Changes in Shear Parameters,Protein Degradation and Ultrastructure of Pork Following Water Bath and Ohmic Cooking

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of ohmic (OH) and water bath (WB) cooking on shear parameters, protein degradation and ultrastructure changes of porcine longissimus dorsi muscle at the same endpoint temperatures (EPTs; range, 20–100 °C). The cooking loss and Warner–Bratzler shear force of the OH-cooked meat were significantly lower (P?<?0.05) while protein solubility, pH and endothermic transition temperature were higher than those obtained by WB cooking at the same EPTs (range, 20–80 °C). Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis showed that during OH cooking, the meat had slightly fainter protein bands than that of WB-cooked ones. Less obvious shrinkage of the sarcomere and loss in the structure of Z discs were detected especially in OH-cooked meat at EPTs (100 °C). Strong correlations among pH, cooking loss, Warner–Bratzler shear force, sarcoplasmic protein solubility, T _max2, and T _max3 were observed in meat following OH cooking.     

Steaming time effects on the moisture migration and structural properties of Chinese Northern-style steamed bread

The aim of this study was to investigate the steaming time effects on proton transverse relaxation behavior with low field 1H nuclear magnetic resonance and structural properties of Chinese Northern-style steamed bread (CNSB). Three proton populations could be distinguished at the first 4 min: T_2b (0.1–1 ms) corresponded to rigid and exchangeable protons; T₂₂ (9–21 ms) was associated with the water protons in small and large meshes of the dough microstructure; T₂₃ (69–300 ms) was assigned to the water protons on the surface of samples. The starch gelatinization began and the water turned into the integral part of the biopolymer at 6 min, forming T₂₁ (1–3 ms) fraction. The gelatinization effect was strengthened up to 8 min and supplied a more mobile microenvironment, resulting in the increase of T₂₁, A₂₁ and M₂₁. However, the gelatinization process ended at 8 min, bringing about the stabilization of T₂₁, A₂₁ and M₂₁ until 25 min. T₂₂ fraction accounted for the largest proportion during all the steaming process. All variation trends on structural properties of CNSB and T₂ relaxation parameters including T_i, A_i (relative intensity of T_i), and M_i (population abundance of T_i) indicated that 6 and 8 min were the two transitions. The gluten matrix began to be disrupted at 6 min and was quite damaged up to 8 min by scanning electron microscopy. The peaks at 15°, 18°, 20°, and 23° in X-ray diffraction patterns appeared in the first 6 min but were lost up to 8, 10, and 25 min.     

蒸煮时间对滩羊肉蒸煮损失、嫩度及水分分布的影响

为了探究蒸煮时间对滩羊肉蒸煮损失、嫩度及水分分布的影响。对不同蒸煮时间处理下的滩羊肉蒸煮损失、剪切力进行测定,并结合低场核磁技术研究滩羊肉水分子T_2弛豫特性以及各指标间的相关性。结果表明:随着蒸煮时间的延长,滩羊肉的蒸煮损失和剪切力先增大后减小(P0.05)。LF-NMR检测到了4个明显的水分群,代表肉中的弱结合水(T_(21))、强结合水(T_(22))、不易流动水(T_(23))和自由水(T_(24))4种存在状态。延长蒸煮时间,弛豫时间先变长后缩短,T_(23)含量先减少后增加,T24含量先增加后减少。核磁成像结果显示,蒸煮时间的延长会使图像的亮度先增强后减弱。相关性分析结果表明,蒸煮损失与T_(23)、T_(24)呈显著正相关(P0.05),相关系数分别为0.966,0.994;剪切力与T_(23)呈显著正相关(P0.05),相关系数为0.846,与T23峰面积比例呈显著负相关(P0.05),相关系数为-0.504。说明不同蒸煮时间处理下的滩羊肉的蒸煮损失、嫩度及水分分布均具有显著的变化,且各指标之间具有显著的相关性。     

Freezing-induced proton dynamics in tofu evaluated by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance

The main purpose of the study was to understand and interpret the effects of freezing times on the proton dynamics and chrominance of tofu. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to monitor real-time changes in microstructure and water distribution at different freezing times. The T ₂ relaxation parameters included the relative intensity (A _2i) and the population of T _2i component (M _2i). Three proton populations focusing on approximately 0.93–4.72, 25–49, and 402–505 ms were identified as T _2b, T ₂₁, and T ₂₂, respectively. The generated ice crystals damaged the hydration layer of the soybean protein and T _2b increased over the 2 h. The side chains of the soybean protein then began to unite owing to the protein’s reduced affinity for water, making the protons of the hydrophilic groups exchangeable, and resulting in decreased mobility of the T _2b fraction. The appearance of exchangeable hydrophilic group protons caused an increase in A _2b from 2 to 6 h. The subsequent increases in A _2b and M _2b 6 h later were due to access to the unfrozen free water. The water molecules (T ₂₁ fraction) changed into ice crystals, reducing A ₂₁ and M ₂₁. The disappearance of the T ₂₂ fraction peak 6 h later was attributed to residual unfrozen water molecules, with the minor component turning into ice with a fast relaxation time. The MRI results showed that the outline of the sample was blurred at 2 h and could not be detected 6 h later. Significant correlations were further detected between T ₂ relaxation parameters and color parameters. LF-NMR has great potential as a reliable tool for the study of tofu.     

Effects of multiple freeze–thaw cycles on meat quality,nutrients, water distribution and microstructure in bovine rumen smooth muscle

This study investigated the effect of 5 freeze–thaw cycles (freezing at −18°C for 12 h and then thawing at 4°C for approximately 12 h) on the meat quality, proximate composition, water distribution and microstructure of bovine rumen smooth muscle (BSM). As the number of freeze–thaw cycles increased, BSM pH, shear force, water content and protein content decreased by 3.06%, 35.50%, 14.49% and 21.11%, respectively, whereas BSM thawing loss, cooking loss, pressing loss, total aerobic count (TAC), ash content and fat content increased by 108.12%, 47.75%, 78.33%, 90.99%, 105% and 35.20%, respectively. The freeze–thaw cycles resulted in greater protein and lipid oxidation, as evidenced by a 36.46% reduction in the sulfhydryl content and a 209.06% and 338.46% increase in the carbonyl and malondialdehyde contents, respectively. Ice crystal formation disrupted the structural integrity of the muscle tissue. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance results showed that the freeze–thaw cycles prolonged the relaxation times (T_2b, T₂₁ and T₂₂), indicating that immobile water shifted to free water, and consequently, free water mobility increased. After 3 freeze–thaw cycles, the decline in shear force slowed, the increase in thawing loss became accelerated, and the TAC approached the domain value (6 log colony-forming units/g). Therefore, the number of freeze–thaw cycles of smooth muscle during transport, storage and distribution should be controlled to 3 or fewer. The current results provide a theoretical basis and data support for the further utilisation and culinary processing of smooth muscle.     

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.     

Classification of Brazilian honeys by physical and chemical analytical methods and low field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF H NMR)

This study evaluated the possibility of differentiating the botanical origin of honeys using Low Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (LF ¹H NMR). Eighty samples of honey from 8 different botanical sources (eucalyptus, “assa-lipto”, oranges, Barbados cherry, cashew tree, “assa-peixe”, “cipó-uva” and polyfloral) were analyzed. A close correlation (p < 0.01) was established between the LF ¹H NMR analysis and physical and chemical measurements, including water content, water activity, pH and color. Bi-exponential fitting of the transverse relaxation (T₂) data revealed two water populations in all samples, T₂₁ and T₂₂, corresponding to relaxation times of 0.6–1.8 ms and 2.3–5.4 ms respectively. The observed differences in the relaxation times suggest that these were influenced by the differences in botanical origins. Good linear correlations were observed between the T₂ and T₂₁ parameters and the physical and chemical data. This study demonstrated that LF ¹H NMR can be a viable technique for use in classifying honeys by their botanical origin.     

Technological and functional properties of reduced-salt pork batter incorporated with soy protein isolate after pressure treatment

To investigate the effects of different pressures (0.1–400 MPa), the techno-functional properties, water distribution and mobility of reduced-salt pork batters (1% NaCl) supplemented with soy protein isolate (SPI, 2%) were examined. Compared with the batters treated at 0.1 MPa, those treated at 100–300 MPa showed significantly increased the cooking yield, hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness, and G′ values of gel and reduced the initial relaxation times of T_2b, T₂₁ and T₂₂, as observed from the results of low-field NMR. Among all samples, those treated at 200 and 300 MPa had the highest L^* value, cooking yield, hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness and G′ value of gel, with the largest peak ratio of P₂₁ and the smallest peak ratio of P₂₂. Overall, treatments at 200 and 300 MPa improved the gel properties and lowered the water mobility of reduced-salt pork batters supplemented with SPI.     

Effects of high-pressure-modified soy 11S globulin on the gel properties and water-holding capacity of pork batter

The effects of high-pressure-modified soy 11S globulin (0.1, 200, and 400 MPa) on the gel properties, water-holding capacity, and water mobility of pork batter were investigated. The high-pressure-modified soy 11S globulin significantly increased (P < 0.05) the emulsion stability, cooking yield, hardness, springiness, chewiness, resilience, cohesiveness, the a^* and b^* values, and the G′ and G′′ values of pork batter at 80 °C, compared with those of 0.1 MPa-modified globulin. In contrast, the centrifugal loss and initial relaxation time of T_2b, T₂₁, and T₂₂ significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the microstructure was denser, and the voids were smaller and more uniform compared with those of 0.1 MPa-modified globulin. In addition, the sample with 11S globulin modified at 400 MPa had the best water-holding capacity, gel structure, and gel properties among the samples. Overall, the use of high-pressure-modified soy 11S globulin improved the gel properties and water-holding capacity of pork batter, especially under 400 MPa.     

Effect of Spray Drying Encapsulation of Thermotolerant Lactic Acid Bacteria on Meat Batters Properties

Four thermotolerant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were spray dry encapsulated with Acacia gum and inoculated in cooked meat batters. Physicochemical properties (total moisture content, expressible moisture, and cooking stability), pH and acidity, CIE-Lab color, and texture profile analysis were performed at 1 and 8 days of storage at 4 °C. LAB and Enterobacteria counts were determined at 1, 4, and 8 days of storage. Control treatment was inoculated with the same unencapsulated strains as free cells. Total moisture, water activity, and fat release significantly (p?<?0.05) increased in spray drying inoculated samples, with no change in expressible moisture. No significantly (p?>?0.05) difference in pH and acidity were detected between encapsulated LAB and free cells inoculation. Inoculation of spray dry bacteria significantly (p?<?0.05) decreased samples luminosity and redness, with no change in yellowness. In TPA, hardness and springiness had no significantly (p?>?0.05) change due to inoculation type, but cohesiveness decreased in encapsulated samples. Inoculation of spray-dried LAB enhanced initial LAB count with a concomitant Enterobacteria reduction. These results suggest that the spray drying encapsulation is an effective way to protect thermotolerant lactic bacteria. These capsules can be inoculated in cooked emulsified meat products in order to ensure their survival before, during, and after processing. Thermotolerant LAB could be employed as bioprotective cultures to improve microbial safety in cooked meat products since the Enterobacteria counts were diminished during storage, enhancing the nutritional values with no major detrimental effect on textural or physicochemical properties of these kinds of foodstuffs.     

Extraction of Carrot (Daucus carota) Antifreeze Proteins and Evaluation of Their Effects on Frozen White Salted Noodles

Homogenate and vacuum infiltration-centrifugation were adopted and compared in carrot antifreeze proteins (CaAFPs) extraction, and effects of CaAFPs on thermophysical properties, texture properties, cooking properties, and microstructure of frozen white salted noodles were studied. Results showed that the vacuum infiltration-centrifugation was more targeted than homogenate in CaAFPs extraction, while its protein extraction rate was much lower than homogenate. Differential scanning calorimeter measurement showed that CaAFPs could not only lower the initial point of freezing (T _f) and the end point of freezing (T _m′) of water but also decrease the freezable water content. It also confirmed that CaAFPs were enriched in apoplast extract. The addition of CaAFPs could lower the enthalpy of melting of frozen noodles. V-CaAFPs could lower T _m′ of frozen noodles but the T _m′ of H-noodles was slightly increased. Freezable water content of frozen noodles was decreased by the addition of CaAFPs and T _g″ of them was increased. Texture profile analysis showed that texture properties of white salted noodles were significantly influenced (p?<?0.05) by the addition of CaAFPs. Cooking properties of frozen white salted noodles were also significantly enhanced (p?<?0.05) by increasing cooking absorption and reducing dry material loss. NMR measurement showed that the addition of CaAFPs could shift water from mobile state to less mobile state. Microstructure of noodles suggested that the addition of CaAFPs could protect the gluten network from the damage caused by freezing and temperature fluctuation, which resulted in an integrated gluten network in white salted noodles.     

Low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of the effects of heating temperature and time on braised beef

We investigated the characteristics of water mobility and distribution in Chinese braised beef after treatment at different temperatures for different times using low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF‐NMR). The beef was heated at 45, 55, 65, 75, 85 or 95 °C for 30, 60, 90 and 120 min. Results showed that T₂ changed significantly with heating temperature. T₂₁ and A₂₁ decreased significantly with increasing temperature below 65 °C, with a steady phase from 75 to 95 °C, which agreed with cooking loss. Inversely, T₂₂ had no changes below 65 °C and changed apparently from 75 to 95 °C. The change in T₂₁ below 65 °C may be related to proteins denaturation and shrinkage and, above 65 °C, T₂₂ possibly induced by the dissolution of connective tissue. The characteristics of braised beef at 65 °C were different from those at other temperatures in T₂ distributions. The findings could provide a theoretical basis for the processing of Chinese braised beef.     

Influence of different thawing methods on physicochemical changes and protein oxidation of porcine longissimus muscle

The objective of the present study was to elucidate the physicochemical changes and protein oxidation of porcine longissimus muscle as influenced by different thawing methods. Five kinds of thawing methods, comprising of refrigerator thawing (RT, 4 °C), ambient temperature thawing (AT, 20 °C), water immersion thawing (WT, 14 °C), lotic water thawing (LT, 9 °C), and microwave thawing (MT), were used. There were significant effects on the porcine meat quality due to different thawing methods. RT had the least quality loss and the physicochemical characteristics of pork were closer to fresh muscle than the other thawing methods. MT significantly increased thawing loss, cooking loss, cutting force, carbonyl content, and TBARS (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances) value, but decreased a* value and Ca-, K-ATPase activities (P < 0.05). Microstructural changes in experimental muscle showed that MT induced visibly larger gap between muscle fibers and tore more muscle fiber bundles compared to the other thawing methods. The reduction of Ca- and K-ATPase activities (P < 0.05) of myofibrillar protein was consistent with the increases in carbonyl content and TBARS value (P < 0.05). The results demonstrated all the thawing methods could cause porcine lipid and protein oxidation. Gel electrophoresis patterns of porcine muscle displayed that different thawing methods did not induce obvious protein aggregates and fragments.     

Effect of vacuum mixing on the quality characteristics of fresh noodles

Effect of vacuum mixing on the physicochemical properties, microstructure and water status of fresh noodles was investigated. Color changes, moisture, water activity, cooking quality and texture properties were measured as affected by different vacuum degrees. In addition, effect of vacuum mixing on the water status in noodles was evaluated at macroscopic, structural and molecular levels. Noodle brightness, cooking and texture properties were significantly (P < 0.05) improved as vacuum degrees increased, except that −0.08 MPa imparted slightly larger cooking loss and worse texture to low protein noodles. Both high and low protein flour noodles presented the best cooking and textural properties while mixed at −0.06 MPa. Furthermore, vacuum mixing induced a more continuous and compact noodle structure, as shown in the SEM investigation. Water–solids interaction in the products was shown to be enhanced by the decreased water mobility, lower freezable water content (FW%), and the stronger proton density of T₂₁.     

Potential Production of Healthier Protein Isolate from Broiler Meat using Modified Acid-Aided pH Shift Process

Protein isolates from broiler meat were produced using acid-aided process (AP) with some modifications including prewashing prior to pH shift process (PW), homogenisation with 5 mM citric acid plus 8 mM CaCl₂ (CA) and homogenisation with 5 % ethanol (EA). Significant reduction of total cholesterol, nucleic acids and haemoproteins with improved protein yield and whiteness of the isolate was obtained from all modified process (p?<?0.05). CA was the most effective method in elimination of cholesterol (p?<?0.05). However, PW was the best way to remove nucleic acids and haem proteins (p?<?0.05). Among modified processes, CA gel tended to show the highest breaking force, deformation and whiteness but PW gel had the lowest expressible drip (p?<?0.05). EA possessed a negative effect on gel-forming ability. Therefore, CA or PW was a promising means to produce functional protein isolate with reduced nucleic acids, haem pigments and cholesterol.     

反复冻融对羊肉品质的影响

通过测定冻融 0（对照）、1、2、3、4、5 次的羊肉的解冻损失、蒸煮损失、pH、剪切力、硫代巴比妥酸值（TBARS）、挥发性盐基氮（TVB-N）、菌落总数及水分状态的变化,探讨了反复冻融对羊肉品质的影响。结果表明:随着冻融次数的增加,羊肉的解冻损失、蒸煮损失、TBARS、TVB-N和菌落总数均显著增加（P<0.05）,pH显著降低（P<0.05）,剪切力呈现先升高后降低的趋势。低场核磁技术显示,随着反复冻融次数的增加,结合水（T₂₁）比例没有显著性变化（P>0.05）,不易流动水（T₂₂）比例呈上升趋势,自由水（T₂₃）比例呈下降趋势,不易流动水和自由水间发生转变。这些变化表明反复冻融显著降低了羊肉品质,且随着冻融次数的增加,羊肉品质破坏更加严重。     

Fluctuated Low Temperature Combined with High-Humidity Thawing to Reduce Physicochemical Quality Deterioration of Beef

The physicochemical quality of thawed beef inside cap off treated with fluctuated low temperature combined with high-humidity thawing (2 °C?→?6 °C?→?2 °C, RH 97?±?3 %, FT) was compared with what was treated with refrigerator thawing (4 °C, RT). Results showed that compared with that of RT, the thawing loss, protein content of thawing drip, cooking loss, shear force, and carbonyl content of FT-treated beef decreased by 47.27, 42.15, 4.58, 12.02, and 30.0 %, respectively, while the sulfhydryl content increased by 24.63 %. Results of scan electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that FT-treated beef had smaller destructive effect on microstructures of muscle. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation measurements showed that FT and RT induced 2.46 and 6.10 % of immobile water shifting to free water, respectively, indicating the possible explanation of reduction of thawing loss with FT. It is demonstrated that FT can reduce thawing loss and physicochemical quality deterioration of beef, suggesting a bright application potential of FT on the thawing of frozen meat.     

The effect of salt and fibre direction on water dynamics,distribution and mobility in pork muscle: A low field NMR study

The effect of salt concentration and fibre orientation on water within the meat matrix was investigated by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR), water-binding capacity (WBC), diffusion studies and histological analysis. Pork M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum samples were cured with 5.7, 15.3 or 26.3% w/w NaCl at a parallel or perpendicular fibre direction. NMR transverse (T₂) relaxation identified three water components (T_2b, T₂₁ and T₂₂) which all exhibited characteristics correlated to WBC. Results indicated that T_2b increases with increasing NaCl concentration. Increasing intra-myofibrillar water and decreasing extra-myofibrillar water resulted in the highest WBC. Water diffused more quickly into the extra-myofibrillar space in samples cured at a parallel fibre direction. This water remained loosely bound in samples cured with the saturated solution (26.3% w/w NaCl) leading to decreased WBC. This study provides further information on water binding within the meat matrix by applying the results of LF-NMR to traditional water-binding theories.     

High pressure induced changes on sarcoplasmic protein fraction and quality indicators

The combined effect of pressure and mild temperature treatments on bovine sarcoplasmic proteins and quality parameters was assessed. M. longissimus dorsi samples were pressurised in a range of 200–600 MPa and 10–30 °C. High Pressure Processing (HPP) induced a reduction of protein solubility (p < 0.001) compared to non-treated controls (NT), more pronounced above 200 MPa. HPP at pressures higher than 200 MPa induced a strong modification (p < 0.001) of meat colour and a reduction of water holding capacity (WHC). SDS–PAGE analysis demonstrated that HPP significantly modified the composition of the sarcoplasmic protein fraction. The pressurisation temperature mainly affected protein solubility and colour; a smaller effect was observed on protein profiles. Significant correlations (p < 0.001) between sarcoplasmic protein solubility and both expressible moisture (r = −0.78) and colour parameters (r = −0.81 to −0.91) suggest that pressure induced denaturation of sarcoplasmic proteins could influence to some extent WHC and colour modifications of beef. Changes in protein band intensities were also significantly correlated with protein solubility, meat lightness and expressible moisture. These results describe the changes induced by HPP on sarcoplasmic proteins and confirm a relationship between modification of the sarcoplasmic protein fraction and alteration of meat quality characteristics.     

Effect of Thermosonic Pretreatment and Microwave Vacuum Drying on the Water State and Glass Transition Temperature in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agaricus bisporus</Emphasis> Slices

This study aimed to understand the micromechanism of thermosonic pretreatment and microwave vacuum drying on Agaricus bisporus. The water state and glass transition temperature (T _g ) of fresh and thermosonically treated Agaricus bisporus slices during microwave vacuum drying were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results showed that four population groups were contained in the initial distribution of transverse relaxation time (T ₂) data of fresh A. bisporus slices: T ₂₁ (0.38–7.05 ms), T ₂₂ (9.33–32.75 ms), T ₂₃₁ (37.65–265.61 ms), and T ₂₃₂ (305.39–811.13 ms). Thermosonic pretreatment significantly decreased the initial free water content of A. bisporus sample but was accompanied by a sharp increase in its immobilized water. “Semi-bound water transfer” appeared during microwave vacuum drying (MVD) at moisture contents (X _w ) of 0.70 and 0.60 g/g (wet basis (w.b.)) for untreated and thermosonically treated samples, respectively. MVD caused dramatic changes in the water state and enhanced the T _g by decreasing the content and mobility of immobilized water in A. bisporus tissues. The mobility of semi-bound water for thermosonically and MVD-treated samples was higher than for MVD-untreated samples, resulting in T _g values decreasing by approximately 2–11.5 °C, but the uniformity of water distribution in thermosonic-treated and MVD-treated samples was better at X _w  ≤ 0.52 g/g (w.b.).