A method for manufacturing superior set yogurt under reduced oxygen conditions

The yogurt starters Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus are well-known facultatively anaerobic bacteria that can grow in oxygenated environments. We found that they removed dissolved oxygen (DO) in a yogurt mix as the fermentation progressed and that they began to produce acid actively after the DO concentration in the yogurt mix was reduced to 0 mg/kg, suggesting that the DO retarded the production of acid. Yogurt fermentation was carried out at 43 or 37°C both after the DO reduction treatment and without prior treatment. Nitrogen gas was mixed and dispersed into the yogurt mix after inoculation with yogurt starter culture to reduce the DO concentration in the yogurt mix. The treatment that reduced DO concentration in the yogurt mix to approximately 0 mg/kg beforehand caused the starter culture LB81 used in this study to enter into the exponential growth phase earlier. Furthermore, the combination of reduced DO concentration in the yogurt mix beforehand and incubation at a lower temperature (37°C) resulted in a superior set yogurt with a smooth texture and strong curd structure.     

The effect of homogenization and milk fat fractions on the functionality of Mozzarella cheese

Mozzarella cheese was manufactured from milk containing either a low (olein) or a high (stearin) melting point fraction of milk fat or anhydrous milk fat. The fat was dispersed into skim milk by homogenization at 2.6 MPa before being manufactured into cheese. The melting point of the milk fat did not affect the size or shape of the fat globules, nor was there any effect of homogenization on the polymorphic state of the milk fat. There were no changes in milk fat globule size and shape concomitant with the amount of free oil formed. The polymorphic state of the milk fat did affect the amount of free oil formed and the apparent viscosity of the cheese. The lower melting point fraction yielded a larger amount of free oil. The higher melting point fraction yielded a higher viscosity of melted cheese at 60 degrees C. Mozzarella cheese was also manufactured from homogenized milk, nonhomogenized milk, and a 1:1 ratio of the two, without altering the milk fat composition. Increasing the proportion of homogenized milk yielded a lower free oil content and higher viscosity of the cheese.     

Effects of seasonal variations on the quality of set yogurt,stirred yogurt,and Greek-style yogurt

We studied the effects of seasonal variations on the quality of stirred yogurt, set yogurt, and Greek-style yogurt over 2 milking seasons in New Zealand. Correlations between the properties of the yogurts, the characteristics of the milk, and the acid gelation properties induced by glucono-δ-lactone, reported in our previous works, were also explored. Set yogurt and Greek-style yogurt from the early season had the highest firmness over the seasons. The yogurt firmness correlated with the gel strength of glucono-δ-lactone-induced acid gels, indicating that the latter could, to some extent, predict the seasonal variations in the firmness of set yogurt. The correlation studies highlighted the potentially important role of the glycosylation of κ-casein in the seasonal variations in the yogurt structures. Yogurt made from mid-season milk had the lowest water-holding capacity, which may have played a part in lowering its firmness and viscosity. Late-season stirred yogurt displayed the strongest resistance to shear-induced thinning, which might arise from the unique viscoelastic properties of late-season yogurt gels.     

Physicochemical, microbial, and sensory properties of yogurt supplemented with nanopowdered chitosan during storage

This study was carried out to determine the possibility of adding nanopowdered chitosan (NPC) into cholesterol-reduced yogurt to improve the functionality of yogurt and the effects of adding NPC on the physicochemical, microbial, and sensory properties of the products during storage. The pH values and mean lactic acid bacteria counts of NPC-added (0.3 to ∼0.7%, wt/vol) and cholesterol-reduced yogurt ranged from 4.19 to 4.41 and from 4.75 × 10⁸ to 9.70 × 10⁸ cfu/mL, respectively, when stored at 4°C for 20 d, thereby indicating a possibility of prolonging the shelf life of yogurt. In color, the a* and b* values for cholesterol-reduced yogurt were not significantly influenced by the addition of NPC (0.1 to ∼0.7%, wt/vol); however, the L* values significantly decreased with the addition of the greatest concentration (0.7%, wt/vol) of NPC at 0-d storage. The sensory test revealed that the astringency scores significantly increased at 0-d storage when the greatest concentration (0.7%, wt/vol) of NPC was added into cholesterol-reduced yogurt. Based on the data obtained from the current study, it is concluded that concentrations (0.3 to ∼0.5%, vol/vol) of NPC could be used to produce an NPC-added and cholesterol-reduced yogurt without significantly adverse effects on the physicochemical, microbial, and sensory properties.     

Fortification of set yogurt with passion fruit juice: Effects on fermentation kinetics,physicochemical properties,and functionality

With the purpose of developing an alternative set yogurt with high consumer acceptability, passion fruit juice, at levels that varied from 0 to 10%, was incorporated into set yogurt, and the effects on the fermentation kinetics, physicochemical properties, and functionality of set yogurt were evaluated. The results showed that the addition of passion fruit juice was simultaneously propitious for milk acidification in earlier fermentation stages and reduced the fermentation rate at later stages of fermentation. The phenolic compounds and pectin in passion fruit juice interacted with caseins to form soluble complexes, enhancing the gel strength of set yogurts by 7.5%. The aroma and flavor of the set yogurt was improved as well. However, with the addition of 10% passion fruit juice, the gel structure was destroyed, and the quality of the set yogurt was very degraded. More importantly, the addition of passion fruit juice increased the polyphenol content and significantly enhanced the antioxidant activity of the set yogurt. This investigation demonstrated the feasibility of fabricating passion fruit juice-enriched set yogurt and its superior quality compared with the corresponding normal product.     

Effects of ultra-high pressure homogenization on microbial and physicochemical shelf life of milk

The effect of ultra-high pressure homogenization (UHPH) on microbial and physicochemical shelf life of milk during storage at 4°C was studied and compared with a conventional heat preservation technology used in industry. Milk was standardized at 3.5% fat and was processed using a Stansted high-pressure homogenizer. High-pressure treatments applied were 100, 200, and 300 MPa (single stage) with a milk inlet temperature of 40°C, and 200 and 300 MPa (single stage) with a milk inlet temperature of 30°C. The UHPH-treated milks were compared with high-pasteurized milk (PA; 90°C for 15 s). The microbiological quality was studied by enumerating total counts, psychrotropic bacteria, lactococci, lactobacilli, enterococci, coliforms, spores, and Pseudomonas. Physicochemical parameters assessed in milks were viscosity, color, pH, acidity, rate of creaming, particle size, and residual peroxidase and phosphatase activities. Immediately after treatment, UHPH was as efficient (99.99%) in reducing psychrotrophic, lactococci, and total bacteria as was the PA treatment, reaching reductions of 3.5 log cfu/mL. Coliforms, lactobacilli, and enterococci were eliminated. Microbial results of treated milks during storage at 4°C showed that UHPH treatment produced milk with a microbial shelf life between 14 and 18 d, similar to that achieved for PA milk. The UHPH treatments reduced the L* value of treated milks and induced a reduction in viscosity values of milks treated at 200 MPa compared with PA milks; however, these differences would not be appreciated by consumers. In spite of the fat aggregates detected in milks treated at 300 MPa, no creaming was observed in any UHPH-treated milk. Hence, alternative methods such as UHPH may give new opportunities to develop fluid milk with an equivalent shelf life to that of PA milk in terms of microbial and physicochemical characteristics.     

Effect of addition of Versagel on microbial, chemical, and physical properties of low-fat yogurt

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of Versagel on the growth and proteolytic activity of Streptococcus thermophilus 1275 and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus 1368 and angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibitory activity of the peptides generated thereby as well as on the physical properties of low-fat yogurt during a storage period of 28 d at 4 degrees C. Three different types of low-fat yogurts, YV0, YV1, and YV2, were prepared using Versagel as a fat replacer. The fermentation time of the low-fat yogurts containing Versagel was less than that of the control yogurt (YV0). The starter cultures maintained their viability (8.68 to 8.81 log CFU/g of S. thermophilus and 8.51 to 8.81 log CFU/g of L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus) in all the yogurts throughout the storage period. There was some decrease in the pH of the yogurts during storage and an increase in the concentration of lactic acid. However, the proteolytic and ACE-inhibitory potential of the starter cultures was suppressed in the presence of Versagel. On the other hand, the addition of Versagel had a positive impact on the physical properties of the low-fat yogurt, namely, spontaneous whey separation, firmness, and pseudoplastic properties.     

Effect of heat treatment of skim milk and final fermentation pH on graininess and roughness of stirred yogurt

The effects of heat treatment of skim milk (95°C/80 s, 95°C/256 s, 110°C/40 s, 110°C/180 s, 130°C/20 s and 130°C/80 s) and final fermentation pH of yogurt (4.8 and 4.4) on physical characteristics of stirred yogurt were investigated. Physical properties, including graininess and roughness, of stirred yogurt were determined during storage at 4°C for 15 days. Number of grains, perimeter of grains, visual roughness, storage modulus and yield stress decreased, when heating temperature or final fermentation pH increased. For practical applications, processing parameters such as heat treatment and fermentation pH can be optimized to improve quality or modified to create fermented milk products with different physical properties.     

Effect of buttermilk made from creams with different heat treatment histories on properties of rennet gels and model cheeses

Although many studies have reported negative effects on cheese properties resulting from the use of buttermilk in cheese milk, the cause of these effects has not been determined. In this study, buttermilk was manufactured from raw cream and pasteurized cream, as well as from a cream derived from pasteurized whole milk. Skim milks with the same heat treatments were also manufactured to be used as controls. Compositional analysis of the buttermilks revealed a pH 4.6-insoluble protein content approximately 10% lower than that of the skim milk counterparts. Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) proteins remained soluble at pH 4.6 in raw cream buttermilk; however, when heat was applied to cream or whole milk before butter making, MFGM proteins precipitated with the caseins. Rennet gel characterization showed that MFGM material in the buttermilks decreased the firmness and increased the set-to-cut time of rennet gels, but this effect was amplified when pasteurized cream buttermilk was added to cheese milk. The microstructure of gels was studied, and it was observed that gel appearance was very different when pasteurized cream buttermilk was used, as opposed to raw cream buttermilk. Model cheeses manufactured with buttermilks tended to have a higher moisture content than cheeses made with skim milks, explaining the higher yields obtained with buttermilk. Superior retention of MFGM particles was observed in model cheeses made from pasteurized cream buttermilk compared with raw cream buttermilk. The results from this study show that pasteurization of cream and of whole milk modifies the surface of MFGM particles, and this may explain why buttermilk has poor coagulation properties and therefore yields rennet gels with texture defects.     

A new method for accelerated shelf‐life prediction for frozen foods

Shelf‐life estimation for frozen foods can be a long process because of the long duration of shelf‐life at the lower temperatures of storage. A variety of rapid procedures have been proposed to suggest whether products will have acceptable shelf‐lives at low storage temperatures. These all have limitations. In this paper a new procedure is proposed which involves direct determination of shelf‐lives at the more elevated frozen storage temperatures, where change is more rapid. This is coupled with utilisation of information on the mobility temperature to establish a low‐temperature storage datum. A plot of expected shelf‐life as a function of temperature is produced using these two data sources. The effectiveness of the procedure is validated using existing literature data and newly generated data. The procedure allows for the effective estimation of the low‐temperature storage life of a product utilising data collected on the product in question. It requires around 60 days, while effectively estimating the storage temperatures required to achieve target shelf‐lives of 1 year, 18 months, 2 years or even longer. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of homogenization and heat treatment on the behavior of protein and fat globules during gastric digestion of milk

The effects of homogenization and heat treatment on the formation and the breakdown of clots during gastric digestion of whole milk were investigated using a human gastric simulator. Homogenization and heat treatment led to formation of coagula with fragmented and crumbled structures compared with the coagulum formed from raw whole milk, but a larger fraction of the protein and more fat globules were incorporated into the coagula induced by action of the milk-clotting enzyme pepsin. The fat globules in the whole milk appeared to be embedded in the clots as they formed. After formation of the clot, the greater numbers of pores in the structures of the clots formed with homogenized milk and heated whole milk led to greater rates of protein hydrolysis by pepsin, which resulted in faster release of fat globules from the clots into the digesta. Coalescence of fat globules occurred both in the digesta and within the protein clots no matter whether they were in homogenized or heated milk samples. The formation of clots with different structures and hence the changes in the rates of protein hydrolysis and the release of milk fat into the digesta in the stomach provide important information for understanding the gastric emptying of milk and the potential to use this knowledge to manipulate the bioavailability of fat and other fat-soluble nutrients in dairy products.     

Fresh‐Cut Onion: A Review on Processing,Health Benefits,and Shelf‐Life

The ready‐to‐eat produce market has grown rapidly because of the health benefits and convenience associated with these products. Onion is widely used as an ingredient in an extensive range of recipes from breakfast to dinner and in nearly every ethnic cuisine. However, cutting/chopping of onion is a nuisance to many consumers due to the lachrymatory properties of the volatiles generated that bring tears to eyes and leave a distinct odor on hands. As a result, there is now an increasing demand for fresh‐cut, value‐added, and ready‐to‐eat onion in households, as well as large‐scale uses in retail, food service, and various food industries, mainly due to the end‐use convenience. Despite these benefits, fresh‐cut onion products present considerable challenges due to tissue damage, resulting in chemical and physiological reactions that limit product shelf‐life. Intensive discoloration, microbial growth, softening, and off‐odor are the typical deteriorations that need to be controlled through the application of suitable preservation methods. This article reviews the literature related to the fresh‐cut onion, focusing on its constituents, nutritional and health benefits, production methods, quality changes throughout storage, and technologies available to increase product shelf‐life.     

酸奶在不同贮藏条件下的品质动力学及货架期预测研究（网络首发、推荐阅读）

为研究低温酸奶品质变化的动力学规律,将酸奶分别在4、15、25和30 ℃条件下存放,研究蛋白、脂肪、酸度、粒径、色差、质构、菌落总数等指标的变化趋势。通过对不同温度下各指标随时间变化的回归方程分析表明,红度a*（15、25、30 ℃温度下）、总色差ΔE、菌落对数（4、15、25 ℃温度下）、柔软度和稠度（15、25 ℃温度下）的变化规律符合零级动力学模型,酸奶滴定酸度、色差b*值的变化规律符合一级动力学模型。其建立的货架期预测模型方程,有助于指导低温奶产品的储藏运输条件的调节,以及储藏期内品质的监控。     

Effect of pH,temperature and maturity on pectinmethylesterase inactivation of citrus juices treated by high-pressure homogenization

The effects of high-pressure homogenization (HPH) at 150 MPa combined with heating at 58, 63 and 68 °C on inactivation of pectinmethylesterase (PME) were studied in orange and Clementine juices. Juices covering a range of total soluble solids (°Bx) to acid ratios (10.2–15.0 in oranges and 9.2–19.4 in Clementines) were adjusted to pH 3.1, 3.5 and 3.9 before homogenization. Results indicated how the residual PME activity of homogenized samples was greatly attenuated by lowering the pH and in a lesser extent by increasing the homogenization temperature (finding orange enzymes more HPH sensitive than their Clementine counterparts). Generally, ripeness of fruits had little influence on PME inactivation (especially in Clementine juices). In any case, orange and Clementine samples with pH 3.1 and homogenized at 68 °C showed residual PME activities below 10% of the initial value from their respective fresh juices.     

Effects of Microfiltration and Storage Time on Cholesterol,Cis-9, Trans-11 and Trans-10, Cis-12 Conjugated Linoleic Acid Levels,and Fatty Acid Compositions in Pasteurized Milk

The effects of microfiltration and storage time on the contents of cholesterols, conjugated linoleic acids, particle size distributions, and fatty acid profiles in pasteurized milk were investigated over 7 days. After microfiltration, the cholesterol (except for day 7) and trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acids did not change in microfiltered and pasteurized milk and in pasteurized milk. Compared with pasteurized milk, the cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acids, and ω-6/ω-3 ratio decreased by 43 and 12%, while d₃₂, d₄₃, C18:3n-3, and C20:5n-3 increased by 52–57, 70, 3.2–5.8, and 4.8–2.6% in microfiltered and pasteurized milk, respectively. The contents of cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acids, and cholesterols were higher on day 7 than on day 0, while the ω-6/ω-3 ratio and C22:6n-3 showed the opposite tendencies. Storage time did not affect d₃₂ (except for microfiltered and pasteurized milk) and d₄₃. These highlighted that microfiltration has the potential to retain ω-3 fatty acids, decreased the ω-6/ω-3 ratio and maintain the stability of microfiltered and pasteurized milk shelf life.     

A study of variation in the tendency for postharvest discoloration in a lettuce (Lactuca sativa) diversity set

Lettuce as a component of processed salad packs often suffers from pinking or browning discoloration on leaf surfaces within a few days after harvest limiting product shelf life. A lettuce diversity set representing the primary gene pool was used to investigate phenotypic variation for postharvest discoloration. Discoloration of minimally processed lettuce was assessed using material harvested from a replicated field trial. Significant variation for pinking and browning was recorded (P < 0.001). Rates of discoloration were specific to lettuce type, however potential for pinking or browning within a type varied. Interestingly, accessions were significantly more susceptible to browning (P < 0.05) early postharvest (day 1) but significantly more susceptible to pinking (P < 0.05) during later stages (days 6, 9 and 13). The results indicate that there is a genetic basis for this phenotypic variation and this natural allelic variation could be exploited through breeding to develop discoloration resistant cultivars, consequently minimising pre‐ and postharvest treatments and reducing food wastage.     

Effect of high pressure processing on yield,quality and storage stability of peanut paneer

Paneer was prepared from peanuts by soaking the nuts for 8 h followed by removal of skin, grinding, extraction of milk and coagulation using calcium sulphate (1% solution). In another method the peanut milk was high pressure processed at 600 MPa for 5 min before coagulation. The obtained paneer samples were vacuum packed and kept at refrigerated temperature (6 ± 1 °C) for storage and evaluated for physico‐chemical, sensory and microbial attributes. High pressure processing of milk before coagulation resulted in increase in paneer yield significantly (P < 0.05) as well as maintained the quality of the paneer to a better extent as compared to control during refrigerated storage for a period of 45 days.     

Combined effects of postharvest heat treatment and chitosan coating on quality of fresh‐cut mangoes (Mangifera indica L.)

The influence of heat treatment combined with coating on sensory quality, physico‐chemicals characteristics (firmness, colour, pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids and total carotenoids content) and microbiological quality of fresh‐cut mangoes were studied. Whole mangoes (Mangifera indica cv ‘Tommy Atkins’) were subjected to hot water dipping (HWD) at 50 °C for 30 min and cooled for 15 min. Heated and unheated fruits were minimally processed and mango cubes were coated with chitosan solution (0.25% w/v) dissolved in 0.5% (w/v) citric acid, and stored for 9 days at 6 °C under ambient atmosphere. This study showed that both HWD 50 °C for 30 min and chitosan coating, either alone or combined, did not affect the taste and the flavour of mangoes slices. The chitosan coating combined with HWD or not inhibited the microbial growth for 9 days at 6 °C. Indeed chitosan coating was used for his antimicrobial proprieties. HWD 50 °C for 30 min was the beneficial treatment to maintain firmness and colour during 9 days at 6 °C.     

Influence of heat treatment of goat milk on casein micelle size,rheological and textural properties of acid gels and set type yoghurts

Acid gels and yoghurts were made from goat milk that was heated at 72°C/30 s, 85°C/5 min, and 95°C/5 min, followed by acidification with starter culture at 43C until pH 4.6. The rheological and textural properties of acid gels and yoghurts were analyzed using dynamic low amplitude oscillatory rheology and back extrusion texture analysis, respectively. The effect of goat milk heat treatment on the mean casein micelle diameter and protein profile was also determined by dynamic light scattering and SDS PAGE electrophoresis, respectively. The shortest gelation and fermentation time was recorded for yoghurt prepared from milk heated at 85°C/5 min. Also, the pH of gelation, the storage moduli (G′) and yield stress were higher for this yoghurt, compared with the other two. Textural properties of goat milk yoghurts such as firmness and consistency were strongly affected by milk heat treatment, and the highest values were recorded for yoghurt produced from milk preheated at 85°C/5 min, as well. The largest casein micelles were measured after 85°C/5 min treatment and their size decreased at higher temperature, despite higher denaturation of whey proteins at the most intense heat regime, indicating the structure changes that influence on the acid gelation.     

A new method to estimate the heat treatment of milk and milk-like systems

A new UV–Vis absorbance spectrum method was proposed to evaluate the heat treatment of milk and milk-like systems. The method was based on the immediate UV absorbance development when heating amino-sugar mixtures, and validated by correlating the absorbance values of milk-like systems, processed at various temperatures and holding times, with furosine content determined using standardized HPLC analysis. The UV method correlated well with the furosine method under mild heating conditions with R ²   =   0.9569 ( P  <   0.001) and 0.9594 ( P  <   0.01) respectively. This method allowed an efficient discrimination of commercial milk heat treatment. The paper offers the possibility to develop an easy, inexpensive and sensitive way to control the milk protein quality.