Effect of whey protein concentrate and sodium chloride concentrations on the odour profile of sous vide cooked whole-muscle beef from Argentina

Semitendinosus muscles added with whey protein concentrate (WPC) and sodium chloride (NaCl) were submitted to sous vide cooking. Four enhancement treatments and a control were tested: 0.875% WPC (w/w)+0.625% NaCl, 2.625% WPC+0.625% NaCl, 0.875% WPC+1.875% NaCl, 2.625% WPC+1.875% NaCl, and control (non-injected muscles). Odour analyses were carried out with an electronic nose (EN) system. EN data were evaluated applying Principal Component Analysis, Linear Discriminant Analysis and Partial Least Squares algorithm. EN was able to discriminate the odour profiles of cooked enhanced beef as a function of the amount of WPC added. No significant differences in odour profiles were observed regarding NaCl concentration. These results agreed with those obtained when odour profiles were analysed in WPC dispersions. The reported results support the applicability of EN methodology for analysing the impact of processing parameters on beef odour profiles.     

Effect of the addition of conventional additives and whey proteins concentrates on technological parameters, physicochemical properties, microstructure and sensory attributes of sous vide cooked beef muscles

Beef muscles submitted to four enhancement treatments (1.88% whey protein concentrate (WPC) + 1.25% sodium chloride (NaCl); 1.88% modified whey protein concentrate (MWPC) + 1.25%NaCl; 0.25% sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) + 1.25%NaCl; 1.25%NaCl) and a control treatment (non-injected muscles) were sous vide cooked. Muscles with STPP + NaCl presented a significantly higher total yield (106.5%) in comparison to those with WPC/MWPC + NaCl (94.7% and 92.9%, respectively), NaCl alone (84.8%) or controls (72.1%). Muscles with STPP + NaCl presented significantly lower shear force values than control ones; also, WPC/MWPC + NaCl added muscles presented similar values than those from the other treatments. After cooking, muscles with STPP + NaCl or WPC/MWPC + NaCl depicted compacted and uniform microstructures. Muscles with STPP + NaCl showed a pink colour, meanwhile other treatment muscles presented colours between pinkish-grey and grey-brown. STPP + NaCl added samples presented the highest values of global tenderness and juiciness. The addition of STPP + NaCl had a better performance than WPC/MWPC + NaCl. However, the addition of WPC/MWPC + NaCl improved total yield in comparison to NaCl added or control ones.     

Optimization of whey protein concentrate and sodium chloride concentrations and cooking temperature of sous vide cooked whole-muscle beef from Argentina

Response surface methodology was used to optimize the effect of cooking temperature (CT: 65-75°C) and the incorporation of whey protein concentrate (WPC: 0-3.5%) and sodium chloride (NaCl: 0-2.5%) on technological, physical and sensory characteristics of cooked whole-muscle beef. Post-injection weight loss diminished when NaCl concentration increased. Moreover, the increment of both additives produced a reduction of cooking loss. An opposite effect was observed with the increment of CT. As it was expected, a total yield improvement was achieved by increasing both ingredients and diminishing CT. Equivalent yields are achieved complementing both ingredients, meaning that if one ingredient concentration is reduced the other has to be increased. Shear force values were not affected by the studied factors. Instead, lightness was reduced by their increment. At 65°C, injected muscles had lower flavour and odour scores than control. At all CT analyzed, the incorporated brines improved juiciness and tenderness-related attributes. Present results recommend the use of a CT of 70°C and maxima WPC and NaCl concentrations of 2.6% and 1.9%, respectively.     

Effect of sous vide cooking, with freezing, on selected quality parameters of seven fish species in a range of sauces

As quotas and the supply of conventional species continue to tighten, there is a need to test the acceptability of many fish species. Seven fish species (albacore tuna, cardinal fish, orange roughy, blue ling, redfish, roundnose grenadier and Greenland halibut) were cooked by the sous vide process (Barriquand Steriflow retort; 20 min/90 °C) in 12 savoury sauces. Sensory results showed that sous-vide-cooked albacore tuna, cardinal fish and blue ling were the most acceptable species and tikka, tomato-and-pesto, arrabbiata and hollandaise the preferred sauces. Greenland halibut and roundnose grenadier were too soft after sous vide cooking. Freezing post sous vide cooking did not influence product quality and gave additional benefits over chilling of an extended shelf life and more flexibility in relation to product safety. The pH of the sauces was in the range 3.96 (cajun) to 5.42 (bearnaise) and mean pH values fell from 4.66 before sous vide cooking to 4.38 after cooking. Sauce colour also became lighter during sous vide cooking of fish portions, as indicated by Hunter Lab colour values. The results of the research have been disseminated to seafood companies and scale-up trials are in progress.     

Effect of salt addition on sous vide cooked whole beef muscles from Argentina

Sodium chloride (NaCl, 0-1.4%) and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP, 0-0.5%) were added to Semitendinosus muscles and submitted to sous vide cooking at different temperatures (55-75°C). The effects of these three factors on pH, cooking loss, instrumental colour parameters, protein solubilization and distribution, and micro- and ultra-structure were evaluated. Quadratic surface responses equations were obtained from data (pH, cooking loss and colour parameters) as a function of the salts concentrations and cooking temperature. Both salts - alone or in combination - successfully reduced cooking loss. The best results were obtained for the combinations 0.25%STPP+1.20%NaCl and 0.25%STPP+0.70%NaCl, and temperatures between 60 and 65°C. Under these conditions, cooking loss was reduced close to 0%. pH was only dependent on STPP concentration, with a threshold concentration value of 0.25%. Temperature increment and NaCl addition produced a redness reduction. STPP incorporation recovered partially this parameter in comparison to non-added samples. Microscopy and SDS-PAGE results support the effect of the selected combinations of factors, suggesting that both salts together induced protein solubilization and gelation upon heating.     

Quality changes during storage of sous vide cooked green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

 The acceptability and quality of sous vide cooked green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were investigated during chilled storage. A suitable heating procedure was established whereby 2.0-kg packages were heat processed at 90°C for 25 min, corresponding to an average pasteurization value, PV_70,10, of 14 min. During storage for up to 25 days at 3°C drip loss, pH, colour (Minolta L ^* a ^* b ^*), texture (Instron) and microbiological stability were examined and sensory characteristics evaluated by a trained sensory panel. No marked changes in texture, drip loss, pH or microbiological counts were observed but a change of colour from green to olive green was observed by both objective and sensory analyses. This detrimental change in colour, which had begun during the first week, was the limiting factor for shelf-life during storage. Subsequent reheating, however, resulted in further colour changes which partially obscured the initial differences observed during the storage period. Storage for more than 1 week resulted in undesirable quality changes in the odour and flavour of the green beans. Therefore, a maximum shelf-life of 8 days at 3°C was recommended. Inoculation trials showed that psychrotrophic Bacillus cereus were able to germinate and grow to levels of 10⁷ g^–1 in the packages at abuse temperatures (7°C and 17°C), whereafter numbers declined. Received: 21 April 1997     

Spermine and spermidine concentrations in pork loin as affected by storage, curing and thermal processing

Spermine and spermidine concentrations in pork loin as affected by three factors used in food processing [immersion-curing (10% brine: NaNO₂ and NaCl content of 0.6 and 99.4 g/l, respectively, and 20% brine: NaNO₂ and NaCl content of 0.6 and 199.4 g/l, respectively), boiling and grilling (70 °C core temperature) and storage of raw loin chops (“non-stored” versus storage at 4 °C for 5 days)] were studied. Spermidine and spermine concentrations of the “non-stored” raw loin chops were 2.7±0.7 and 19.8±1.5 mg/kg (fresh weight), respectively. Storage effects were negligible. Curing in 20% brine resulted in statistically significant spermidine decreases as compared to non-cured meat (p=0.04). Statistically significant decreases of spermine were observed for curing in 20% brine as compared with 10% brine (p=0.08), and boiling of meat in an equal amount of water compared to raw meat and grilled meat (p=0.03). Combined curing in 20% brine and cooking in an equal amount of water resulted in 2.0±1.0 mg/kg spermidine and 14.4±2.6 mg/kg spermine. Combined common food processing techniques resulted in a decrease of spermine and spermidine concentrations in pork loin of maximum 26% only. The latter should be considered as relevant for consumers for which the dietary polyamine uptake is critical.     

Trained sensory perception of pork eating quality as affected by fresh and cooked pork quality attributes and end-point cooked temperature

The present study evaluated individual and interactive influences of pork loin (n = 679) ultimate ph (pH), intramuscular fat (IMF), Minolta L∗ color (L∗), Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), and internal cooked temperatures (62.8 °C, 68.3 °C, 73.9 °C, and 79.4 °C) on trained sensory perception of palatability. Logistical regression analyses were used, fitting sensory responses as dependent variables and quality and cooked temperature as independent variables, testing quadratic and interactive effects. Incremental increases in cooked temperature reduced sensory juiciness and tenderness scores by 3.8% and 0.9%, respectively, but did not influence sensory flavor or saltiness scores. An increase of 4.9 N in WBSF, from a base of 14.7 N (lowest) to 58.8 N (greatest) was associated with a 3.7% and 1.8% reduction in sensory tenderness and juiciness scores, respectively, with predicted sensory tenderness scores reduced by 3.55 units when comparing ends of the WBSF range. Modeled sensory responses for loins with pH of 5.40 and 5.60 had reduced tenderness, chewiness, and fat flavor ratings when compared with responses for loins with pH of 5.80 to 6.40, the range indicative of optimal sensory response. Loin IMF and L∗ were significant model effects; however, their influence on sensory attributes was small, with predicted mean sensory responses measurably improved only when comparing 6% and 1% IMF and L∗ values of 46.9 (dark) when compared with 65.0 (pale). Tenderness and juiciness scores, were related to a greater extent to loin WBSF and pH, and to a lesser extent to cooked temperature, IMF and L∗.     

Deep freezing to maintain the freshness of pork loin during long-term storage

Food Science and Biotechnology - As storage temperature impacts frozen meat quality, we evaluated the ideal freezing and storage temperatures for pork loin, and effects of long-term storage...     

Chemical, instrumental and sensory characteristics of cooked pork ham

Instrumental, chemical and sensory parameters of cooked pork ham were evaluated. Principal component analysis was carried out on the basis of the instrumental variables related to colour and texture. The four PCs account for almost 94% of the total variance in the data set. The PCA only separated 3 hams with a^* > 10. Hardness was correlated with non-collagen muscle protein (P  0.01), gumminess (P  0.01) and ash (P  0.05). Sensory evaluated tenderness showed positive significant correlation with L^* (P  0.01). The most important colour parameter seems to be a^*, which was negatively correlated with sensory evaluated parameter colour (P  0.01). The PCA performed on all parameters (sensory, chemical and textural) discriminated two groups of hams differing in non-collagen muscle protein content and hardness.     

Changes in the content of biologically active polyamines during pork loin storage and culinary treatments

Dietary polyamines putrescine (PUT), spermidine (SPD) and spermine (SPM) participate in numerous human physiological processes, including tumour growth. Physicians and dieticians thus need reliable information on their contents in foods. However, data for processed meat are rather limited. Eight experiments with pork loin were therefore carried out. Loins were stored at −18 °C for 168 days in three experiments, in next three ones pork was stored aerobically, vacuum-packaged and packaged in a modified atmosphere (70% N₂ and 30% CO₂, v/v) at +2 °C for 9, 21 and 21 days, respectively. The effects of five usual culinary treatments were tested in two experiments. The polyamines were determined as dansyl derivatives using a HPLC method. Only SPM was determined at levels 20.3–25.2 mg kg⁻¹ in fresh loins; PUT and SPD contents were below the detection limits. SPM content slightly, but significantly (P < 0.05) increased during frozen storage, while it mildly and insignificantly (P > 0.05) decreased during all three variants of cold storage. SPM losses of about 40% of the initial content were observed during boiling, stewing, pan-roasting without oil and breaded pork frying, while roasting caused the loss of about 55%. Similar losses were found for loins processed 24 h and 7 days after slaughter. No SPM content was detectable in broth and grease produced during the processing.     

Antimicrobial activities of spice extracts against pathogenic and spoilage bacteria in modified atmosphere packaged fresh pork and vacuum packaged ham slices stored at 4 °C

The antimicrobial activity of 14 spice extracts against four common meat spoilage and pathogenic bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Lactobacillus sake) was screened in cultured media (experiment 1). The results showed that individual extracts of clove, rosemary, cassia bark and liquorice contained strong antimicrobial activity, but the mixture of rosemary and liquorice extracts was the best inhibitor against all four types of microbes. Subsequently, mixed rosemary/liquorice extracts were spray-applied to inoculated fresh pork in modified atmosphere packaging (experiment 2) and to inoculated ham slices in vacuum packaging (experiment 3). The meat samples were stored at 4 °C over a 28-day period and microbial growth was monitored regularly. The L. monocytogenes population on fresh pork by day 28 decreased 2.9, 3.1 and 3.6 logs, the MAB decreased 2.7, 2.9 and 3.1 logs, the Pseudomonas spp. count decreased 1.6, 2.1 and 2.6 logs and the total coliform count decreased 0.6, 0.8 and 1.2 logs, corresponding to 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/ml of spray, respectively, when compared to control (P < 0.05). The number of L. monocytogenes on ham slices decreased 2.5, 2.6 and 3.0 logs, the MAB plate counts decreased 2.9, 3.0 and 3.2 logs and the LAB counts decreased 2.4, 2.6 and 2.8 logs (P < 0.05), respectively, after 28-days, by the same levels of mixed rosemary/liquorice extract treatments. The results demonstrated strong potential of mixed rosemary and liquorice as a natural preservative in fresh pork and ham products.     

The effects of packaging method (vacuum pouch vs. plastic tray) on spoilage in a cook-chill pork-based dish kept under refrigeration

The effects of two packaging methods on the spoilage of a cook-chill pork-based dish kept under refrigeration were studied. Raw pork cuts and pre-cooked tomato sauce were packed under vacuum “sous vide” in polyamide–polypropylene pouches (SV) or into translucent polypropylene trays under modified atmosphere (80% N₂ + 20% CO₂) and sealed with a top film (PT). Samples were cooked inside the pack at an oven temperature/time of 70 °C/7 h, chilled at 3 °C and stored at 2 °C for up to 90 days. Microbial (psychrotrophs, lactic-acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, moulds and yeasts), physical–chemical (pH, water activity and total acidity) and sensory (colour, odour, flavour, texture and acceptance) parameters were determined. Heat penetration was faster in SV (2 °C/min) than in PT (1 °C/min) (core temperature). Both packaging methods were equally effective in protecting against microbial spoilage for 90 day at 2 °C. Minor counts were only detected for lactic-acid bacteria and anaerobic psychrotrophs in SV. No Enterobacteriaceae growth was found. Slight differences between SV and PT in pH and total acidity were observed. SV and PT had similar effects on the sensory preservation of the dishes. A gradual loss of acceptance of the cooked pork and tomato sauce was observed. Rancid flavour in PT and warmed-over-flavour in SV were noted in the final stages of storage. According to acceptance scores, the shelf-life of both SV and PT was 56 days at 2 °C. Both packaging methods can be used to manufacture sous vide meat-based dishes subsequently stored under refrigeration for catering use.     

Effects of muscle cortisol concentration on muscle fiber characteristics, pork quality, and sensory quality of cooked pork

The effect of muscle cortisol concentration on muscle fiber characteristics and technological and sensory quality of pork was investigated. With the exception of the percentage of type IIA fibers, muscle fiber characteristics were not associated to cortisol levels. However, muscle cortisol concentration was positively associated with muscle pH(24h) (r = 0.23, P<0.05) and negatively associated with drip loss (r = -0.49, P<0.001), lightness (r = -0.24, P<0.05), shear force (r = -0.25, P<0.05), and texture profile analysis-hardness (r = -0.35, P<0.01). Additionally, the water-holding capacity of meat samples was affected by cortisol levels, with lower cortisol concentrations associated with less tender samples. These results indicate that the concentration of cortisol in the muscle is related with meat quality as well as the sensory quality of cooked pork.     

Effect of modified atmospheres on microbiological, color and sensory properties of refrigerated pork

Pork loin samples were stored (4 °C) in nylon polyethylene plastic bags using different modified atmospheres packaging (MAP): vacuum, 100% CO₂ 99% CO₂ + 1% CO, 100% O₂ or 100% CO followed by vacuum. Throughout the storage period Pseudomonas growth was limited in loins packaged in all MAPs evaluated, except for 100% O₂. Psychrotrophs reached 10⁷ CFU g⁻¹ after 20 days of storage except for the loin samples in 100% O₂ MAP that present count above 10⁸ CFU g⁻¹. The 1% CO/99% CO₂ atmosphere was best for preserving the desirable pork loin color and the L* and a* values remained similar to the fresh meat values using this MAP. Pork loins in 99% CO₂/1% CO MAP obtained the highest consumer acceptance scores after 24 h of storage. These samples and those treated with CO and then vacuum packaged received the greatest acceptance scores even after 20 days of storage.     

Evaluation of the microbiological safety and sensory quality of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) processed by the sous vide method

This work evaluates the microbiological quality and sensorial characteristics of rainbow trout processed by the sous vide method under different time/temperature conditions and stored at 2°C and 10°C.The equivalent heat treatments applied in core were: 3.3 min at 90°C (PV₇₀ in core 331.64), 1.04 min at 90°C (PV₇₀ in core 104.5) and 5.18 min at 70°C (PV₇₀ in core 5.18). The product stored at 2°C or 10°C was periodically evaluated to investigate its sensory quality, microbiological condition and proximate composition. The batches stored at 2°C had lower growth counts of mesophiles and psychrotrophs. Moreover, these counts decreased by increasing the heating temperature and time. Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens and Listeria monocytogenes were not found in any of the samples. Neither aerobic nor anaerobic spores were detected in the trout samples processed at 90°C for 3.3 min in core and stored at 2°C after 45 days. A heat treatment of 90°C for 3.3 min in core was the most effective to extend the shelf-life of trout (>45 days).Therefore, it can be concluded that the treatment at 90°C for 3.3 min in core is the most effective to ensure the safety and extend the shelf-life of sous vide trout preserving its sensory characteristics.This study establishes the microbiological quality of sous vide trout and emphasizes the relevance of the microbiological quality of the raw materials, heat treatment and storage temperature to ensure the safety of the product, since this fatty fish is not eviscerated and high counts can be found in the raw fish.     

Oxidative changes of fresh loin from pig,caused by dietary conjugated linoleic acid and monounsaturated fatty acids,during refrigerated storage

Three levels (0%, 1% and 2%) of a conjugated linoleic acid enriched oil (CLA) were combined with two levels of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (19% and 39% average) for pig feeding. Changes in instrumental colour, lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS) and volatile profile of fresh loin chops, as affected by dietary CLA, MUFA and CLA × MUFA, were studied throughout 7 days of refrigerated storage. Lightness (L∗) evolution was conditioned by dietary CLA, whereas changes in redness (a∗) and yellowness (b∗) were unaffected by dietary supplements. Dietary CLA at 2% led to higher TBARS values of loin chops at day 7 of refrigerated storage (p < 0.05), while MUFA supplementation and CLA × MUFA interaction did not affect lipid oxidation. Dietary CLA, MUFA or CLA × MUFA did not affect most volatile compounds of loin chops after 7 days of storage.     

Effect of whey protein concentrate and sodium chloride addition plus tumbling procedures on technological parameters, physical properties and visual appearance of sous vide cooked beef

Beef muscles cooked by the sous vide system were evaluated for the effects of pre-injection tumbling, brine addition and post-injection tumbling on technological parameters, physical properties, visual appearance and tissue microstructure. The muscles were injected at 120% (over original weight) with a brine formulated to give a concentration of 3.5% whey protein concentrate and 0.7% sodium chloride on an injected raw product basis. Pre-injection tumbling did not affect most of the evaluated parameters. Brine addition reduced significantly the cooking and total weight losses. Total weight loss was 7.2% for injected muscles, and significantly higher (28.2%) for non-injected ones. Brine incorporation increased pH and reduced shear force values of cooked muscles. Extended post-injection tumbling (5rpm-10h) improved brine distribution and visual appearance, and also diminished the shear force values of cooked muscles. However, this treatment increased the weight losses of post-injection tumbling and cooking-pasteurization stages.     

不同烹饪加工豇豆在冷藏过程中亚硝酸盐含量及抗氧化性能的变化

研究了水煮、蒸和油炸3种烹饪加工豇豆在4℃冷藏过程中亚硝酸盐含量及抗氧化性能的变化。采用福林酚法和TEAC法分别测定了不同烹饪加工豇豆提取物的多酚含量和抗氧化能力。结果表明:烹饪加工豇豆的亚硝酸盐含量显著高于新鲜豇豆;在冷藏过程中亚硝酸盐含量均先升后降,在贮藏第3天时,含量最高。在整个贮藏过程中,水煮豇豆的亚硝酸盐含量均显著高于其他组的。豇豆经烹饪加工后,其游离酚含量显著下降,其中油炸豇豆下降最显著,蒸豇豆下降最少。经蒸和油炸后豇豆的结合酚含量显著增加,其中油炸后增加的量更多,而水煮后结合酚含量则显著下降。随着贮藏时间的延长,不同烹饪加工豇豆的游离酚含量均显示出先增加后下降的趋势,而结合酚含量则显著下降。总抗氧化能力与多酚含量变化趋势比较相似,它们之间存在高度相关性。