Synergetic effects of high-pressure carbon dioxide and nisin on the inactivation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

Synergetic effects of high-pressure carbon dioxide (HPCD) and nisin on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated. Changes in morphology, interior structure, and membrane permeability were analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and flow cytometry. Synergetic effects were found, especially in S. aureus. HPCD alone or with nisin led to morphological and intracellular alterations in both bacteria, but nisin alone led to these damages only in S. aureus. A positive correlation between membrane damage and inactivation was found, but ratios of inactivation were higher, probably because of viable but non-culturable state. Mechanisms were proposed for synergism: for E. coli, outer membrane was damaged first by HPCD, and then HPCD and nisin jointly acted on and destroyed the cytoplasmic membrane, leading to further intracellular damage by HPCD; for S. aureus, HPCD and nisin acted on the cytoplasmic membrane together leading to cell death.Industrial RelevanceEscherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus are two common microorganisms, which exist widely in the environment and easily contaminate food such as vegetables and dairy products, respectively. Considering heat treatment may destroy some heat-sensitive quality of the products, this study evaluated synergetic effects of high-pressure carbon dioxide (HPCD) combined with the bacteriocin nisin. The investigations provided evidence for potentially combined application of HPCD and nisin to help keep food safe in the industry.     

Repurposing fish waste into gelatin as a potential alternative for mammalian sources: A review

Mammalian gelatin is extensively utilized in the food industry because of its physicochemical properties. However, its usage is restricted and essentially prohibited for religious people. Fish gelatin is a promising alternative with no religious and social restrictions. The desirable properties of fish gelatin can be significantly improved by various methods, such as the addition of active compounds, enzymes, and natural crosslinking agents (e.g., plant phenolics and genipin), and nonthermal physical treatments (e.g., ionizing radiation and high pressure). The aim of this study was to explore whether the properties of fish gelatin (gel strength, melting or gelling temperature, odor, viscosity, sensory properties, film-forming ability, etc.) could be improved to make it comparable to mammalian gelatin. The structure and properties of gelatins obtained from mammalian and fish sources are summarized. Moreover, the modification methods used to ameliorate the properties of fish gelatin, including rheological (gelling temperature from 13–19°C to 23–25°C), physicochemical (gel strengths from ∼200 to 250 g), and thermal properties (melting points from ∼25 to 30°C), are comprehensively discussed. The relevant literature reviewed and the technological advancements in the industry can propel the development of fish gelatin as a potential alternative to mammalian gelatin, thereby expanding its competitive market share with increasing utility.     

Characterization of the Chemical Composition of Chinese Moringa oleifera Seed Oil

This work focused on physicochemical property assaying, fatty acid composition, triacylglycerol (TAG) profiles, and unsaponifiable matter composition of the Chinese Moringa oleifera seed oil. The results indicated that there was no significant difference in approximate nutritional components between M. oleifera seeds from China and India, while variations in the mineral element contents are significant. Both the Soxhlet extraction method and the aqueous enzymatic extraction method were adopted to extract oil from Chinese M. oleifera seeds. Oil yield obtained using the Soxhlet extraction method was higher than that obtained using the aqueous enzymatic extraction method. While both the iodine value and unsaponifiable matter content of the aqueous enzymatic extracted oil were a little higher than that of the Soxhlet extracted oil. Both oils possess a very low acid value and peroxide value, suggesting their good quality as edible oil. Fatty acid composition results indicated that this oil was especially high in oleic acid. Characterization of the TAG composition was achieved by a two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupling of nonaqueous reverse-phase and silver ion HPLC with the atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry method. A total of 22 TAG including 16 regioisomers were determined. Composition results of unsaponifiable matters revealed that this oil possesses a number of phytosterols, in which β-sitosterol and stigmasterol are most predominant.     

Relationship between pungency and food components – A comparison of chemical and sensory evaluations

The influence of food ingredients (water, starch, fat, and sugar), individually and in combination, on the sensory perception of the pungency of capsaicin was studied in model food systems using the time-intensity method. Furthermore, the transferability of the results obtained using model food matrices to complex matrices, such as convenience salsas, was investigated. Significant differences between the samples (p < 0.05) were examined by analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey-HSD post hoc test. A highly complex matrix and a high starch content reduced the perception of pungency in both the model food matrices and the convenience salsa products. Therefore, the time-related maximum intensity of pungency (I_max) was affected by other factors in addition to the capsaicin concentration.The total capsaicinoid content in the salsas was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS) and correlated to the results of the sensory evaluation. The best correlation (R² = 0.8029) was observed for the total capsaicinoid content and the maximum intensity of pungency (I_max) in comparison to the duration of the total pungency perception T_Dur (R² = 0.5176) and the area under the curve (R² = 0.6898). The calculated regression models serve as an example of how empirical calculations can be generated and used in a specific context.     

Effect of high pressure carbon dioxide on alkaline phosphatase activity and quality characteristics of raw bovine milk

Novel food processing techniques would always be pursuits of researchers and food industry to avoid unfavorable thermal effects, especially in dairy and milk processing. In this study, effects of high pressure carbon dioxide (HPCD) on the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and main quality indices of raw bovine milk at 20 MPa using a batch system were investigated. A complete inactivation of ALP activity as exposure to HPCD treatment at 50 °C and 20 MPa for 50 min was observed. The protein and lactose content of HPCD-treated bovine milk hold steady, while pH value and total solids content decreased, turbidity and average particle size increased significantly (p < 0.05). Although a significant decrease of viscosity (p < 0.05) was observed, the Newtonian flow behavior of raw bovine milk did not alter. More obvious change of quality characteristics of raw bovine milk were observed as subjected to HPCD treatment at higher temperature or treated for longer period. Therefore, a compromise between controlling endogenous enzymes (and/or spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms) and retention of original/fresh like quality of foods should be introduced due to the nature of HPCD processing. It's suggested to keep raw bovine milk with low ALP activity and great quality treated with a batch HPCD apparatus at 20 MPa and 50 °C for 20 min.     

基于感官分析技术的烤烟厚度参比样研制

  背景和目的  烟叶评级身份评价时,经常发生不同产区烤烟的身份被描述为同一档次,而其实际身份却不一致的现象。厚度作为身份指标的重要组成部分,其参比样的建立既有利于身份评价,也有助于评级人员统一认识。  方法  依据“感官特性参比样建立一般导则”国家标准,采集厚度范围很广的全国代表性烤烟样品,筛选并初步分为9个不同厚度档次,通过感官分析排序法结合Friedman检验、多重比较与分组、二项式分布等方法,科学调整为7个厚度档次。  结果  经外部评价小组验证,本套厚度参比样档次充足,相邻档次厚度差异合理。基于本参比样对照评价来自河南许昌、重庆黔江和贵州毕节的烤烟厚度,发现比《烤烟》国标更能准确区分不同产地间的厚度差异。结合物理厚度测量,发现本参比样档次间差异充分体现心理物理学定律,符合厚度的人类感知差异,具有可靠的参考依据与实用价值。  结论  所建立烤烟厚度参比样利于统一感官尺度,易于体现区域外观厚度特征差别,可以在烟叶评级工作中加强对厚度特性的感知和定位。      

Relationship between sensory perception and flavour-active volatile compounds of germinated,sourdough fermented and native rye following the extrusion process

Relation between sensory profiles and flavour-active volatile compounds was explored on six rye extrudates, representing two rye cultivars (Amilo and Akusti) and three pretreatments (germination, sourdough fermentation and milling), prior to the extrusion cooking. The processing method used before the extrusion cooking was shown to be very decisive for the perception; the germinated, sourdough fermented and milled rye extrudates clustered to cultivar pairs according to their pretreatment on the regression plot including the whole sample set. Germinated, extruded rye was cereal and fresh in flavour, and hard in texture, and dimethyl sulphide and 2-methylbutanal were highly related to these sensory attributes. Sourdough fermented, extruded rye had a sour, intense flavour and aftertaste, and porous texture, the most relevant volatile compounds being furfural, ethyl acetate, 3-methylbutanol and 2-methylbutanol. The extrudates prepared from rye flour were very mild in flavour and somewhat tough in texture, and 2-ethylfuran, 2-methylfuran, hexanal and pentanal were the dominating volatile compounds.The present study clearly demonstrated the effect of processing on adjusting the flavour of rye. Sensory perception and volatile compounds of germinated, sourdough fermented, and native rye were substantially different, and they remained variable after the second treatment, i.e. the extrusion process. The pretreatment process was shown to be most dominant in the formation of the flavour of the rye extrudates. The rye cultivar had an unsubstantial effect on the sensory profiles.     

Photoelectrochemistry and spectroscopy of substituted polyanilines

The properties of four substituted polyanilines, poly(N-methylaniline), poly(m-methylaniline), poly(o-methoxyaniline), and poly(o-ethoxyaniline) have been examined by photoelectrochemical and spectroscopic techniques (Raman and XPS). The middle peak in cyclic voltammograms for poly(N-methylaniline) was ascribed to hydrolysis products such as benzoquinone, and in the case of poly(o-methoxyaniline) to branched forms. The photocurrent profiles of the substituted polyanilines resembled those of polyaniline to a large extent, with prolonged cathodic and anodic photocurrents given for the polymer in a state of high conductivity. With poly(o-ethoxyaniline) only short-lived photocurrents were obtained pointing to a more highly insulating material, also shown by the limited growth of this polymer. Raman spectra of the substituted polyanilines taken in situ revealed typical polyaniline Raman bands, while the largest shift in the υ_CN band (35 cm⁻¹) occurred with poly(N-methylaniline). A deconvolution of the N 1s signal in XPS scans showed nitrogens consistent with oxidised forms of the polymers: a high proportion of positively charged nitrogens for poly(N-methylaniline) and of imine nitrogens for poly(m-methylaniline).     

美国食品企业检查员管理政策法规体系分析

以美国食品企业检查员为研究对象,从检查依据、检查员的构成及资质管理、检查员职责和任务、培训教育以及检查员的使用等方面,研究美国食品企业检查员的相关管理制度,分析其特点以及可供借鉴的经验,为探索建立我国食品企业检查员制度提供参考。     

Determination of Recognition Threshold and Just Noticeable Difference in the Sensory Perception of Pungency of Zanthoxylum bangeanum

Zanthoxylum bungeanum, also called the Szechuan pepper, is a pungent-flavored spice. Together with the chili pepper, it constitutes the typical flavor of famous Chinese Szechuan cuisine. With the worldwide popularity of Sichuan cuisine and pungent food, the research on sensory perception of pungency of Z. bungeanum becomes more important and necessary. This article first determined the sensory recognition threshold and just noticeable difference of pungency of Z. bungeanum. The pungent extract, containing hydroxyl α-sanshool (63.6%), hydroxyl β-sanshool (22.8%), and hydroxyl γ-sanshool (7.4%) from Z. bungeanum was used as the tested sample prepared in ethanol–water solution. Ten selected assessors participated in three sessions of sensory tests in standard sensory evaluation booths established according to ISO 8589 by following two-alternative forced choice procedure. The data showed that the recognition threshold was 0.036 mg pungent extract per 1 mL ethanol–water solution and just noticeable difference exponentially increased with the increase of the concentration of pungent extract solution. The response of pungency among assessors followed Weber’s Law with a stable Weber fraction (0.118) from 0.0360 to 0.500 mg pungent extract per 1 mL. Nevertheless, the fraction changed when the concentration of pungent extract solution was above 0.500 mg per 1 mL.