Microstructure and rheology of yogurt made with cultures differing only in their ability to produce exopolysaccharides

Yogurt was made using an exopolysaccharide-producing strain of Streptococcus thermophilus and its genetic variant that only differed from the mother strain in its inability to produce exopolysaccharides. The microstructure was investigated using confocal scanning laser microscopy, allowing observation of fully hydrated yogurt and the distribution of exopolysaccharide within the protein network. Yogurt made with the exopolysaccharide-producing culture exhibited increased consistency coefficients, but lower flow behavior index, yield stress, viscoelastic moduli and phase angle values than did yogurt made with the culture unable to produce exopolysaccharide. The exopolysaccharides, when present, were found in pores in the gel network separate from the aggregated protein. These effects could be explained by the incompatibility of the exopolysaccharides with the protein aggregates in the milk. Stirring affected the yogurt made with exopolysaccharide differently from yogurt without exopolysaccharide, as it did not exhibit immediate syneresis, although the structural breakdown was increased. The shear-induced microstructure in a yogurt made with exopolysaccharide-producing culture was shown to consist of compartmentalized protein aggregates between channels containing exopolysaccharide, hindering syneresis as well as the buildup of structure after stirring.     

Clean label starches as thickeners in white sauces. Shearing, heating and freeze/thaw stability

The linear viscoelastic properties and syneresis of freshly prepared and freeze/thawed white sauces prepared with different native starches (corn, waxy corn, potato and rice) at different shearing speeds were studied. Viscosity changes during processing were also measured using a starch pasting cell attached to a rheometer. The freeze/thaw cycle produced a significant increase in the viscous and elastic modulus and the appearance of syneresis in the corn and potato starch sauces, while the waxy corn and rice starch sauces were only slightly affected. Syneresis was significantly reduced upon subsequent heating. Greater shearing speed produced a significant decrease in viscoelasticity. Viscosity profiles revealed that the increase in shearing speed decreased the starch gelatinization temperature and swelling capacity and increased starch breakdown.     

Effect of calcium on microstructure and meltability of part skim mozzarella cheese

The role of calcium in the microstructure of part skim Mozzarella cheese was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Part skim Mozzarella cheeses with 4 calcium levels (control 0.65%, T1 0.48%, T2, 0.42%, and T3 0.35%) were manufactured and stored at 4 degrees C. Microstructure and meltability of cheeses were studied on d 1 and 30. The micrographs were analyzed for numbers, area, perimeter, roundness, and size of the fat particles. Reduced calcium cheeses had greater meltability and more hydrated protein matrix with greater number of fat particles (control=125, T1=193, T2=184, and T3=215 with SEM and control = 86, T1=87, T2= 125, and T3= 140 with CLSM). Further, area and perimeter of these fat particles were also greater in reduced calcium cheeses. Area, perimeter, and size of fat particles increased and their roundness decreased upon storage of 30 d. Decrease in free serum in the protein matrix of all cheeses upon refrigerated storage was evident from the CLSM. Hydrated protein network and better emulsified fat in low calcium cheeses might have improved melt properties of Mozzarella cheese.     

Confocal scanning laser microscopy and quantitative image analysis: application to cream cheese microstructure investigation

The naked eye observation of cream cheese confocal scanning laser microscopy images only provides qualitative information about its microstructure. Because those products are dense dairy gels, confocal scanning laser microscopy images of 2 different cream cheeses may appear close. Quantitative image analysis is then necessary to compensate for human eye deficiency (e.g., lack of precision, subjectivity). Two kinds of quantitative image analysis were performed in this study: high-order statistical methods and grayscale mathematical morphology. They were applied to study the microstructure of 3 different cream cheeses (same manufacturing process, same dry matter content, but different fat and protein contents). Advantages and drawbacks of both methods are reviewed. The way they may be used to describe cream cheese microstructure is also presented.     

Improving effect of xanthan and locust bean gums on the freeze-thaw stability of white sauces made with different native starches

The effect of adding xanthan gum and locust bean gum at low concentrations (0.15% w/w) on the freeze/thaw stability of white sauces prepared with native starches from four different sources (corn, waxy corn, potato, and rice) was investigated. Linear viscoelastic properties were taken as structural indicators and these and syneresis as indicators of the freeze/thaw stability of the sauces. The pasting properties of the starch in the sauce system were also studied. Both hydrocolloids reduced the structural changes occurring after thawing, xanthan gum being more effective than locust bean gum. In corn and potato sauces, the most affected by the freeze/thaw cycle, the appearance of syneresis and the increase in viscoelastic functions were significantly reduced by both hydrocolloids. In general, the addition of hydrocolloids affected peak, hot peak and cold peak viscosities and reduced relative total setback. The results regarding the possible effects of hydrocolloid addition to white sauce systems are discussed in molecular terms.     

Effects of waxy maize and potato starches on the stability and physicochemical properties of model sauces prepared with fresh beef meat

Stability and physicochemical properties of model sauces containing 2.5 wt% fresh beef meat (related to raw material), 30 wt% rapeseed oil and native waxy maize starch (WMS) or potato starch (PS) at concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 4.0 wt% were assessed. Sauces thickened with WMS showed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher stability than respective ones made with PS. All studied systems exhibited non‐Newtonian, pseudoplastic behaviour. The Ostwald–de Waele and Herschel–Bulkley models were used to describe the flow properties of model sauces. In comparison with control sample (prepared without starch), addition of this polysaccharide (WMS or PS) increased consistency index, yield stress and apparent viscosity and decreased flow behaviour index of model sauces. The Arrhenius equation was used to determine the effects of temperature (20–50 °C) on the apparent viscosity. The activation energy values were in ranges 7.66–10.59 kJ mol^?1 and 8.87–11.82 kJ mol^?1 in sauces prepared with WMS and PS, respectively. The instrumentally detected changes in consistency and whiteness of model sauces were found, which may be used as the good predictors of the perceived sensory consistency and whiteness.     

Evolutions of rheology,microstructure and starch hydrolysis of pumpkin-enriched bread during simulated gastrointestinal digestion

In this study, the influences of pumpkin flour additions to breadmaking on evolutions of microstructure, rheology and starch hydrolysis during simulated gastrointestinal digestion were investigated. Compared to white bread (PB₀), the bread supplemented with 20% pumpkin flour (PB₂₀) showed more continuous and fibrous gel network structure with most starch granules encapsulated in the network throughout the in vitro digestion. Due to the dilution of digestive fluids and enzymatic hydrolysis, the digesta moduli and viscosity remarkably decreased as time progressed, but PB₂₀ presented significantly higher rheology compared to PB₀ in each digestion phase. At the end of intestinal phase, the in vitro starch digestibility was 69.9% for PB₀, significantly higher than that for PB₂₀ (55.4%). This is presumably attributed to the abundant dietary fibre in pumpkin flour, contributing to the increased digesta viscosity and the formation of more compact and stable gel networks that would hinder the contact of starch granules with α-amylase. In addition, the pumpkin-added breads gave satisfactory results in terms of sensory acceptability. This study has suggested promising potential of incorporating pumpkin flour in the production of functional bakery products with reduced starch digestibility while maintaining good sensory characteristics.     

微波有机相法制备辛烯基琥珀酸淀粉的表征和流变学研究

研究了在微波条件下,以乙醇为介质制备辛烯基琥珀酸淀粉酯。通过红外、电镜、X衍射等测定,对产品的结构进行了表征,并讨论了淀粉糊的流变学性能。研究表明,利用微波有机相法制备的辛烯基琥珀酸淀粉酯,可作为性能优良的新型增稠剂。     

Influence of corn starch type in the rheological properties of a white sauce after heating and freezing

The freeze/thaw and heating stability of white sauces prepared with two modified waxy corn starches (hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate and acetylated distarch adipate) and two native corn starches (waxy and normal) are compared.     

Effect of flour heating on dough rheology

Heating soft wheat flour at 80°C for 15 min has already been shown to improve its bread-making potential. In this study, flour was fractionated to determine the specific effect of heating on its constituents (gluten, starch, lipid, water-soluble). While gluten was easier to extract and its texture was slacker after heating, it significantly increased dough-mixing stability and development time (P<0.01). Heated water-soluble fraction containing pentosans partly decreased stability (P=0.06).     

绵白糖微波干燥的初步描述和质量控制

讨论了绵白糖的微波干燥过程的特性并对过程进行了数学描述，从而分析了物料湿含量、在干燥机内的停留时间及出口温度对干燥过程绵白糖除湿量的影响。选择了过程的控制参数，并给出确定控制参数的表达式。     

Direct observation of bacterial exopolysaccharides in dairy products using confocal scanning laser microscopy

The objective of this work was to develop a methodology for direct visualization of bacterial exopolysaccharides (EPS) in fully hydrated dairy products. The new method involved staining EPS with wheat germ agglutinin labeled with Alexa fluor 488 or staining with concanavalin A 488. Samples were observed using confocal scanning laser microscopy. Distribution of EPS produced by Lactococcus lactis (CHCC 3367), a combination of Streptococcus thermophilus (CHCC 3534) and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus (CHCC 769) and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus RR in milk was compared in stirred and unstirred fermented milk. The EPS and proteins were observed as distinct entities, with EPS present in the protein network pores. EPS was observed in greater amounts in milk fermented by the ropy L. lactis culture than in milk fermented by the less ropy strain of S. thermophilus. Stirring the fermented milk caused aggregation of EPS into more extended structures. The more ropy the culture, the longer and larger the strands formed during stirring. The method was also applied to Feta cheese made with an EPS-producing strain of S. thermophilus. EPS was observed in the cheese as thick sheets filling pores in the protein network.     

Microstructural, physical, and sensory impact of starch, inulin, and soy protein in low-fat gluten and lactose free white sauces

The microstructural, physical, and sensory properties of low-fat sauces made with different starches, soy protein, and inulin as a fat replacer were analyzed. Gluten-free waxy starches-rice and corn-were selected as well as soy protein to obtain sauces suitable for celiac and lactose intolerant consumers. Light microscopy was used to visualize the swollen starch granules dispersed in a protein-amylopectin-inulin phase. Inulin seemed to limit protein network development, which was related with a higher dispersion of starch granules within the sauce matrix. Therefore, the sauces made with inulin had a lower apparent viscosity (η(app) ) values (P < 0.05) in comparison with oil sauces. The sauces made with rice starches also exhibited a lower viscosity (P < 0.05) since these granules did not swell as corn granules do. All the sauces had a remarkable physical stability since there were no syneresis phenomena and color did not change significantly (P < 0.05) after 15 d of refrigeration storage (4 °C). Finally, the sensory test suggests that oil could be substituted by inulin in the preparation of low-fat sauces since no significant differences (P < 0.05) in texture and flavor were found. These results encourage further research to optimize the formulations of these types of alternative white sauces. Practical Application: Nowadays there is a great demand of ready-to-eat products due to new consumptions habits. In this context, it would be interesting to develop low-fat sauces with inulin that could be used in this type of products improving their nutritional profile. The requirement of processed food for specific groups of population, such as celiac and lactose intolerant consumers, makes it necessary to use gluten free starches and soy protein in the formulation of sauces. The characterization of structural, physical and sensory properties is required to understand the product acceptability and its behavior during its shelf life.     

Rheology, microstructure, and functionality of low-fat Iranian white cheese made with different concentrations of rennet

A batch of full-fat (23% target fat) and 3 batches of low-fat (6% target fat) Iranian white cheese with different rennet concentrations (1-, 2-, and 3-fold the normal usage) were produced to study the effect of fat content reduction and promoted proteolysis on the textural and functional properties of the product. Cheese samples were analyzed with respect to their rheological parameters (uniaxial compression and small amplitude oscillatory shear), meltability, microstructure, and sensory characteristics. Reduction of fat content from 23 to 6% had adverse effects on the texture, functionality, cheese-making yield, and sensory characteristics of Iranian white cheese. Fat reduction increased the instrumental hardness parameters (storage modulus, stress at fracture, and Young's modulus of elasticity), decreased the cheese meltability and yield, and made the microstructure more compact. Doubling the rennet concentration reduced values of instrumental hardness parameters, increased the meltability, and improved the sensory impression of texture. Although increasing the rennet concentration to 2-fold the normal usage resembled somewhat the low-fat cheese to its full-fat counterpart, it appeared to cause more reduction in yield. Increasing the rennet concentration 3-fold the normal usage produced a product slightly more elastic than the low-fat cheese with normal concentration of rennet. Increasing the rennet concentration to 2-fold the normal usage was useful for improving the textural, functional, and sensory properties of low-fat Iranian white cheese.     

白酱油生产工艺的研究

为了研制淡色酱油,介绍了活性炭对半成品酱油进行脱色制备白酱油的生产工艺,探讨了白酱油贮存过程中色泽加深的原因和抑制沉淀产生的方法。试验表明,制备白酱油最佳脱色条件为：活性炭用量3.5g/dL,pH值为4.7～4.8,温度为60℃,脱色时间40min。同时,氧气与光照对贮存过程中的白酱油色泽的加深都有影响,其中氧气的影响非常显著;只要控制原料酱油的pH值在4.7～4.8之间,就可有效地抑制成品白酱油在贮存过程中产生沉淀。     

Non-contact laser-scanning confocal microscopy of the human cornea in vivo

PurposeTo investigate the utility of using non-contact laser-scanning confocal microscopy (NC-LSCM), compared with the more conventional contact laser-scanning confocal microscopy (C-LSCM), for examining corneal substructures in vivo.MethodsAn attempt was made to capture representative images from the tear film and all layers of the cornea of a healthy, 35 year old female, using both NC-LSCM and C-LSCM, on separate days.ResultsUsing NC-LSCM, good quality images were obtained of the tear film, stroma, and a section of endothelium, but the corneal depth of the images of these various substructures could not be ascertained. Using C-LSCM, good quality, full-field images were obtained of the epithelium, subbasal nerve plexus, stroma, and endothelium, and the corneal depth of each of the captured images could be ascertained.ConclusionsNC-LSCM may find general use for clinical examination of the tear film, stroma and endothelium, with the caveat that the depth of stromal images cannot be determined when using this technique. This technique also facilitates image capture of oblique sections of multiple corneal layers. The inability to clearly and consistently image thin corneal substructures – such as the tear film, subbasal nerve plexus and endothelium – is a key limitation of NC-LSCM.     

Effect of waxy flour blends on dough rheology and bread quality

Although much research has been conducted on wheat flour dough rheology, the principal focus has been the role of the protein fraction. Starch is the main component of flour and plays a key role in dough dynamic properties, particularly during heating. This study assesses the effect of two different waxy flours, a durum and a bread wheat, and their blends with commercial bakers' flour on dough rheology during heating with a concurrent investigation into baking performance. Both waxy flour blends produced similar effects on dough rheological behaviour despite differences in protein content, acting to delay gelatinisation and reduce storage modulus. The main effects in bread were to increase loaf expansion during baking and reduce loaf firmness. It is postulated these effects are largely water mediated, with the higher swelling ability of the waxy starch granules reducing overall water availability and driving complete gelatinisation to higher temperatures.     

大豆球蛋白-花青素Pickering乳液性质

制备大豆分离蛋白(soybean protein isolate,SPI)与花青素(anthocyanin,ACN)共价复合Pickering乳液。研究不同ACN体积分数下,共价复合颗粒的表面疏水性,Pickering乳液的乳化性与乳化稳定性、流变性质和微观结构。结果显示,当ACN体积分数由0%增加到0.15%时,共价复合颗粒的表面疏水性由18 174降低到8 945;Pickering乳液的乳化性增加了127 m2/g,乳化稳定性增加了近1倍;同时乳液脂滴状态得到了明显的改善。实验结果证明,乳液呈现类固体特性,表现出典型非牛顿假塑性行为。本研究还发现,随着ACN的添加,SPI-ACN共价复合Pickering乳液呈现出桥接乳液形态,这将为食品行业中开发新型Pickering乳液提供理论参考。