Color compensation in nitrite-reduced meat batters incorporating paprika or tomato paste

BACKGROUND: Nitrite is a key ingredient the manufacture of meat products, forming a stable pink color characteristic of cured products, retarding the development of rancidity and off‐odors and flavors during storage, and preventing microbial growth. The negative aspects of nitrite and the demands for healthy foods result in the need to reduce nitrite in cured meat products. Paprika or tomato has been employed as natural pigments in meat products. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of incorporating paprika powder or tomato paste on the texture, rancidity and instrumental and sensory color compensation in nitrite‐reduced meat batters. RESULTS: Addition of tomato paste improved moisture content, resulting in harder but less cohesive samples as compared to control and paprika‐containing meat batters. Color characteristics of reduced nitrite samples obtained higher a* red coloration (8.9 for paprika and 7.7–8.0 for tomato paste), as compared to control samples (5.65). Instrumental color was low in control samples, with high values for tomato paste and paprika samples. Nonetheless, tomato paste used to compensate color in nitrite‐reduced meat batters was ranked closer to the control sample in sensory evaluation. CONCLUSION: Color characteristics—instrumental and sensory—in these kinds of meat products were enhanced by the addition of 2.5–3.0% of tomato paste, presenting results close to the non‐reduced nitrite control. Similarly, antioxidant components of tomato paste or paprika reduced lipid oxidation. Nitrite reduction from 150 to 100 ppm could be achieved employing tomato paste as a natural pigment to improve color and texture. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Biodiversity of indigenous staphylococci of naturally fermented dry sausages and manufacturing environments of small-scale processing units

The staphylococcal community of the environments of nine French small-scale processing units and their naturally fermented meat products was identified by analyzing 676 isolates. Fifteen species were accurately identified using validated molecular methods. The three prevalent species were Staphylococcus equorum (58.4%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (15.7%) and Staphylococcus xylosus (9.3%). S. equorum was isolated in all the processing units in similar proportion in meat and environmental samples. S. saprophyticus was also isolated in all the processing units with a higher percentage in environmental samples. S. xylosus was present sporadically in the processing units and its prevalence was higher in meat samples. The genetic diversity of the strains within the three species isolated from one processing unit was studied by PFGE and revealed a high diversity for S. equorum and S. saprophyticus both in the environment and the meat isolates. The genetic diversity remained high through the manufacturing steps. A small percentage of the strains of the two species share the two ecological niches. These results highlight that some strains, probably introduced by the meat, will persist in the manufacturing environment, while other strains are more adapted to the meat products.     

Production of cured meat color in nitrite-free Harbin red sausage by Lactobacillus fermentum fermentation

Lactobacillus fermentum was substituted for nitrite to produce cured pink color in a Chinese-style sausage. Treatments included inoculations (10⁴, 10⁶, and 10⁸ CFU/g meat) followed by fermentation at 30 °C for 8 h and then at 4 °C for 16 h. Control sausage (with sodium nitrite, 60 mg/kg meat) was cured at 4 °C for 24 h without L. fermentum. The UV–Vis spectra of pigment extract from L. fermentum-treated sausage were identical to that of nitrosylmyoglobin (NO-Mb) formed in nitrite-treated control. The NO-Mb concentration and the colorimetric a¹ value of sausage treated with 10⁸ CFU/g meat of L. fermentum essentially replicated those in nitrite-cured meat. Free amino acid content in sausage treated with L. fermentum was greater and the pH slightly lower compared with the nitrite-cured control sample. This study showed that L. fermentum has the potential to substitute for nitrite in the sausage production.     

Influence of putrescine,cadaverine, spermidine or spermine on the formation of N-nitrosamine in heated cured pork meat

The influence of biogenic amines (i.e. putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine and spermine) on the N-nitrosamine formation in heated cured lean meat was studied in the presence or absence of sodium nitrite and at different meat processing temperatures. Experimental evidence was produced using gas chromatography with thermal energy analysis detection (GC–TEA). Concentration of N-nitrosamines was modelled as a function of the temperature and the nitrite concentration for two situations, i.e. presence or absence of added biogenic amines to the meat. The significance of the influence of the changing parameters was evaluated by ANOVA (Analysis of Variance).     

Characterization of fermented silver carp sausages inoculated with mixed starter culture

To improve the characteristics and functionality, and increase the use of fish muscle, three groups mixed starter cultures (group one: Lactobacillus plantarum-15, Staphylococcus xylosus-12 and Pediococcus pentosaceus-ATCC33316 [S-PXP]; group two: Lactobacillus planatrum-15, Staphylococcus xylosus-12 and Lactobacillus casei subs casei-1.001 [S-PXC]; and group three: Staphylococcus xylosus-12, Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei-1.001 and P. pentosaceus-ATCC33316 [S-XCP]) were inoculated in minced silver carp muscle to produce a fermented fish product. During the 48 h fermentation at 30 °C, silver carp muscle inoculated with mixed starter cultures resulted in a rapid pH decrease, suppression in the increase of thiobarturic acid (TBARS) values, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N), trimethylamine (TMA), and the growth of spoilage bacteria and pathogens, and had higher whiteness than the control (without any starter) (P<0.05). The changes in SDS-PAGE indicated extensive hydrolysis of muscle protein occurred during fermentation. This study showed that the mixed starter cultures could substantially improve the flavor, digestibility, and nutritional value of the silver carp muscle.     

Use of recA gene sequence analysis for the identification of Staphylococcus equorum strains predominant on dry-cured hams

Spanish dry-cured ham is an uncooked meat product highly appreciated due to its characteristics flavour. In this study, we examined the accuracy of biochemical tests and 16S rDNA sequencing in the identification of 56 staphylococcal strains isolated during industrial Spanish dry-cured ham processes. Important differences were observed comparing genotypic and phenotypic data. Staphylococcus xylosus was the prevalent species identified by biochemical methods (87.5%), however, sequencing of the 16S rDNA resulted in an unambiguous identification of Staphylococcus equorum (73.2%) and Staphylococcus vitulinus (8.9%) strains. Reliable identification of meat staphylococci, mainly among S. xylosus and S. equorum strains could be also achieved by means of recA gene sequence comparison. Two degenerate primers previously described for lactic acid bacteria were used to amplify an internal fragment of the recA gene. This fragment was amplified from twelve staphylococcal type strains representing frequent meat species. The results indicated that recA sequencing is an adequate method to discriminate among meat staphylococci. In addition, S. xylosus and S. equorum strains could be more accurately discriminated by recA sequencing than 16S rDNA or sodA sequencing. The S. equorum sequence diversity showed at the intra-species level by recA gene sequencing confirmed the high heterogeneity described among S. equorum strains.     

Role of proline and hydroxyproline in N-nitrosamine formation during heating in cured meat

N-Nitrosamines are formed in a multi-step reaction of nitrite with free amino acids and amines in the meat products. The aim of this study was to determine the role of proline and hydroxyproline in N-nitrosamines formation during heating of cured meat. A lean meat model was used with different nitrite concentrations (0, 120, and 480 mg/kg), and addition of proline and hydroxyproline (1000 mg/kg), followed by heating at different temperatures. Volatile nitrosamines were analyzed with GC-TEA.     

The application of staphylococci with flavour-generating potential is affected by acidification in fermented dry sausages

Differences in the production of bacterial metabolites with potential impact on fermented sausage flavour were found in meat simulation medium when comparing different strains of Staphylococcus xylosus and Staphylococcus carnosus as starter cultures. Overall, higher levels of 3-methyl-1-butanol and acetoin were found for S. xylosus, with some intraspecies variability. In addition, sausage fermentation parameters affected staphylococcal growth and metabolism. Strong acidification, as in Northern-European types of fermented dry sausage, inhibited S. xylosus 3PA6 but not S. carnosus 833. During a milder, Southern-European type of acidification, both strains displayed survival over time. During in situ sausage trials, variations in the degree of acidification and the choice of starter microorganisms were of importance, whereas modifications in fat and salt contents had no effects. Staphylococcus sciuri αSg2, Staphylococcus succinus 4PB1, and S. xylosus 3PA6 were unable to survive the fermentation of a Northern-European type of fermented dry sausage, characterized by low or no 3-methyl-1-butanol and acetoin production. Inoculation with S. sciuri αSg2, S. succinus 4PB1, or S. xylosus 3PA6 led to 3-methyl-1-butanol and acetoin production in Southern-European type of fermented dry sausages, which was not observed with S. carnosus 833.     

Detection of Proteolytic Activity in Microorganisms Isolated from Dry-Cured Ham

Different assays were tested for the detection of proteolytic activity in both Pediococcus pentosaceus and Staphylococcus xylosus, two major microorganisms isolated from dry-cured ham. Absence of endopeptidase activity was found even when using raw sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins. However, P. pentosaceus showed strong leucine and valine arylamidase activities while St. xylosus showed a very weak leucine arylamidase activity.     

Incidence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli serogroups in ruminant's meat

To assess the presences of Escherichia coli, its serogroups, virulence factors and antibiotic resistance properties in ruminant's meat, a total of 820 raw meat samples were collected and then evaluated using culture, PCR and disk diffusion methods. Totally, 238 (29.02%) samples were positive for presence of Escherichia coli. All of the isolates had more than one virulence gene including Stx1, Stx2, eaeA and ehly. All investigated serogroups were found in beef and sheep and all except O145, O121 and O128 were found in goat. The O91, O113, O111, O103, O26 and O157 serogroups were found in camel. Totally, aadA1–blaSHV combination was the most predominant antibiotic resistance gene. The highest resistance of STEC strains was seen against penicillin while resistance to nitrofurantoin and ciprofloxacin was minimal. These findings showed that health care and meat inspection should be reconsidered in Iranian slaughterhouses and butchers.     

Detection of cold-tolerant clostridia other than Clostridium estertheticum in raw vacuum-packed chill-stored meat

Samples from raw chill-stored vacuum-packed beef, lamb and venison or the meat processing environment, associated with a spoilage problem, but negative for Clostridium estertheticum using a specific real-time PCR test, were examined for other Clostridium spp. using direct 16S rDNA PCR-RFLP and sequencing. Of 291 samples tested by PCR, presence of clostridia was indicated in 123 and there was sufficient PCR product in 35 to be further investigated. Presence of Clostridium spp. was confirmed by RFLP and sequencing in 25/35 samples (11 of 14 incidents). Species detected in spoiled meat were (incidents): Clostridium tagluense-like (4), Clostridium putrefaciens (2), Clostridium algidicarnis (3), Clostridium frigoris/estertheticum-like (3) and Clostridium. gasigenes (2). More than one species was detected in some incidents. All of the above species have previously been associated with spoiled meat apart from the Cl. tagluense-like species. Clostridia were also confirmed in 4/7 samples from the environment, with two Cl. frigoris/estertheticum-like and two mesophilic species of Clostridium. Our study showed that, cold-tolerant Clostridium species other than Cl. estertheticum are occasionally associated with spoiled vacuum-packed meat, particularly lamb. Further studies are required to confirm the exact identity of the Cl. tagluense-like species and its role in meat spoilage.     

Effect of South African beef production systems on post-mortem muscle energy status and meat quality

Post-slaughter muscle energy metabolism meat colour of South African production systems were compared; steers (n = 182) of Nguni, Simmental Brahman crossbreds were reared on pasture until A-, AB-, or B-age, in feedlot until A–AB-age. After exsanguination carcasses were electrically stimulated (400 V for 15 s). M. longissimus dorsi muscle energy samples were taken at 1, 2, 4 and 20 h. Post-mortem samples for meat quality studies were taken at 1, 7 and 14 days post-mortem. Production systems affected muscle glycogen, glucose, glucose-6-P, lactic acid, ATP, creatine-P glycolytic potential (P < 0.05), with the muscles of feedlot carcasses having a faster glycolysis rate than pasture carcasses. Energy metabolites correlated (0.4 < r < 0.9) with meat colour (CIE, L*a*b*), (0.3 < r > 0.5) water holding capacity, drip loss, and Warner Bratzler shear force. Muscle energy only affected muscle contraction of the A-age-pasture system (shortest sarcomere length of 1.66 μm vs 1.75 μm highest WBS of 6 kg vs 5 kg 7 days post-mortem).     

Effects of methylcellulose,xanthan gum and carboxymethylcellulose on thermal properties of batter systems formulated with different flour combinations

The functionalities of hydrocolloid–flour mixtures in terms of the thermal properties of their resulting batter systems were investigated, and the effects of different thermal processes such as cooking–freezing–thawing (CFT) and freezing–cooking (FC) on thermal properties of the various batter systems were determined in this study. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to determine thermal property parameters including gelatinization temperature (T_G), total enthalpies of gelatinization (ΔH_G), glass transition temperature (T_g), melting peak temperature (T_m), and total melting enthalpies (ΔH_m). The different thermal processes did not significantly affect either T_G or ΔH_G of batter systems, but they influenced the glass transition behavior and the ΔH_m of batter systems. The thermal processes also showed different effects on the batter systems containing different hydrocolloids such as methylcellulose (MC), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and xanthan gum (XG). The hydrocolloids shifted T_G upwards, depressed T_g, and increased T_m of batters. The effect of these hydrocolloids on glass transition temperature was more pronounced in raw samples (FC process) than in cooked samples and increased with increasing levels of CMC and MC used in the formulations. Batters with MC showed increased ΔH_m for all the thermal processes. CMC only showed significant effect on ΔH_m for cooked samples (CFT process). MC and CMC showed more pronounced effects on T_g for raw uncooked rice- and corn flour-based batters than on raw uncooked wheat flour-based batters. However, this special effect was not obvious in the batters containing 0.2% XG.     

Oil bulking agents based on polysaccharide gels in meat batters: A Raman spectroscopic study

A Raman spectroscopic study was performed to determine protein and lipid structural properties in meat batter containing oil bulking agents as pork backfat replacers. Meat batters were prepared with pork backfat (MB-PF) or with a combination of olive oil, sodium alginate, CaSO₄, sodium pyrophosphate and dextrin (MB-A/D) or inulin (MB-A/I) as a fat replacer. Proximate composition, pH, cooking loss (CL), colour and texture were evaluated. MB-A/D and MB-A/I both showed lower (P < 0.05) CL and a^∗ values, higher (P < 0.05) L^∗ and b^∗ values, and higher (P < 0.05) hardness and chewiness. MB-A/I showed the highest hardness and chewiness. Enhancement of the β-sheet structure was observed in MB-A/D and MB-A/I, more so in MB-A/I. There was increased disorder in the oil acyl chains, which involve lipid–protein interactions, in both MB-A/D and MB-A/I. Structural characteristics in proteins and lipids may be associated with specific water and fat binding properties and textural characteristics of meat batters.     

The combined effects of environmental conditions related to meat fermentation on growth and lipase production by the starter cultureStaphylococcus xylosus

The ability of the meat starter cultureStaphylococcus xylosusto grow and produce lipase at the environmental conditions relevant to fermented meat production was examined. The combined effect of temperature (10–30°C), pH (5.1–6.0), salt concentration (1–9% w/v) and glucose (0 and 1% w/v) on the maximum specific growth rate ofS. xylosuswas studied in a microbiological medium. Growth was estimated by optical density measurements and growth curves were generated by fitting a modified Gompertz equation to the growth data using non-linear regression analysis. Maximum specific growth rates were derived and submitted to response surface analysis to generate a quadratic model to predict the maximum specific growth rate ofS. xylosusat any combination of the variables. Results from the combined effects of temperature, pH, salt concentration and age of culture on the lipase production ofS. xylosusaccording to a similar statistical analysis showed that lipase production was influenced by pH, salt concentration and age of the culture, whereas it was not significantly affected by the temperature. Generally, in cases with vigorous growth, the level of lipase production was high, and it was limited to a more narrow range of environmental combinations than growth.     

Effects of protein level and fat/oil on emulsion stability,texture, microstructure and color of meat batters

Beef meat batters formulated with increasing protein level (10–15%) and containing 25% beef fat were compared to batters prepared with 25% canola oil. Emulsion stability of the canola oil treatments was higher (less separation during cooking) at the 10–13% protein level compared to the beef fat treatments. However, above 13% protein this was reversed and the canola oil treatments showed high fat and liquid separation, which did not occur at all in the beef fat treatments. This indicates differences in stabilization of fat versus oil in such meat emulsions. Hardness of the cooked meat batters showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher values when the protein level was raised, and was higher in canola oil than in beef fat meat emulsions at similar protein levels. Products’ chewiness were higher in the canola oil treatments compared to the beef fat emulsions. Lightness decreased and redness increased in canola oil batters as the protein level was raised. The micrographs revealed the formation of larger fat globules in the beef fat emulsions compared to the canola oil meat emulsions. The canola oil treatment with 14% protein started to show fat globule coalescence, which could be related to the reduced emulsion stability.     

Development and validation of an extensive growth and growth boundary model for psychrotolerant Lactobacillus spp. in seafood and meat products

A new and extensive growth and growth boundary model for psychrotolerant Lactobacillus spp. was developed and validated for processed and unprocessed products of seafood and meat. The new model was developed by refitting and expanding an existing cardinal parameter model for growth and the growth boundary of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in processed seafood (O. Mejlholm and P. Dalgaard, J. Food Prot. 70. 2485–2497, 2007). Initially, to estimate values for the maximum specific growth rate at the reference temperature of 25 °C (μ_ref) and the theoretical minimum temperature that prevents growth of psychrotolerant LAB (T_min), the existing LAB model was refitted to data from experiments with seafood and meat products reported not to include nitrite or any of the four organic acids evaluated in the present study. Next, dimensionless terms modelling the antimicrobial effect of nitrite, and acetic, benzoic, citric and sorbic acids on growth of Lactobacillus sakei were added to the refitted model, together with minimum inhibitory concentrations determined for the five environmental parameters. The new model including the effect of 12 environmental parameters, as well as their interactive effects, was successfully validated using 229 growth rates (μ_max values) for psychrotolerant Lactobacillus spp. in seafood and meat products. Average bias and accuracy factor values of 1.08 and 1.27, respectively, were obtained when observed and predicted μ_max values of psychrotolerant Lactobacillus spp. were compared. Thus, on average μ_max values were only overestimated by 8%. The performance of the new model was equally good for seafood and meat products, and the importance of including the effect of acetic, benzoic, citric and sorbic acids and to a lesser extent nitrite in order to accurately predict growth of psychrotolerant Lactobacillus spp. was clearly demonstrated. The new model can be used to predict growth of psychrotolerant Lactobacillus spp. in seafood and meat products e.g. prediction of the time to a critical cell concentration of bacteria is considered useful for establishing the shelf life. In addition, the high number of environmental parameters included in the new model makes it flexible and suitable for product development as the effect of substituting one combination of preservatives with another can be predicted. In general, the performance of the new model was unacceptable for other types of LAB including Carnobacterium spp., Leuconostoc spp. and Weissella spp.     

Carbon Monoxide as a Colorant in Cooked or Fermented Sausages

ABSTRACT:  The study aimed at substituting nitrite with carbon monoxide (CO) in cooked or fermented meat batter products by investigating color and color stability in myoglobin solutions, model meat systems, and full-scale hotdog and salami sausages of pork and beef. For cooked model meat systems and hotdogs at 75 to 80 °C core temperatures, direct flushing with a 1% CO gas mixture during the last stage of the batter chopping produced an initial red color equal to nitrite or more intense than with nitrite. For fermented model meat systems and salami sausages with a final pH of 4.7, pretreatment and storage of ground raw meat in a 1% CO mixture, and later use of the pretreated meat in batters, also formed an initial red color in the final products. The color stability during air and light display of cooked and fermented meat products with CO was inadequate compared to products with nitrite, although the red color of CO products was largely maintained by anaerobic packaging and storage. Spectra of carboxy- and nitrosomyoglobin at pH 4.7 demonstrated higher absorbance for carboxymyoglobin.     

Heterocyclic amines and azaarenes in pan-fried meat and its gravy fried without additives and in the presence of onion and garlic

The effect of onion and garlic on the formation of heterocyclic amines (HAs, aminoazaarenes) and azaarenes (aza-PAHs) was evaluated by comparing the concentrations of several compounds in meat and gravy samples, obtained from three pork dishes prepared in the presence and absence of these spices. The concentrations of individual HAs (8-MeIQx, MeIQ, 4,8-DiMeIQx, PhIP) were from 0.5 ng g⁻¹ to 10.5 ng g⁻¹ of meat and of azaarenes (benzo[a]acridine, benzo[c]acridine, dibenzo[a,c]acridine, dibenzo[a,j]acridine and dibenzo[a,h]acridine) – from 0.06 ng g⁻¹ to 0.99 ng g⁻¹. The addition of onion (30 g/100 g of meat) in the dishes investigated, caused a decrease in heterocyclic amines concentration (considering total contents in meat and gravy) in the range of 31–49% and of azaarenes by 21–48%. Garlic (15 g/100 g of meat) lowered the concentration of HAs by 26–36% and azaarenes by 33–40%; the changes in concentrations caused by these spices were different for particular compounds. Components of onion and garlic intensify the extraction of heterocyclic amines and azaarenes from meat in gravy.     

Relationship between collagen characteristics,lipid content and raw and cooked texture of meat from young bulls of fifteen European breeds

Variations in texture were determined for 10 day aged raw and cooked Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle from 436 bulls of 15 European cattle breeds slaughtered at an age of 13–16 months. Variations in texture were related to differences in pH 24 h post-mortem, sarcomere length, collagen characteristics and lipid content. The shear force of cooked meat samples varied from 43.8 to 67.4 N/cm². Simmental, Highland and Marchigiana cattle had the highest shear force values and Avileña-Negra Ibérica, Charolais, Casina and Pirenaica cattle had the lowest values. Cooked meat toughness showed a weak negative correlation to lipid content (P < 0.001) but no correlation to collagen characteristics. Raw meat texture measured by compression correlated positively (P < 0.001) with total and insoluble collagen. In conclusion, collagen characteristics showed correlation to raw meat texture but not to cooked meat toughness of LT muscle in European young bulls.