RHEOLOGICAL INDICES OF FRUIT CONTENT IN JAMS: EFFECT OF FORMULATION ON FLOW PLASTICITY OF SHEARED STRAWBERRY AND PEACH JAMS

The effect of formulation factors on Casson yield values measured at low shear rates (0.08 ≤γ≤ 1.01s^-1) (σ₀₁) and at medium shear rates (2.58 ≤γ≤ 387.30s^-1) (σ₀₂) was analyzed in previously sheared strawberry and peach jams. Twenty three samples of each fruit jam were prepared according to a second order composite rotatable design. Composition ranges were: fruit content, 25–55%; soluble solids content, 60–70° Brix; added pectin in strawberry jams, 0.3–0.7% and in peach jams, 0.1–0.5%. Variation of σ₀₁ values in strawberry jams depended mainly on the interactions between fruit and soluble solids and between fruit and pectin, while in peach jams, it depended on fruit-soluble solids and soluble solids-pectin interactions. Patterns of change of σ₀₂ values with composition were similar to those observed for σ₀₁ in both strawberry and peach jams. Predictive power of σ₀₁ and σ₀₂ values for estimation of fruit content was low, but taken in conjunction with soluble solids content and total pectin values, 79.5% of the variability of fruit content in strawberry jams and 91.1% of same in peach jams could be explained.     

The Binding of H2O2-Generated Fe(III) to Bifidobacterium thermophilum Depends on the Method of its Production

ABSTRACT: Fe(OH)₃ was produced from Fe(II) and H₂O₂ by methods associated with high and low free radical activity. More Fe(OH)₃ became bound to Bifidobacterium thermophilum when the former type of method was used, and protoplasting experiments indicated that binding to both the cell walls and membranes was enhanced. Binding to cell walls was instantaneous, whilst that by the membranes increased with time using both methods. Al(III), a lipid peroxidation enhancer, increased Fe(OH)₃ binding by membranes only. It was concluded that B. thermophilum is able to abate increased activity of free radicals not only by scavenging them, but also by removing iron from their environment.     

Comparison of a computer evaluation with a standard evaluation of retort pouch thermal processing

Flexible retort pouches (188x127x25.4 mm) filled with 10% bentonite suspension, tomato ketchup and potato puree were processed under computer control using steam-air or hot water, and the heating/cooling curves and thermal diffusivities were determined. A computer method, developed for the evaluation of the thermal process using the one-dimensional heat conduction equation, was used to calculate F ₀ values which were then compared with those obtained using the General- and the Stumbo's Formula methods. Temperatures at the pouch centre estimated by the Formula- and the Computer method were in good agreement with those obtained experimentally. The F ₀ values estimated by the computer method were closer to the F ₀ values estimated by the General method than those obtained by the Formula method.     

PURIFICATION OF THE ANTI-LISTERIAL BACTERIOCINLIKE INHIBITORY SUBSTANCE PRODUCED BY ENTEROCOCCUS FAECIUM 108

Extracellular antimicrobial substances produced by certain enterococci inhibit Listeria monocytogenes. Enterococcus faecium 108, a competitive food isolate, produced a heat-stable and protease-sensitive anti -L. monocytogenes bacteriocin-like substance (Ef108) in Listeria selective enrichment broth and other media. Ef108 activity was purified to homogeneity by a four-step procedure including (NH₄)₂SO₄ fractionation, chromatography on anion exchange QSepharose column, and two Superose 12 gel filtration columns. In activities represented by two peaks (Ef108A and Ef108B), 90% of the crude activity was due to peak B. Ef108A is believed to be a variable aggregate of the active moiety in Ef108B. All Listeria spp. and five L. monocytogenes serotypes were inhibited by Ef108B in several media including Listeria enrichment medium. The Ef108 activity may be due to a bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance produced by E. faecium 108 that may suppress the growth and predominance of Listeria monocytogenes during selective enrichment .     

TEXTURAL PARAMETERS IN COMPRESSION TESTING OF A GEL MADE FROM FRESH AND FROZEN FISH MINCE

The relation between deformability modulus and yield stress is evaluated in compression testing of a model product made from fresh and frozen stored mince of cod. The experiments were performed with a compression rate of 120 mm/min. Preliminary experiments showed decreasing values of yield stress when compression rates were below 50 mm/min. Two moduli were calculated from the slope of the compression curve; α₁, initially (small deformations) and α₂ in a linear part of the curve shortly before rupture of the gel. α₂ was linearly related to yield stress in gels of different water content, and in gels made from fresh and frozen raw material. α₁ showed different relations to yield stress depending on quality of the raw material.     

Feasibility of utilizing bioindicators for testing microbial inactivation in sweetpotato purees processed with a continuous-flow microwave system

ABSTRACT:  Continuous-flow microwave heating has potential in aseptic processing of various food products, including purees from sweetpotatoes and other vegetables. Establishing the feasibility of a new processing technology for achieving commercial sterility requires evaluating microbial inactivation. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of using commercially available plastic pouches of bioindicators containing spores of Geobacillius stearothermophilus ATCC 7953 and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 35021 for evaluating the degree of microbial inactivation achieved in vegetable purees processed in a continuous-flow microwave heating unit. Sweetpotato puree seeded with the bioindicators was subjected to 3 levels of processing based on the fastest particles: undertarget process ( F ₀ approximately 0.65), target process ( F ₀ approximately 2.8), and overtarget process ( F ₀ approximately 10.10). After initial experiments, we found it was necessary to engineer a setup with 2 removable tubes connected to the continuous-flow microwave system to facilitate the injection of indicators into the unit without interrupting the puree flow. Using this approach, 60% of the indicators injected into the system could be recovered postprocess. Spore survival after processing, as evaluated by use of growth indicator dyes and standard plating methods, verified inactivation of the spores in sweetpotato puree. The log reduction results for B. subtilis were equivalent to the predesigned degrees of sterilization ( F ₀). This study presents the first report suggesting that bioindicators such as the flexible, food-grade plastic pouches can be used for microbial validation of commercial sterilization in aseptic processing of foods using a continuous-flow microwave system.     

APPLICATION OF CHLORINE TO REDUCE POPULATIONS OF ESCHERICHIA COLI ON BEEF

The effects of chlorine against 2 strains of E. coli attached to the surface of beef carcass tissue (BCT) were examined using a model carcass washer. Lean and adipose BCT with approximately 5 log ₁₀ CFU/cm ² E. coli bacteria were spray-treated with water and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) to give chlorine concentrations of 50, 100, 250, 500, or 800ppm, incubated for 24 h, 4C, and E. coli populations enumerated. Spray treatments with water did significantly (P < 0.05) reduce the bacterial populations of either organism attached to lean or adipose BCT, as compared to populations of controls; however, reductions were less than 0.60 log ₁₀ CFU/cm ². Treatments with 500 and 800 ppm chlorine against E. coli ATCC 25922 attached to BCT resulted in the greatest reductions of 1.22 and 1.28 log ₁₀ CFU/cm ², respectively. At 800 ppm chlorine , E. coli O157:H7 ATCC 43895 attached to BCT was reduced by 1.04 log ₁₀ CFU/cm ², whereas spray treatments with 50, 100, 250, and 500 ppm chlorine resulted in reductions of < 1 log ₁₀ CFU/cm ². Spray treatments with chlorine from sodium hypochlorite solutions reduced populations of E. coli, however, these reductions were not sufficient to completely inactivate the bacteria attached to red meat .     

INFLUENCE OF MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING ON SHELF-LIFE OF CHICKEN CARCASSES UNDER REFRIGERATED STORAGE CONDITIONS

The effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) (70% CO₂/30% N₂; 30% CO₂/70% N₂) on the shelf-life of fresh chicken carcasses stored at 2, 4, 7 and 9C was investigated. The shelf-lives of MAP carcasses (70% CO₂/30%N₂) stored at 2, 4, 7 and 9C were 25, 21, 12 and 8 days, respectively compared with 7 days for air-packaged ones stored at 4C; the shelf-life of MAP carcasses (30% CO₂/70%N₂) stored at the same temperatures were 20, 15, 8 and 8 days, respectively. The inhibitory effect of MAP on the growth of Enterobacteriaceae and on the production of spoilage metabolites, such as free fatty acids and extract release volume, was negligible at higher temperatures (7 and 9C) and more pronounced at lower temperatures (2 and 4C), especially at higher concentrations of CO₂ (70% CO₂/30% N₂). The occurrence and growth of organisms such as Escherichia coli, coliforms , Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and Campylobacter in carcasses stored at different temperatures were also documented .     

Influence of vitamin E supplementation on spontaneous oxidized flavour of milk in dairy buffaloes

Twenty-four Murrah buffaloes (60 days pre-partum) were divided into four equal groups (T ₁ , T ₂ , T ₃ and T ₄ ) and were supplemented with 0, 1000, 1500 and 2000 IU α-tocopheryl acetate per day up to 30 days of lactation, and half of these doses from 30 to 60 days of lactation. Milk samples collected fortnightly were analysed for vitamin E, fat, and development of oxidized flavour, with and without copper addition by a panel of judges, and chemically by the thiobarbituric acid test. Scores for oxidized flavour ranged from 0 to 10 with 0–4 as definite, 5–7 as light and 8–10 having no defect. The α-tocopherol content in milk fat (µg/g) averaged 20.55, 25.56, 29.98 and 31.38 in T ₁ , T ₂ , T ₃ and T ₄ groups, respectively. The addition of Cu in the milk significantly increased milk fat oxidation. Better stability of milk in T ₃ and T ₄ groups was observed, which might be due to a higher level of milk α-tocopherol. Addition of 1500 IU α-tocopheryl acetate in the diet of buffaloes helped in improving the oxidative stability of milk.     

Artificial neural network modeling for temperature and moisture content prediction in tomato slices undergoing microwave-vacuum drying

ABSTRACT:  Inputs for ANN (multihidden-layer feed-forward artificial neural network) models were drying time ( t _{i + 1}), initial temperature ( T ₀), moisture content ( MC ₀), microwave power, and vacuum pressure. The outputs were temperature ( T _{i + 1}) and moisture content ( MC _{i + 1}) at a given t _{i + 1}. After training the ANN models with experimental data using the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm, a two-hidden-layer model (25-25) was determined to be the most appropriate model. The mean relative error (MRE) and mean absolute error (MAE) of this model for T _{i + 1} were 1.53% and 0.77 °C, respectively. In the case of MC _{i + 1}, the MRE and MAE were 11.48% and 0.04 kg_water/kg_dry, respectively. Using temperature ( T _i ) and moisture content ( MC _i ) values at t _i in the input layer significantly reduced the computation errors such that MRE and MAE for T _{i + 1} were 0.35% and 0.18 °C, respectively. In contrast, these error values for MC _{i + 1} were 1.78% (MRE) and 0.01 kg_water/kg_dry (MAE). These results indicate that ANN models were able to recognize relationships between process parameters and product conditions. The model may provide information regarding microwave power and vacuum pressure to prevent thermal damage and improve drying efficiencies.     

PHYSICAL AND MICROBIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PORK LOINS IN MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGES

Bone-in pork loins (n = 45) were selected from a commercial facility, subjected to one of three gas flush packaging treatments: NC: 75% N₂, 25% CO₂; ONC₁: 45% 0₂, 35% N₂, 20% CO₂; ONC₂: 66% O₂, 9% N₂, 25% CO₂, and stored for 7, 14 or 21 days at 0±2C. After storage, treatment and storage effects on visual evaluations, storage characteristics, microbial analysis and retail display characteristics were determined. The ONC¹ and ONC²treated loins had less discoloration after 21 days than NC treated loins, and NC treated chops had the least desirable retail display characteristics (P < 0.05). Fewer (P < 0.05) lactic acid producing bacteria (day 21) were found on NC treated loins, resulting in chops with a shorter retail shelf-life. These results indicate that higher oxygen levels (45 and 66%) are necessary for the modified atmosphere storage of fresh pork loins for 21 days.     

Low resolution pulse nuclear magnetic resonance study of water equilibration in dried carrots

Samples taken during air drying of carrots were analysed after different equilibration times. Low resolution NMR measurements were made and the longitudinal ( T ₁) and the transverse ( T ₂) relaxation times calculated. Both T ₁ and T ₂ decreased with the equilibration time for water contents above 0.30 and 0.47 kg water kg^-1 dry matter, respectively. The decrease in relaxation time increased with the water content. For the same water contents, grated carrots gave lower T ₁ values and smaller T ₁ decreases with equilibration time than 3-mm cubes. Low resolution NMR is a technique which is well suited to the monitoring of the tempering phases of industrial drying cycles.     

Determination of a process time for a new product: canned low acid artichoke hearts

In order to obtain a process time for canned low acid artichoke hearts, the heat resistance of Clostridium sporogenes PA 3679 in phosphate buffer (pH 7) and in artichoke puree (pH 5.2) was determined in the range of 100–118°C. D _T values in artichoke puree were determined by the most probable number and plate count methods. D _121°C values were deduced by extrapolation of the curves. An F 8.3/121 (see nomenclature section) target value of 1.8 min, equivalent to an F ₀= 2.5 min, was established considering a D _121°C value of 0.36 min for artichoke puree. The cold point for canned artichoke hearts in 1/2 kg (71.5x117 mm) cans was determined, a set of heat penetration and cooling curves were obtained and the values of the parameters ' j ' and ' f ' were found. A process time was deduced, 21.5 and 23 min of heating at 121°C, following the methods of Patashnik (1954) and Hayakawa (1970, 1974) respectively, in order to reach the F ₀ target of 2.5 min for this new canned food. This process was adequate, as the inoculated experimental pack test showed no altered cans out of 50 inoculated after 21.5 min of heating at 121°C.     

COMPARISON OF STEADY SHEAR RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND SMALL AMPLITUDE DYNAMIC VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES OF FLUID FOOD MATERIALS

Small amplitude dynamic viscoelastic properties of apple butter, mustard, tub margarine, and mayonnaise are compared with their respective properties in steady shear flow in the range of shear rates and frequencies of 0.1-100 sec⁻¹ using a Rheometrics Mechanical Spectrometer. Comparison of dynamic and steady viscosities shows that dynamic viscosities (η*) are much larger than steady viscosities (η). Consequently the Cox-Merz rule is not obeyed. Moreover the obvious nonlinearity suggests that shift-factor type relationships are not obeyed either. The in-phase (η') component of the dynamic viscosity shows similar behavior when compared to the steady viscosity (η).
Comparison of G'/ω² and Ψ₁ also suggests that any of the results predicted by classical theories of viscoelasticity are not obeyed. G'/ω² is always much larger than Ψ₁ and the relationship between these two material functions is nonlinear.     

THEORETICAL APPROACH FOR THE CALCULATION OF RADIATION D10-VALUE

In the design of the food irradiation process, the knowledge of the radiation resistance of the target organism in the specific food commodity is required. The D ₁₀-value, the radiation dose needed to inactivate 90% of the microbial load in the food medium, is used to relate the amount of absorbed energy to the fractional population of the viable cells. Numerous experimental studies have been performed to determine the D ₁₀ values of several food borne microorganisms irradiated under various conditions. Nevertheless, accurate prediction of D ₁₀ value for a radiation treatment of a food product that has not been empirically examined can not be made due to insufficient understanding of the biological response to radiation exposure.
A theoretical model for the derivation of the D ₁₀-value has been proposed in this study to mechanistically assess the DNA damage by energetic electrons. The step-by-step Monte-Carlo simulation technique which employed the detailed histories of the ionizing particles and the radiolytic species was utilized. The impacts of the genomic sequence, the number of the genome equivalents, and the method of DNA double strand break determination were hypothetically investigated. The developed computational methodology as well as the results presented can be used as an analytical tool to evaluate the effect of ionizing radiation on the cell survival.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The presented methodology can be employed as an investigative technique complementary to other approaches to understand the physical, chemical and biological changes in food-born pathogens exposed to e-beam.     

QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF METMYOGLOBIN AND TOTAL PIGMENT IN AN INTACT MEAT SAMPLE USING REFLECTANCE SPECTROPHOTOMETRY

SUMMARY— A technique for determining the relative quantities of oxymyoglobin, metmyoglobin and total pigment concentration at the surface of on intact meat sample was developed. A Beck-man DK-2 spectrophotometer with reflectance attachment was used and spectra were recorded on the R_A scale. The sample port of the spectrophotometer was modified so that a uniform and high intensity light beam measuring 0.5 × 0.6 cm reached the surface being evaluated. A sample holder was constructed so that known proportions of oxygenated and oxidized meat could be exposed to the light beam. A family of curves representing varying known amounts of metmyoglobin and oxymyoglobin were obtained. The height of the peak at 632 nm (ΔR_A632) was directly related to the amount of metmyoglobin at the surface of the meat sample. For 100% oxymyoglobin, ΔR_A632 was at a minimum and equal to R_A750. For 100% metmyoglobin, ΔR_A632 was at a maximum and the height of the response depended upon the amount of total pigment present. A linear relation was obtained when ΔR_A362 was plotted against percent metmyoglobin or against total pigment determined by the Hornsey (1956) method. The method requires making two readings of the meat samples at a single wave length. One reading of the sample followed by one reading of the same sample after oxidation with K₃ Fe(CN)₆ provides a quantitative evaluation of the metmyoglobin concentration and the total heme pigment concentration. The accuracy of the method may be improved by making multiple readings.     

INFLUENCE OF TIME THICKENING ON THE WHIPPABILITY OF CREAMS

Flow properties of creams containing milk fat (Cream A), vegetable fat (Cream C), and vegetable fat plus milk fat (Cream B) were determined with a coaxial cylinder viscometer for a wide range of shear rates. All creams examined showed time thickening. The viscosity increase with shearing time was expressed by two stage equations as follows: (1) (1) where η_o and η_t are cream viscosity at zero and t shearing time, K₁ and K₂ are rate constants and C₁ and C₂ are constants. The first stage (Eq. 1) was assumed to occur in the course of primary clustering of the independent fat globules, and the second stage (Eq. 2) was assumed to occur in the course of coagulation of the fat globule clusters. Both K₁ and K₂ increased as shear rate increased.
At the same time, the whippability of each cream was determined with a household mixer to which was attached a strain gauge transducer unit for measuring consistency of the whipped creams. There was a tendency for a higher ratio of milk fat/vegetable fat in the creams to decrease the whipping time or to increase whippability of the creams.
Correlations of stability, whippability, and flow properties were examined. A cream which was high stability showed a low K₁ value, and a cream which has high whippability showed a high K₂ value. K₁ and K₂ values at a suitable shear rate will be quite helpful in the determination of the physical properties of cream.     

Change in the Status of Water in Japanese Noodles During and After Boiling Observed by NMR Micro Imaging

ABSTRACT: A correlation between moisture content (M, g water/ g dry matter) and transverse relaxation time ( T ₂) of water protons in standard wheat gel samples was established by NMR. Changes in moisture distribution in Japanese noodles were estimated from T ₂ of water protons obtained by NMR micro imaging using the correlation. Penetration of water from the surface to the core during boiling and homogenization of moisture content after boiling were clearly observed in the MR images and moisture profile. A local minimum of T ₂ of water protons was detected in the moisture profile of noodles boiled in tap water.     

THE MOLECULAR WEIGHT OF α-AMYLASE INHIBITOR FROM WHITE BEAN cv 858B (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L.) IS 56 kDa, NOT 20 kDa

The molecular weights (M_rs) of α-amylase inhibitors (αAIs)fiom 18 (Ah) bean cultivars estimated by Superose 12 gelfiltration chromatography were 22–62% smaller than those determined by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration and by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) methods. αAI-4 from WKB cultivar 858B was purified and the Mr was shown to be 51.0 kDa based on Sephadex G-100 gel filtration chromatography and by PAGE. A M_r for aAI-4 of 56.714 kDa was determined by laser-assisted time-of-flight mass spectrometry and appears to be the true M_r of the mature glycosylated active aAI-4. The results show that Superose 12 gelfiltration chromatography is not usefulfor M_r determination of some proteins. Sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed that the 56.7 kDa aAI-4 molecule dissociated into 45.0, 33.6,15.2 and 12.4 kDa submolecules, with only the two small subunits, a and β, present at high SDS concentration. This provides evidence that the aAI-4 molecules composition is α₂β².     

Relationship between energies of water sorption and diffusion in grains

The relationship between activation energy for diffusion, E _D and the BET heat of sorption, E ₁, was determined from literature data for maize, rice, sorghum, soybean and wheat and gave E _D/ E ₁= 0.5. Given that E _D < E ₁, diffusion was interpreted in terms of a mechanism involving the hopping of water molecules from one adsorption site to another.