ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF LAURICIDIN IN MECHANICALLY DEBONED CHICKEN, MINCED FISH AND CHICKEN SAUSAGE

Aerobic plate counts on Plate Count Agar at 25°C were used to determine the time required to reach a microbial spoilage level of 1.0 × 10⁷ C.F.U./g, for mechanically deboned chicken meat, minced fish and chicken sausage stored at 2°C. The storage times were 5, 8 and 9 days, respectively. Addition of citric acid (0.2%), ascorbic acid (0.2%) or lauricidin (250 ppm) alone extended the shelf-life by 0–2 days. The combination of lauricidin and citric acid or lauricidin and ascorbic acid extended the time required to reach a microbial spoilage level for mechanically deboned chicken meat by as much as 7 days, minced fish by as much 4 days and chicken sausage by 8 days.     

PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL AND SENSORY QUALITY OF MICROWAVE-BLANCHED SNOW PEAS

Snow peas were blanched using four methods [conventional boiling water (BW); steam (ST); microwave (MW); and microwave blanched in heat sealable bags (MWB)], then held frozen at (～18C) for four weeks. Immediately after blanching, MWB‐blanched snow peas retained more reduced ascorbic acid (RAA; 72%), than other treatments. Blanching treatment had no effect on lightness [L* value). With the exception of BW‐blanched peas, blanching significantly altered color. After frozen storage, MWB‐ and MW‐blanched samples both contained about 26 mg/100 g RAA, significantly more RAA than other treatments. MWB‐blanched peas generally had as high or higher sensory appearance, aroma, flavor, texture and general acceptability scores than other treatments. These results imply that blanching snow peas in a heat‐sealable microwave bag, prior to frozen storage, produces a product of equivalent sensory quality and superior nutritional quality compared with more conventional blanching methods.     

UTILIZATION OF MINCED SUCKER FLESH

Freshwater suckers (Catostamidae family) were obtained from Lake Huron to study the possibility of developing new products utilizing its flesh and the influences of additives on the functionality of sucker muscle proteins. Results showed that sodium chloride increased protein solubility, but also decreased swelling, gel forming and pH. In comparison, sodium tripolyphosphate increased protein solubility, pH, swelling and gel formation. Fish sausages and canned products showed low binding characteristics. However, adding corn meal and soy protein in combination with sodium chloride and sodium tripolyphosphate improved their water holding capacity, texture and cook yield. It was concluded that sodium tripolyphosphate, corn meal and fat should be used in manufacturing minced sucker products.     

COMPOSITION OF LIPIDS AND PROTEINS OF DEBONED MINCED AND FILLETED WHITE SUCKER (CATOSTOMUS COMMERSONI)

Total lipids, phospholipids (PL), free fatty acids, TBA, carbonyl values, fatty acids and amino acid composition of filleted sucker (FS) and mechanically deboned minced sucker (MDMS), were determined. Higher PL concentration (534 mg/100 g versus 370 mg/100 g) and higher carbonyl values (0.89 μmoles/g versus 0.61 μmoles/g) were found in MDMS. There were no significant differences between FS and MDMS in fatty acid composition of total lipid and phospholipids. The protein content and amino acid composition of FS and MDMS were similar.     

PROCESSING OF YOGURT-BASED PRODUCTS WITH PULSED ELECTRIC FIELDS: MICROBIAL, SENSORY AND PHYSICAL EVALUATIONS

Yogurt-based products similar to a dairy pudding dessert were formulated and processed by mild heat and pulsed electric fields (PEF) to investigate the effects of combined mild heat and PEF treatment on the microbial stability and quality of high viscosity foods. Commercial plain low fat yogurt was mixed with fruit jelly and corn syrup and processed by mild heat treatment at 60C for 30 s and 30 kV/cm electric field strength for 32 μs total treatment time using OSU-2C pilot plant scale PEF system. Control and processed products were aseptically packaged and stored at 4 and 22C. Mild heat combined with PEF treatment significantly decreased the total viable aerobic bacteria and total mold and yeast of yogurt-based products during storage at both 4 and 22C (P ≤ 0.05). Mild heat treatment alone without any PEF treatment did not prevent the growth of microorganisms in yogurt-based products. Sensory evaluation indicated that there was no significant difference between the control and processed products (P ≤ 0.05). Color, pH and °Brix were not significantly affected by mild heat and PEF processing conditions.     

PHYSICAL,CHEMICAL AND SENSORY PROPERTIES OF SUGAR‐FREE JELLY*

The increase in diabetes and obesity has increased the demand for sugar‐free/low‐calorie products. Three jelly formulations were prepared using sucralose, low‐methoxyl pectin and maltodextrin with either xanthan gum or locust bean gum (LBG) used singly or in combination and stored at 4C or 43C for shelf life evaluation. Jelly treatments were evaluated for chemical, physical and sensory properties. The combination of xanthan gum and LBG significantly reduced syneresis compared with either gum used singly. The combination of xanthan gum and LBG resulted in significantly higher firmness and springiness values than using xanthan gum or LBG alone. The overall acceptability, aroma, taste, texture, spreadability and sensory attributes for no sugar‐added grape jelly averaged 5.8–6.4 in a 9‐point hedonic scale consumer acceptance study.