Characterisation of three starch degrading enzymes: thermostable β-amylase, maltotetraogenic and maltogenic α-amylases

White sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum L.) were studied with the purpose to evaluate γ-irradiation effect at 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 kGy on lipid and fatty acid content, colour and protein allergenicity and to identify whether sesame oil was extracted from irradiated seeds by using High Resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (HR-NMR). The fat decreased significantly, whereas triglyceride and phospholipid content was significantly decreased by the increase of irradiation dose. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and unsaturated/saturated fatty acids ratio decreased. The presence of radiolytic decomposition products, shown by NMR, formed after a 2.5 kGy dose, confirmed that the lipid content decrease was a result of the irradiation process. The allergenicity of storage seed proteins was not significantly affected by irradiation up to 10.0 kGy. Colour parameter a^* increased after 5.0 kGy, while L^* values decreased significantly after 2.5 kGy. Conclusively, irradiation could be applied at doses <2.5 kGy while sustaining the sesame seed nutritional benefits.     

Effect of irradiation on properties and storage stability of Som-fug produced from bigeye snapper

Effects of irradiation at different doses (0, 2 and 6 kilogray (kGy)) on the microbiological, chemical and physical properties of Som-fug, a Thai fermented fish mince, were investigated. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), yeast and mould counts in samples irradiated at 6 kGy were not detectable throughout the storage of 30 days at 4 °C, whereas no growth was found in the sample irradiated at 2 kGy within the first 10 days. Generally, greater carbonyl contents of lipid and protein, as well as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), were noticeable in the irradiated samples, than in the non-irradiated sample (p < 0.05). The carbonyl contents and TBARS increased with increasing storage time and the rate of increase was more pronounced in samples irradiated at higher dose (p < 0.05). With increasing storage time, Som-fug irradiated at 6 kGy showed greater decreases in hardness, adhesiveness, springiness and cohesiveness, than did non-irradiated samples and those irradiated at 2 kGy (p < 0.05). L^∗ value of all samples decreased, whereas a^∗ and b^∗ values increased throughout storage (p < 0.05). Lower acceptance in all attributes was observed in the samples irradiated at 6 kGy, than in other samples, particularly when storage time increased (p < 0.05). However, samples irradiated at 2 kGy showed no changes in acceptability within 20 days. The results revealed that irradiation at high dose (6 kGy) might induce lipid and protein oxidation, though the growth of microorganisms was inhibited. Therefore, the irradiation at low dose (2 kGy) could be used to control the overfermentation of Som-fug up to 20 days at 4 °C without adverse effects on quality and acceptability.     

Effect of γ-irradiation on the physicochemical and sensory properties of cashew nuts (Anacardium occidentale L.)

The present study evaluated cashew nuts' quality as a function of γ-irradiation dose in order to determine dose levels causing minimal undesirable changes to the product. Physicochemical (colour, peroxide value, hexanal content, fatty acid composition, volatile compounds) and sensory (colour, texture, odor, taste) properties of cashew nuts were determined after irradiation at doses up to 7 kGy. Results showed a five-fold increase in peroxide value (PV) and a two-fold increase in hexanal content after irradiation at a dose of 7 kGy. Of the fatty acids determined, stearic acid concentration increased while oleic acid decreased with irradiation dose. PUFA were unaffected by irradiation. Volatile compounds such as aldehydes, ketones and alcohols increased after irradiation indicating enhanced lipid oxidation. Colour parameter a∗ increased (p < 0.05) at doses >3 kGy while colour parameters L∗ and b∗ remained unaffected by irradiation. Sensory analysis showed that cashew nuts remained organoleptically acceptable at doses <3 kGy.     

Gamma irradiation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) flours and pastes: Effects on functional,thermal and molecular properties of isolated proteins

In a previous study irradiation of cowpea flours and pastes at medium (10 kGy) and high (50 kGy) doses resulted in significant changes in protein-related functional properties. To understand some of the effects of gamma irradiation on cowpea proteins in particular, we isolated proteins from cowpea flours (FPC) and pastes (PPC) treated with gamma irradiation at 2, 10, and 50 kGy and analyzed their functional, thermal and molecular properties. Nitrogen solubility index of both FPC and PPC decreased, whereas oil absorption and emulsion capacities increased significantly with increasing irradiation dose. Differential scanning calorimetry showed decreases in transition temperatures (T_d) and enthalpies (ΔH), indicating a progressive denaturation of cowpea proteins with increasing irradiation. Size exclusion HPLC revealed increases in protein molecular weights, probably due to protein–protein cross-linking with irradiation in a dose-dependent manner. Reducing SDS-PAGE of FPC and PPC samples seems to suggest that the contribution of disulphide bonds to irradiation-induced cowpea protein–protein cross-linking is small.     

Effect of low dose gamma irradiation on beef quality and fatty acid composition of beef intramuscular lipid

Eight Chinese Yellow Cattle semitendinous muscles were irradiated using a (60)Co irradiation source (with the dose of 1.13, 2.09, or 3.17kGy) and stored (0 day or 10 days at 7°C) to estimate fatty acids change of neutral lipid (NL), polar lipid (PL) and total lipid (TL) fractions, and the beef quality change. Total saturated fatty acid (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) increased with irradiation, ratios of MUFA to SFA did not change in TL. Whilst, total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) reduced with irradiation, which resulted in PUFA to SFA ratio decreased in TL (0 day or 10 days). Purge loss and 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values increased with irradiation (from 0 to 3.17kGy) at 0 day, but these values were lower with irradiation at 10 days. Total bacterial counts decreased proportionally with irradiation dose increasing from 0 to 3.17kGy. It can be concluded that fatty acid profiles in beef changed with irradiation; however, fatty acid profiles did not change much at 3.17kGy compared with 1.13 or 2.09kGy, and the beef quality were most acceptable at the dose of 3.17kGy, thus, low dose of about 3kGy gamma irradiation was recommended to apply in fresh beef preparation.     

Modifications of structure and physicochemical properties of maize starch by γ-irradiation treatments

Maize starch powder was exposed to a ⁶⁰Co source (0, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, or 500 kGy) and the effects of γ-irradiation treatment on the structure and physicochemical properties of the starch granules were studied. The results showed that peak, trough, final, and setback viscosities were significantly reduced, whereas the solubility was increased following irradiation. Gelatinization temperature and enthalpy decreased significantly when the dose is higher than 50 kGy. On the surface, the starch granules did not display any visible physical change up to a 500 kGy dose was. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the relative crystallinity of starch decreased slightly, and the starch exhibited an A-pattern without any change. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral intensity at 1018 cm^?1 increased with the irradiation dose up to 200 kGy. Irradiation dose was positively correlated with solubility and negatively correlated with relative crystallinity. There were high positive correlations between thermal properties and pasting properties.     

Composition and functional properties of raw and electron beam-irradiated Mucuna pruriens seeds

The proximate, nutritional and functional properties of raw and electron beam-irradiated (0–30 kGy) Mucuna seeds were investigated. Irradiation increased crude protein and crude carbohydrates significantly than crude lipid, crude fibre and energy. Raw seeds were rich in minerals and were not affected by irradiation except for magnesium and phosphorus. Amino acids of raw seeds were comparable to soyabean and FAO/WHO reference pattern and except for 30 kGy, no significant changes were seen in amino acid profile. Raw seeds were rich in unsaturated fatty acids and some of them decreased on irradiation, while linoleic acid steadily elevated (0–14.35 mg g⁻¹ lipid). In vitro protein digestibility was dose dependent and significantly increased up to 15 kGy. Water and oil absorption capacities and foaming capacity significantly increased on irradiation, while protein solubility decreased (15 and 30 kGy) with an improvement of gelation property of seed flour. The cooking time of seeds significantly reduced on irradiation.     

Sensorial and chemical quality of electron beam irradiated almonds (Prunus amygdalus)

This work reports the effects of irradiation with accelerated electrons (0, 3, 7, and 10 kGy) on the chemical composition (water content, proteins, neutral detergent fiber, sugars, lipid content, organic acids, and color) and sensorial properties (rancidity, sweetness, off-flavors and odors, texture, and whiteness) of the shelled almond variety Guara, packaged under air atmosphere and stored for 5 months at 20±1 °C. Changes observed where a decrease for glucose in samples treated at all irradiation doses. An increase of citric acid, at doses above 3 kGy and then a decrease to values similar to those of the control was observed. With respect to the sensorial analysis, there was no treatment effect on the sweetness, texture or color but there was a marked rancidity in the samples treated with 10 kGy that decreased the overall appreciation of the samples. Irradiation doses of up to 7 kGy seem to be a suitable post-harvest sanitation treatment since they did not cause significant changes in the sensorial quality or in the contents of protein, fiber, water, or lipid with respect to the control samples, both following the treatments and after 5 months of storage.     

辐照剂量率对牛肉脂肪和蛋白氧化及蛋白特性的影响

为研究电子束辐照剂量率对冷却牛肉脂肪和蛋白氧化及蛋白理化特性的影响,试验分析了电子束辐照处理不同剂量率对脂肪和蛋白氧化程度及其蛋白溶解性、疏水性与持水力等特征指标的影响。结果表明:2 k Gy电子束辐照后牛肉脂肪及蛋白氧化程度显著加剧,蛋白溶解性及持水力显著降低,疏水性显著增加(p0.05);在0~2500 Gy/s剂量率范围内,随着剂量率的增大,牛肉的TBARS、酸价、过氧化值、羰基和二硫键含量降低,巯基含量上升,脂肪及蛋白氧化程度减弱;剂量率与蛋白溶解性和持水性呈显著正相关,而与疏水性呈显著负相关(p0.05)。试验结果进一步证明了电子束辐照剂量率会显著影响牛肉脂肪及蛋白氧化。辐照氧化导致蛋白结构的破坏,引起蛋白理化特性的显著变化(p0.05),这为电子束辐照过程中冷却牛肉的氧化控制提供理论参考。     

Impact of irradiation and immunoglobulin G concentration on absorption of protein and immunoglobulin G in calves fed colostrum replacer

The objective of this study was first to evaluate whether irradiation treatment of a commercial colostrum replacer (CR) affected acquisition of passive immunity. If the irradiation treatment negatively affected the acquisition of passive immunity, the second objective was to evaluate whether an increased total IgG mass, in a single feeding of CR derived from bovine serum fractions, could compensate for this effect. Acquisition of passive immunity was assessed by 24-h serum IgG levels, serum protein levels, apparent efficiency of absorption (AEA) of IgG, and the ability to prevent failure of passive transfer (FPT) in day-old dairy calves fed a single feeding of CR. Single-dose packs of CR were sent to a commercial irradiation facility for electron-beam irradiation at 3 to 7 kGy (low irradiation) or 15 to 20 kGy (high irradiation). Fifty-six Holstein, Jersey, or crossbred calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatments: 1) 130 g of IgG (460 g of CR), no irradiation; 2) 130 g of IgG (460 g of CR), low irradiation; 3) 160 g of IgG (518 g of CR), low irradiation; 4) 190 g of IgG (575.4 g of CR), low irradiation; and 5) 130 g of IgG (460 g of CR), high irradiation. All CR were reconstituted in water and mixed in a household blender to a constant solids concentration of 18.7%. Increasing doses of irradiation (130 g of Ig with no, low, or high irradiation) resulted in a linear decrease in 24-h serum IgG and AEA of IgG, and increased the percentage of calves with FPT. Increasing the IgG mass in the CR (130, 160, and 190 g of Ig with low irradiation) resulted in a linear increase in 24-h serum IgG and serum total protein levels, and a linear decrease in AEA of IgG. There was no effect of increasing the mass of IgG fed on the percentage of calves with FPT. The correlation between serum IgG and serum total protein at 24 h was positive; however, at 24 h the irradiation treatments reduced the serum IgG-to-serum total protein ratio. In this study, CR isolated from bovine serum, providing 130 g of IgG in the first feeding and receiving either no irradiation or a low irradiation treatment, was sufficient to prevent FPT in calves.     

Correlation between astaxanthin amount and a* value in fresh Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) muscle during different irradiation doses

The amount of astaxanthin and a* value changes in fresh Atlantic salmon light and dark muscle during cold storage was studied for different e-beam doses (0, 1, 1.5, 2 and 3 kGy). Astaxanthin (mg/kg muscle) and a* value decreased with increasing irradiation dose for both fresh light and dark muscle. The level of irradiation dose gave high correlation between a* value and amount of astaxanthin. The reason for the change in colour or decrease in a* value of Atlantic salmon during irradiation could be due to the destruction of astaxanthin. The amount of astaxanthin and a* value of 1 kGy treated salmon fillets were not significantly different (p > 0.05) from that of the control but significantly different (p < 0.05) from other irradiation treatments. The colour (a* value) of salmon muscle was related to the content of astaxanthin, which decreased as irradiation increased. The amount of astaxanthin in light muscle was three to five times greater than dark muscle. This study demonstrated that irradiating salmon fillets at 1 kGy, can be successfully used and leads to no significant change in colour and amount of astaxanthin.     

Quality of packaged romaine lettuce hearts exposed to low-dose electron beam irradiation

We investigated the effects of low-dose electron beam irradiation (1.0, 1.5 and 3.2 kGy) on the quality of commercially prepackaged fresh romaine lettuce hearts. The impact of the irradiation treatment on the functionality of the package was also evaluated. Irradiated samples showed slight changes in color, but these changes were not significantly different (P >0.05) from the nonirradiated (control) samples. Sample firmness decreased by 49.58% (leaves) and 29.13% (ribs), as the dose level increased. Sensory attributes such as overall quality, color, sogginess, and off-flavor were found less acceptable at the higher dose level. Irradiation affected the respiration rates inside the packages, with lower (10.38%) O₂ and higher CO₂ levels than the control. Irradiation at 1.5 and 3.2 kGy dose levels improved the oxygen barrier capability of the low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags (7.67% and 4.48%, respectively). Water vapor permeability was unaffected at all the irradiation dose levels. The stiffness of LPDE films did not change due to irradiation treatment. Results from sensory evaluation of produce overall quality suggest a potential fungicidal effect of low-dose irradiation (1.0 kGy) of packaged romaine lettuce hearts without altering the overall quality of the produce as well as the LDPE-packaging characteristics.     

Einfluß der Gamma-Bestrahlung auf die Lipidkomponente von Sojaproteinprodukten

Effect of gamma irradiation on lipid components of soya protein products. The study deals with the effects of gamma irradiation at doses of 1,3 and 5 kGy on lipid components of soya protein products. Though the above irradiation doses do not induce changes in lipid and phospholipid content, they effect significant changes in the relationship among fatty acids. Compared with untreated samples, irradiation doses of 3 and 5 kGy caused significant changes (p ≦ 0,05 and p ≦ 0,01) in the correlation between fatty acids. The 1 kGy dosis did not produce significant changes in the correlation between fatty acids. The degree of lipid oxydation heightened with the increase in the dose of irradiation. Compared with controls, the content of total carotenoid pigments decreased in the irradiated samples; the mean decrease ranged from 6,0% to 16,8%. The irradiation treatment applied significantly reduced total germinating bacteria count and those of aerobic sporogenic bacteria and mold spores.     

Effect of gamma radiation and cold storage on chemical and organoleptic properties and microbiological status of liquid egg white and yolk

This investigation aims to establish a feasible radiation dose for treating liquid egg white (LEW) and yolk (LEY) at room temperature to improve their microbial safety. Samples of LEW and LEY were subjected to gamma irradiation doses of 0,1,2,3 and 4 kGy at room temperature followed by storage at 4 ± 1 °C. Then the effects of irradiation and cold storage on proximate composition, pH, soluble protein and free sulfhydryl content (SH) were determined for LEW and LEY in addition to the contents of total carotenoids in LEY. Moreover, free fatty acids (FFA) and peroxide value (PV) were determined for lipids of LEY.The microbial safety of LEW and LEY was established during storage throughout the enumeration of the total plate count, enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus aureus as well as the detection of Salmonella. The effects of irradiation at 3 kGy dose, which was enough for improving the microbial safety of samples, on amino acid composition of LEW and LEY and fatty acid profiles of LEY lipids were studied. In addition, sensory evaluation was carried out for liquid and scrambled egg white and egg yolk samples. The results showed that gamma irradiation and refrigerated storage had no significant effects on proximate composition and pH of liquid egg samples, while significantly decreased the contents of total carotenoids in LEY samples. Furthermore, gamma irradiation had no significant effects on protein solubility and the contents of free SH in LEW, while induced significant slight decreases in protein solubility and the contents of free SH in LEY. Cold storage, however, showed no significant effects on protein solubility and free SH in all liquid egg samples. FFA contents and PV of LEY lipids significantly increased post irradiation treatments and during storage, but the observed values were relatively low and acceptable. In addition, gamma irradiation at 3 kGy dose had no significant effects neither on the amino acid composition of LEW and LEY nor on fatty acid profiles of LEY lipids. The sensory preference did not alter neither for the liquid egg samples nor for scrambled egg samples that prepared from irradiated liquid egg products. Finally, gamma irradiation at 3 kGy dose appeared to be the optimum for treating LEW and LEY at room temperature followed by cold storage at 4 ± 1 °C.     

Effects of electron beam irradiation pretreatment on the structural and functional properties of okara protein

The structural and functional properties of okara protein pretreated with electron beam irradiation (EBI) at different doses (0–10 kGy) were investigated. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra and fluorescence spectra indicated that EBI treatment decreased the α-helix and β-sheet proportion, contributing to a less compact tertiary conformation, thereby increased the fluorescence intensity with a red shift of λ_max. Scanning electron microscopy images indicated that okara protein was fragmented into smaller pieces and the surface was uneven with pores after EBI treatment. The solubility, thermal stability and emulsification characteristics of okara protein were regulated by modifying its structure by EBI treatment. When the EBI treatment dose was 6 kGy, the protein had the highest solubility, as well as emulsification characteristics. Taken collectively, these results demonstrate that EBI can improve the functional properties of okara protein, which may widen the application of the protein.     

Antioxidants and their migration into food simulants on irradiated LLDPE film

Effects of γ-irradiation on residual and migration levels of antioxidants, tris-(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite (Irgafos 168) and octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate (Irganox 1076), and their radiolysis products were investigated in the linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) packaging samples treated at doses from 0 to 200 kGy. The content of Irgafos 168 was not detected in 5 kGy treated samples and the content of Irganox 1076 decreased by 34.9% from the initial level in 10 kGy treated samples. The radiolysis products, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-DTBP), 1,3-di-tert-butylbenzene (1,3-DTBB), and toluene were identified and their concentrations gradually increased as the irradiation dose increased. Migration of Irgafos 168 from the LLDPE pouch into food simulants, distilled water, acetic acid (4 ml/100 ml distilled water) or ethanol (20 ml/100 ml distilled water), was not detected at dose levels up to 200 kGy while that of the Irganox 1076 was detected in a decreasing mode with increasing dose.     

辐照对猪肉火腿肠风味与品质的影响

分别以1、3、5、7、9 kGy剂量辐照处理火腿肠,然后对其辐照异味强度、脂质氧化、挥发性风味化合物、色差等指标进行检测,分析辐照对火腿肠风味及颜色品质的影响。结果发现,辐照处理可以显著促进火腿肠中脂质的氧化(P0.05),使得红度值(a~*)相比对照组显著降低(P0.05),但是对亮度值(L~*)和黄度值(b~*)影响不显著(P0.05)。随着辐照剂量加大,火腿肠的辐照异味明显增强,1~5 kGy范围内辐照异味不明显,当辐照剂量增加到7 k Gy时,火腿肠产生明显的令消费者不能接受的辐照异味。挥发性含硫化合物、2-丁烯、戊烷、1-戊烯、辛烷、己烷以及醛类化合物含量与对照组相比显著增多(P0.05),且与辐照剂量呈正相关。二硫化碳、二甲基二硫醚、2-甲基丙醛、3-甲基丁醛、己醛、丁烯和二甲苯是火腿肠辐照后产生的最主要挥发性化合物。结果表明,火腿肠经辐照处理后风味和色泽会发生劣变,特别是5 kGy以上的辐照剂量,并且这些品质变化与火腿肠中脂质的氧化密切相关。     

不同剂量电子束辐照对花鲈鱼肉风味的影响

采用1、3、5、7 kGy剂量电子束辐照处理花鲈鱼肉,以挥发性风味物质、游离氨基酸和呈味核苷酸含量为指标,探究辐照剂量对花鲈鱼肉风味的影响。随辐照剂量上升,花鲈鱼肉中的烃类物质相对含量呈下降趋势,醛、酮类物质相对含量上升;电子鼻检测结果显示,辐照后各剂量组气味有明显区别,但1 kGy和3 kGy组、5 kGy和7 kGy组花鲈鱼肉的气味相对接近;随辐照剂量的增加,鱼肉肌苷酸含量不断上升,呈愉快味游离氨基酸/总游离氨基酸、鸟苷酸含量和味精当量值均呈先上升后下降的趋势,并于3 kGy时达到最大值。结合电子束辐照对花鲈鱼肉的保鲜效果,选用3 kGy剂量对花鲈鱼肉进行前处理,在杀菌的同时能最大程度保留鱼肉的良好风味,实验结果可为辐照保鲜花鲈鱼肉提供依据。     

电子束辐照对鲈鱼肉肌原纤维蛋白生化特性及其构象的影响

为研究电子束辐照在水产品保鲜应用上的可行性,采用1、3、5、7 kGy剂量电子束辐照处理鲈鱼肉,以盐溶蛋白含量、巯基含量、二硫键含量、Ca2＋-ATPase活力、表面疏水性、羰基含量及其构象单元组成等为指标,探究不同剂量辐照对鲈鱼肉肌原纤维蛋白生化特性及其空间结构的影响。与对照组相比,1 kGy辐照组除总巯基含量显著上升外（P＜0.05）,其他指标水平均无显著变化（P＞0.05）。随着辐照剂量继续上升,盐溶蛋白含量、活性巯基含量、Ca2＋-ATPase活力下降,羰基和二硫键含量上升,且呈剂量-效应关系;表面疏水性则随辐照剂量上升先增大后减小,并于5 kGy时达到最大值。圆二色光谱分析结果显示,随着辐照剂量的上升,鲈鱼肉肌原纤维蛋白中的α-螺旋结构向β-折叠转化。结果显示高剂量辐照会引起鲈鱼肉肌原纤维蛋白氧化,利用电子束辐照保鲜鲈鱼肉应控制剂量,实验结果为辐照保鲜鱼肉提供了依据。     

Effect of gamma irradiation on fungal load, chemical and sensory characteristics of walnuts (Juglans regia L.)

Walnuts of the Baladi variety were treated with 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 kGy of gamma irradiation. The irradiated and unirradiated nuts were stored at room temperature (15-18°C) and 50-70% r.h. Fungal load, proximate composition (moisture, protein, fat and ash contents), chemical changes and sensory properties of nuts were evaluated immediately after irradiation and after 12 months of storage. The results indicated that gamma irradiation reduced fungal load. The doses applied did not cause any significant change in proximate composition of walnuts. Gamma irradiation increased total acidity and decreased iodide value and volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) immediately after treatment. After 12 months of storage, gamma irradiation decreased total acidity and peroxide value and increased iodide value and VBN. No significant differences were observed between irradiated and nonirradiated samples in flavor and aroma immediately after irradiation. After 12 months of storage, higher doses (1.5 and 2.0 kGy) had a negative effect on sensory characteristics.