Intestinal microbiota in rats fed with tofu (soy curd) treated under high pressure

The present study was carried out to assess the effect of intestinal microbiota in laboratory animals fed with tofu treated under high pressure. The counts of viable mesophilic bacteria and total enterobacteria in the three different groups assayed went down in the rats fed with a diet of untreated tofu. Significant differences (p0.05) for these microorganisms were found in the rats fed with untreated tofu when compared with the rats of the control group. However, when both tofu diets were compared the counts of mesophilic bacteria went up in the treated tofu and significant differences (p0.05) were found between treated and untreated tofu diets. Counts of lactic acid bacteria rose in both tofu diets and particularly in the treated tofu, but no significant differences (p0.05) were found in both tofu diets. Nevertheless significant differences were found with both tofu diets and the control. Some lactic acid bacteria have been identified in tofu diets, such as Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium infantis and also Streptococcus spp. The results for faecal enterococci, faecal coliforms and spores of sulphite-reducing clostridia showed similar values in the three diets. The treated tofu diet in each case presented higher values than the untreated tofu diet, especially for lactic acid bacteria, which means that high-pressure treatment produces a beneficial effect for tofu, owing to the increase of lactic acid bacteria. In conclusion, untreated and treated tofu diets act as functional food increasing the number of lactic acid bacteria and reducing the number of Enterobacteriaceae, especially those that are pathogenic, and opportunistic pathogenic bacteria.     

A comparative study of heat and high pressure induced gels of whey and egg albumen proteins and their binary mixtures

Large deformation rheological studies of either egg albumen or whey protein isolate (15% protein w/w) gels induced by heating at 90 °C for 30 min were compared to those induced by a range high pressures (400–800 MPa for 20 min). Gels made by heating indicated higher gel strength and Young's modulus values for whey protein from pressures of 400–600 MPa for 20 min but similar values at 650–800 MPa. In contrast, egg albumen showed no gelation below 500 MPa for 20 min, but there was an increase in both gel strength and Young's modulus with increasing pressure, although values remained lower than those of the heat-induced gels. A mixture of 10:5 whey/egg albumen showed the highest gel strength and Young's modulus for both heated and high pressure-treated (400–600 MPa) gels, although, the heated mixture had the highest values. Electron micrographs indicated that high pressure-treated gels had a porous aggregated network for egg albumen while whey proteins showed a continuous fine stranded network. The heated mixtures of whey:egg albumen (7.5:7.5) showed large dense aggregates whereas high pressure-treated mixtures produced smaller aggregates. Raman spectroscopy of both heated and high pressure-treated whey and egg albumen (15% w/w in D₂O pD7) and their binary mixtures (7.5:7.5, protein w/w) indicated changes in β-sheet structures in the Amide 111′ region (980–990 cm⁻¹); however, peak intensity was reduced for high pressure-treated samples. β-Sheet structure (1238–1240 cm⁻¹) present in heated whey was absent in high pressure-treated whey and in egg albumen. Involvement of hydrophobic regions was reflected by changes in the CH (1350 cm⁻¹) and CH₂ (1450 cm⁻¹) bending vibrations. In addition to the Trp residues at 760 cm⁻¹, there were broad peaks at 874–880 cm⁻¹ and tyrosine 1207 cm⁻¹ in the high pressure-treated samples. Disulphide bands (500–540 cm⁻¹) in heated whey and egg albumen proteins showed higher peak intensities compared to high pressure-treated samples. Differences in the experimental and theoretical spectra indicated changes in the hydrophobic regions, tyrosine (1207 cm⁻¹) and tryptophan (880 cm⁻¹) and CH₂ bending in high pressure-treated samples, whereas heated samples indicated marked changes in β-sheet structures (987 and 1238 cm⁻¹) as well as hydrophobic regions CH (1350 cm⁻¹) and CH₂ (1450 cm⁻¹) bending vibrations.     

Effect of high pressure homogenization (HPH) on the rheological properties of tomato juice: Time-dependent and steady-state shear

High pressure homogenization (HPH) is a non-thermal technology that has been widely studied as a partial or total substitute for the thermal processing of food. Although microbial inactivation has been widely studied, there are only a few works in the literature reporting the physicochemical changes caused in fruit products due to HPH, especially those regarding the rheological properties. The present work evaluated the effect of HPH (up to 150 MPa) on the time-dependent and steady-state shear rheological properties of tomato juice. HPH reduced the mean particle diameter and particle size distribution (PSD), and increased its consistency and thixotropy. The rheological results were in accordance with the PSD observed. The rheological properties of the juice were evaluated by the Herschel–Bulkley and Falguera–Ibarz models (steady-state shear) and Figoni–Shoemaker and Weltman models (time-dependent). The parameters of these equations were modelled as a function of the homogenization pressure. The models obtained described the experimental values well, and contributed to future studies on product and process development.     

Rheological properties of corn oil emulsions stabilized by commercial micellar casein and high pressure homogenization

The rheological behavior of corn oil emulsions prepared by high pressure homogenization (HPH) was investigated. Coarse emulsions of corn oil (10-30 g oil/100 g emulsion) in casein dispersions containing 0.5-3.5 g micellar casein/100 g casein dispersion in an oil-free basis were homogenized at 0-300 MPa. Flow behavior under continuous increasing (0-150 s⁻¹) or decreasing (150-0 s⁻¹) shear rate was tested. Emulsions that showed macroscopic change in consistency were tested for viscoelasticity (G′). Homogenization of emulsions with low oil concentration (10 g/100 g) resulted in Newtonian behavior for all treatment pressures. The rheological behavior of emulsions with higher oil concentration (30 g/100 g) was dependent on casein concentration in the aqueous phase and varied from Newtonian to shear thinning. Homogenization pressures between 20 and 100 MPa induced the formation of a gel-like structure possibly through pressure-induced interactions between caseins surrounding adjacent droplets.     

Effect of high pressure homogenization (HPH) on the rheological properties of a fruit juice serum model

High pressure homogenization (HPH) is a non-thermal technology that has been widely studied as a partial or total substitute for thermal food processing. The present work evaluated the effect of HPH on the rheological properties of a fruit juice serum model, designed to be similar to tomato juice serum. Product viscosity decreased due to the increase in homogenization pressure, and could be modelled well using two functions (power-sigmoidal and exponential; R² > 0.98). The serum model processed at 200 MPa showed a viscosity decrease of 20% when compared to the original. Since fruit juice rheology is defined by the interactions occurring between the dispersed phase (suspended particles) and the solution (serum), the expected fruit juice behaviour was then discussed.     

Gelatinization of waxy starches under high pressure as influenced by pH and osmolarity: Gelatinization kinetics, final structure and pasting properties

We investigated the influence of pH and osmolarity on the high-pressure-induced gelatinization of waxy corn and waxy rice starches in salt solutions, and the properties of the resulting gels. Gelatinization kinetics, the gel swelling power of starches, their structure and their rheological properties were studied for starch suspensions treated at 500 MPa. Gelatinization took place mostly in the first 15 min of the pressure treatment and both the gelatinization speed and the maximal level of gelatinized starch decreased with increasing osmolarity. pH had a minor influence on gelatinization kinetics differing from one starch to another. The resulting gels appeared as a mix of a gel and starch granules with a higher proportion of native granules with increasing osmolarity. Gel strength and swelling were positively correlated to their proportion of gelatinized starch. Thus, gels with different structures and gelatinization levels can be obtained under pressure depending on pH and osmolarity.     

Simultaneous application of transglutaminase and high pressure to improve functional properties of chicken meat gels

Low-fat protein gels obtained by pressure are softer than those processed by conventional heat treatment. In this study, microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) (0.3%) was added to chicken batters in order to investigate the combined effect of pressure and enzyme on the functional properties of gels. Batters of meat with egg proteins were treated at 500 MPa for 30 min at 40 °C and then heated at 75 °C for 5 min to inactivate the enzyme. Treated samples showed, under confocal microscopy, a more compact and homogeneous microstructure and exhibited a notable increase in hardness and chewiness as compared to controls that were pressurized but contained no MTGase. They were also harder, more chewy and springy but had a similar cohesiveness and cutting force to those obtained by heat alone.     

Formation and rheological properties of ‘cold-set’ tofu induced by microbial transglutaminase

Microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) has been shown to effectively induce soymilk with a certain level of solid content to form filled tofu. The gel formation of this kind of tofu and the influence of reaction parameters on the properties of formed tofu were investigated by dynamic oscillatory and/or large-strain rheological measurements. The gelation process and the development of the mechanical moduli (especially the storage modulus, G′) of this kind of tofu were highly dependent upon the incubation temperature. Textural property analysis (TPA) results showed that many TPA parameters of this kind of tofu, including gel hardness, gumminess, springiness and cohesiveness, were also affected by the applied enzyme amount, the pH of soymilk and the presence of NaCl, especially for gel hardness. In addition, the additional heating and cooling treatment could significantly improve the gel strength of tofu, induced by MTGase at lower temperatures (e.g. 25 and 37 °C). These results suggested that a new kind of tofu with good quality could be produced using the enzymatic cross-linking technique, by the combination with the thermal treatment.     

Yield, composition and rheological characteristics of cheddar cheese made with high pressure processed milk

High Pressure (HP) treatment of milk prior to cheese-making was shown to increase the yield of cheese due to increased protein and moisture retention in cheese. Cheeses were made with raw milk or milk treated with high temperature short-time (HTST) pasteurization, and HP treatments at two levels (483 and 676 MPa) at 10 °C, 483 MPa HP at 30 °C, and 483 MPa HP at 40 °C. Cheese yield, total solids, protein, fat and salt contents were evaluated, and fat and protein recovery indices were calculated. Cheeses from HP treatments of 676 MPa at 10 °C and 483 MPa at 30 °C exhibited wet yields of 11.40% and 11.54%, respectively. Protein recovery was 79.9% for HP treatment of 676 MPa at 10 °C. The use of slightly higher pressurization temperatures increased moisture retention in cheese. Visco-elasticity of cheeses was determined by dynamic oscillatory testing and a creep-recovery test. Rheological parameters such as loss (G″) and storage (G′) moduli were dependent on oscillation frequency. At high (173 rad/s) and low (2.75 rad/s) angular frequencies, cheeses made from milk treated at 483 MPa at 10 °C behaved more solid-like than other treatments. Creep tests indicated that cheeses from milk treated with 483 MPa HP at 10 °C showed the smallest instantaneous compliance (J_o), confirming the more solid-like behavior of cheese from the 483 MPa at 10 °C treatment compared to the behavior of cheeses from other treatments. Cheeses made with pasteurized milk were more deformable, exhibited less solid-like behavior than cheeses made with HP treated milk, as shown by the J_o value. With more research into bacteriological implications, HP treatment of raw milk can augment Cheddar cheese yield with better curd formation properties.     

Retrogradation properties of rice starch gelatinized by heat and high hydrostatic pressure (HHP)

Retrogradation process of pressure-gelatinized rice starches was investigated and compared with the heat-gelatinized ones in this study. Our results showed that the retrogradation rate of normal rice starch gelatinized by high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) was slower than that by heat. Nevertheless, there was no difference in retrogradation rate for waxy rice starch gelatinized by the two treatments (P > 0.05). The DSC data were further analyzed using the Avrami equation. The result indicated that the pressure-gelatinized normal rice starch had a lower recrystallization rate (k) and a higher Avrami exponent (n) than the heat-gelatinized one, but the two treatments did not affect the k and n for waxy rice starch. Furthermore, the intact starch granules and lower amylose leaching were observed only in the pressure-gelatinized normal rice starch. These findings suggest that the retardation mechanism of HHP on starch retrogradation is probably attributed to less broken granules and lower leached amylose.     

Effects of high pressure level and holding time on properties of duck muscle gels containing 1% curdlan

The effect of high pressure processing (HPP) on properties of duck muscle gels (DMG) containing 1% curdlan was investigated. The application of > 300 MPa could result in the decrease of cooking loss of DMG in water binding capacity, the increase of L value and the decrease of a value and b value in color, the increase of hardness, springiness, cohesiveness and chewiness in textural parameters (P < 0.05), while the pressure-holding time had no obvious influence. Those experimental results could be attributed to the interactions among protein molecules and the interactions between protein molecules and curdlan molecules created or enhanced by HPP. Overall, the use of curdlan instead of fat and the application of HPP may provide a novel approach to achieve low-fat (< 6% fat) and low-salt (1% salt) DMG products with good properties and high yields.

Industrial relevance

To provide healthier meat foods like low-fat (< 6% fat) and low-salt (about 1% salt) duck meat products, the application of HPP might be of great interest for industrial manufacture and can yield the products bearing high water binding capacity and good textural properties.     

豆腐凝固机理的研究

发现了在豆腐凝固过程中豆乳的pH随温度升高而下降,证明了二价金属离子引起豆乳pH下降的原因是与植酸盐、柠檬酸盐等发生络合反应所致,阐明了酸和盐凝固豆腐本质上的一致性。     

Effects of hydrocolloid addition and high pressure processing on the rheological properties and microstructure of a commercial ostrich meat product "Yor" (Thai sausage)

"Yor" is a traditional sausage like product widely consumed in Thailand. Its textures are usually set by steaming, in this experiment ultra-high pressure was used to modify the product. Three types of hydrocolloid; carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), locust bean gum (LBG) and xanthan gum, were added to minced ostrich meat batter at concentration of 0-1% and subjected to high pressure 600MPa, 50°C, 40min. The treated samples were analysed for storage (G') and loss (G″) moduli by dynamic oscillatory testing as well as creep compliance for control stress measurement. Their microstructures using confocal microscopy were also examined. Hydrocolloid addition caused a significant (P<0.05) decrease in both the G' and G″ moduli. However the loss tangent of all samples remained unchanged. Addition of hydrocolloids led to decreases in the gel network formation but appears to function as surfactant materials during the initial mixing stage as shown by the microstructure. Confocal microscopy suggested that the size of the fat droplets decreased with gum addition. The fat droplets were smallest on the addition of xanthan gum and increased in the order CMC, LBG and no added gum, respectively. Creep parameters of ostrich yors with four levels of xanthan gum addition (0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00% and 1.25%) showed an increase in the instantaneous compliance (J(0)), the retarded compliance (J(1)) and retardation time (λ(1)) but a decrease in the viscosity (η(0)) with increasing levels of addition. The results also suggested that the larger deformations used during creep testing might be more helpful in assessing the mechanical properties of the product than the small deformations used in oscillatory rheology.     

Effect of different coagulants on the isoflavone levels and physical properties of prepared firm tofu

The objective of this study was to understand the effect of different coagulants in their ability to retain isoflavones in prepared firm tofu. Harovinton beans were processed to obtain soymilk and a specific amount of this soymilk was coagulated using different types of coagulants for the preparation of tofu. A reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic method was used for determining the concentration of isoflavones in tofu and whey. Quality parameters such as the texture, color and moisture of tofu, prepared from different coagulants were also determined in this study. Tofus coagulated with different coagulants were found to contain different amounts of isoflavones. Calcium sulfate was found to be the most suitable coagulant for tofu making in terms of its high yield, retention of maximum amount of isoflavones and in obtaining a firm, but not hard texture of tofu.     

Determination of heat transfer coefficient during high pressure frying of potatoes

Besides traditional atmospheric frying, high pressure (super-atmospheric) frying might be an alternative approach to the frying of food products. In this study, convective heat transfer coefficient during atmospheric and high pressure frying was compared. For this purpose, a pressure cooker was modified to allow the immersion of a sample into frying oil under pressure and temperature measurement of sample and oil. Heat transfer coefficient versus frying time was determined on potato slabs using changes of total mass of the experimental set-up. At the pressure of 2 bar, the results showed an almost doubled heat transfer coefficient compared to the atmospheric pressure frying. The knowledge of heat transfer coefficient during pressure frying is expected to allow accurate determination of temperature distribution and hence the kinetic calculations to lead to development of an alternative frying process.     

Synergistic action of transglutaminase and high pressure on chicken meat and egg gels in absence of phosphates

The effects of simultaneous application of microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) and high pressure (HP) (500, 700 and 900 MPa/40 °C/30 min), only pressure under the same conditions or heat (75 °C/30 min) were investigated on chicken batters with the addition of egg components and without phosphates. MTGase gels (700 and 900 MPa) showed marked increases in textural parameters compared to gels without enzyme (NE) or those obtained by heat. The addition of enzyme did not show differences between gels obtained at 700–900 MPa; however, gels obtained at 500 MPa were darker and more reddish than those obtained by heat. MTGase gels were more homogeneous and compact. Thermal analysis revealed that pressure levels above 700 MPa caused as much denaturing as did heat. The microstructure and texture of MTGase gels suggest that a higher amount and heterogeneity of crosslinks was produced when meat and egg proteins were treated in the presence of MTGase under specific conditions of pressure.     

High pressure calorimetry at sub-zero temperature: evaluation of the latent heat and frozen water ratio of gelatin gels

An isothermal differential high-pressure calorimeter was specifically designed and described in this study. After calibration, the apparatus was validated by measuring the latent heat of ice melting. A good agreement was observed between the experimental results and literature data. The latent heat of gelatin gels at two different dry matter contents (2 and 10% w/w) was measured at sub-zero temperatures and high pressure. The main result showed that the latent heat values were influenced by both the melting temperature and the dry matter content. A decrease of the latent heat of melting of the gels with increasing melting pressure (decreasing of the melting temperature) probably indicated a modification in the ratio of frozenable water in these gels under pressure.     

高静压对鸡肉凝胶品质影响的试验研究

通过单因素试验,在压力100~400 MPa、保压时间15 min、室温条件下,考察高静压对低盐(食盐添加量1%)鸡肉凝胶色泽、pH值、持水性与质构品质的影响。研究结果表明:200 MPa以上的高静压可导致鸡肉凝胶亮度的显著下降、以及凝胶硬度、弹性和咀嚼性的显著增加;300 MPa以上的高静压可引起鸡肉凝胶pH值和黏结性的显著升高(P<0.05);100 MPa与300 MPa压力使鸡肉凝胶的蒸煮损失率CL低于对照组,而200 MPa压力导致CL升高(P<0.05);100~400 MPa的高静压对鸡肉凝胶的保水性无显著影响(P>0.05)。因此,300 MPa的高静压可形成高硬度、高弹性与高黏结性、低CL值的低盐鸡肉糜凝胶制品。     

海带豆腐加工工艺研究

以大豆和海带为原料,采用篝合型凝固剂制作碘含量高的海带豆腐。通过正交试验考察豆浆浓度、海带添加量、凝固剂添加量3个因素对海带豆腐品质的影响。研究表明,最佳加工工艺条件为：大豆与水的比例1：4（W：V）,海带泥与豆浆的比例3：7（W：V）,凝固剂添加量0．2％。     

Flow cytometric assessment of Bacillus spore response to high pressure and heat

The physiological response of Bacillus licheniformis spores to high pressure and thermal inactivation in sodium citrate buffer and nutrient broth was investigated using multiparameter flow cytometry. Spores were treated by heat-only at 121 °C, by high pressure at 150 MPa (37 °C), or by a combined high pressure and heat treatment at 600 MPa and 77 °C, and then dual stained with the fluorescent dyes SYTO 16 and propidium iodide (PI). For pressure treated spores, but not heat-only treated spores, four distinct sub-populations were detected by flow cytometry, and for these we suggest a three step model of inactivation involving a germination step following hydrolysis of the spore cortex, an unknown step, and finally an inactivation step with physical compromise of the spore's inner membrane.

Industrial relevance

This preliminary study offers a simple and fast flow cytometric method for the rapid assessment of the physiological state of bacterial spores following high pressure and thermal processing. An improved understanding of the mechanisms of spore inactivation will aid in the food safety assessment of pressure assisted thermal sterilisation in particular, and also assist in the commercialisation of these processes facilitating adoption by industry.