Effect of low voltage electrical stimulation on biochemical and quality characteristics of Longissimus thoracis muscle from one-humped Camel (Camelus dromedaries)

The effects of electrical stimulation (90 V) 20 min post mortem on meat quality and muscle fibre types of four age group camels (1–3, 4–6, 7–9, 10–12 years) camels were assessed. Quality of the Longissimus thoracis at 1 and 7 days post mortem ageing was evaluated using shear force, pH, sarcomere length, myofibrillar fragmentation index, expressed juice, cooking loss and L^∗, a^∗, b^∗ colour values. Age of camel and electrical stimulation had a significant effect on meat quality of L. thoracis. Electrical stimulation resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) more rapid pH fall in muscle during the first 24 h after slaughter. Muscles from electrically-stimulated carcasses had significantly (P < 0.05) lower pH values, longer sarcomeres, lower shear force value, higher expressed juice and myofibrillar fragmentation index than those from non-stimulated ones. Electrically-stimulated meat was significantly (P < 0.05) lighter in colour than non-stimulated based on L^∗ value. Muscles of 1–3 year camels had a significantly (P < 0.05) lower shear force value, and pH, but longer sarcomere, and higher myofibrillar fragmentation index, expressed juice, and lightness colour (L^∗) than those of the 10–12 years camels. The proportions of Type I, Type IIA and Type IIB were 25.0, 41.1 and 33.6%, respectively were found in camel meat. Muscle samples from 1–3 year camels had significantly (P < 0.05) higher Type I and lower Type IIB fibres compared to those from 10–12 year camel samples. These results indicated that age and ES had a significant effect on camel meat quality.     

Effect of ozone processing on anthocyanins and ascorbic acid degradation of strawberry juice

Strawberry juice samples were ozonated with processing variables of ozone concentration (1.6–7.8% w/w) and treatment time (0–10 min). Effects of processing variables on anthocyanins (P3G), ascorbic acid (AA) and colour values (L^∗, a^∗, and b^∗) were determined. Significant reductions in anthocyanin content (98.2%) and ascorbic acid (85.8%) were observed at an ozone concentration of 7.8% w/w and a treatment time of 10 min. The changes in lightness (L^∗) values and total colour difference (TCD) values were fitted well to zero-order kinetics, whereas, a^∗, b^∗ followed first-order kinetics. P3G and AA were fitted to first order and fraction conversion models. The rate constants for L^∗, a^∗, b^∗ and TCD were linearly correlated with ozone concentration, whereas, P3G and AA were exponentially related.     

Near-infrared oximetry of three post-rigor skeletal muscles for following myoglobin redox forms

We investigated the response of frequency-domain multidistance (FDMD) near-infrared (NIR) tissue oximetry for detecting absolute amounts of myoglobin (Mb) redox forms and their relationship to meat colour stability. Four packaging formats were used to create different blends of Mb redox forms and meat colours during display. Changes in surface colour and subsurface pigment forms during simulated display time (0, 2, 4, and 10 d at 2 °C) were evaluated using surface reflecto-spectrophotometry (both L∗a∗b∗ and specific wavelengths) and FDMD NIR tissue oximetry. Data for both methods of direct measurement of oxymyoglobin and deoxymyoglobin were strongly related and accounted for 86–94% of the display variation in meat colour. Indirect estimates of metmyoglobin ranged from r² = 59–85%. It appears that NIR tissue oximetry has potential as a noninvasive, rapid method for the assessment of meat colour traits and may help improve our understanding of meat colour chemistry in post-rigor skeletal muscle.     

Non-destructive characterization and quality control of intact strawberries based on NIR spectral data

External and internal quality parameters of strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) were studied at harvest and during postharvest refrigerated storage using a handheld micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) near-infrared spectrophotometer. A total of 189 strawberry punnets were used to develop calibration models using various spectral signal pretreatments and linear and non-linear regression algorithms; the sampling unit for both NIRS analysis and reference methods comprised 5 strawberries from each punnet. Modified partial least squares analysis confirmed the feasibility of NIRS for predicting color-related external quality parameters (L^∗, a^∗ and C^∗) as well as firmness, soluble solid content and titratable acidity. For other tested parameters (b^∗, h^∗ and pH), the results suggested that NIRS prediction was not feasible. However, the application of a LOCAL algorithm considerably improved the ability of models to predict all the internal quality parameters studied. Use of the LOCAL algorithm proved valuable in minimizing the error in NIRS models for predicting complex internal quality parameters, mainly those related to texture and acidity. Subsequently, the ability of NIR technology to classify individual strawberries as a function of variety was tested using partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), which yielded percentages of correctly classified samples (ratio of correctly classified samples to total samples) ranging from 57% for the Camarosa variety to 78% for Antilla Fnm.     

Physicochemical and microbiological changes of “Souvlaki” – A Greek delicacy lamb meat product: Evaluation of shelf-life using microbial,colour and lipid oxidation parameters

Fresh Souvlaki-type lamb meat was packaged under vacuum (VP) and modified atmospheres (MAs) and stored under refrigeration (4 °C) for a period of 13 days. The following gas mixtures were used: M1: 30%/70% (CO₂/N₂) and M2: 70%/30% (CO₂/N₂). Identical samples were aerobically-packaged and used as control samples. Quality evaluation of product stored under the above packaging conditions was conducted using physicochemical and microbiological analyses. Of the chemical parameters determined, pH values of product showed no significant differences for all packaging treatments as a function of storage time. Lipid oxidation of lamb meat was enhanced by aerobic storage and gas mixture M1, whereas VP and gas mixture M2 controlled lipid oxidation to a greater extent. Souvlaki colour stability (as determined by a^∗, b^∗ and L^∗ values) was not negatively affected by either VP or MA conditions during the 13 days of storage. Of the two MAs and VP used, gas mixture M2 and VP were the most effective treatments for the inhibition of total viable counts (TVC), Pseudomonas spp., yeasts and Brochothrix thermosphacta in Souvlaki meat. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Enterobacteriaceae were also found in the microbial flora of Souvlaki and increased during storage under all packaging conditions used. Based on microbiological analysis data and on the proposed a^∗ values, the use of VP and MAP (M2: 70%CO₂/30N₂) extended the shelf-life of “Souvlaki” meat stored at 4 °C by approximately 4–5 days compared to aerobic packaging.     

Mining data from milk infrared spectroscopy to improve feed intake predictions in lactating dairy cows

Feed intake is one of the most important components of feed efficiency in dairy systems. However, it is a difficult trait to measure in commercial operations for individual cows. Milk spectrum from mid-infrared spectroscopy has been previously used to predict milk traits, and could be an alternative to predict dry matter intake (DMI). The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate if milk spectra can improve DMI predictions based only on cow variables; (2) to compare artificial neural network (ANN) and partial least squares (PLS) predictions; and (3) to evaluate if wavelength (WL) selection through Bayesian network (BN) improves prediction quality. Milk samples (n = 1,279) from 308 mid-lactation dairy cows [127 ± 27 d in milk (DIM)] were collected between 2014 and 2016. For each milk spectra time point, DMI (kg/d), body weight (BW, kg), milk yield (MY, kg/d), fat (%), protein (%), lactose (%), and actual DIM were recorded. The DMI was predicted with ANN and PLS using different combinations of explanatory variables. Such combinations, called covariate sets, were as follows: set 1 (MY, BW^0.75, DIM, and 361 WL); set 2 [MY, BW^0.75, DIM, and 33 WL (WL selected by BN)]; set 3 (MY, BW^0.75, DIM, and fat, protein, and lactose concentrations); set 4 (MY, BW^0.75, DIM, 33 WL, fat, protein, and lactose); set 5 (MY, BW^0.75, DIM, 33 WL, and visit duration in the feed bunk); set 6 (MY, DIM, and 33 WL); set 7 (MY, BW^0.75, and DIM); set-WL (included 361 WL); and set-BN (included just 33 selected WL). All models (i.e., each combination of covariate set and fitting approach, ANN or PLS) were validated with an external data set. The use of ANN improved the performance of models 2, 5, 6, and BN. The use of BN combined with ANN yielded the highest accuracy and precision. The addition of individual WL compared with milk components (set 2 vs. set 3) did not improve prediction quality when using PLS. However, when ANN was employed, the model prediction with the inclusion of 33 WL was improved over the model containing only milk components (set 2 vs. set 3; concordance correlation coefficient = 0.80 vs. 0.72; coefficient of determination = 0.67 vs. 0.53; root mean square error of prediction 2.36 vs. 2.81 kg/d). The use of ANN and the inclusion of a behavior parameter, set 5, resulted in the best predictions compared with all other models (coefficient of determination = 0.70, concordance correlation coefficient = 0.83, root mean square error of prediction = 2.15 kg/d). The addition of milk spectra information to models containing cow variables improved the accuracy and precision of DMI predictions in lactating dairy cows when ANN was used. The use of BN to select more informative WL improved the model prediction when combined with cow variables, with further improvement when combined with ANN.     

Effects of stunning with different carbon dioxide concentrations and exposure times on suckling lamb meat quality

Forty-nine Manchega breed male suckling lambs were used to determine the effect of different stunning methods (using two different CO₂ concentrations and exposure times) on lamb meat quality. The lambs were allocated to five stunning treatments including four CO₂ treatments [80% CO₂ for 90 s (G1); 90% CO₂ for 90 s (G2); 90% CO₂ for 60 s (G3); 80% CO₂ for 60 s (G4)] and an electrically stunned control group (G5). The gas-stunning treatments did not cause neither haematomas nor blood splash in the carcasses. Meat quality was evaluated by testing pH, colour (L^∗, a^∗, b^∗, chroma, hue values), water holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss (CL), shear force (SF), drip loss (DL) and total aerobic bacteria. Statistical differences in pH at 24 h post-mortem, colour, WHC and CL were not found among groups. After 7 days post-mortem, there were statistical differences among groups in pH (highest in G4 and G5) and in DL (highest in G1). There were differences in SF due to stunning method evident after 72 h and 7 days ageing. The statistical differences (P < 0.01) among groups on total aerobic bacteria at 24 h (lower and higher values in G2 and G5, respectively) disappeared at 7 days post-mortem. As G2 as G3, could be recommended to stunning suckling lambs since a highest stability with ageing time on meat quality was found using 90% CO₂.     

Relationship between consumer ranking of lamb colour and objective measures of colour

Given the lack of data that relates consumer acceptance of lamb colour to instrument measures a study was undertaken to establish the acceptability thresholds for fresh and displayed meat. Consumers (n = 541) were asked to score 20 samples of lamb loin (m.longissimus thoracis et lumborum; LL) on an ordinal scale of 1 (very acceptable) to 5 (very unacceptable). A sample was considered acceptable by a consumer if it scored three or less. Ten samples were used for testing consumer response to fresh colour and 10 to test consumer response to colour during display of up to 4 days. The colour of fresh meat was measured using a Minolta chromameter with a closed cone and a Hunter Lab Miniscan was used for measuring meat on display. For fresh meat when the a^∗ (redness) and L^∗ (lightness) values are equal to or exceed 9.5 and 34, respectively, on average consumers will consider the meat colour acceptable. However a^∗ and L^∗ values must be much higher (14.5 and 44, respectively) to have 95% confidence that a randomly selected consumer will consider a sample acceptable. For aged meat, when the wavelength ratio (630/580 nm) and the a^∗ values are equal to or greater than 3.3 and 14.8, respectively, on average consumers will consider the meat acceptable. These thresholds need to be increased to 6.8 for ratio (630/580 nm) and 21.7 for a^∗ to be 95% confident that a randomly selected consumer will consider a sample acceptable.     

On-line application of visible and near infrared reflectance spectroscopy to predict chemical–physical and sensory characteristics of beef quality

The aim of this study was to assess the on-line implementation of visible and near infrared reflectance (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy as an early predictor of beef quality traits, by direct application of a fibre-optic probe to the muscle immediately after exposing the meat surface in the abattoir. Samples from M.longissimus thoracis from 194 heifers and steers were scanned at quartering 48 h postmortem over the Vis-NIR spectral range from 350 to 1800 nm. Thereafter, samples from M.longissimus thoraciset lumborum were analysed for colour (L^∗, a^∗, b^∗; 48 h postmortem), cooking loss (14 days postmortem), instrumental texture (Volodkevitch, 10 days aged meat; slice shear force, 3 and 14 days aged meat) and sensory characteristics. Vis-NIR calibrations, tested by cross-validation, showed high predictability for L^∗, a^∗ and b^∗ (R² = 0.86, 0.86 and 0.91; SE_CV = 0.96, 0.95 and 0.69, respectively). The accuracy of Vis-NIR to estimate cooking loss and instrumental texture ranged from R² = 0.31 to 0.54, suggesting relatively low prediction ability. Sensory characteristics assessed on 14 days aged meat samples showed R² in the range from 0.21 (juiciness) to 0.59 (flavour). Considering the subjective assessment of sensory characteristics the correlations of Vis-NIR measurements and several meat quality traits in the range from 0.46 to 0.95 support the use of on-line Vis-NIR in the abattoir. Improvement of predictability was achieved if only extreme classes of meat characteristics have to be predicted by Vis-NIR spectroscopy.     

Effect of sonication on colour,ascorbic acid and yeast inactivation in tomato juice

Power ultrasound is recognised as a potential non-thermal technique to inactivate micro-organisms pertinent to fruit juices. In this study tomato juice was sonicated at different amplitude levels (24.4–61.0 μm) at a constant frequency of 20 kHz for treatment times (2–10 min) and pulse durations of 5 s on and 5 s off. Hunter colour values (L∗, a∗ and b∗), pH, °Brix, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid and yeast inactivation were measured. No significant differences (p < 0.05) in pH, °Brix or titratable acidity were observed. Regression modelling was used to investigate the main effects of amplitude level and treatment time. Prediction models were found to be significant (p < 0.05) with low standard errors and high coefficients of determination (R²). Model predictions for critical quality parameters of Hunter colour values (L∗, a∗ and b∗), ascorbic acid and yeast inactivation were closely correlated with the experimental results obtained.     

Mathematical approach for two component modeling of salep–starch mixtures using central composite rotatable design: Part II. Dynamic oscillatory shear properties and applicability of Cox–Merz rule

Dynamic shear rheological properties of salep–corn starch mixture (SCSM), salep–wheat starch mixture (SWSM) and salep–potato starch mixture (SPSM) samples were determined using a 2-factor-5-level Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD). Salep increased loss modulus (G″) values, and decreased loss tangent (tan δ) values of only SCSM; however, all starch types increased the storage (G′), loss (G″), complex (G^∗) modulus, complex viscosity (η^*) values and decreased tan δ values. At various salep and starch combination levels, a remarkable synergistic effect was observed in the dynamic shear properties. Potato starch exhibited completely different rheological performance in terms of G′, G″ and η^∗ values. Salep did not obey the Cox–Merz rule; however, a modified Cox–Merz rule was applicable for SCSM and SPSM samples. The ridge analysis revealed that maximum G′, G″, η^* and G^∗ values for the SCSM, SWSM and SPSM samples would occur at salep = 0.54% and 0.26%, respectively, and each starch type = 2.83%.     

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.     

Carotenoid contents of extruded and non-extruded sweetpotato flours from Papua New Guinea and Australia

Carotenoid contents of extruded and non-extruded flours of Papua New Guinean and Australian sweetpotato cultivars were studied, using spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The cultivars differed (p < 0.05) in their total carotenoid and β-carotene contents, and the Original Beauregard cultivar had the highest total carotenoid and β-carotene contents among the cultivars. The spectrophotometry (84–1720 μg/g solids) method generally over-estimated the total carotenoid content compared to the more specific HPLC (23–355 μg/g solids) method. Extrusion significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the ΔL^∗ Hunter colour values, while the Δa^∗, Δb^∗, total colour change (ΔE), chroma (CR), and browning indices (BI) increased. With the extruder and screw configuration used, extrusion at 40% moisture and 300 rpm screw speed retained carotenoid maximally at more than 80%. This study reports, for the first time, carotenoids of flours from south Pacific sweetpotato cultivars, and carotenoid retention during extrusion.     

Apoptosis during postmortem conditioning and its relationship to duck meat quality

The aim of this work was to examine the relationship of skeletal muscle apoptosis and postmortem development of meat quality. Colour, cooking loss, myofibril fragmentation index (MFI) and shear force of duck breast and thigh meat postmortem were measured, and changes of positive nuclei were assessed with Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphophate nick end-labelling method (TUNEL). Correlation analysis revealed that apoptosis were positively correlated with colour (L^∗, a^∗ and b^∗), cooking loss and MFI (P < 0.05), while it is negatively correlated with shear force (P < 0.05). Our results indicate the growing level of duck skeletal muscle cell apoptosis was associated with the postmortem development of meat quality traits such as meat colour, water holding capacity and tenderness.     

Evaluation of the non-enzymatic browning in thermally processed apple juice by front-face fluorescence spectroscopy

Fresh apple juice was heated at 95 °C for 30 and 60 min, and then stored for 6 days for obtaining different extent of non-enzymatic browning. Front-face fluorescence excitation–emission-matrix (EEM) with excitation at 355 and 400 nm and emission ranges of 385–600, and 430–600 nm was used to measure the juice samples. The sign test pointed out an enhanced sensitivity of EEM compared to commonly used browning indicators, such as non-enzymatic browning index (NEBI), color readings in L^∗a^∗b^∗ space, and the concentration of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Using the fluorescence data, the correctness of classifications of fresh juice, heated juice, and stored juice were >85%. Multivariate analyses were applied to study the relations of fluorescence emission spectra and common indicators. For predicting NEBI, b^∗, and HMF, the correlation coefficients were >0.80. Resulting, the spectroscopic analyses of fluorescent neoformed products such as HMF provide a feasible approach to monitor non-enzymatic browning of juice.     

Effect of frozen storage conditions (temperature and length of storage) on microbiological and sensory quality of rustic crossbred beef at different states of ageing

The effect of frozen storage conditions on meat from 36 Morucha × Charolais crossbred yearlings was studied. Slices of M. Longissimus thoracis were randomly assigned to groups arising from the combination of experimental factors. These factors were: ageing extent (3 and 10 days), length of frozen storage (0, 30, 75 and 90 days) and temperature (−20 and −80 °C). Regarding microbiological counts, although values were acceptable in all cases, longer storage time and longer previous ageing extent provided higher phychrotrophic bacteria counts. As frozen storage period increased, colorimetric parameters L^∗, a^∗ and C^∗ decreased, but H^∗ increased. Regarding Warner–Braztler shear force and tenderness values, an interaction (p < 0.05) between frozen storage and post-mortem ageing resulted from larger differences between frozen storage periods at shorter ageing periods than those at longer ageing periods. Frozen storage for 90 days resulted in a reduction in water holding capacity, without differences in juiciness. No effect of freezing temperature was observed in any of the parameters studied.     

Use of multivariate techniques in studying the flour making properties of some CMD resistant cassava clones

High quality cassava flour (HQCF) is one of the primary products of raw cassava root that has continued to find wider food application in Nigeria. In this study, some 43 newly developed cassava mosaic disease (CMD) resistant clones of cassava were screened based on some physical (flour yield, bulk density, and tri-stimulus colour characteristics (L^∗, a^∗, b^∗, Chroma and Hue)), chemical (moisture, protein, ash, starch, amylose, sugar contents, TTA, pH, and cyanogenic potential), functional (water and oil absorption capacities, water solubility, swelling power, least gelation capacity, diastatic activity, percent damaged starch, and alkaline water retention), and pasting properties. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that all properties measured varied significantly (P < 0.001). The flours had a wider range of starch content (65–88%), amylose content (13–23%), water absorption capacity (136–224%), diastatic activity (128–354 mg maltose), peak viscosity (77–328 RVU), final viscosity (56–217 RVU), and trough (32–152). Due to the peculiarity of the experimental data generated, two protocols of applying multivariate statistical techniques were evaluated for discriminating the cassava clones. By first applying principal component analysis (PCA), followed by cluster analysis (CA) and finally, discriminant function analysis (DFA) of the experimental data, it was possible to achieve about 87% correct classification of the cassava clones. The final viscosity and diastatic activity of the flours were found to be the most important variables for classifying the cassava clones.     

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.     

A comparison of artificial neural networks and partial least squares modelling for the rapid detection of the microbial spoilage of beef fillets based on Fourier transform infrared spectral fingerprints

A series of partial least squares (PLS) models were employed to correlate spectral data from FTIR analysis with beef fillet spoilage during aerobic storage at different temperatures (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 °C) using the dataset presented by Argyri et al. (2010). The performance of the PLS models was compared with a three-layer feed-forward artificial neural network (ANN) developed using the same dataset. FTIR spectra were collected from the surface of meat samples in parallel with microbiological analyses to enumerate total viable counts. Sensory evaluation was based on a three-point hedonic scale classifying meat samples as fresh, semi-fresh, and spoiled. The purpose of the modelling approach employed in this work was to classify beef samples in the respective quality class as well as to predict their total viable counts directly from FTIR spectra. The results obtained demonstrated that both approaches showed good performance in discriminating meat samples in one of the three predefined sensory classes. The PLS classification models showed performances ranging from 72.0 to 98.2% using the training dataset, and from 63.1 to 94.7% using independent testing dataset. The ANN classification model performed equally well in discriminating meat samples, with correct classification rates from 98.2 to 100% and 63.1 to 73.7% in the train and test sessions, respectively. PLS and ANN approaches were also applied to create models for the prediction of microbial counts. The performance of these was based on graphical plots and statistical indices (bias factor, accuracy factor, root mean square error). Furthermore, results demonstrated reasonably good correlation of total viable counts on meat surface with FTIR spectral data with PLS models presenting better performance indices compared to ANN.     

Nigella sativa L.: Chemical composition and physicochemical characteristics of lipid fraction

Physicochemical properties of two Nigella seed varieties, having a Tunisian and Iranian origin, were determined. Physical and chemical analyses of crude oils extracted from the seeds by a cold solvent method were also performed. The following results (on a dry-weight basis) were obtained for Tunisian and Iranian varieties, respectively: protein 26.7% and 22.6%, oil 28.48% and 40.35%, ash 4.86% and 4.41%, and total carbohydrate 40.0% and 32.7%. The major unsaturated fatty acids were linoleic acid (50.3–49.2%), followed by oleic acid (25.0–23.7%), while the main saturated fatty acid was palmitic acid (17.2–18.4%). Myristic, myristoleic, palmitoleic, margaric, margaroleic, stearic, linolenic, arachidic, eicosenoic, behenic and lignoceric acids were also detected. Thermal profiles of both Nigella seed varieties, determined by their DSC melting curves, revealed different thermograms. Sensorial profiles of Tunisian and Iranian seed oils were defined through the CieLab (L^∗, a^∗, b^∗) colour, oxidative stability by Rancimat test and viscosity. Physicochemical properties of the oils for Tunisian and Iranian varieties, respectively, include: saponification number 211 and 217, peroxide value 5.65 and 4.35, iodine index 120 and 101, and an acidity of 22.7% and 18.6%. Results suggested that Nigella seed oil could deserve further consideration and investigation as a potential new multi-purpose product for industrial, cosmetic and pharmaceutical uses.