Evaluation of Milk Mineral Antioxidant Activity in Beef Meatballs and Nitrite-cured Sausage

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to determine the antioxidant activity of 1.5% milk mineral (MM) added to uncured cooked beef meatballs and to evaluate possible synergistic effects of MM in combination with 20-ppm or 40-ppm sodium nitrite in beef sausages. All treatments were also formulated with 1.5% salt and 10% added water. Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values and Hunter color values were determined at 1 d, 8 d, and 15 d of storage at 2°C. Meatball cooked yield was also measured. Cooked yield was not different (P < 0.05) between control meatballs and those containing MM. As expected, treatments containing nitrite had higher redness ( CIE a* ) than samples without nitrite. Redness values increased with storage time in sausages containing 40-ppm nitrite. However, redness values decreased (P < 0.05) during storage for control meatballs, associated with increased lipid oxidation (higher TBA values). Lipid oxidation was lower ( P < 0.05) in samples containing 1.5% MM with TBA values <1.2 after 15 d of storage compared with 6.1 for control samples. There was no synergistic inhibition of lipid oxidation in samples containing 20-ppm or 40-ppm sodium nitrite plus 1.5% MM. Milk mineral alone at 1.5% of meat weight was sufficient for inhibition of lipid oxidation in cooked beef samples.     

Microbiological and chemical quality of ground beef treated with sodium lactate and sodium chloride during refrigerated storage

The effects of sodium lactate (NaL) and sodium chloride (NaCl), either alone (30 g/kg) or in combination (20+20 g/kg), on the microbiological and chemical quality of raw ground beef during vacuum-packaged storage at 2°C were investigated. The results showed that addition of NaL alone or in combination with NaCl significantly delayed the proliferation of aerobic plate counts, psychrotrophic counts, lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae and extended the shelf life of the product up to 15 and 21 days, respectively, versus 8 days only for control. Over the storage time (21 days), NaL maintained the ground beef at almost constant pH, while the pH of control or NaCl-treated samples significantly decreased. Lipid oxidation (TBA value) was not affected by addition of NaL. At storage day 21 however, TBA values of both NaL-treated (0.309) and control (0.318) samples were significantly lower than those of samples treated with NaCl (0.463). The combination of NaCl with NaL significantly reduced the oxidative changes caused by NaCl (0.384 versus 0.463). Therefore, NaL alone or in combination with NaCl could be utilized successfully to reduce the microbial growth, maintain the chemical quality, and extend the shelf life of ground beef during refrigerated storage.     

Stability of Precured Beef Blends

Preblends of lean beef were prepared using 20% water, 75 ppm nitrite, 3 or 6% salt (based on raw meat wt.) and stored at – 10, 0 and 15°C for 3 days. The nitrite levels in preblends were drastically reduced at 15°C storage temperature; but, after the initial loss following nitrite addition, the residual nitrite remained almost unchanged for products stored at 0 and – 10°C. Samples stored at 15°C increased in microbial numbers during storage and neither 3% nor 6% salt prevented this increase. Samples at both salt levels stored at 0°C or – 10°C did not show a significant change in bacterial numbers during storage. Salt and storage temperature had a significant effect on TBA values, with 6% salt resulting in higher TBA values than 3% salt and storage at 15°C resulting in higher TBA values than storage at 0 or ?10°C.     

Antioxidant effect of turmeric powder,nitrite and ascorbic acid on stored chicken mince

This investigation was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant effect of turmeric (turmeric 1000 ppm, turmeric 5000 ppm), nitrite (nitrite 200 ppm) and ascorbic acid (ascorbic acid 500 ppm) on raw minced chicken stored at 4 ± 1 °C. Physicochemical properties [pH, water activity, cooking loss, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value, peroxide value (PV), free fatty acid (FFA)] were evaluated on 0, 2, 4 and 6th day of storage. Highly significant differences (P < 0.01) in pH, TBA value, PV and FFA value were noticed between treatments and between storage periods. TBA values were observed to be lowest for nitrite 200 ppm and then turmeric 5000 ppm, and there was no significant difference between nitrite 200 ppm and turmeric 5000 ppm, and both were superior to ascorbic acid 500 ppm and turmeric 1000 ppm. Among different treatments, PV was found to be lowest in turmeric 5000 ppm and highest in nitrite 200 ppm. FFA value was found to be lowest in turmeric 5000 ppm and highest in ascorbic acid 500 ppm among all treated samples. It can be concluded that turmeric has potential to replace synthetic antioxidants presently used in meat processing with many added advantages.     

Fat Content Influences the Color, Lipid Oxidation, and Volatiles of Irradiated Ground Beef

ABSTRACT:  Ground beef with 10%, 15%, or 20% fat were added with none, 0.05% ascorbic acid + 0.01%α-tocopherol, or 0.05% ascorbic acid + 0.01%α-tocopherol + 0.01% sesamol, and irradiated at 0 or 2.5 kGy. The meat samples were displayed under fluorescent light for 14 d at 4 °C. Color, lipid oxidation, volatiles, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and carbon monoxide (CO) production were determined during storage. Irradiation increased lipid oxidation and total volatiles of ground beef regardless of fat contents. Ascorbic acid +α-tocopherol + sesamol treatment was the most effective in reducing lipid oxidation during storage. The production of ethanol in nonirradiated ground beef increased dramatically after 7 d of storage due to microbial growth. Total aldehydes and hexanal increased drastically in irradiated control over the storage period, but hexanal increased the most by irradiation.  L *-values was decreased by irradiation, but increased in all meat regardless of fat contents as storage period increased. Irradiation reduced the redness, but fat contents had no effect on the  a *-value of ground beef. Sesamol lowered, but ascorbic acid +α-tocopherol maintained the redness of irradiated beef up to 2 wk of storage. The yellowness of meat was significantly decreased by irradiation. The reducing power of ascorbic acid +α-tocopherol lasted for 3 d, after which ORP values increased. Irradiation increased CO production regardless of fat content in ground beef. In conclusion, up to 20% fat had no effect on the quality change of irradiated ground beef if ascorbic acid +α-tocopherol was added.     

Effect of salt on oxidative changes in pre- and post-rigor ground beef

Pre- and post-rigor beef was ground and salt was added to give 0·0, 0·5, 2·0 and 4·0% NaCl (w/w). Samples were removed after 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h at 4°C and analyzed for pH, TBA numbers and percentages of reduced myoglobin (Mb), metmyoglobin (MMb) and oxymyoglobin (MbO(2)). After holding for 96 h the samples were cooked in a boiling water bath to an internal temperature of 80°C and held at 4°C for 48 h before TBA analysis. Pre-rigor grinding and salting reduced the post-mortem pH decline and the extent of meat discoloration as shown by the differences in the amount of MMb. The extent of lipid oxidation as measured by TBA numbers was not significantly different for the pre- and post-rigor ground salted meat samples, although salt accelerated oxidation during storage. Results demonstrated that pre-rigor grinding and salting of beef produces a more stable bright red color, which appears to be associated with a lower percentage of MMb and a higher ultimate pH in the pre-rigor salted meat.     

Lipid, instrumental color and sensory characteristics of ground beef produced using trisodium phosphate, cetylpypiridinium chloride, chlorine dioxide or lactic acid as multiple antimicrobial interventions

Beef trimmings were treated with 0.5% cetylpyridinium chloride followed by 10% trisodium phosphate (CT), 200-ppm chlorine dioxide followed by 0.5% cetylpyridinium chloride (CLC), 200-ppm chlorine dioxide followed by 10% trisodium phosphate (CLT), or 2% lactic acid followed by 0.5% cetylpyridinium chloride (LC). The trimmings were ground, packaged and sampled at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 7 days of simulated retail display and compared with an untreated control (C) for instrumental color, sensory color and odor and TBARS (Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) characteristics. Ground beef from the LC and CLC treatments were lighter (P <0.05; L*) than C. The LC and CT ground beef samples were similar (P > 0.05) in vividness to C. On day 3, CT was scored redder (P <0.05) than C. Therefore, the use of CT, CLT, CLC and LC had little impact on ground beef color and CT improved ground beef color shelf life.     

Evaluation of Garam Masala Spices and Phosphates as Antioxidants in Cooked Ground Beef

ABSTRACT:  This study determined antioxidant effects and sensory attributes of individual ingredients (black pepper, caraway, cardamom, chili powder, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, fennel, ginger, nutmeg, salt, star anise) of an Indian spice blend (garam masala) in cooked ground beef. Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values were measured as an indicator of rancidity for cooked samples on 1-, 8-, or 15-d refrigerated storage. Cooked samples were evaluated by a trained panel ( n = 13) for the intensity of rancid odor/flavor, beef flavor, and spice flavor and correlated with TBA values of same day samples. We also investigated possible additive effects between spice antioxidants and iron binding (type II) antioxidants on lipid oxidation by measuring TBA values. All spices had antioxidant effects on cooked ground beef, compared to controls. Among spices, cloves were the most effective in controlling lipid oxidation, with TBA values of 0.75, after 15-d refrigerated storage. All spices at their recommended levels lowered rancid odor and flavor in cooked ground beef, compared to controls. As expected, most spices also imparted distinctive flavors to cooked ground beef. There was a positive correlation (0.77) between TBA values on 15-d refrigerated storage and rancid odor/flavor. Type II antioxidants (iron-binding phosphate compounds) were more effective than individual type I antioxidants (spices and butylated hydroxytoluene; BHT) for maintenance of low TBA values in cooked ground beef during storage. Additive effects were observed with rosemary + milk mineral or sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) compared to rosemary alone.     

Quality and shelf life evaluation of fermented sausages of buffalo meat with different levels of heart and fat

Investigations were carried to study the effect of heart incorporation (0%, 15% and 20%) and increasing levels of fat (20% and 25%) on physicochemical (pH, moisture content and thiobarbituric acid, TBA number) and microbiological (total plate count and yeast and mold count) quality and shelf life of semi dry sausages of buffalo meat during refrigerated storage (4 °C). Different levels of fat significantly (p < 0.05) increased the pH of the sausage samples. However different levels of heart incorporation did not significantly (p < 0.05) affect pH, moisture content and TBA number of sausage samples. Fresh samples had pH, moisture content and TBA number in the range of 5.15–5.28, 42.4–47.4% and 0.073–0.134 respectively. Refrigerated storage significantly (p < 0.05) increased TBA number of control samples while storage did not significantly (p < 0.05) increase the TBA number of sodium ascorbate (SA) treated samples. Total plate counts of twelve sausage samples were f under the TFTC (too few to count) limit at the initial stage. Incorporation of different levels of heart and also increasing levels of fat did not significantly (p < 0.05) increase the log TPC/g values. Yeast and molds were not detected in twelve samples of semi dry fermented sausages in their fresh condition. Storage revealed that there was a consistent decrease in pH, and moisture content. Refrigerated storage significantly (p < 0.05) reduced both pH and moisture contents. TBA number and total plate counts and yeast and mold counts of controls were found to increase significantly (p < 0.05) during refrigerated storage. However, in SA treated sausage, only TPC and yeast and mold count significantly (p < 0.05) increased during refrigerated storage. Shelf life of the sausages was found to be 60 days under refrigerated storage (4 °C).     

Effect of Fe2+, Salt, Cooking and Shredded CoffiR on Thiobarbituric Acid (TBA) Numbers in Ground Beef

Presence of ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) and/or salt (NaCl) in ground beef followed by cooking and storage resulted in marked increases in lipid oxidation as measured by TBA values. Addition of an edible collagen film (Coffi^R) to minced fresh beef did not influence TBA values. Cooking fresh ground beef resulted in lowering of TBA values (when compared to raw beef), but TBA values increased more rapidly and to a greater extent in cooked beef than in raw samples during 7 days refrigerated storage.     

Effect of sonication on orange juice quality parameters during storage

Freshly squeezed orange juice was sonicated at various amplitude levels (40%, 70%, 100%), treatment times (2, 6 and 10 min) at a constant frequency of 20 kHz. Samples were stored for periods of up to 30 days at 10 °C. The combined effect of amplitude level, treatment time and storage period on pH, ^oBrix, titratable acidity, colour values ( L* , a* , b* ), non-enzymatic browning (NEB), cloud value and ascorbic acid content were investigated. Second order polynomial models were employed to investigate the effect of independent variables. No significant differences ( P <  0.05) in ^oBrix and titratable acidity were observed. Significant changes were observed in juice pH and colour values. During storage NEB increased while both cloud value and ascorbic acid content decreased. Predictive models developed for colour values, cloud value, NEB and ascorbic acid content were highly significant and were closely correlated to experimental data. Degradation mechanisms are proposed for the key quality parameters.     

Effect of Antioxidant Application Methods on the Color, Lipid Oxidation, and Volatiles of Irradiated Ground Beef

ABSTRACT:  Four antioxidant treatments (none, 0.05% ascorbic acid, 0.01%α-tocopherol + 0.01% sesamol, and 0.05% ascorbic acid + 0.01%α-tocopherol + 0.01% sesamol) were applied to ground beef using either mixing or spraying method. The meat samples were placed on Styrofoam trays, irradiated at 0 or 2.5 kGy, and then stored for 7 d at 4 °C. Color, lipid oxidation, volatiles, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and carbon monoxide (CO) production were determined at 0, 3, and 7 d of storage. Irradiation increased lipid oxidation of ground beef with control and ascorbic acid treatments after 3 d of storage. α-Tocopherol + sesamol and ascorbic acid +α-tocopherol + sesamol treatments were effective in slowing down lipid oxidation in ground beef during storage regardless of application methods, but mixing was better than the spraying method. Irradiation lowered L *-value and a *-value of ground beef. Storage had no effect on lightness but redness decreased with storage. Ascorbic acid was the most effective in maintaining redness of ground beef followed by ascorbic acid +α-tocopherol + sesamol. Irradiation and storage reduced the b *-value of ground beef. Irradiation lowered ORP of ground beef regardless of antioxidants application methods, but ORP was lower in beef with mixing than spraying method. Beef sprayed with antioxidants produced more hydrocarbons and alcohols than the mixing application, but ascorbic acid +α-tocopherol + sesamol treatment was effective in reducing the amount of volatiles produced by irradiation. Therefore, mixing was better than the spraying method in preventing lipid oxidation and maintaining color of irradiated ground beef.     

Effect of cassava starch coating on quality and shelf life of fresh-cut pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merril cv "Pérola")

This research studied the influence of treatment with ascorbic acid, citric acid, and calcium lactate dipping and cassava starch edible coatings on quality parameters and shelf life of fresh-cut pineapple in slices during 12 d at 5 °C. After previous tests, the treatments selected for this study were samples dipped into antibrowning solution with 0.5% of ascorbic acid and 1% of citric acid, with and without 2% of calcium lactate and coated with 2% of cassava starch suspensions. Changes in weight loss, juice leakage, mechanical properties (stress at failure), color parameters (L* and H*), ascorbic acid content, sensory acceptance, and microbial growth of fruits were evaluated. Samples only treated with antibrowning agents were used as control. Edible coatings with and without calcium lactate were efficient in reducing weight loss, juice leakage, and maintaining firmness during storage. However, these samples showed more browning and the ascorbic acid content was reduced. All treatments presented good sensory acceptance (scores above 6). The determining factor of shelf life of pineapple slices was the microbial spoilage. A shelf life of 8 d was obtained for pineapple slices only treated with antibrowning agents. On the other hand, coated samples showed a reduced shelf life of 7 d and higher yeast and mold growth. Thus, although cassava starch coatings were efficient in reducing respiration rate, weight loss, and juice leakage and maintained mechanical properties, these treatments were not able to increase the shelf life of minimally processed pineapple. Practical Application: Pineapple fruit is highly appreciated for its aroma, flavor, and juiciness, but its immediate consumption is difficult. Therefore, pineapple is a potential fruit for minimal processing. However, shelf life of fresh-cut pineapple is very limited by changes in color, texture, appearance, off-flavors, and microbial growth. The use of edible coatings as gas and water vapor barrier and antibrowning agents can extend the storage time and maintain the quality of fresh-cut produce. Cassava starch and alginate coatings are alternative to preserve minimally processed pineapples without changing the quality parameters of fresh fruit. Thus, this study is useful for consumers and fresh-cut industry interested in knowing factors affecting shelf life and quality of fresh-cut pineapple.     

Effect of Tapioca Starch/Decolorized Hsian-tsao Leaf Gum-Based Active Coatings on the Qualities of Fresh-Cut Apples

The effect of tapioca starch/decolorized hsian-tsao leaf gum (dHG)-based edible coatings with various food additives (including ascorbic acid, calcium chloride, and cinnamon oil) on the qualities and shelf life of fresh-cut “Fuji” apple pieces was investigated during the refrigerated storage. The initial respiration rate, headspace gas composition, color, texture, microbial quality, peroxidase activity, and sensory qualities were analyzed. The results were also compared to those for samples submerged in distilled water and the samples treated with 120-ppm chlorine solution widely used in the industry. It was found that ascorbic acid and cinnamon oil delayed the browning of fresh-cut apples effectively when being applied in the starch/dHG-based edible coating solutions. In combination with calcium chloride, starch/dHG coated fresh-cut apples retained satisfactory firmness. Incorporation of cinnamon oil in starch/dHG coatings significantly reduced the growth of microorganisms, respiration rate, CO₂, and ethylene production of fresh-cut apples, but these apple pieces received lower scores in overall preference during sensory evaluation. Among the starch/dHG-based active coatings studied, starch/dHG coatings with ascorbic acid and calcium chloride are suggested for fresh-cut apples, as they could enhance qualities in terms of color and firmness, and prolong the shelf life up to 5–7 days by providing reasonable microbial quality.     

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.     

Effects of chlorine dioxide, cetylpyridinium chloride, lactic acid and trisodium phosphate on physical, chemical and sensory properties of ground beef

The impact of beef trimmings treated with either 0.5% cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), 200-ppm chlorine dioxide (CLO), 2% lactic acid (LA) or 10% trisodium phosphate (TSP) and an untreated control (C) prior to grinding, on instrumental color, sensory characteristics, TBARS values, pH and Lee-Kramer shear under simulated retail display were evaluated. Trimmings were ground, pattied and sampled at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 7 days of display. Patties from LA, CPC and CLO treatments were lighter (L*; P<0.05) and TSP patties were redder (a*; P<0.05) than C. Panelists found TSP and CPC patties were similar or superior in beef and off odor to C on days 3 and 7 of display. Therefore, treatment of beef trimmings before grinding with TSP, CPC, CLO or LA may not only improve ground beef safety, but maintain or enhance patty shelf life.     

Dried Pork as Influenced by Nitrate, Packaging Method and Storage

A new technique was developed to produce high quality, uniform and attractive thin sliced, cured dried pork. The effects of nitrate, packaging method and storage time on residual nitrite, TBA values, sensory properties and microbiological counts were determined. Residual nitrite decreased with increased storage time at 3 ± 1°C. The addition of nitrate plus vacuum packaging caused a greater residual nitrite level and a lower TBA value during storage. Nitrite and/or nitrate acted as an antioxidant to retard oxidative rancidity (TBA value). Dried pork manufactured by the technique described had no major rancidity problem and had an acceptable shelf life. Total aerobic plate counts, lactic acid producing microbial counts and total anaerobic counts were not affected by nitrate or packaging methods. Coliforms, molds and yeasts were not found in this dried pork.     

Quality Attributes and Shelf Life of High-Pressure Preserved Beef as Affected by Pre-treatment Conditions

This study analyzed the effects of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and composition of the pre-treatment immersion step, on quality attributes (color and lipid oxidation) and shelf life based on microbial counts of a beef product, during cold storage at 0 °C. Meat slices were immersed in a preservative solution containing sodium nitrite, ascorbic acid, and two different concentrations of NaCl (30 and 60 g/L); HHP of 400 and 600 MPa were applied. Results were compared with those of an untreated beef control. Color parameters of the HHP-treated beef were visually acceptable (a* > 14) in all tested cases, although they were affected by NaCl concentration and the applied pressure. HHP increased TBARS index, observing higher values at 600 than at 400 MPa; samples immersed in the solution containing 30 g/L NaCl presented higher TBARS values. However, in all cases, they remained below the detection limit of rancid meat products (<1 mg MDA/kg). Beef samples immersed in the solution with the highest concentration of NaCl (60 g/L) and subjected to 400 or 600 MPa maintained their microbial stability over 5 and 6 weeks, respectively, at 0 °C; these shelf life values were higher than those observed in the samples treated with 30 g/L NaCl.     

Effect of modified gas atmosphere packaging after dip treatment on myoglobin and lipid oxidation of beef steaks

Fresh beef loin steaks were packaged in atmosphere of: (A) 20% CO(2) + 80% O(2) after dip treatment (dipped in 70% ethanol solution containing 3% l-ascorbic acid and 0·08% dl-α-tocopherol), (B) air after dip treatment, (C) 20% CO(2) + 80% O(2) without dip treatment and (D) air without dip treatment (control). After 3,6,9 and 13 days' storage at 4°C, the samples were evaluated for MetMb formation, TBA number and pH. The beef steaks stored in 20% CO(2) + 80% O(2) with or without dip treatment for 13 days maintained an acceptable meat colour. The TBA numbers of samples stored for 13 days in air and 20% CO(2) + 80% O(2) after dip treatment were significantly lower than those of samples without dip treatment. Beef steaks stored for 13 days in 20% CO(2) + 80% O(2) after dip treatment exhibited no change in pH. Data suggested that dip treatment with ascorbic acid and tocopherol solutions before modified gas atmosphere packaging was very suitable for the storage of retail cuts of beef loin steak.     

Using mild heat treatment to improve the bioactive related compounds on fresh-cut green bell peppers

Bioactive related compounds of fresh-cut green bell peppers ( Capsicum annuum, L.) exposed to water immersion at 55 °C and 60 °C per 180 s were evaluated during storage. Their sensorial and microbial quality, acidity, sugar and chlorophyll content were also determined. Beneficial effects on sensorial attributes were observed in treated peppers with longer shelf life than in non-treated ones (5 days at 4 °C, 2 days at 10 °C). At the end of storage at 4 °C, phenols increased to 11% and quercetin and antioxidant capacity were retained, but in control peppers ascorbic acid dropped 16%. At 10 °C, there was no change in phenols; quercetin, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity decreased (15%, 13% and 10% respectively) in treated peppers. Changes were more noticeable in non-treated products (phenols increased 21%, ascorbic acid decreased 28% and antioxidant activity 20%). Mild heat treatments applied to fresh-cut peppers seemed to preserve some of their bioactive compounds during storage.