OXIDATIVE STABILITY OF FRESH AND HEAT-PROCESSED DARK AND LIGHT MUSCLES OF MACKEREL (Scomber scombrus)

Oxidative stability of light and dark comminuted muscle of raw and thermally processed mackerel stored at 4C was studied over a 21 day period by monitoring changes in conjugated dienes (CD) and 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values. The quantity of headspace (HS) volatiles, propanal, and hexanal as well as the ratio of aliphatic to olefinic (R_ao) or diallylmethylene (R_ad) protons in the proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹ NMR) spectra of oils were determined. The content of CD of light and dark ground mackerel muscle samples exhibited a consistent increase over the entire storage period. Furthermore, secondary oxidation products as reflected in the TBA values and content of propanal, hexanal and HS gases, generally, showed a gradual increase in their level. The concentration of propanal, the dominant volatile of the HS gases, increased markedly up to day 6 of storage, but afterwards began to decline continuously. A similar trend was noted for hexanal, but at a lesser extent. The R_ao and R_ad values in the ¹H NMR spectra of lipids from all stored samples increased constantly during storage. In all samples, the dark ground muscle exhibited a higher degree of oxidation than its light counterpart. Furthermore, heat-processed dark comminuted muscle oxidized faster than its raw counterpart while generally an opposite trend was observed for the light ground muscle.     

CALCIUM CHLORIDE EFFECTS ON TBA VALUES OF COOKED MEAT

Ground chicken breast and beef top round (semimembranosus) muscles were treated with CaCl₂ (0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20% on final sample weight basis) and cooked to an internal temperature of 80C. Cooked samples were aerobically stored at 4C for 0 or 4 days and analyzed for 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA)-reactive substances. Results indicated that CaCl₂ can either inhibit or accelerate lipid oxidation in cooked meat depending on its concentration/meat animal species. TBA values of chicken samples were decreased by CaCl₂ used at ≥ 0.1% of final weight. However, only beef samples treated with the highest CaCl₂ level (0.20%) tended to have lower TBA values when compared to control samples (treated with deionized water only). CaCl₂ used at low levels (0.05% for chicken and ≤0.15% for beef) tended to elevate cooked meat TBA values.     

EFFECT OF MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING ON THE QUALITY OF SMOKED CATFISH

Smoked catfish were inoculated with Listeria ivanovii then packaged under 80% CO₂/20% N₂ (M₁) and 40% CO₂/30%O₂/130% N₂ (M₂) and stored at 2 and 8C. Noninoculated samples packaged under air (A) served as controls. Fillets stored under M₂ at 8C showed the fastest growth of L. ivanovii. L. ivanovii counts in samples stored under M₁ at both temperatures decreased significantly over time. Listeria growth was observed in samples stored under air at 2 and 8C after 2 weeks. APC results were similar to that of Listeria The highest TBA values were observed in M₂-stored samples followed by air-stored samples. Lightness ("L" values) increased significantly, whereas "a" (redgreen) and "b" (blue/yellow) values decreased in all atmospheres at both temperatures over time. The combined use of M₁ and 2C improved the quality of smoked catfish by inhibiting microbial growth and minimizing the extent of lipid oxidation.     

Potential of oregano essential oil and MAP to extend the shelf life of fresh swordfish: a comparative study with ice storage

ABSTRACT:  The present study evaluated the effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP, 5% O₂/50% CO₂/45% N₂; treatment M), the addition of oregano oil (0.1%, v/w; treatment AO) as a natural preservative, as well as their combination (treatment MO) on the quality and shelf life extension of fresh Mediterranean swordfish fillets during a refrigerated storage (4 °C) period of 18 d. Simultaneously, swordfish fillets were stored under aerobic conditions (control treatment A, 4 °C) and on ice (usual commercial method of preservation, treatment I, 0 °C). Among the 5 treatments examined in the present study, the most effective one to inhibit the microbial and sensory spoilage proved to be the MO treatment, achieving a shelf life extension of 8 to 9 d. The dominant bacteria in the microflora of swordfish, irrespective of treatment, were the Pseudomonads and the H₂S-producing bacteria, while both lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and the Enterobacteriaceae produced the lowest populations in swordfish samples kept on ice. Among the chemical indices examined, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values showed no specific trend of lipid oxidation for swordfish, irrespective of treatment. Final trimethylamine nitrogen (TMA-N) and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) values for treatments, A, AO, M, and MO ranged between 1.33 and 14.29 mg N/100 g and 14.11 to 55.52 mg N/100 g, respectively, whereas for I samples they remained almost unchanged during storage. Sensory analysis (taste attribute) correlated well with microbiological analysis, indicating a shelf life of approximately 5 to 6 d for control, 10 to 11 d for AO, 12 d for I, 13 d for M, and 14 d for MO samples.     

Retardation by Glandless Cottonseed Flour of Lipid Oxidation and Discoloration in Raw Ground Beef Containing Salt

Salt (NaCl) was added to raw ground beef at levels of 0, 0.5, 1, 2 or 3% of the weight of the meat and defatted glandless cottonseed flour (GCF) was added at 0 or 3% levels. Patties were made with these mixes and stored for 3 or 6 days at 4°C or for 30 or 60 days at –20°C. Lipid oxidation (TBA values) in samples stored at 4° and –20°C and discoloration in samples stored at 4°C were determined. In samples made with salt only, TBA values within each storage period for each storage temperature increased with increasing salt levels up to 2%; increasing salt from 2 to 3% decreased TBA values. GCF markedly reduced TBA values at each salt level. Discoloration of samples stored at 4°C was also decreased by GCF.     

Internal Premature Browning in Cooked Ground Beef Patties from High-Oxygen Modified-Atmosphere Packaging

ABSTRACT: This study examined the effects of location within a package and display time on the incidence of premature browning in patties made from ground beef packaged in a high-oxygen modified atmosphere (80% oxygen and 20% carbon dioxide) or in vacuum for up to 14 d. On days 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, and 14 of display, patties were formed from both top and bottom portions of tissue exposed to high-oxygen. These patties contained predominantly oxymyoglobin and metmyoglobin at the time of formation and cooking. As display progressed, the percentage of oxymyoglobin decreased ( P < 0.05) and metmyoglobin increased ( P < 0.05) in the patties for both locations, whereas the percentage of deoxymyoglobin remained stable at less than 2%. Samples that were vacuum-packaged contained predominantly deoxymyoglobin. Patties from high-oxygen packages cooked to a temperature of 71.1 °C were prematurely brown ( P < 0.05) compared with vacuum-packaged samples. Patties containing predominantly deoxymyoglobin remained pinker than patties cooked directly from high-oxygen packages (lower visual color score, higher a * value; P < 0.05) on the interior after cooking. Data in this study clearly demonstrate that, regardless of time in display, nearly 100% of patties formed from high-oxygen-packaged ground beef would be prematurely brown when cooked and could pose a food safety problem if not cooked to an endpoint temperature ensuring safety.     

Chemical and sensory changes in haddock and herring stored under modified atmosphere

The effectiveness of storage in atmospheres with increased proportions of CO₂ to extend the shelf-life of haddock and herring was examined. Using a 40: 30: 30/CO₂: O₂: N₂ atmosphere with haddock no useful extension of shelf-life was achieved at +5°C and only limited extension at 0°C. A more useful extension of shelf-life at 0°C was obtained by storing haddock in a 60: 20: 2O/CO₂: O₂: N₂ atmosphere and with herring in a 60:40/CO₂::N₂: atmosphere. Total volatile bases (TVB) and hypoxanthine values (Hx) correlated with the cooked flavour. There were no significant differences in drip-loss between the modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) stored samples and the controls. Peroxide values (PV) in herring were lower in MAP stored samples. Whole haddock and whole herring were found to have a longer shelf-life when stored in MAP at 0°C than when stored as fillets.     

Microbiological and physicochemical properties of red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) stored in different package systems at 2 degrees C

ABSTRACT:  This study compared 3 package systems for their influence on the stability of shell-on red claw crayfish tail meat stored at 2 °C for 14 d. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP, with 80% CO₂/10% O₂/10% N₂) suppressed ( P < 0.05) the growth of aerobic bacteria and coliforms when compared with aerobic packaging using polyvinylchloride (PVCP) and vacuum packaging (VP). MAP and VP tended to retard lipid oxidation, inhibited Ca-ATPase activity change, but produced more intense protein denatuation when compared with PVCP. The MAP packaging enhanced proteolysis and resulted in more ( P < 0.05) cooking losses and a higher ( P < 0.05) shear force than VP and PVCP for samples stored for 6 and 14 d ( P < 0.05). Sensory panel results were in general agreement with the physicochemical changes, suggesting that the specific package systems had a significant impact on the quality of refrigerated red claw crayfish raw meat.     

Shelf life of Turkish whey cheese (Lor) under modified atmosphere packaging

In this study, the shelf life of Lor cheese stored under different atmosphere compositions was assessed and compared. Lor cheeses were held in four different atmospheres containing: vacuum packaging (VP), 40% CO₂/60% N₂, 60% CO₂/40% N₂ and 70% CO₂/30% N₂ (modified atmosphere packaging). Control cheeses were stored in air. All cheese samples were kept in the refrigerator at 4°C for 45 days and investigated for physicochemical, microbiological and sensory properties. The acidity index value was significantly higher ( P  < 0.05) in the control and vacuum packaged samples than in those stored for the same period under CO₂. Microbiological results showed that modified atmosphere packaging delayed microbial growth compared with air and VP samples. Of the three modified atmospheres, gas mixtures 60% and 70% CO₂ were the most effective for inhibition of growth of micro-organisms. Sensory evaluation (odour and taste) results showed that Lor cheese packaged under modified atmosphere packaging (60% CO₂/40% N₂ and 70% CO₂/30% N₂ ) retained good characteristics for 45 days of storage, while vacuum and control samples were sensorily unacceptable after 10 days of storage.     

Fate of Aflatoxin M1 during Manufacture and Storage of Feta Cheese

ABSTRACT:  The effect of feta cheese manufacture on aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) content was studied using an enzyme immunoassay technique. Feta cheese was made from milk spiked with 1 and 2 μg AFM₁ per kilogram milk. Pasteurization at 63 °C for 30 min caused <10% destruction of AFM₁. During cheese making, the remaining AFM₁ in milk was partitioned between curd and whey with two-thirds retained in the curd and one-third going into the whey. Cheeses were then stored for 2 mo in 8%, 10%, and 12% brine solutions at 6 and 18 °C. There was a 22% to 27% reduction of AFM₁ during the first 10 d of storage, with slightly more loss as salt concentration increased and when the cheese was stored at 18 °C. Further storage caused only slight decrease in AFM₁ and after 30 d of brining there was no difference in AFM₁ content of the cheese based upon salt concentration of the brine. At 18 °C, no further losses of AFM₁ occurred after 30 d, and at 6 °C, there was continued slight decrease in AFM₁ levels until 50 d. After 60 d of brining, there was a total loss of 25% and 29% of the AFM₁ originally present for cheese brined at 6 and 18 °C, respectively. Thus, the combination of pasteurization, conversion of milk into feta cheese, and at least 50 d storage of cheese in brine caused a total loss of about 50% of the AFM₁ originally present in the raw milk.     

Comparative Studies on the Physicochemical Properties and Hydration Behavior of Oat Gum and Oatrim in Meat-based Patties

ABSTRACT: Goat/rabbit meat patties were formulated using oatrim (0.5,1.0,2.0, %) and oat gum (0.5,1.0, and 2%). Patties were evaluated for sensory attributes, nutrient content and hydration behavior. Moisture content decreased with increased oatrim and oat gum addition. Protein content of patties containing 2% oatrim slightly increased. However, ash values were lower than control. Shear force values were higher for oatrim containing patties than for oat gum. Patties containing oatrim and oat gum received favorable responses for acceptability. NMR spin-spin (T₂) and spin-lattice (T₁) relaxation times were generally higher in oat gum patties than oatrim. Generally, T₁ and T₂ decreased with added oat gum or oatrim and increased with increased temperature.     

Microbiological, physicochemical and organoleptic changes of shredded carrots stored under modified storage

The effect of initial head spaces of air, 4.9% CO₂/2.1% O₂/93% N₂ and 5% CO₂/95% N₂ on the microbial flora of shredded carrots was studied at 4 and 10°C. The microbial flora of shredded carrots comprised lactic acid bacteria, pseudomonads and yeasts. Lactic acid bacteria were the predominant organisms in all samples. The pH dropped during the storage of carrots and this was more pronounced at 10°C. The concentration of different organic acids such as lactic, acetic, tartaric, citric and succinic increased in all samples stored under modified atmosphere packaging conditions at both temperatures. The spoilage of carrots stored under 5% CO₂/95% N₂ was delayed, as indicated by the changes in their texture, colour and odour, compared with those samples stored under air or 4.9% CO₂/2.1% O₂/93% N₂.     

Effect of erythorbate, storage and high-oxygen packaging on premature browning in ground beef

Premature browning (PMB) was investigated in ground beef patties with (0.04%, w/w) and without erythorbate. In Experiment 1, patties were stored at 4 °C for 48 h; at -18 °C for 21 days; or at -18 °C for 21 days, thawed at 4 °C for 24 h; and cooked. Bulk ground beef was stored at -18 °C for 24 days, thawed for 24 h at 4 °C, and patties prepared and cooked immediately. In Experiment 2, fresh patties were overwrapped with oxygen-permeable film or packaged in 80% O(2)/20% N(2) (MAP), and stored for 48 h at 4 °C, or at -18 °C for 21 days, and cooked. Total reducing activity and color (L*, a* and b* values) were measured immediately prior to cooking. Patties were cooked to internal temperatures of 60, 66, 71 and 77 °C and internal cooked color was measured. Total reducing activity was higher for the erythorbate treatment than controls for all storage conditions (P<0.05). a* Values of cooked patties were higher for erythorbate than control treatments under all storage and packaging conditions at 60 and 66 °C (P<0.05). The presence of erythorbate in ground beef patties appeared to maintain red color at cooked internal temperatures of 60 and 66 °C. Frozen bulk storage appeared to increase the susceptibility of ground beef to PMB when compared to fresh and frozen patties. Patties cooked directly from frozen state appeared less susceptible to PMB than frozen-thawed and bulk storage. Ground beef appeared predisposed to PMB when stored in high-oxygen MAP at 4 °C for 48 h.     

EFFECTS OF LOW CONCENTRATIONS OF H2O2 ON LIPID OXIDATION AND OF STORAGE AND pH ON NONHEME IRON CONTENT OF RAW BEEF MUSCLE

Ground beef samples were prepared from semimembranosus muscles, and beef muscle residue devoid of heme pigments was prepared by repeated washing of the ground muscle with distilled-deionized water. When ground muscle, or muscle residue samples treated with metmyoglobin-H₂O₂ (4 mg metmyoglobin/g muscle residue; 1:0.1 to 1:1 for molar ratio of metmyoglobin to H₂O²) were stored at 4°C for 0 or 6 days, no changes in nonheme iron content were observed. Similarly, nonheme iron content of stored samples was not affected by pH (5.5, 6.0 or 6.5). While metmyoglobin-H₂O² added to water-extracted beef muscle residue catalyzed the oxidation of the indigenous lipids, treatment of the residue with H₂O² alone had no effect on the oxidation.     

Comparison of antioxidant effects of milk mineral, butylated hydroxytoluene and sodium tripolyphosphate in raw and cooked ground pork

The antioxidant effects of 0.5-2.0% milk mineral (MM) was tested in raw and cooked ground pork stored at 2?°C or -20?°C, compared to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and sodium tripolyphosphate (STP). TBA numbers were low and not different between raw meat treatments. TBA numbers were lower (P<0.01) for cooked treatments with MM or STP compared to controls or treatments with BHT. Experiments were also done to determine acceptability of pork samples with various TBA values, and to determine effect of holding time before serving on TBA values. Cooked pork patties held at 71?°C for 90 or 120 min had higher (P<0.05) TBA values than patties held for 0-60 min. Thus patties could be warmed for 60 min after cooking without significantly increasing TBA number. For paired-preference sensory testing, patties were cooked and stored at 2?°C for 0, 1, 2 and 3 days to obtain TBA numbers of 0.4, 1.5, 3.4 and 3.9 respectively. Panelists preferred (P<0.001) patties with TBA number <0.5, compared to patties with TBA numbers >1.4.     

The Effects of Residual Oxygen on the Storage Life of Retail-Ready Fresh Beef Steaks Masterpackaged Under a CO2 Atmosphere

ABSTRACT:  Retail-packed rump ( Gluteus medius , GM) and striploins ( Longissiumus dorsi, LD) steaks were masterpackaged under carbon dioxide (CO₂) and stored at 1 °C ± 1 °C for 14, 28, 35, and 42 d. A commercial oxygen (O₂) scavenger (ATCO HV1000®, Standa Industrie, Caen, France) was used in the masterpacks to achieve an O₂-free atmosphere. Similar packages without the O₂ scavengers were also prepared. At each storage time, 2 masterpacks of each treatment were opened and the retail trays were placed in a display case at 4 °C ± 2 °C for 1 and 48 h for microbiological and sensorial evaluations. The low growth rate of aerobic psychrotrophic flora on the stored beefsteaks demonstrated the bacteriostatic effect of CO₂ during storage. The maximum level of psychrotrophic aerobic bacteria reached during storage was approximately 10⁶ CFU/g. The steaks stored in masterpacks with scavengers bloomed to the desirable red color associated with freshly cut meat in the display case for all of the storage periods, except in the case of GM steaks, which showed a cycle of transient discoloration. GM and LD steaks were well accepted (65% and 82%, respectively) after 42 d under CO₂ at 1 °C ± 1 °C. The GM and LD steaks stored without the O₂ scavenger showed variable fractions of discoloration that significantly detracted from the appearance of the samples.     

Controlled atmosphere storage to decrease physiological disorders in nectarines

'Fantasia', 'Flavortop', and 'Flamekist' nectarines were examined for their response to controlled atmosphere (CA) storage. All three cultivars stored well for up to 6 weeks at 0°C in an atmosphere of 10% O₂+ 10% CO₂, while some but not all the cultivars also stored well in 2% O₂+ 5% CO₂ or 10% O₂+ 5% CO₂. The physiological storage disorders of internal breakdown and reddening were almost completely absent in nectarines kept in 10% O₂+ 10% CO₂. When 'Flamekist' nectarines from two harvests were stored in 10% O₂+ 10% CO₂ atmosphere for 6 or 8 weeks at 0°C, the fruit from the first harvest was of better quality after post-storage ripening. Although this controlled atmosphere prevented internal breakdown and reddening, after extended storage fruit did not develop the increased soluble solids content or extractable juice during post-storage ripening that occurred in non-stored fruit. Therefore, while preventing storage disorders, CA does not reduce the loss of ripening ability occurring during nectarine storage.     

Reduction of Escherichia Coli O157:H7 and Lactobacillus Plantarum Numbers on Fresh Beef by Polylactic Acid and Vacuum Packaging

ABSTRACT: The efficacy of 2% molecular weight 240, 2% molecular weight 360 polylactic acid (PLA), and an equal mix of both at reducing numbers of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Lactobacillus plantarum on raw beef was determined. Fresh beef cubes inoculated with either organism were dipped in PLA solutions or wrapped in PLA-sprayed films. Samples were vacuum packaged and stored at 4°C for 42 d. Treated samples maintained a significantly lower pH than controls. Growth of E. coli O157:H7 was totally inhibited by both PLA treatments by up to 7.29 log₁₀ CFU/cm² when the spray method was used. However, PLA treatments against L. plantarum were not very effective.     

ATPASE ACTIVITY, SURFACE HYDROPHOBICITY, SULFHYDRYL CONTENT AND PROTEIN DEGRADATION IN REFRIGERATED SEABASS MUSCLE IN MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING

The effect of modified atmosphere packaging (80% CO₂, 10% O₂, 10% N₂) on ATPase activity, surface hydrophobicity, sulfhydryl content and degradation of proteins in seabass muscle during storage at 4C was investigated. No changes in Ca²⁺-, Mg²⁺-, Mg²⁺-Ca²⁺-ATPase activities of natural actomyosin (NAM) in seabass slices kept under MAP were observed throughout the storage for up to 21 days (P > 0.05). However, a slightly increased Mg²⁺-EGTA-ATPase was found. For seabass slices stored under air atmosphere, Ca²⁺-ATPase activity decreased, whereas Mg²⁺-EGTA-ATPase activity increased (P < 0.05) with a concomitant loss in Ca²⁺-sensitivity. Lower decreases in total sulfhydryl content but higher increases in surface hydrophobicity were observed in samples stored under MAP, compared to those kept under air atmosphere. No marked autolytic degradation in samples kept under MAP was observed throughout the storage as monitored by no changes in myosin heavy chain, free α-amino acid and trichloroacetic acid soluble peptide. Conversely, a considerable degradation was found in samples kept under air atmosphere, especially after 9 days of storage. Therefore, MAP is a promising means to retard the changes in muscle proteins, especially degradation.     

Quality Changes of Prerigor Filleted Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) Packaged in Modified Atmosphere Using CO2 Emitter, Traditional MAP, and Vacuum

ABSTRACT:  Pieces of prerigor salmon fillets were packaged in modified atmosphere (60% CO₂ and 40% N₂) and in vacuum. The MA packages had a gas to product volume ratio (g/p ratio) of 3/1 (traditional MAP) and 1/1 (packaged with a CO₂ emitter). All the samples were stored at 1.2 °C for 25 d. The MA packages had lower bacterial growth during storage compared to vacuum packages. The analyses of 16S rRNA at day 22 indicated a similar bacterial diversity, independent of packaging methods, dominated by  Photobacterium phosphoreum . The results therefore suggest that CO₂ inhibited total bacterial count, including,  P. phosphoreum . Negative odors and liquid losses were detected earlier for the vacuum-packaged samples (8 d) compared to the MA samples (15 d) and higher levels were detected at the end of the storage period. The breaking strength (firmness) tended to be lower for the MA packaged samples compared with the vacuum samples after 15 d of storage, whereas the redness ( a * value) and the yellowness ( b * value) were significantly higher for the MA samples. In conclusion, MA packaging preserved the quality better during storage than vacuum packaging. MA packaging with a CO₂ emitter and reduced g/p ratio gave similar or better results compared with traditional MAP, thus CO₂ emitters are well suited for reduction of volume of MA packaged farmed salmon fillet pieces.