Structure of northern snakehead (Channa argus) meat: Effects of freezing method and frozen storage

This study was conducted to investigate the potential of cryogenic freezing with liquid nitrogen in the shelf-life extension of northern snakehead (Channa argus) and clarify the effects of temperature fluctuations after freezing on the quality attributes and tissue microstructure during frozen storage. The fish fillets were frozen by three methods including freezing using an ultra-low-temperature freezer (?80°C) to the core temperature of ?60°C (T1) or ?18°C (T2), or liquid nitrogen (T3) followed by storage at ?20°C for five months. Cryogenic freezing with liquid nitrogen postponed the decrease in pH and protein extractability. Temperature fluctuations after freezing might promote the accretion of ice crystals and resulted in the loss of tissue integrity and disorganization of myofibrils. The microstructural changes contributed greatly to the increased thawing loss and decreased resilience, as indicated by the enlarged extracellular spacing and the flakiness of myofibrils. Cryogenic freezing with liquid nitrogen showed no superiority in maintaining the microstructure of northern snakehead fillets, which was supposedly attributed to the cracking in tissue during freezing and the accretion of ice crystals during frozen storage.     

Effect of freeze–thaw cycles and additives on rheological and sensory properties of ready to bake frozen chapaties

The wheat grains were conditioned at 18% moisture level for 1 h followed by heating for 80 s in a microwave oven to reduce the activity of polyphenol oxidase as well as other lipolytic and oxidative enzymes. The dough samples were prepared from whole wheat flour (milled from microwave treated wheat grains) using 68% water and 2% salt on flour weight basis as common ingredients. The additives like glycerol monostearate and glycerol (5% and 1% respectively on flour weight basis) were also used in order to study their effects on the quality of ready to bake frozen chapaties (R-BFC) during freeze–thaw cycles. Alveographic properties of R-BFC as well as textural profile and sensory quality of chapaties prepared from R-BFC samples were evaluated during repeated freeze–thaw (FT) cycles. Results showed that the alveographic properties (P, L, and W) decreased significantly ( P  ≤   0.05) in all the samples after each FT cycle, while glycerol added samples showed the least changes. Chapati hardness increased in all the samples up to fourth FT cycle, thereafter sharply decreased. However, chapaties with 1% glycerol were rated better in terms of mouth feel and texture during FT cycles.     

Effect of rice ageing and freeze‐thaw cycle on textural properties of cooked rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. Khao Dawk Mali 105

This study investigated the effect of rice grain ageing (0.7–12 months) and freeze‐thaw 1–5 cycles on the textural properties of cooked rice. The cooked rice from aged rice grains was freezing and thawing up to five cycles. Ageing of the rice grain increased the hardness and decreased the stickiness of the cooked rice. Repeated freeze‐thaw cycles caused an increase in hardness and a decrease in stickiness of aged cooked rice. Scanning electron micrographs showed a rough surface on the cooked rice after repeated freeze‐thaw cycles, especially for cooked rice from rice aged for 12 months. Differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction showed increased starch retrogradation with increased freeze‐thaw cycles. The gelatinisation temperature and gelatinisation enthalpy increased when rice was aged for longer periods. Thus, ageing of rice and the number of freeze‐thaw cycles influence the textural properties of cooked rice.     

Effect of high pressure and salt on pork meat quality and microstructure

The interaction of salt (0%, 1.5%, and 3% in the final product) and a high-pressure treatment (500 MPa, 20 °C, 6 min) was investigated using pork biceps femoris muscle. The Warner-Bratzler shear force and the water holding capacity (WHC) were assessed and linked to the microstructure evaluation by environmental scanning electronic microscopy (ESEM). Pressure-treated and cooked samples showed a high Warner-Bratzler shear force with a low WHC compared to control cooked samples. These negative effects could be linked to the general shrinkage of the structure as observed by ESEM. The addition of 1.5% salt was sufficient to improve the technological properties of the high-pressure-treated samples and to counteract the negative effect of high pressure on texture and WHC. This phenomenon could be linked to the breakdown in structure observed by ESEM. This study states that it is possible to produce pressurized pork products of good eating quality by adding limited salt levels.     

不同预处理对马铃薯片浸渍速率及感官品质的影响

采用理化测定和感官评定相结合的方法考察了烫漂、冷冻、微波干燥、烫漂+冷冻四种预处理方式对马铃薯片在麦芽糊精溶液中的浸渍速率及感官品质的影响。结果表明,以45%的糊精溶液为浸渍液,在45℃下进行浸渍,烫漂+冷冻的预处理方式浸渍速率最大,在30min时即已达最大浸渍量的80%,基本满足工艺要求;经此处理浸渍后的薯片外形平整饱满,色泽浅黄半透明,质感厚实。烫漂+冷冻的预处理方式可作为马铃薯脆片加工中浸渍工序的最佳预处理措施。     

Effect of freezing rate and programmed freezing on rheological parameters and tissue structure of potato (Cv. Monalisa)

 Compression, shear and tension tests were carried out to determine the effect on potato tissues of different freezing rates (0.5, 1.25 and 2 °C/min down to −18 °C), thawing up to +20 °C at the same rates, and one, two, three or four successive freeze/thaw cycles. The effect of freezing rate on the zone of maximum crystallization was also examined, along with different combinations of programmed freezing, and the effect of prior cooling was assessed. Minimum alteration of the rheological behaviour of slowly thawed tissues was achieved by pre-freezing (3 °C for 30 min), slow cooling phases (0.5 °C/min) before and after the phase of maximum ice crystallization and quick freezing (2 °C/min) in the same phase. The shear test was found to be well suited to the study of these effects. Examination of the tissues by SEM revealed differing degrees of mechanical damage to tissue structure, which accounted for the rheological behaviour of the samples. Coefficients of softening per freeze/thaw cycle were determined for the various rheological parameters, the highest value being given by the modulus of rigidity (17.75%). Received: 29 July 1996     

Effect of freezing rate and frozen storage on starch–sucrose–hydrocolloid systems

Model food systems based on starch (100 g kg⁻¹), sucrose (150 g kg⁻¹) and water (750 g kg⁻¹) with and without the addition of a low proportion of hydrocolloid (xanthan gum, guar gum or sodium alginate) were gelatinised, frozen at different rates and stored to analyse textural changes by oscillatory rheometry. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to analyse gelatinisation, amylopectin retrogradation and glass transition temperatures. Sucrose had a significant effect on the increase in the gelatinisation temperature as well as on the decrease observed in glass transition values. The onset temperature of the second step of the glass transition, corresponding to the heat capacity change close to ice melting (denoted Tg_im in the present work), ranged between −23.0 and −22.2 °C. Rheological viscoelastic tests showed an increase in the dynamic moduli G* and G ′ after slow freezing and during storage at −19 °C (T > Tg_im) in starch–sucrose systems that is related to sponge formation due to amylose retrogradation. DSC studies confirmed that also amylopectin retrogradation occurs during storage; however, samples containing gums did not develop the spongy appearance. Storage at the usual commercial temperatures (close to −18 °C, slightly above Tg_im) affects the quality of aqueous starch–sucrose pastes without gums owing to amylose and amylopectin retrogradation. However, when hydrocolloids are included in the formulations, the usual storage conditions allow the maintenance of acceptable textural attributes. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of freezing and frozen storage on the microstructure and texture of ewe's milk cheese

Semi-hard ewe's milk cheeses, frozen immediately after manufacture either slowly at –35 °C or rapidly at –80 °C and stored at –20 °C for 4 months were studied for microstructural and textural characteristics during subsequent ripening. Two control groups were used to establish the effect of freezing: the fresh unfrozen cheese and cheese thawed immediately after freezing. Freezing proper did not result in any marked changes in the textural parameters of the cheeses, but considerable changes were found in slowly frozen cheeses after 4 months of frozen storage. Shear strength values were lower in all frozen and stored cheeses, particularly in cheese samples frozen slowly compared to those in the unfrozen control batch. This parameter and firmness values were significantly lower in both slowly and rapidly frozen cheeses at the completion of ripening. Ripening tended to offset differences in elasticity, noticeable in the cheeses during the first 30 days of ripening. Light microscopy and electron microscopy revealed small cracks and ruptures in the cheeses which could not be observed by the naked eye. More extensive damage to the cheese microstructure was found in slowly frozen cheese samples stored frozen for 4 months.     

冻结和冻藏对冷冻面团流变学以及汤包皮质构特性的影响

研究了冻结温度、冻藏温度、冻藏时间对冷冻面团流变学特性和汤包皮质构特性的影响。实验结果表明,冻结改变了面团的流变性质,降低了面团的弹性;并且-18℃下冻结对汤包皮TPA参数的影响比-30℃的影响大。-30℃的冻藏温度对面团的粘弹性影响较大,而不同冻藏温度对汤包皮的TPA参数影响不大;冻藏时间对面团粘弹性、面团拉伸特性以及汤包皮的TPA参数影响大。     

Effect of vacuum cooking treatment on physicochemical and structural characteristics of purple‐flesh potato

Cook‐vide (CV, vacuum boiling) and sous‐vide (SV, cooking in a vacuum‐sealed pouch) have been applied to cook purple‐flesh potatoes. Response surface methodology (RSM) sets up the work conditions of temperatures (78–92 °C) and times (16–44 min). Textural parameters, colour and anthocyanins have been measured in cooked samples, and microstructure of cooked tissues was observed with cryo‐SEM technique. CV and SV provided similar hardness (P > 0.05), while SV treatments provided samples more adhesive and cohesive than CV ones (P ≤ 0.05). Micrographs of cooked samples showed rounder cells in cook‐vide samples and higher swelling than in sous‐vide ones. SV treatment avoided the leaching into the water of anthocyanins (chromophore) retaining more of them in potatoes (P ≤ 0.05), as a consequence of which total colour difference was lower in SV samples compared with CV ones (P ≤ 0.05). Particularly, CV samples were lighter (higher values of L*) and less reddish (lower values of +a*) than SV ones (P ≤ 0.05).     

Effect of sub‐freezing storage (−6, −9 and −12 °C) on quality and shelf life of beef

Based on the results of low field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF‐NMR) in our current study (the frozen state of ?6, ?9 and ?12 °C were nearly the same with extremely low free water content), ?6, ?9 and ?12 °C was designated as sub‐freezing temperatures. The effects of sub‐freezing storage compared with conventional chilling (4 °C), superchilling (?1 °C) and conventional freezing (?18 °C) on the quality and shelf life of beef were analysed. Results showed that the shelf life of beef is extended to 84 and 126 day at ?6 °C and ?9 °C, respectively. However, the TVB‐N values of the samples stored at ?12 °C and ?18 °C remained below 15 mg/100 g even on 168 day. Furthermore, shear force, colour, pH, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and sensory properties were also measured. Consequently, the sub‐freezing storage has significantly extended the shelf life of beef compared to chilling and superchilling (P < 0.05). Moreover, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was found between the indicators for quality and shelf life of samples stored at ?12 and ?18 °C throughout 168 days.     

Effect of processing treatments on the characteristics of juices and still ciders from Ontario‐grown apples

Recent interest in the commercial production of cider in Ontario, Canada revealed a lack of information on cider prepared from apples grown in North America. A study was conducted using locally grown culinary and dessert varieties of apples, since there is a lack of true cider varieties grown in Ontario. Four processing methods (treatments) were evaluated with respect to their effect on juice and cider characteristics; the chemical and microbiological characteristics of the juices and still ciders are reported. Sulphite addition to the juice at the time of juice extraction had no effect on the characteristics evaluated. Storage of fruits at 13 °C until they showed signs of shrivelling or senescence decreased juice yield and affected titratable acidity and pH levels of juices and ciders. Freezing fresh apples and thawing prior to processing produced juices that did not undergo keeving and had higher mould and yeast populations; methanol was present in juices and ciders from thawed apples. The significant effects of storage and freezing on apple juice characteristics should be taken into account when considering a delay in the processing of apples for cider production. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of high hydrostatic pressure to sweet potato flour on dough properties and characteristics of sweet potato‐wheat bread

The effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP, 100–400 MPa) for 20 min at 25 °C to sweet potato flour (SPF) on dough properties and characteristics of sweet potato‐wheat bread was investigated. The particle size of SPF after HHP was decreased significantly. The obvious rupture was observed in granules of SPF after HHP at 300 and 400 MPa by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After HHP, significant differences on endothermic peak temperatures (T_P) of SPF were observed by differential scanning calorimetric (DSC), of which the enthalpy change (ΔH) had a slight increase, expect that at 200 MPa. Gas retention of dough with SPF after HHP increased markedly from 1199 (0.1 MPa) to 1246 ml (100 MPa). Specific loaf volume of bread with SPF at 400 MPa was increased significantly, while the hardness and chewiness were reduced. Thus, SPF treated with HHP at 400 MPa could be potentially used in wheat bread production.     

Effect of high hydrostatic pressure on the quality of four edible flowers: Viola × wittrockiana,Centaurea cyanus,Borago officinalis and Camellia japonica

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on the appearance, bioactivity and microbial content of four edible flowers along storage. Several treatments at 75–450 MPa and holding times (1, 5 and 10 min) were applied. Borage and camellia were unacceptable after all treatments, while centaurea showed good appearance at 100/5 MPa min^?1; however, the shelf life did not increase. Pansies treated at 75/5 and 75/10 MPa min^?1 also retained the appearance of fresh flowers. Furthermore, pansies submitted at 75/5 MPa min^?1 maintained good appearance over 20 days of storage at 4 °C, while the untreated remained satisfactory only until 6 days. Even though no significant differences on microbial load were observed between untreated and HHP‐treated pansies in day 0, HHP induced the production of bioactive compounds, increasing the shelf life of pansies. So, the HHP treatment is a promising technology for Viola × wittrockiana.     

超高压和高温瞬时杀菌对蓝莓汁品质影响的比较

主要研究了2种杀菌方式对蓝莓汁品质的影响。一种是550 MPa、5 min的超高压杀菌,另一种是121℃、5 s的高温瞬时杀菌。通过测定杀菌后蓝莓汁的菌落总数、悬浮稳定性、色差值、花色苷含量和理化性质等指标,证实超高压杀菌在杀菌的同时较好地保持了蓝莓汁原有的品质、色泽及营养。     

超高压杀菌处理对牛乳感官和理化特性的影响

以原乳为参照,研究了超高压杀菌处理对牛乳感官和理化特性的影响,并且与巴氏杀菌乳和UHT杀菌乳进行了比较。结果表明,超高压杀菌处理虽然降低了牛乳的白度和浊度,改变了牛乳的感官特性,但是增加了牛乳中游离态钙的含量,降低了乳清蛋白的变性程度,最大限度的保留了牛乳的营养价值。而巴氏杀菌和UHT杀菌处理增加了牛乳的白度和浊度,同样改变了牛乳的感官特性,但是降低了牛乳中游离态钙的含量,使乳清蛋白的变性程度增加,导致牛乳的营养价值降低。     

Effect of temperature, pressure and calcium soaking pre-treatments and pressure shift freezing on the texture and texture evolution of frozen green bell peppers (Capsicum annuum)

The firmness of green bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) was studied under different processing conditions. Thermal texture degradation kinetics of pepper tissue between 75 and 95 °C could be accurately described by a fractional conversion model. The firmness of pre-processed pepper increased when the samples were submitted to several heat, pressure, and combinations of heat/pressure and calcium soaking pre-treatments. Pre-heating at 55 °C during 60 min and mild heat/high-pressure treatments (200 MPa at 25 °C, 15 min) yielded the best results, which were further improved when combined with calcium soaking. These pre-treatments significantly slowed down thermal texture degradation of pepper at 90 °C, a typical temperature used for pepper blanching prior to freezing. The above-mentioned pre-treated samples showed a significant reduction in firmness when frozen by regular freezing at 0.1 MPa. The same samples showed no changes in firmness when frozen by high-pressure shift freezing at 200 MPa. When freezing was carried out by high-pressure shift and after frozen storage (−18 °C) for 2.5 months, pressure pre-treated pepper showed a better retention of texture than thermal pre-treated pepper.