Effect of microwave heating time on the gel properties of chicken myofibrillar proteins and their formation mechanism

The present work was conducted to illustrate the mechanism of gel formation of myofibrillar proteins (MPs) under different microwave heating times. The results showed that the denaturation enthalpy (ΔH) of the MPs significantly decreased when the heating time increased from 3 to 9 s and then completely disappeared as the heating time progressed, indicating that the MPs gradually denatured and subsequently aggregated with increasing heating time, which was further verified by the changes in the secondary structure, electrophoretic bands, and gel properties (e.g., water holding capacity and textural profiles) of the MPs. Microstructural images indicated that the MP gel formed under 12 s had the most compact network, indicating that extended microwave heating time could induce quality deterioration of MP gels. Moreover, the hydrophobic forces, electrostatic forces, and disulphide bonds of the MPs gradually intensified with increasing microwave heating time, suggesting that both non-covalent and covalent bonds could promote molecular denaturation and subsequent aggregation of MPs. In addition, correlation analysis revealed that the changes in the molecular conformation of MPs induced by different microwave heating times could effectively regulate the formation of MP gels and their related properties.     

A novel method of shrimp blanching by CO2 heat pump: Quality,energy, and economy analysis

To reduce the energy consumption of the shrimp blanching process and improve the economic value of the blanched product, a transcritical CO₂ heat pump blanching system (THPB system) was designed in this paper. The trends of astaxanthin were investigated at atmospheric pressure near boiling temperature, combined with the color and structural properties of shrimp samples, and the optimal blanching times of 270 s and 240 s were obtained at 90°C and 95°C, respectively. In contrast to the fuel blanching system (FB system) at 100°C, the annual standard coal consumption of the THPB system with 90°C blanching is decreased by 79%, and the annual operating cost can be saved by CNY 63,800, with a payback period of about 3.13 years.Industrial relevanceBlanching is one of the effective ways to prolong the shelf life of shrimp. However, the research on the blanching time and temperature of shrimp is not comprehensive. In addition, the traditional fuel blanching process has high energy consumption and pollution, and can no longer meet the quality requirements of the modern food processing industry. Heat pump has been shown to have better performance in food drying, but it is less used in blanching. The information presented in this study may provide other insights into food processing.     

Effects of plasma treatments applied to fresh ricotta cheese

The aim of this study was to test two different innovative plasma assisted approaches to prolong ricotta shelf life. In one test the ricotta cheese is directly exposed to the plasma effects, and in the other one the plasma is indirectly applied (i.e. blowing the plasma effluents on the substrate). This last approach is innovative and very promising because in this way, plasma treatment can be assured at moments or at places where no plasma source can be used or is available. To the aim, treated and untreated samples were stored at 4 °C for a period of 8 days, during which microbiological, sensory analyses and pH measurements were carried out. Tests were repeated more times to also taken into account product variability. Results highlighted that both treatments in all tests were effective to control microbial proliferation and preserve sensory quality. Specifically, a significant shelf life prolongation was recorded, ranging between 50% and 100%, depending to the type of treatment and on the initial microbial contamination.Industrial relevanceBoth direct and indirect plasma treatments tested have led to a shelf life increase of up 2 days, which is a very promising result for a fresh product such as artisanal ricotta. The current paper offers the first example in literature of “gentle” and efficacious treatment of fresh perishable products by gas effluents plasma-enriched by reactive oxygen or nitrogen species. The easy implementation of the proposed indirect approach and the easily customizable CAP system at room temperature could gain great attention from fresh dairy sector, with economic advantages and benefits also for the environment.     

淀粉预糊化温度对肉粉肠品质特性的影响和机制研究

绿豆淀粉的预糊化是肉粉肠区别于其他熏煮香肠的关键加工工艺，因此，预糊化淀粉的温度对产品的品质至关重要。本研究将绿豆淀粉分别用75、85、95 ℃的热水进行预糊化后制备肉粉肠，探讨不同的预糊化温度对产品品质和淀粉糊化度（Degree of Starch Gelatinization，DSG）的影响。实验结果表明，随着预糊化淀粉温度的升高，肉粉肠的DSG和乳化稳定性显著增加（P<0.05），蒸煮损失显著降低（P<0.05），且大量自由水向不易流动水转变。同时，随预糊化淀粉温度的增加，肉粉肠的硬度、回复性、弹性、脆性、咀嚼性、致密性和亮度值（Lightness，L*）均显著增加（P<0.05），促进产品最终品质的形成。总体可接受评分在95 ℃的预糊化温度时达到最高（P<0.05）。此外，聚类分析（Hierarchical Cluster Analysis，HCA）结果表明，95 ℃的预糊化温度对肉粉肠的品质特性有上调的影响。综上所述，95 ℃是提高肉粉肠品质的最佳预糊化淀粉温度。     

Nutrient enrichment of dairy curd by incorporation of whole and ruptured microalgal cells (Nannochloropsis salina)

This work investigated incorporation of Nannochloropsis salina into renneted dairy gels and curd. Whole and ruptured microalgal cells did not impair κ-casein macropeptide cleavage by the rennet enzyme. However, insoluble components of ruptured cells impeded gelation, presumably by hindering interactions between renneted casein micelles. Confocal imaging showed that whole cells were retained and homogenously distributed within the protein network of the gels and cooked curd, whereas ruptured algae formed large aggregates that altered the protein matrix. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in the whole microalgal cells was incorporated within the curds, with considerably less EPA retained for ruptured cells. Soluble algal debris did not impair gelation, however EPA wasn't retained in the curd. The study demonstrates that nutrient enrichment of renneted dairy products is possible by incorporating whole microalgal cells to displace milk fat with protein and the beneficial long-chain omega-3 fatty acid EPA. Future research into the optimisation of product organoleptic properties is required.     

The effect of optimized carbon source on the synthesis and composition of exopolysaccharides produced by Lactobacillus paracasei

This study aimed to predict the optimal carbon source for higher production of exopolysaccharides (EPS) by Lactobacillus paracasei TD 062, and to evaluate the effect of this carbon source on the production and monosaccharide composition of EPS. We evaluated the EPS production capacity of 20 strains of L. paracasei under the same conditions. We further investigated L. paracasei TD 062, which showed the highest EPS-producing activity (0.609 g/L), by examining the associated biosynthesis pathways for EPS. Genomics revealed that fructose, mannose, trehalose, glucose, galactose, and lactose were carbon sources that L. paracasei TD 062 could use to produce EPS. We identified an EPS synthesis gene cluster that could participate in transport, export, and sugar chain synthesis, and generate 6 sugar nucleotides. Experimental results showed that the sugar content of the EPS produced using fermentation with the optimized carbon source (fructose, mannose, trehalose, glucose, galactose, and lactose) increased by 115%. Furthermore, use of the optimized carbon source changed the monosaccharide content of the associated EPS. The results of enzyme activity measurements showed significant increases in the activity of 2 key enzymes involved in the glycoside synthesis pathway. Our study revealed that optimizing the carbon source provided for fermentation not only increased the production of EPS, but also affected the composition of the monosaccharides by increasing enzyme activity in the underlying synthesis pathways, suggesting an important role for carbon source in the production of EPS by L. paracasei TD 062.     

Conversion of dinitrogen to ammonia by rhenium doped graphyne

Developing efficient catalysis for dinitrogen (N₂) fixation is a very important and challenging issue in chemistry. Herein, by means of density functional theory (DFT) computations, we reported that the potential of single-atom Rhenium (Re) supported on the graphyne (Re-GY) for activating N₂ and reducing it into ammonia (NH₃). It is found that the adsorption energies of N₂ on Re-GY for end-on/side-on configuration are −1.05/-0.56 eV, together with the N–N bond length are stretched to 1.14/1.21 Å, respectively. The hydrazine intermediate is difficult to release with adsorption energies of −1.71/1.49 eV on Re-GY for different pathways, which ensures it is sequentially hydrogenated and eventually form NH₃. All the mechanisms considered are energetically favorable and the most favorable pathway is the mixed mechanism. It is worth noting that there are relatively rare researches on Re-based catalysts for N₂ fixation, our findings provide a new option for the design and synthesis of catalysts for N₂ reduction reaction.     

基于GIS技术的工程地质环境系统构建及治理分析

针对传统的工程地质环境系统存在的收集图像与原始图像同向性较低的问题,以下开展了基于GIS技术的工程地质环境系统的构建研究。采用设计对比实验的方式验证该系统在实际应用过程中,可提升收集图像与原始图像的同向程度。     

Freeze-thaw cycles changes soil nitrogen in a Mollisol sloping field in Northeast China

Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems - Freeze-thaw-cycles (FTCs) change the dynamics of soil physiochemical and biological processes, and could change the soil nitrogen (N) heterogeneity in sloping...