Influence of yeast and vegetable shortening on physical and textural parameters of frozen part baked French bread

The objective of this project was to study the influence of yeast and vegetable shortening on physical and textural parameters of frozen part baked French bread stored for 28 days and to produce a frozen part baked bread with physical and textural characteristics similar to those of the fresh one. Four formulations were used with different quantities of yeast and vegetable shortening. Dough was prepared by mixing all ingredients in a dough mixer at two speeds. After resting, the dough was divided into 60 g pieces, molded and proofed. The bread was partially baked for 7 min at 250°C, in a turbo oven. After cooling, it was frozen until the core temperature reached −18°C and stored at the same temperature up to 28 days. Once a week, samples were removed from the freezer to complete the baking process, without previous thawing. Mass, volume, water content, firmness, cohesiveness and springiness were measured 1 h after final baking. Resistance to extension and extensibility of dough were measured after mixing. Specific volume and chewiness were determined. Bread with higher yeast content presented a higher specific volume, whereas vegetable shortening reduced its crumb firmness and chewiness.     

Influence of vegetable shortening and emulsifiers on the unfrozen water content and textural properties of frozen French bread dough

The influence of vegetable shortening (VS) and emulsifiers (calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate (CSL) and polysorbate 80 (PS80)) on frozen French bread dough has been studied. Eight formulations without yeast were used with different quantities of VS, CSL and PS80. Dough was prepared by mixing all ingredients in a dough mixer at two speeds. The fresh dough was divided into 60 g pieces and molded. Fresh dough samples were also collected for water content and textural analyses. The dough pieces were packed, frozen in a freezer at −30°C and stored at −18°C up to 56 days. After 2, 7, 21, 28 and 56 days of frozen storage, samples were removed from the freezer, thawed at ambient temperature and textural analyses were conducted.The enthalpy of freezable water on fresh bread dough was determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) at the heating rate of 3°C/min, temperature range of −40°C to 20°C. The value of unfrozen water was 0.30–0.34 g H₂O/g solids and additives used during the storage up to 56 days significantly affected the textural properties of frozen dough.     

The effect of glaze uptake on storage quality of frozen shrimp

Ice-glazing is applied to protect the frozen shrimp from undesirable quality changes during frozen storage. Effects of initial frozen shrimp temperature on glaze uptake; glazing time on glaze uptake; and different glaze percentage on physical and chemical changes of frozen shrimp during storage were investigated. Shrimps were frozen in a spiral freezing machine (?35 °C/15 min); transferred to the air blast freezer until the core temperature reached ?18 °C, ?25 °C and ?30 °C; submitted to glazing process; and stored at ?18 °C for 180 days. The glazing percentage, pH and N-TVB levels were monitored every 45 days. This study has demonstrated the effectiveness of the glazing process as a protecting agent for frozen shrimp. A reasonable range of water uptake could be between 15% and 20% to guarantee the final quality. Therefore, it is important to prevent temperature fluctuations during transportation and storage to maintain the quality of the frozen shrimps.     

Conventional freezing plus high pressure–low temperature treatment: Physical properties,microbial quality and storage stability of beef meat

Meat high-hydrostatic pressure treatment causes severe decolouration, preventing its commercialisation due to consumer rejection. Novel procedures involving product freezing plus low-temperature pressure processing are here investigated. Room temperature (20 °C) pressurisation (650 MPa/10 min) and air blast freezing (−30 °C) are compared to air blast freezing plus high pressure at subzero temperature (−35 °C) in terms of drip loss, expressible moisture, shear force, colour, microbial quality and storage stability of fresh and salt-added beef samples (Longissimus dorsi muscle). The latter treatment induced solid water transitions among ice phases. Fresh beef high pressure treatment (650 MPa/20 °C/10 min) increased significantly expressible moisture while it decreased in pressurised (650 MPa/−35 °C/10 min) frozen beef. Salt addition reduced high pressure-induced water loss. Treatments studied did not change fresh or salt-added samples shear force. Frozen beef pressurised at low temperature showed L, a and b values after thawing close to fresh samples. However, these samples in frozen state, presented chromatic parameters similar to unfrozen beef pressurised at room temperature. Apparently, freezing protects meat against pressure colour deterioration, fresh colour being recovered after thawing. High pressure processing (20 °C or −35 °C) was very effective reducing aerobic total (2-log₁₀ cycles) and lactic acid bacteria counts (2.4-log₁₀ cycles), in fresh and salt-added samples. Frozen + pressurised beef stored at −18 °C during 45 days recovered its original colour after thawing, similarly to just-treated samples while their counts remain below detection limits during storage.     

Effect of static electric field on ice crystal size reduction during freezing of pork meat

The objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of static electric field (SEF) on the freezing of pork meat (pork tenderloin muscle) with respect to the size of ice crystal formulation. The results showed that by increasing the strength of the static electric field, the degree of supercooling was reduced. The measured degree of supercooling varied from 3.93 ± 1.3 °C to 1.92 ± 1.45 °C for the control and the frozen sample under 12 kV SEF, respectively. Meat microstructure was investigated after Carnoy fixation of the frozen tissues. The overall relative surface of the ice crystals was unchanged. The average equivalent circular diameter of the ice crystals was significantly reduced with increasing SEF; values from 32.79 ± 4.04 μm for the control to 14.55 ± 8.20 μm for the sample frozen at the maximum magnitude electric field which was tested were observed respectively. These findings demonstrate clearly the advantage of freezing under SEF which appears as a promising and innovative freezing process for food systems.Industrial relevanceThe reduction of freeze damage exerted to any tissue undergoing freezing remains a challenge. The mechanical and biochemical stress caused by the ice crystals to the cellular membranes results in irreversible tissue damage. Freezing under static electric field (SEF) has been identified as a possible means to reduce the size of ice crystals during freezing of biological tissues. In the present study SEF was applied during freezing of pork meat. Our results indicate that the size of the formed ice crystals was significantly reduced under SEF freezing leading to a lower damage on the microstructure of meat. This paper describes an innovative freezing process that could be used in order for higher quality frozen products to be produced.     

Effect of freezing under electrostatic field on selected properties of an agar gel

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of electrostatic freezing on the quality attributes of freeze-thaw agar gel. Agar gels were frozen under static electric field 0–5.8 × 10⁴ V m^− 1 at − 20 °C. Freezing rate and energy consumption were monitored during the freezing process and microstructures of the formed ice crystals were also analyzed by light microscopy techniques. Agar gel quality changes (syneresis and texture) were evaluated after thawing the frozen samples at + 4 °C. Results showed that the energy used by a DC high voltage generator was negligibly small as compared to the energy consumption by a freezer, and the freezing rate was not significantly influenced by electrostatic freezing (ESF). ESF also reduced the size of ice crystals but did not cause obvious changes in syneresis and texture of the samples.Industrial relevanceThe effects of electrostatic field freezing on the quality attributes of agar gel have been investigated. The results showed that the electrostatic freezing can be used as a potential tool to improve the microstructure of foodstuffs during freezing.     

A new approach for the preservation of apple tissue by using a combined method of xenon hydrate formation and freezing

Freezing usually causes cell and tissue damage in frozen fruits. This study attempted to use a combined method of xenon hydrate formation and freezing (CXF) for the preservation of apple parenchyma tissue and to compare it with the freezing alone process (FAP). CXF included two steps. The first step was to initiate a certain amount of xenon hydrate by introducing the apple parenchyma tissue to the xenon gas at 1.0 MPa and 1 °C for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 d. It was found that the amount of xenon hydrate in apple parenchyma tissue increased with storage time and 2 d was optimum to obtain the certain amount of xenon hydrate. In the second step, the sample with optimum xenon hydrate formation was frozen at − 20 °C. The results showed that CXF was more effective in maintaining firmness, turgor pressure, and cell membrane integrity of the apple parenchyma tissue than FAP. A typical restricted diffusion phenomenon which indicates that water molecules are maintained in the apple parenchyma cells was found in the CXF samples, while the FAP samples showed an unrestricted diffusion phenomenon. In addition, firmness, turgor pressure, cell membrane integrity, and restricted diffusion phenomenon of the CXF samples were similar to those of the fresh samples. The CXF could preserve the apple parenchyma tissue because of the bulk water inside the cells and the water surrounding the cells which transformed to ice crystals is limited. Thus, cell and tissue damage due to the formation of ice crystals was reduced. The obtained results indicated that the CXF is effective for the preservation of the apple parenchyma tissue.Industrial relevanceThere has been an attempt to improve the quality of frozen fruit by using innovative techniques, in opposition to simply freezing. This present work proposed xenon hydrate formation for the reduction of bulk water before freezing in order to reduce freezing damage due to a large amount of ice crystal formation. The combined method of xenon hydrate formation and freezing has been proved to be able to reduce cell membrane damage usually occurring in frozen fruit. Thus this new technique has potential to be used for improving the quality of frozen fruit. The xenon hydrate formation is considered as an innovative technique for the preservation of fruit, which is expected to be useful for the frozen food industry.     

Changes in texture,cellular structure and cell wall composition in apple tissue as a result of freezing

Apple texture is one of the critical quality features for the consumer. Texture depends on several factors that are difficult to control and which change with freezing. To better understand the mechanisms involved in the texture degradation of apple tissues following freezing/thawing, our approach was to combine mechanical properties, cellular structure and cell wall composition measurements on fresh and thawed apples (Granny Smith) after three different freezing protocols (at ?20 °C, ?80 °C and ?196 °C). This work highlighted the interest of applying macrovision and image texture analysis to quantify the freezing effects on cellular structure and ice crystal size. Freezing at ?20 °C and after immersion into liquid nitrogen were the protocols affecting the most fruit texture leading to cell membrane breakage resulting in cell wall collapse and tissue breakage, respectively, which accounted for the mechanical behaviour of the samples. All freezing protocols induced vacuole burst showing that the turgor pressure preservation remains critical during the freezing process.     

Influence of freezing and dehydration of olive leaves (var. Serrana) on extract composition and antioxidant potential

In this work, the effect of the methods used for the freezing and drying of olive leaves on the polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity of the extracts was addressed. Thus, different methods were used to dry olive leaves (fresh or frozen by conventional (? 28 °C) or N₂ freezing): hot air drying at 70 or 120 °C and freeze drying. The extracts were characterized by determining the phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and HPLC-DAD/MS–MS profile.Drying had a significant (p < 0.05) influence on the antioxidant potential of olive leaf extracts. Both the drying and freezing methods significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the concentration of the main polyphenols identified. Hot air drying provided a higher phenolic content, especially in oleuropein, than freeze drying. Thus, drying at 120 °C was the best processing condition. Freezing reduced the antioxidant potential as compared to fresh leaves, probably due to oxidase activation, although its influence was not dependent on the freezing method.     

Texture and structure of pressure-shift-frozen agar gel with high visco-elasticity

To determine the effects of sucrose and high-pressure-freezing, two kinds of agar gel were compared; A gel with high visco-elasticity and B gel, an ordinary dessert gel. Both agar gels with 0, 5, 10 or 20% sucrose were frozen at 0.1–686 MPa and −20 °C. They were frozen during pressurization, and exothermic peaks were detected at 0.1, 100, 600 and 686 MPa and −20 °C (freezing). However, at 200 MPa, they did not freeze but froze with released pressure (pressure-shift-freezing). Thus, the amount of syneresis from gel pressure-shift-frozen at 200 MPa was smaller than that from gel frozen at other pressures. Also, amount of syneresis from A was smaller than B. In addition, compared to control gels, the appearance of 0% sucrose–agar gels frozen at 0.1, 100, 600 and 686 MPa differed greatly due to syneresis and a volumetric shrinkage of the gel. It was apparent that the rupture stress of the gels decreased, strain and size of ice crystals increased and quality declined. Conversely, due to quick freezing, the texture and structure of both A and B pressure-shift-frozen at 200 MPa were better than the other pressure-treated gels and gels frozen in freezers (−20, −30 or −80 °C) at atmospheric pressure. Consequently, pressure-shift-freezing was more effective. However, texture, structure and syneresis of A were somewhat better than that of B. It was found that the addition of sucrose to the gel was effective in improving the quality of frozen agar gels.     

The effect of freezing compared with chilling on selected physico-chemical and sensory properties of sous vide cooked carrots

Sous vide is increasingly used to process convenience foods including ready-meals as it is reputed to give superior quality because of the mild process and the absence of oxygen in the pack. The potential for temperature abuse is greater for sous vide ready-meals than for sous vide catered items as the distribution and retailing chain for the former is usually longer. Freezing sous vide foods is, therefore, a potentially safer alternative to sous vide processed foods followed by chilling. The objective of the current study was to investigate production of sous vide frozen sliced (discs) carrots, with similar quality to sous vide chilled product. Sensory trials were used to determine the acceptable shear texture range (1.0–2.8 kN) for steamed carrots and this was the target texture in the processing trials. A Barriquand Steriflow retort was used for sous vide processing and the optimized conditions using carrot discs were: low temperature blanch (50 °C/30 min; firms product); blanch (90 °C/3 min; inactivates enzymes); sous vide cook (90 °C to core P₉₀¹⁰ values > 4 min and < 6 min); blast freeze (? 35 °C/2 h); and store (? 25 °C). Carrot discs prepared from untreated raw carrots had a firmer texture than those prepared from either blanched or blanched and frozen material. Freezing post-sous vide cooking softened texture in comparison with chilling, but freezing rate (nitrogen; blast; cabinet methods) and frozen storage (9 months) had a minimal effect on product texture and quality. Scanning electron microscopy showed no significant structural differences between sous vide frozen and chilled carrots of similar shear values. Paired comparison sensory testing of sous vide frozen and chilled sliced carrots indicated a significant preference for the latter at the 20-day storage date.Industrial relevance: The trials dealt with the effects of freezing on the quality of sous vide processed carrots. This is of relevance to companies who wish to produce texturally acceptable sous vide frozen or chilled components as part of ready-meals.     

Effects of the freezing process on proteolysis during the ripening of Port Salut Argentino cheeses

The effect of freezing at −30 °C, frozen storage at −22 °C for 30 days and thawing at 5 °C on proteolysis during ripening of Port Salut Argentino cheese was studied. Cheeses were sampled at different ripening times (1, 6, 13, 27 and 56 days) and two sampling zones (central and external). Moisture content, salt concentration and RP-HPLC of the nitrogenous fractions (water-insoluble fraction, water-soluble fraction and free amino acids in the sulfosalicylic acid-soluble fraction) were analysed. The freezing process did not affect moisture and salt contents at the beginning of the ripening period nor moisture and salt redistribution during the ripening period studied. However, the freezing process affected proteolysis during ripening of Port Salut Argentino cheeses that had been frozen prior to ripening. There was increased breakdown of α_s1-casein and α_s1-I-casein, and increased breakdown of peptides of the water-soluble fraction (including α_s1-CN (f1-23)) along with an early development of free amino acids.     

Frozen Sangak dough and bread properties: Impact of pre-fermentation and freezing rate

The impact of pre-fermentation time and freezing rate on Sangak frozen dough and bread quality were studied. The pre-fermented doughs for 0, 30, 60, 90, or 120 min were frozen under –20, –25, or –30°C in air blast freezer. After 24 h storage at –18°C, dough samples were baked after final fermentation. The yeast viability, gassing power, and dough development for fresh and frozen Sangak doughs were determined. Crust color, density, and shear stress of bread obtained from fresh and frozen Sangak dough were evaluated. The results showed that yeast survival initially increased and then decreased with increasing freezing rate. The maximum yeast survival was observed at short pre-fermentation (30 min). A direct relationship was observed between gassing power, dough development, and yeast viability. From bread quality point-of-view, short pre-fermentation and higher freezing rate led to a more desirable bread.     

Influence of different shrinking temperatures and vacuum conditions on the ability of psychrotrophic Clostridium to cause ‘blown pack’ spoilage in chilled vacuum-packaged beef

This study determined the ability of psychrotrophic Clostridium strains isolated from vacuum-packaged beefs and abattoir environments to cause ‘blown-pack’ spoilage of vacuum-packaged beef stored at 2 and 15 °C. The influence of shrinking temperatures (83, 84 and 87 °C) and vacuum pressure (6 and 9 mbar) on the occurrence of such spoilage as well as the effects of simulated transportation (500 km) on the integrity of packages was determined. At 15 °C and 2 °C, twelve and six strains caused ‘blown-pack’ spoilage, respectively. The combination of vacuum pressure (9 mbar) combined with shrinking temperature (87 °C) retarded the occurrence of spoilage. The simulated transportation under the experimental conditions did not affect the integrity of packages. More studies that assess the factors that may contribute for the occurrence of ‘blown-pack’ spoilage should be performed to avoid the occurrence of such spoilage during its shelf-life.     

High pressure–low temperature processing of beef: Effects on survival of internalized E. coli O157:H7 and quality characteristics

High pressure–low temperature (HPLT) processing was investigated to achieve Escherichia coli O157:H7 inactivation in non-intact, whole muscle beef while maintaining acceptable quality characteristics. Beef semitendinosus was internally inoculated with a four strain E. coli O157:H7 cocktail and frozen to − 35 °C, then subjected to 551 MPa for 4 min (HPLT). Compared to frozen, untreated control (F), HPLT reduced microbial population by 1.7 log colony forming units (CFU)/g on selective media and 1.4 log on non-selective media. High pressure without freezing (551 MPa/4 min/3 °C) increased pH and lightness while decreasing redness, cook yield, tenderness, and protein solubility. Aside from a 4% decrease in cook yield, HPLT, had no significant effects on quality parameters. It was demonstrated that HPLT treatment reduces internalized E. coli O157:H7 with minimal effect on quality factors, meaning it may have a potential role in reducing the risk associated with non-intact red meat.Industrial relevanceIn the current work, high pressure (551 MPa, 4 min) was applied to beef semitendinosus while it was at subfreezing temperatures (<− 30 °C). Most studies utilizing this high pressure–low temperature (HPLT) process employ subzero capable thermostatic high pressure equipment, which currently has no commercial equivalent. Successful HPLT runs were completed in this study using more conventional temperature control (1–3 °C) on pilot scale (20 L) high pressure processing equipment. The process yielded E. coli O157:H7 reductions of 1.4–1.7 log colony forming units (CFU)/g, which, while lower than conventional high pressure processing (HPP), may be sufficient to eliminate O157 populations typical of non-intact, whole muscle beef. Various quality factors, including color, purge losses and cooked tenderness, were unaffected by HPLT, while an equivalent HPP process at nonfreezing temperatures (551 MPa, 3 °C) induced color change (loss of redness), increased cook losses and decreased cooked tenderness compared to the control and HPLT beef. Producers of non-intact, whole muscle (blade tenderized or brine injected) meat, especially those that ship and sell frozen products, may look to HPLT processes to improve food safety.     

Freeze-dried wheat supported biocatalyst for low temperature wine making

A new biocatalyst was prepared by immobilization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae AXAZ-1 yeast cells on whole wheat grains. This biocatalyst was subjected to freeze-drying and the effects of several protective agents and storage at 5 °C on viability and fermentative activity of yeasts cells were studied. Glycerol was the best protective agent that preserved the viability of immobilized yeast cells even after 9 month storage. After freeze-drying the biocatalyst was used for repeated batch wine making at extremely low temperatures until 5 °C. The produced wines were analyzed for volatile byproducts by GC and GC/MS and the results showed that the freeze-dried immobilized biocatalysts, with glycerol as protectant, produced wines with higher formation of esters than free cells, having at least similar aromatic profile to those produced by wet biocatalysts.     

Influence of yeast and frozen storage on rheological, structural and microbial quality of frozen sweet dough

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of yeast content and frozen storage (9 weeks at −40 °C) on the structural and rheological parameters, and fermentative activity of frozen sweet dough. Two types of dough were studied (to estimate dough shelf life): simple yeasted dough (SY) and double yeasted dough (DY). Fermentative activity (yeast viability, gassing power, and dough volume), rheological and textural parameters were assessed for frozen sweet doughs.These effects were explored by different and complementary methods: Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), dynamic rheology, texture profile analysis (TPA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).The data showed that the longer the frozen storage time at −40 °C, the higher the decreased of frozen sweet dough quality. The rheological attributes such as hardness, ΔS, springiness, tan δ and yeast activity declined significantly during frozen storage. This modification led to lower specific volume of frozen sweet dough during proofing.The observed changes of the frozen sweet doughs rheological properties after thawing may be attributed to the damage on the gluten cross-linking, mainly produced by the ice crystallization during frozen storage. The storage effect was particularly concentrated in the first 27 days of storage.     

Water vapor transport properties during staling of bread crumb and crust as affected by heating rate

In order to develop a mathematical model to simulate mass transfer occurring between the crumb and the crust during bread staling, water vapor sorption properties, i.e., moisture diffusivity, WVP and sorption of bread crumb and crust were investigated at 15 °C. Two types of bread baked with two heating rates (7.39 °C/min and 6.32 °C/min) were considered. Sorption and desorption isotherms were determined using Dynamic Vapor Sorption (DVS) and FF and GAB models were applied in the range of 0–0.95 a_w, to fit isotherm curves. Diffusivity was determined from sorption isotherms by using Fick's law and WVP was measured by two methods (gravimetric and from sorption data). Results exhibited maximum values of D_eff in the range of 0.1 and 0.14 g/g d.b. moisture contents. They varied between 0.88 × 10^? 10 and 0.92 × 10^? 10 m²/s for the crust and between 2.24 × 10^? 10 and 2.64 × 10^? 10 m²/s for the crumb, baked respectively at 220 °C and 240 °C. Results of WVP showed that the crust baked at 240 °C was significantly more permeable than the crust baked at 220 °C. This fact was attributed to the difference in porosity and the molecular structure due to heating effects. Also, the presence of steam in the oven atmosphere enhanced the development of higher porosity in the crust, leading to different structures and properties. Moreover, SEM images showed that starch granules were intact and less swelled in the upper crust when baking at 240 °C, resulting in higher WVP.     

Encapsulation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus in double emulsions formulated with sweet whey as emulsifier and survival in simulated gastrointestinal conditions

Lactobacillus rhamnosus cultured in sweet whey and harvested in the late log phase was entrapped in the inner aqueous phase of a double water-in-oil-in-water emulsion using concentrated sweet whey as emulsifier. The primary and double emulsion droplets showed practically no changes in their morphology and droplet size with aging time. The viability of the entrapped L. rhamnosus in the double emulsion was compared to that of non-entrapped control cells exposed to low pH and bile salt conditions. The viability of the control cells (initial number = 6.57 ± 0.3 log cfu ml^?1) decreased significantly under low pH and bile salt conditions, and their survival was 71% and 89%, respectively. The survival of the entrapped cells (initial number = 6.74 ± 0.2 log cfu ml^?1) increased significantly under low pH and bile salt conditions, and their survival was 108% and 128%, respectively. It is concluded that the double emulsion protected L. rhamnosus against simulated gastrointestinal tract conditions.     

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 650 MPa and the time increment from 1 to 5 min at 400 MPa increased L* and b*. a* decreased only with 650 MPa for 5 min 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 − 30 º C. With HHP at 20 °C, we observed a significant effect of pressure and time on the reduction of the counts.