Thermal inactivation of the frozen thawed traditional meat starter culture, Pediococcus pentosaceus, in a meat model system

The equation, y_(t) = y₍₀₎e^kt, was fitted (R = 0.9281, 0.9220 and 0.9117, respectively) to thermal inactivation data (55, 60 and 65 °C) of the traditional meat starter culture Pediococcus pentosaceus (10⁷ cfu/ml) in a meat model system. The population reduction constant (‘k’) increased (about 2.5- and 3-fold) with an increase in the treatment temperature (from 55 to 60 °C and from 60 to 65 °C, respectively). The Q₁₀ (55–65 °C) for ‘k’ was 7.63. Thermal treatments of 19.1, 9.0 and 3.1 min (55, 60 and 65 °C, respectively) reduced the population of P. pentosaceus by 2.0 logs. The value of ‘k’ and the duration of the thermal treatment played an important role in the extent of the inactivation of the culture. The “zero inactivation” temperature (T₀) for P. pentosaceus was 49.9 °C. About 5 logs of the culture would be destroyed at 63 and 68 °C within about 15.5 and 6.5 min, respectively.     

Physical changes of significance for early post mortem water distribution in porcine M. longissimus

The post mortem changes in water mobility and distribution were followed in porcine muscle (M. longissimus dorsi) samples using continuous low-field NMR relaxation measurements and simultaneous measurement of changes in muscle impedance as an indirect measure of membrane integrity as well as muscle contraction measurements using a rigormeter instrument. Distributed exponential fitting analysis of NMR T₂ relaxation data revealed the presence of three distinct water populations (T₂₀, T₂₁, T₂₂) within the muscle during its conversion to meat. Comparison of T₂ relaxation patterns and contraction data indicates that rigor development affects the attributes of the T₂₁ water population and thereby contributes to myofibrillar water characteristics post mortem, as the T₂₁ water population is believed to reflect inter/intra-myofibrillar water. The volume of the water population believed to reflect extra-cellular water (T₂₂) in the living muscle. Early post mortem T₂₂ decreased slightly within the first 2–3 h post mortem followed by an increase and a change in its characteristic time constant. This was ascribed to an initial muscle cell swelling followed by water being expelled from the cellular space into the extra-myofibrillar space. Comparison of changes in the T₂₂ water population and impedance characteristics within the muscle during its conversion to meat revealed close relationship between progresses in the two attributes. Obtained data strongly support that the post mortem reorganization of water is closely associated with membrane properties, which moreover was found to affect the final water-holding capacity of the meat. Finally, a model for early post mortem events leading to changes in the distribution of water within muscles is proposed.     

Relationships between sensory perception and water distribution determined by low-field NMR T(2) relaxation in processed pork - impact of tumbling and RN(-) allele

The relationships between water distribution, measured with low-field NMR (LF-NMR) transverse (T₂) relaxometry and sensory properties in tumbled and non-tumbled cured-smoked loins from 30 female Hampshire crossbred pigs were investigated. Upon distributed analysis of the T₂ relaxation, three populations centred at about 2, 40 and 600–800 ms, respectively, were detected. Clear differences in the characteristics of the intermediate population (T₂₁) were observed between loins from carriers and non-carriers of the RN⁻ allele, which implies differences in water–protein interactions between the two genotypes. PLS regressions between NMR T₂ variables and sensory attributes revealed significant correlations between NMR T₂ variables and the sensory attributes juiciness, acidulous taste and meat taste, which mainly could be ascribed to the T₂₁ time constant. In addition, the number of unappealing pores assessed by the sensory panel was highly related to the relative T₂ populations, implying that the microstructure is directly reflected in the NMR T₂ populations. However, prediction of the processing yield from NMR T₂ variables was poor. The correlation improved when RN genotypes and tumbling conditions were included as predictors. Thus, other effects of tumbling treatments and RN genotypes unrelated to NMR T₂ relaxation were observed.     

Interaction between flaxseed gum and meat protein

Thermal properties, dynamic rheological properties, texture and microstructure of salt-soluble meat protein and flaxseed gum (SSMP-FG) mixtures were investigated. Two transitions, 57.0 °C (T_SSMP1) and 63.2 °C (T_SSMP2), were observed for SSMP without FG with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Addition of 2% FG to SSMP increased T_SSMP1 and T_SSMP2 by 1.9 °C and 5.9 °C, respectively. Two transitions, 53 °C (T_SSMP1′) and 75 °C (T_SSMP2′), were also observed for SSMP without FG with dynamic rheological measurement. Addition of 2% FG to SSMP increased T_SSMP1^′ and T_SSMP2^′ by 9 °C and 14 °C. These results indicated that addition of FG increased thermal stability of SSMP. Addition of FG also increased the storage modulus G′, gel strength, decreased syneresis, and changed the microstructure of SSMP gels with texture analyser and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively, suggesting that an interaction between FG and SSMP may have occurred. The results of addition of destabilizer to SSMP gels indicated that electrostatic forces seemed to be the main force involved in the formation and stability of protein–polysaccharide gel.     

Evaluation of the antioxidant potential of grape seed and bearberry extracts in raw and cooked pork

The effect of grape seed extract (GSE) and bearberry (BB), on lipid oxidation (TBARS, mg malondialdehyde (MDA)/kg muscle), colour (CIE ‘a’ redness value), pH, microbial status (log₁₀CFU colony forming units/g pork) and sensorial properties of cooked pork patties was investigated. GSE (0–1000 μg/g muscle) and BB (0–1000 μg/g muscle) were added to raw pork (M. longissimus dorsi) patties which were stored in modified atmosphere packs (MAP) (75% O₂:25% CO₂) for up to 12 days at 4 °C. Cooked pork patties were stored in MAP (70% N₂:30% CO₂) for up to 4 days at 4 °C. Mesophilic plate counts and pork pH were unaffected by GSE and BB. GSE and BB addition decreased (P < 0.05) lipid oxidation (TBARS) in raw pork patties on days 9 and 12 of storage, relative to controls. Antioxidant activity of GSE and BB was observed in cooked pork patties demonstrating the thermal stability of GSE and BB. The ‘a’ redness values of raw and cooked pork patties marginally increased with increasing GSE concentration. The sensory properties of cooked pork patties were unaffected by GSE and BB addition. Results obtained demonstrate the potential for using health promoting nutraceuticals in meat and meat products.     

Impact of sorbitol on the thermostability and heat-induced gelation of bovine serum albumin

The influence of sorbitol (0–40 wt.%) on the thermal denaturation and gelation of bovine serum albumin (BSA, pH 7.0) in aqueous solution has been studied. The effect of sorbitol on heat denaturation of 0.5 wt.% BSA solutions was measured using ultrasensitive differential scanning calorimetry. The unfolding process was irreversible and was characterized by the thermal denaturation temperature (T_m). As the sorbitol concentration increased from 0 to 40 wt.%, T_m increased from 73.0 to 80.9 °C. The rise in T_m was attributed to the increased thermal stability of the globular state of BSA relative to its native state. The dynamic shear rheology of 4 wt.% BSA solutions containing 200 mM NaCl was monitored as they were heated from 30 to 90 °C at 1.5 °C min⁻¹, held at 90 °C for 120 min, and then cooled back to 30 °C at −1.5 °C min⁻¹. Sorbitol increased the protein gelation temperature (ΔT_gel +10 °C for 40 wt.% sorbitol), decreased the isothermal gelation rate at 90 °C, but increased the final shear modulus of the gels cooled to 30 °C. The impact of sorbitol on gel characteristics was attributed to its ability to increase protein thermal stability, increase the attractive force between proteins and decrease the protein–protein collision frequency.     

Design, fabrication, and testing of a returnable, insulated, nitrogen-refrigerated shipping container for distribution of fresh red meat under controlled CO2 atmosphere

In today's market, fresh red meat is cut and packaged at both the wholesale and retail level. Greater economies could result if the wholesaler prepared all consumer cuts centrally, but the short storage life of meat limits distribution. Use of CO₂-controlled atmosphere, master packaging, and strict temperature control (−1.5±0.5°C) can enhance storage life and, therefore, distribution ease. An insulated shipping and storage container was designed and tested for its suitability to distribute master-packaged meat. Shelves in the container supported 36 master trays (508 × 381 × 60 mm), with the source of refrigeration being injected liquid nitrogen (N₂). Electric fans dispersed the N₂ gas throughout the container. To reduce costs, 36 saline water bags (10% w/v NaCl) were used to thermally simulate the meat. Temperatures of 20 bags were recorded during storage experiments. The container was tested at outside temperatures of 15, 0 and −15°C with 4 internal fans and at 30°C with 2, 4 and 6 fans. In all instances, bags cooled from 10°C to an equilibrium temperature of −1.5°C within 5.5 h. Minimum equilibrium temperatures during any 8 h trial were −2.6, −2.0 and −2.0°C for 2, 4 and 6 fans, respectively. Correspondingly, maximum temperatures were −0.2, −0.7 and −0.3°C. Initial chilling of the product required, on average, 19 kg of N₂, while equilibrium was maintained at a N₂ consumption rate of 5.5, 4.0, 2.6 and 0.93 kg/h at outside temperatures of 30, 15 0 and −15°C, respectively, with 4 fans. The N₂ use for 2 and 6 fans was 5 and 6.3 kg/h, respectively, at an outside temperature of 30°C. During simulated power failure or when the N₂-tank ‘ran dry', temperatures in the container rose 0.9 and 2.0°C/h, respectively. When the door to the container was opened long enough to remove three trays, temperature was restored within 5 min. Convective heat transfer coefficients between saline water bags and circulating N₂ were in the range of 80–100, 115–135, and 140–155 W/(m²·K) for 2, 4 and 6 fans, respectively. Heat transfer to meat will be limited by conduction in master packaged meat if similar convection coefficients prevail.     

Enthalpy-Entropy compensation in food vapor adsorption

Enthalpy-entropy compensation was analysed for sorption isotherms of potatoes, macadamia nuts, apricots, figs, currants, prunes and raisins. Plots of (ΔH_dif)_T vs (ΔS_dif)_T for potatoes and macadamia nuts presented two isokinetic temperatures: T_B1 = 272.0 ± 57.7 K (− 1 °C) for potatoes, T_B1 = 265.0 ± 18.8 K (− 8 °C) for macadamia nuts and T_B2 = 382.5 ± 7.3 K (109.5 °C) for both products. The first isokinetic temperature (T_B1) appeared only at the upper portion of the temperature range tested (50, 60 and 70 °C for potatoes and 50 and 60 °C for macadamia nuts). The two isokinetic temperatures observed for potatoes and macadamia nuts suggested that during the initial stages at low a_w T_B1 is controlled by changes in the entropy of water, whereas the second isokinetic temperature (T_B2) is considered to be enthalpy-controlled. Dried fruits presented only one isokinetic curve T_B = 315.7 ± 3.5 K (42.7 °C), for raisins, currants and figs (75.2–82.3% d.b. sugars) and T_B = 317.7 ± 4.6 K (44.7 °C) for prunes and apricots (51.5–54.5% d.b. sugars), indicating an enthalpy-controlled adsorption process for the whole range of moisture contents covered.     

Sorption isotherms of salted minced pork and of lean surface of dry-cured hams at the end of the resting period using KCl as substitute for NaCl

The effect of KCl on sorption isotherms was determined on salted minced meat (with 0%, 30% and 100% molar substitution of NaCl by KCl) at 5 °C and 25 °C and meat from a 3 mm thick slice from the surface of dry-cured hams (with 0% and 35% molar substitution of NaCl by KCl) held at 70–75%, 75–80% and 80–85% air relative humidity during the resting period.

The sorption isotherms were determined gravimetrically by exposing the meat samples to several atmospheres of known relative humidity controlled by different saturated salts according to the COST90 method. The sorption equipment consisted of a chamber containing 11 containers, covering the water activity (a_w) range from 0.112 to 0.946 at 25 °C. The hermetically closed sorption containers filled with KCl and minced meat samples were irradiated at 3 kGrey (gamma irradiation ⁶⁰Co). The water content at equilibrium was higher in minced meat with NaCl than in minced meat with KCl (100% molar substitution of NaCl by KCl) at 5 °C within the range of 0.4313 and 0.7565 a_w. However, when substitution was 30% in minced meat and 35% in hams the isotherms were similar to isotherm without substitution.     

Effect of feed texture, meal frequency and pre-slaughter fasting on carcass and meat quality, and urinary cortisol in pigs

The gelation characteristics of myofibrillar proteins are indicative of meat product texture. Defining the performance of myofibrillar proteins during gelation is beneficial in maintaining quality and developing processed meat products and processes. This study investigates the impact of pH on viscoelastic properties of porcine myofibrillar proteins prepared from different muscles (semimembranosus (SM), longissimus dorsi (LD) and psoas major (PM)) during heat-induced gelation. Dynamic rheological properties were measured while heating at 1 °C/min from 20 to 85 °C, followed by a holding phase at 85 °C for 3 min and a cooling phase from 85 to 5 °C at a rate of 5 °C/min. Storage modulus (G′, the elastic response of the gelling material) increased as gel formation occurred, but decreased after reaching the temperature of myosin denaturation (52 °C) until approximately 60 °C when the gel strength increased again. This resulted in a peak and depression in the thermogram. Following 60 °C, the treatments maintained observed trends in gel strength, showing SM myofibrils produced the strongest gels. Myofibrillar protein from SM and PM formed stronger gels at pH 6.0 than at pH 6.5. Differences may be attributed to subtle variations in their protein profile related to muscle type or postmortem metabolism. Significant correlations were determined between G′ at 57, 72, 85 and 5 °C, indicating that changes affecting gel strength took effect prior to 57 °C. Muscle type was found to influence water-holding capacity to a greater degree than pH.     

Aging-induced changes in microstructure and water distribution in fresh and cooked pork in relation to water-holding capacity and cooking loss - A combined confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation study

Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) relaxometry were combined to characterize microstructural changes and water distribution in fresh and cooked pork during an aging period of 14 days. At day 1 (24 h postmortem) a few muscle fibres, which appear swollen, were observed in both fresh and cooked meat. An identical microstructure was still apparent after 14 days, however, the number of muscle fibres showing distinguished characteristics was found to increase throughout the aging period. Hence, it was apparent that during aging the individual fibres swell and disintegrate at different rates. Development in water-holding capacity (WHC) was followed during the aging period using gravimetric methods, and an increase in the WHC in the fresh meat was observed, which resembled the amount of extramyofibrillar water measured by NMR relaxometry (T₂₂ population). This was consistent with the CLSM images, as a substantial increase in the number of myofibrils that appeared swollen, capable of holding more water, was observed during aging. In the cooked meat the width of the T_21c population, reflecting the myofibrillar water in the cooked meat, was seen to decrease during the entire storage period, which corresponds to the development of a more homogeneous structure. In the CLSM data a continuous degradation during the storage period was observed, which could resemble a shift to a more homogeneous structure. Comparison of CLSM of transverse sections of fresh and cooked pork revealed a pronounced shrinkage of muscle fibres upon cooking. This resulted in large gaps between the cooked muscle fibres, which also was visible as shrinkage at the level of the individual myofibrils. This pattern was also reflected in the NMR relaxation data. The cooking-induced shrinkage of the myofibrils occurred concomitantly with a decrease in the amount of intermyofibrillar water within the individual fibre and an increase in the larger extramyofibrillar spaces between fibres, i.e. water is expelled from the myofibrillar matrix upon cooking. Accordingly, the present study demonstrated that the use of CLSM together with NMR relaxometry can provide further information on the relationship between structural characteristics of meat and resultant water distribution.     

The significance of cooling rate on water dynamics in porcine muscle from heterozygote carriers and non-carriers of the halothane gene-a low-field NMR relaxation study

The post mortem changes in the chemical/physical state distribution of water were followed in pig muscle (M. longissimus dorsi) from heterozygote (n=12) and non-carriers (n=12) of the halothane gene exposed to two different cooling profiles using continuous low-field NMR relaxation measurements. T₂ relaxation data were analyzed using distributed exponential fitting analysis. Independent of genotype post mortem changes were observed in the two water populations characterizing water within the myofibrillar space (T₂₁) and the extra-myofibrillar space (T₂₂), respectively, as a function of chilling regime. The effect was most pronounced in samples from heterozygote carriers of the halothane gene. The obtained results strongly suggest that improved water-holding capacity of muscles upon fast chilling can be ascribed to a reduced accumulation of extra-myofibrillar water in the meat post mortem, and it is hypothesized that differences in the accumulation of extra-myofibrillar water post mortem can be ascribed largely to the time at which disruption of cell membrane integrity takes place.     

Protein denaturation and water-protein interactions as affected by low temperature long time treatment of porcine longissimus dorsi

The relationship between water–protein interactions and heat-induced protein denaturation in low temperature long time (LTLT) treated pork Longissimus dorsi was investigated by combining low-field NMR T₂ relaxometry with DSC measurements and measures of shrinkage of porcine Longissimus dorsi heated to 53 °C, 55 °C, 57 °C and 59 °C for either 3 or 20 h. Water within the myofibrils, measured by NMR T₂₁ relaxation times, was affected by both temperature and holding time during LTLT treatment between 53 °C and 59 °C. The changes in NMR T₂₁ relaxation times were associated with decreased fiber diameter and increased cooking loss, revealing a relationship between transverse shrinkage, water–protein interactions and cooking loss. DSC measurements revealed a concomitant decrease in ΔH_68 °C, which suggests impact of collagen denaturation on the retention of water within the meat during LTLT treatment. Furthermore, a decrease in ΔH_75 °C suggested that prolonged cooking (20 h) resulted in actin denaturation leading to decreased T₂₁ relaxation times and higher cooking loss.     

Effect of season on color of Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) beef

A total of 1278 head of Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) slaughtered over four seasons were used to evaluate the effect of season on color characteristics of beef longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle. CIE L^*, a^*, b^*, C^* values and hue angle were significantly lower (P<0.05) in cattle slaughtered in the winter season. Meat color was darker in the winter than in the spring and autumn seasons. The L^* values among three average daily temperature (T_a) categories were different (P<0.05) in order of: [5 °CT_a<25 °C] > [T_a25 °C] > [T_a<5 °C], indicating that the meat color of cattle slaughtered at T_a<5 °C was darker. The a^*, b^*, C^* values and hue angle were significantly lower (P<0.05) in cattle slaughtered at T_a<5 °C. Season at slaughter is of great importance for meat color. Namely, meat color of Hanwoo beef was influenced by environmental temperature. Overall, cattle slaughtered in the winter season of T_a<5 °C produced beef with more undesirable meat color properties.     

Influence of weak organic acids and salts on the denaturation characteristics of intramuscular connective tissue. A differential scanning calorimetry study

Intramuscular connective tissue obtained from Longissimus dorsi muscle of a 4-year-old beef carcass was treated with NaCl solutions of 2, 4, and 6% (w/v), and CaCl₂ solutions of 50, 100, and 150 mM, and citric and lactic acid solutions of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% for three different marinating periods (24, 46, and 72 h). Changes in denaturation characteristics were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and it was found that the denaturation onset temperature (T_o) and the denaturation peak temperature (T_p) increased as the NaCl concentration increased but decreased as the CaCl₂ concentration increased, irrespective of marinating time. Lactic and citric acid decreased T_o to about 39°C, from over 60°C breaking the structure of fibrils.     

Protein Denaturation in Pork Longissimus Muscle of Different Quality Groups

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to investigate the protein denaturation characteristics of pork muscles from four quality groups namely RFN (red, firm, and non-exudative), RSE (red, soft, and exudative), PFN (pale, firm, and non-exudative), and PSE (pale, soft, and exudative). The thermograms indicated three endothermic peaks between 45°C to 90°C, corresponding to denaturation of myosin (peak I), sarcoplasmic proteins (peak II), and actin (peak III). The myosin peak was much reduced in PSE samples, while the actin peak remained almost identical in all groups. RFN and RSE samples were found to have very similar protein denaturation characteristics and were not significantly different in their thermodynamic protein denaturation parameters. PFN samples showed similar myofibrilar protein denaturation but significantly different sarcoplasmic protein denaturation characteristics compared to normal (RFN) samples according to their DSC thermograms. Based on these findings, it was suggested that the pale color in PFN pork is linked to sarcoplasmic protein denaturation.     

The effect of post-mortem ageing and heating on water retention in bovine muscles

The muscles semitendinosus (ST) and psoas major (PM) were removed from chilled young bull carcasses 24 h after slaughter and stored at 4 °C. At the 1st, 6th and 12th day of post-mortem ageing the chemical composition (moisture, fat, protein, collagen) and contents of free, immobilized and unfreezable water in the muscles were estimated. The muscle steaks were boiled at 100 °C, roasted at 170 °C or fried at 160 °C to an internal temperature of 75 °C, and the amounts of total, free, immobilized, and unfreezable water in heated muscles were evaluated. The unfreezable water was estimated by DSC. In the raw muscles immobilized water constituted 74–75%, free water 16.6–17.6% and unfreezable water 7–8% of the total water. Independent of time of ageing, PM muscle contained significantly more free water than ST muscle. During post-mortem ageing, changes in free, immobilized and unfreezable water in muscles were not significant. The level of free water was highest in boiled and least in fried meat, however the amount of immobilized water was highest in fried and lowest in boiled meat. The amount of unfreezable water in muscles heated after 12 days of post-mortem ageing decreased.     

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 cooling rate upon processing characteristics of pork meat of different glycolysis type during post mortem ageing

Rapid chilling was applied to porcine longissimus dorsi muscles at 1 h post mortem in order to observe its effect on the quality of canned products prepared from those of different pH₁ values.

The muscle from one side of each animal was removed from the carcase 50 minutes post mortem and divided into two longitudinal strips. One was chilled immediately to 13–15°C (1 h post mortem): the other after a further hour (2 h post mortem) acted as control. After the centre temperature had reached 10°C the muscles were stored in a refrigerator at 3–5°C.

Compared with the control samples (chilled at 2 h p.m.), rapid chilling from 1 h p.m. caused an improvement in the water-holding capacity and the texture of pork meat, which had higher pH₁ values and was processed at 2, 4 and 48 h p.m. There was minimum brine retention and texture score if samples—both rapidly chilled and control—were processed at 24 h p.m.

Although brine retention of PSE pork meat could not be increased even by rapid chilling, the texture of heat treated PSE pork showed an improvement during storage, which was more pronounced after ageing for 48 h, if PSE samples were chilled at 1 h p.m.     

Water status of cooked white salted noodles evaluated by MRI

Transverse relaxation time (T₂)-weighted images and T₂ maps of white salted noodles (WSN) were investigated by magnetic resonance imaging technique. T₂-weighted images and T₂ maps clearly showed the differences in water status between noodles. The migration of moisture from surface regions to central regions of boiled WSN at different migration rates were investigated during storage. The distribution of T₂ values changed differently depending on the cooking and storage times. The small differences in T₂ values between surface region and central region of noodles cooked for 5 and 15 min were attributed to the limited water absorption during short cooking time, which resulted in high firmness. The changes in starch granules morphology observed under scanning electron microscope and the increase of noodle firmness measured by texture analyzer were significantly affected by the water status in noodles. The water status can be controlled by the cooking time.