QUALITY RESPONSE OF 'BING' AND 'RAINIER' SWEET CHERRIES TO LOW DOSE ELECTRON BEAM IRRADIATION

'Bing' and 'Rainier' sweet cherries were irradiated at doses of 0.00, 0.15, 0.30, 0.60 and 0.90 kGy using a linear accelerator. Cherries were evaluated for quality immediately after treatment and again after 14 days storage at 1C. No variation in soluble solids, titratable acidity or flavor were noted at any of the irradiation doses. Defects were increased for 'Rainier' cherries at irradiation doses above 0.60 kGy, but no change in defects of 'Bing' cherries were present regardless of irradiation doses. Objective color of 'Bing' cherries was lighter with more red at irradiation doses greater than 0.30 kGy, but this change in color was not evident visually. Objective color of 'Rainier' cherries was reduced at irradiation doses of 0.60 kGy and greater. This reduction in 'Rainier' red color was evident visually at an irradiation dose of 0.90 kGy. No change in 'Bing' green stem color was evident, but 'Rainier' stem color improved at irradiation doses above 0.60 kGy. Firmness of both 'Bing' and 'Rainier' cherries was reduced at irradiation doses of 0.60 kGy and greater. By using the linear accelerator at doses of 0.60 kGy or less, 'Bing' and 'Rainier' cherries can be irradiated with no major quality loss to meet quarantine requirements.     

FRUIT QUALITY OF COLD STORED SWEET CHERRIES INFESTED WITH CODLING MOTH

The effect of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), infestation on the quality of sweet cherry, Prunus avium (L.) L., fruit was studied. Each cherry was infested with one first instar codling moth and held at 3.3C for 0 (control), 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, or 14 days. After cold storage, fruits were maintained at 25C and observed periodically for damage using a visual scale from 0 as no damage, to 9 as complete destruction. Two groups of ‘Bing’ cherries were examined, one from an organically grown orchard and the other from a commercial orchard with conventional chemical control. Uninfested fruits maintained quality for one month at 25C whereas infested fruits had a damage rating of 2 by the fifth day. Infested organic fruits deteriorated faster than the conventional cherries. Larvae were often not detected because of fruit deterioration and fungal contamination. Fruit quality deterioration due to codling moth infestation is an important component of the Systems Approach for quarantine security for cherries exported to Japan. Infested fruit would rapidly deteriorate as the result of decay and be culled at time of packing.     

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF THE FLESH OF SWEET AND SOUR CHERRIES

The mechanical properties of the flesh of sweet and sour cherry varieties were studied using penetration of whole and skinned fruits by a cylindrical pin. Fresh and canned fruits were included in the study. The results obtained, and their relation to results obtained previously, show that the cherry flesh plays a more important role in the deformation process when its apparent modulus of elasticity is greater than approximately 0.15 MPa. At lower values compression behaviour of the cherry flesh seems to resemble the behaviour of liquids, and the fruit skin has a more important role in a fruit integrity.     

HOT WATER TO CONTROL CODLING MOTH IN SWEET CHERRIES: EFFICACY AND QUALITY

Quarantine regulations require domestic cherries exported to Japan be treated to control for codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). The current procedure, methyl bromide fumigation, uses a restricted chemical, reduces fruit quality, and involves health, safety and environmental concerns. Single and double hot water dips were evaluated using fresh ‘Bing’ and ‘Sweetheart’ sweet cherries from Washington state as a potential replacement. The double dip procedure had a pretreatment bath at 40C for 5 min. For both procedures, submersions in heated water from 48 to 55C for 2–14 min were examined for treatment efficacy against third‐instar codling moth and fruit quality. Although a 100% mortality response was found for each temperature and procedure, the submersion durations significantly damaged fruit and stem parameters for both cultivars. Thus, hot water dips are not feasible for Pacific Northwest cherries at this time.     

EFFECTS OF BROMATE AND GIBBERELLIC ACID ON MALTING BARLEY

Barley was micromalted with or without gibberellic acid and with or without additions of potassium bromate. Bromate initially depressed and subsequently enhanced levels of soluble nitrogen. This can be explained by a combination of reduced proteolysis, reduced respiratory losses, reduced rootlet growth and a decline with time in the inhibitory effects of the bromate. It was most useful when applied at steep-out. Bromate added alone at steep-out enhanced malt extract. However when added with gibberellic acid (GA₃) it did not increase the extract above that obtained with GA₃ alone. This contrasts with industrial experience, and suggests a weakness in current micromalting techniques.     

ACCEPTABILITY OF LETTUCE TREATED WITH A LACTIC ACID AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDE ANTIBACTERIAL SOLUTION

Whole iceberg lettuce heads were treated with 1.5% lactic acid plus 2.0% hydrogen peroxide solution (antibacterial solution) at 22C for 5 min. They were then either rinsed by immersing in running tap water for 5 min or neutralized with 2.5% sodium bicarbonate solution at 22C for 5 min followed by rinsing (immersion in running tap water) for 10 min, draining, and storing in sealed plastic containers at 5C for 0, 6, and 10 days along with untreated controls. The antibacterial treatment resulted in marginally acceptable lettuce at day 0; neutralization resulted in acceptable lettuce at day 0 but unacceptable after 6 and 10 days. Consumers indicated willingness to purchase an antibacterial solution to treat lettuce at home as well as lettuce pretreated at the packinghouse/processing plant; they were willing to pay at least 3 to 5 cents more per head for pretreated lettuce. Antibacterial treatment plus neutralization provided acceptable lettuce if used in less than 6 days.     

PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS AND FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF PIGS FED A DIET WITH DOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID

Market hogs were fed a ration from 22–42 days prior that contained the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplemented at 0, 0.125 and 0.250 kg/pig in the form of the microalgae , Schizochythrum sp. There were no differences (P>0.05) between the average daily gain, feed consumption, or feed efficiency of the controls and those that received a DHA supplementation. Of the 21 fatty acids analyzed, the concentration of only five were affected by DHA supplementation. Muscles from the ham, loin, and shoulder of pigs that received 0.250 kg of DHA contained more eicosapentaenoate, docosahexaenoate, and docosapentaenoate n-6 and n-3 than either the controls or those that received 0.125 kg. Supplementation of DHA in the ration at 0.125 kg caused an elevation of docosapentaenoate n-6 and docosahexaenoate. These data suggest that addition of DHA to the diet can elevate the amount of this omega-3 fatty acid in pork with potential health benefits to consumers.     

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEVELS OF GIBBERELLIC ACID AND THE PRODUCTION AND ACTION OF CARBOHYDRASES OF BARLEY

Different hydrolytic enzymes require different levels of gibberellic acid to induce their maximal production and release into the endosperm of barley. Barley-endo-β-glucanase requires a higher level of gibberellic acid to induce maximal production than does α-amylase. Although gibberellic acid also increases the level of barley endo-β-1,3 glucanase, this enzyme, unlike the barley-endo-β-glucanase, develops to significant levels when gibberellic acid is absent. In gibberellic acid-treated aleurone layers β-glucanases degrade the cell wall mainly to glucose. Xylose and cellobiose appear when the aleurone wall has undergone extensive enzymic hydrolysis. Laminaribiose and arabinose are found whether or not gibberellic acid is present in the medium. In addition to the degradation of the endosperm cell walls, β-glucanases may also play an important role in the release of enzymes from the aleurone into the endosperm during malting.     

THERMO-RHEOLOGY,QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS,AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF FRANKFURTERS PREPARED WITH SELECTED PLANT AND MILK ADDITIVES1

The purpose of this study was to evaluate substitution of nonmeat proteins for meat protein on the thermo-rheology, quality characteristics, and microstructure of frankfurters. Batters were formulated to contain either 2% sodium caseinate or soy protein isolate, or 3.5% whey protein concentrate or wheat germ flour. The storage modulus (G') of all treatments initially decreased during temperature ramping from 20–50C, then increased rapidly from 60–80C, with all-meat batter exhibiting the highest G' at 80C. Substitution with nonmeat proteins decreased G', shear force, compression force, and red color of meat compared with all-meat frankfurters. Increased protein content, cooking yield, and decreased fat content were obtained with nonmeat protein formulations. Electron micrographs showed that nonmeat proteins were able to bind to the meat protein and fat, forming a protein-fat matrix with less coalescence of fat droplets. Sodium caseinate, soy protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, and wheat germ flour can be used as protein additives in comminuted meat products without adversely affecting their physical characteristics.     

QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF TURKEY BOLOGNA FORMULATED WITH CARRAGEENAN, STARCH, MILK AND SOY PROTEIN

A low-fat (12%) high-added water (27%) bologna was formulated with mechanically deboned turkey meat (MDTM) and either carrageenan (0.5%), milk protein (2%), isolated soy protein (2%), or starch (2%). Cooking loss, purge loss during storage, cooked product bind, sensory characteristics, and batter viscosity were evaluated. Starch added late in the chopping process was the most effective in reducing cooking loss as well as decreasing (P < 0.05) purge loss during storage (both refrigerated and frozen storage). Cooked product hardness was increased (P < 0.05) by all test ingredients, except starch and kappa carrageenan added late in the chopping process. Kappa carrageenan incorporated before chopping significantly (P < 0.05) increased cooked product bind. Overall acceptability (sensory analysis) scores were higher (P < 0.05) when milk protein, isolated soy protein and starch were added during chopping, compared to their addition prior to chopping. However, this order of addition effect was not observed for either of the carrageenan treatments.     

PALATABILITY AND VISUAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HAMS AND LOIN CHOPS FROM SWINE TREATED WITH RACTOPAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE

This study was designed to evaluate the visual and palatability characteristics of boneless cured hams and fresh loin chops from pigs fed diets containing 0, 5, 10 or 20 ppm of the phenethanolamine, ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC). Sixty pigs were blocked by starting weight and randomly assigned to pens (four pigs/pen) within each of three blocks. Treatments were then randomly assigned to pens (six pens of the 0–ppm level and three pens each for the 5, 10 and 20 ppm RAC levels). Animals were slaughtered by weight block after approximately 48 days on trial. Fresh pork hams and loin sections (10–14th rib) were removed from the right side of the carcasses for subsequent analysis. Boneless hams were manufactured using commercial curing procedures. RAC had no effect (P > 0.05) on visual or palatability attributes of ham slices or boneless loin chops. Moisture content of the longissimus muscle from RAC treatments was lower (P < 0.05) than controls; however, this difference was small. These results indicate that RAC had no affect on the visual or palatability characteristics of boneless cured and smoked hams or fresh boneless pork loin chops.     

PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF TRADITIONAL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE MADE WITH SWEET POTATO AS THE SACCHARIFYING AGENT

Efforts were made to reproduce the traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage, miki using cooked rice and mashed raw sweet potato tubers as the saccharifying agent. The resulting miki-like alcoholic beverage contained 5–6% ethanol (v/v); it had a pleasant aroma but a sour taste with faint bitterness. With increased amounts of raw sweet potato added to the initial mash, the concentrations of higher alcohols, esters and bitter compounds in the miki increased. Oligosaccharides, including maltotetraose and maltopentaose, were detected in the miki made with higher concentrations of raw sweet potato mash. Miki, a previously uncharacterized, traditional, Japanese alcoholic beverage was therefore produced without the enzymic activities of germinating seeds, such as malt, or a fungal starter, such as koji .     

SENSORY EVALUATION OF DRIED BEEF STRIPS TREATED WITH ACETIC ACID OR BRINE AND MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE

Loss of characteristic meat flavor in dried beef, because of biochemical degradation of flavor-enhancing nucleotides, raises concern over the taste of meat products made in the home. Preservation effects on beef taste, using acetic acid and brine followed by dehydration were studied. Monosodium glutamate was added to the dried strips prior to cooking. The beefsteaks were subjected to three treatments: acetic acid, brine, while the control was untreated fresh beef. The samples were cut into strips then dried in a solar drier and an oven. Sensory attributes were evaluated for tenderness, juiciness, color, flavor and overall acceptability by an untrained sensory panel. Acetic acid, brine and control treatments were significantly different ( P <  0.05) from fresh beef in tenderness, juiciness and color. Cooked beef flavor comparisons indicated that brine was better ( P <  0.05) than acetic acid. Addition of monosodium glutamate to dried products significantly ( P <  0.05) improved cooked beef flavor and acceptability.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This is a low-cost method of meat preservation, and it is an appropriate technology that can be adopted in the arid and semi-arid areas of developing countries, because of its economic and nutritional implication. In these areas, meat production from small and large animals is the cornerstone of economic development and proper nutrition. These areas lack both refrigeration (the conventional method of meat preservation) and appropriate and affordable meat preservation technologies, making it impossible for the communities to utilize and market meat from their livestock profitably without sustaining high losses because of spoilage.     

STORAGE QUALITY OF PASTEURIZED AND UV TREATED APPLE CIDER

Two studies were conducted to assess the effect of hot-fill pasteurization at 63C and UV irradiation at 14 mJ/cm² on the quality and shelf-life of apple cider packaged under controlled conditions with minimal packaging contamination, and under pilot plant conditions resembling commercial operations. The processed cider was stored at 7C for up to 14 weeks in the first study and 4 weeks in the second. Microbiological, chemical and sensory tests were conducted weekly on cider samples. There were no significant differences among the fresh processed ciders with regard to taste and preference. All treatments achieved a reasonable reduction in microbial counts, although hot-fill pasteurization provided longer shelf-life. There were significant changes in pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids and turbidity of samples during storage. Hot-fill at 63C is a comparable alternative to flash pasteurization at 71C for 6 s for the production of safe quality cider at small cider mills.