat (MDCM), was evaluated. Frankfurters with 0.2 g/100 g CMG showed low cooking loss and had better textural properties than the frankfurters without CMG. Frankfurters lightness and redness were reduced due to CMG. Sensory analysis results indicated that the frankfurters with 0.2 g/100 g CMG were more firm and elastic. Overall, the study indicates the potential use of CMG to improve yield and textural parameters of meat products.     

Effects of sodium bicarbonate containing traces of citric acid in combination with sodium chloride on yield and some properties of white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) frozen by shelf freezing, air-blast and cryogenic freezing

Effects of sodium bicarbonate with traces of citric acid in combination with sodium chloride on yield, freezing time, freezing rate, freezing loss and cutting force of white shrimp frozen by shelf, air-blast and cryogenic freezing with/without precooking were investigated. Shelf freezing was done at −40 °C ± 2 °C while air-blast freezing was carried out at −35 °C ± 2 °C, and cryogenic freezing was done at −35 °C, −40 °C and −60 °C. The freezing loss in the non-treated samples was 8.25, 4.6-5.84 and 1.92-3.48 g/100 g fresh shrimp for peeled samples frozen without precooking and increased to 21.85, 17.54-26.97, 17.92-20.31 g/100 g fresh shrimp in the precooked samples frozen by shelf, air-blast and cryogenic freezing, respectively. The treatment of sodium bicarbonate containing traces of citric acid at 4 g/100 ml with sodium chloride at 3 g/100 ml lead to the increase of yield thus reduced the freezing loss by about 6.83-10.28 and 6.41-12.4 g/100 g fresh shrimp for the frozen-thawed samples frozen as uncooked and cooked products, respectively. The toughening of shrimp was observed while sodium bicarbonate containing traces of citric acid treatment with sodium chloride could reduce the texture change occurred during the freezing.     

Walnut, microbial transglutaminase and chilling storage time effects on salt-free beef batter characteristics

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to assess the effect of walnut content (W), microbial transglutaminase/sodium caseinate (MTG/C) content and storage time (ST) at 3 °C on water- and fat-binding properties, texture profile analysis and dynamic rheological characteristics of salt-free beef batters. Walnut addition favoured the binding properties and elastic modulus (G′) of raw meat batters (20 °C); however, increasing amounts of walnut caused G′ to decrease at 70 °C. MTG/C had no effect on binding properties, but it did cause increases in the hardness of cooked meat batters and in the rheological properties of both raw and cooked samples. The products formulated with MTG/C and stored for up to 11 days at 3 °C presented good gel-forming ability; however, binding properties were poor, so that other ingredients like walnut were needed to improve the binding properties of the products.     

Evaluation of the effects of selected phytochemicals on quality indices and sensorial properties of raw and cooked pork stored in different packaging systems

The effects of lutein (100, 200 μg/g muscle), sesamol (250, 500 μg/g muscle), ellagic acid (300, 600 μg/g muscle) and olive leaf extract (100, 200 μg/g muscle) on lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances TBARs), colour (CIE L∗, a∗, b∗), pH, texture profile analysis (TPA), water holding capacity (WHC), cooking losses and sensorial properties of fresh and cooked pork patties were investigated. Raw and cooked minced pork (M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum) containing added lutein, sesamol, ellagic acid or olive leaf extract were stored aerobically or in modified atmosphere packs (MAP) for up to 8 and 12 days, respectively. Lutein, sesamol, ellagic acid and olive leaf extract had no significant effect on microbial status, cook loss, pH or WHC. Lipid oxidation was reduced (P < 0.001) in raw and cooked pork patties stored in aerobic packs and in MAP following addition of sesamol, ellagic acid and olive leaf extract. Antioxidant effectiveness in raw and cooked patties was in the order: sesamol = ellagic acid > olive leaf extract > lutein. Lutein increased (P < 0.001) b∗ yellowness values in raw pork patties. Addition of lutein, sesamol, ellagic acid and olive leaf extract to pork had no detrimental effects on the organoleptic properties of cooked patties but altered (P < 0.05) instrumental textural attributes. Results highlight the potential of using natural functional ingredients in the development of functional pork products with enhanced quality and shelf-life.     

Absence of volatile N-nitrosamines in cooked nitrite-free cured muscle foods

Nitrite-free cured pork systems were prepared using the preformed cooked cured-meat pigment (CCMP) and sodium ascorbate. Absence of volatile N-nitrosamines in cooked nitrite-free systems was confirmed using a gas chromatography-thermal energy analyzer (GC-TEA) methodology. Similar results were obtained when cod, cod surimi or mixtures containing pork with 15 or 50% cod or cod surimi were used. However, counterpart samples cured with sodium nitrite (156 ppm) and sodium ascorbate (550 ppm) produced N-nitrosodimethylamine at 1·0 ppb levels or less. Results demonstrate that nitrite-free curing of meat and meat/fish systems containing the preformed CCMP is successful in yielding products devoid of volatile N-nitrosamines.     

Effect of muscle type, salt and pH on cooked meat haemoprotein formation in lamb and beef

The rate of cooked meat haemoprotein formation, measured as the rate of loss of myoglobin solubility, in lamb was dependent on the muscles anatomical location and temperature. Lamb longissimus dorsi musle at 55 to 70°C formed cooked meat haemoprotein more rapidly than the muscles in the shoulder and leg. The formation in lamb was more rapid than in beef. The rate in high pH beef (7.25) l. dorsi was lower than found in beef l. dorsi of normal pH but in low pH lamb (5.38) l. dorsi the rate was, at most temperatures, also slower than found in this muscle from lamb of normal pH. In the presence of NaCl the rate of cooked meat haemoprotein formation was faster (almost doubled at 2g/100g meat) than found in the corresponding salt free lamb and beef samples. Other additives commonly added to meat products (mechanically recovered meat, oil, polyphosphates, soya, whey and caseinate) had little effect on the rate of cooked meat haemoprotein formation, at the levels normally used in meat products. It is concluded that for lamb products little if any myoglobin will remain soluble, and the products will look cooked before the recommended thermal treatment to inactivate Escherichia coli O157:H7 has been achieved. ?     

Identification of chicken,duck, pigeon and pig meat by species-specific markers of mitochondrial origin

In the present study, PCR based method for meat species identification of chicken, duck, pigeon and pig was achieved by developing species-specific markers. Using mitochondrial sequences species-specific primers were designed and the sizes of them were 256 bp, 292 bp, 401 bp and 835 bp for chicken, duck, pigeon and pig, respectively. The species-specific PCR products were sequenced to confirm the specificity of the product amplified. These markers were subsequently tested for cross amplification by checking them with beef, mutton, chevon, pork, rabbit, chicken, duck, turkey and pigeon meat. DNA markers developed in this study can help identify the species of fresh, cooked and autoclaved meat of chicken, duck and pigeon and fresh and cooked meat of pig. The process of identification is simple, economical and quick as compared to other methods such as RAPD, PCR-RFLP and sequencing method of species identification.