Sweetening power of aspartame in hydrocolloids gels: Influence of texture

Equivalent sweetness of aspartame relative to two sucrose concentrations (10% and 20% w/w) were determined in water and in hydrocolloids gels. The influence of the texture of three hydrocolloids gelled systems—gellan gum, κ-carrageenan, and κ-carrageenan/locust bean gum (LBG)—at two gums concentrations (0.3% and 1.2% w/w) on the equivalent sweetness of aspartame were then studied. For the three gelled systems, the increase in hydrocolloid concentration produced a significant increase in the true rupture stress and in the deformability modulus values. For both κ-carrageenan and mixed gels the true rupture strain values increased when increasing hydrocolloid concentration while for gellan gels, decreased. For the same hydrocolloid concentrations the κ-carrageenan/LBG gels showed the largest strain at rupture and gellan gels the smallest (most brittle). For both soft (0.3% gum) and hard (1.2% gum) gellan gels and κ-carrageenan gels, the concentrations of aspartame needed to deliver a sweetness intensity equivalent to that of gels with 10% sucrose (0.079–0.087% w/w) were similar to those obtained for aqueous solutions (0.084% w/v). For hard κ-carrageenan/LBG gels the corresponding concentration of aspartame was slightly lower. For all gelled systems the concentrations of aspartame needed to deliver a sweetness intensity equivalent to that of gels with 20% sucrose were higher for soft gels than for hard gels.     

Influence of oat gum, guar gum and carboxymethyl cellulose on the perception of sweetness and flavour

The influence of three pseudoplastic hydrocolloids, oat gum, guar gum and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) on sensory perception of sweetness and flavour was studied in model systems at two viscosity levels. The sweeteners studied were sucrose, fructose and aspartame, the flavour substances ethyl caproate, a-pinene and cinnamic acid. Sweetness was best perceived from oat gum solutions and most weakly from guar gum solutions. The effect of the composition of the thickener on the perception of sweetness was greater than that of viscosity. Reduction of sweetness by hydrocolloids was weaker for aspartame than for fructose or sucrose. In the perception of flavours, both the total length of perception and the time-intensity pattern were more dependent on the model aroma substance than on the thickener. Possible explanations for the differences are discussed.     

EFFECTS OF HYDROCOLLOIDS AND ASPARTAME ON SENSORY VISCOSITY AND SWEETNESS OF LOW CALORIE PEACH NECTARS

Effects were studied of interactions between each of three hydrocolloids-xanthan gum, guar gum and methylcellulose- and aspartame on sweetness intensity and sensory viscosity of low-calorie peach nectars (60% fruit purée with no sucrose added). The flows of the nectars were characterized as near Newtonian without hydrocolloids, as Bingham plastic at lower hydrocolloids concentrations and as pseudoplastic at higher concentrations (Ostwald flow for guar and methylcellulose, and Herschel-Bulkley for xanthan). Hydrocolloids concentrations were selected to cover viscosity range of commercial whole nectars: 0.10 and 0.20% xanthan or guar, and 0.15 and 0.30% methylcellulose. Aspartame concentrations tested were derived from the calculation of equisweet concentration as referred to a control nectar sample with sucrose (14°Brix) and of the upper and lower limen value: 0.216, 0.360 (equisweet), 0.502, and 0.644 g/L. Addition of either guar or methylcellulose did not alter the perceived sweetness in aspartame-sweetened peach nectars. Xanthan addition, even at 0.10%, significantly lowered sweetness of samples sweetened with the highest aspartame concentration (0.644 g/L). Addition of aspartame did not modify the perceived viscosity in samples thickened with either xanthan or guar gums. At all methylcellulose concentrations tested, samples with the lowest aspartame concentration (0.216 g/L) were perceived as less viscous.     

Storage and packaging effects on sensory and color characteristics of ground beef

Effects of irradiation (2 kGy) of ground beef patties from trimmings stored aerobically for 0 or 6 days on lean color, odor, and sensory attributes were investigated. Beef trimings were coarse ground and split into 2 groups. Group one was fine ground, pattied, and packaged immediately; group-two was stored 6 days then fine ground, pattied, and packaged. Irradiated beef patties had greater (P<0.05) off-odors, and off-flavors, lower (P<0.05) CIE L^*, a^* and b^* and saturation indexes values (P<0.05) after four days of storage at 0±1 °C. Irradiation of patties produced from trimmings aged an extra 6 days resulted in increased (P<0.05) saturation indexes and b^* values, but not off-odors when compared to non-aged and irradiated patties. Thus, the production of irradiated beef patties should utilize beef trimmings with the shortest postmortem aging time and a dose of less than 2 kGy to minimize discoloration and off-odors.     

Effect of season on color of Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) beef

A total of 1278 head of Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) slaughtered over four seasons were used to evaluate the effect of season on color characteristics of beef longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle. CIE L^*, a^*, b^*, C^* values and hue angle were significantly lower (P<0.05) in cattle slaughtered in the winter season. Meat color was darker in the winter than in the spring and autumn seasons. The L^* values among three average daily temperature (T_a) categories were different (P<0.05) in order of: [5 °CT_a<25 °C] > [T_a25 °C] > [T_a<5 °C], indicating that the meat color of cattle slaughtered at T_a<5 °C was darker. The a^*, b^*, C^* values and hue angle were significantly lower (P<0.05) in cattle slaughtered at T_a<5 °C. Season at slaughter is of great importance for meat color. Namely, meat color of Hanwoo beef was influenced by environmental temperature. Overall, cattle slaughtered in the winter season of T_a<5 °C produced beef with more undesirable meat color properties.     

High voltage electrical stimulation enhances muscle tenderness, increases aging response, and improves muscle color from cabrito carcasses

Our study examined high and low voltage electrical stimulation and postmortem storage as strategies to improve tenderness and lean color in cabrito carcasses. Boer cross (n=60) kids were assigned to either high (550 V), low (20 V), or no electrical stimulation treatments. No differences in muscle temperature were observed between treatments at any time measured. Muscle pH declined fastest in high voltage treated carcasses. High voltage electrical stimulation slightly increased (P<0.05) b^* and a^* in the M. gluteus medius and tended to increase L^* and b^* (P=0.06 and 0.11, respectively) values in the M. longissimus thoracis. Electrical stimulation had no effect on myofibril fragmentation at 1-, 3-, or 14-d postmortem or sarcomere length. High voltage electrical stimulation increased (P<0.05) tenderness at 1- and 3-d postmortem, but not at 14-d postmortem. Aging for 3 d did not affect tenderness regardless of stimulation treatment, but aging time for 14 d improved (P<0.05) tenderness. These data indicate that high voltage electrical stimulation and 14 d aging were effective in improving the tenderness of meat from cabrito carcasses.     

Effect of substitution of aspartame for sucrose on instrumental texture profile of hydrocolloids gelled systems

The effect of substituting aspartame (0.04–0.16% w/w) for sucrose (5–25% w/w) on the instrumental texture profile of three hydrocolloid gelled systems: -carrageenan, gellan gum and -carrageenan/locust bean gum at three different concentrations (0.3, 0.75 and 1.2% w/w) was studied. In gellan gels hardness and chewiness increased with sucrose concentration but not so in either -carrageenan or -carrageenan/LBG gels where no changes in these parameters were detected. Addition of sucrose also produced a small but significant increase in cohesiveness in gellan gels. The effect of sucrose concentration on all texture parameters of gellan gels was higher as gellan concentration increased. Aspartame addition did not affect TPA parameters. TPA results obtained for aspartame gels did not differ from those corresponding to the unsweetened gels considered here. Summarising the above information it can be said that substituting aspartame for sucrose in this type of sweetened gel changed the textural properties and that the changes produced depended on the hydrocolloid type and concentration and on the sucrose concentration replaced.     

Color evaluation of carbon monoxide treated porcine blood

The stability of liquid porcine blood, treated with carbon monoxide (CO) at different pH values (7.40, 6.70, and 6.00) up to its complete saturation, was studied. Lowering the pH from 7.40 to 6.70 resulted in a decrease in the amount of CO necessary to obtain 100% carboxyhemoglobin. Further pH lowering to 6.00 did not result in additional reduction in the amount of gas. During 4 days of refrigerated storage CO treated liquid blood maintained, at every pH, a more stable and attractive red color than fresh blood, which was a result of an increase (P<0.05) of a^* (redness) and b^* (yellowness) values and no variation (P>0.05) on L^* (lightness) value. Hue (h^*) and chroma (C^*) decreased in the untreated blood but not in the CO-treated blood. The results indicate that blood saturation with CO yields a product having greater potential for use in meat products without compromising its visual appearance.     

Enhanced Sweetness in Sweetener-NaCI-Gum Systems

Enhancement of sweetness in aqueous gum (0.03%, w/v) sweetener systems by added NaCl (0.05%, w/v) was evaluated by a sensory panel. ²³Na NMR spectroscopy was used to determine Na⁺ binding and its relationship to sweetness elicited by glucose, lactose, maltose, sucrose and aspartame. Sweetness intensity differed due to gum (p = 0.0001) and sweetener (p = 0.0001), but was not affected by NaCl (p = 0.0774). Sweetness increased with added NaCl in xanthan, guar and locust bean gum solutions. However, sweetness decreased in k-carrageenan systems possibly due to endogenous cation (Ca²⁺, K⁺ and Na⁺) content, which influences Na⁺ mobility. The sweetest systems containing lactose and/ or xanthan, showed the greatest enhancement by NaCl.     

Effect of transport time and ageing on aspects of beef quality

Forty-eight bulls were transported by road in groups of eight for approximately 30 min, 3 or 6 h in two replicates. After slaughter, steaks from the longissimus dorsi thoracis of all transported animals were analysed in terms of pH, water-holding capacity, myoglobin concentration, texture at 7 and 14 days of ageing (compression and Warner-Bratzler analyses) and colour of the same surface of meat cut at 24 h post-mortem and allowed to bloom for 24 h and 7 d (L^*a^*b^*, chroma and hue). The myofibrillar resistance of the meat from animals transported 30 min was significantly greater at 20% compression (P<0.05). The maximum load and a^*b^* and chroma were all lower for meat aged 14 days.     

Factors associated with surface iridescence in fresh beef

The objective of this study was to investigate factors associated with surface iridescence in fresh beef. Eight muscles were evaluated for occurrence of surface iridescence: Biceps femoris (BF), Gluteus medius (GM), Longissimus lumborum (LD), Psoas major (PM), Rectus femoris (RF), Semimembranosus (SM), Semitendinosus (ST), and Tensor fasciae latae (TF). Incidence of surface iridescence was 91% for ST, 34% for SM, 27% for LD, 20% for GM, 12% for RF, 9% for BF, 8% for TF, and 6% for PM (P<0.05). Factors associated with surface iridescence in the ST were further examined because iridescence was observed to a much higher degree in the ST as compared with other muscles evaluated. Greater ST surface iridescence was associated with larger ribeye areas, more youthful lean maturity scores, higher L^*, a^* and b^* colorimeter values, lower ultimate pH values, and faster cooking (P<0.05).     

Influence of texture on the temporal perception of sweetness of gelled systems

The aim of this work was to study how the texture of two hydrocolloid gelled systems with different mechanical properties – κ-carrageenan and gellan gum – sweetened with two sweeteners with different sweetening power – sucrose and aspartame – influence the temporal perception of sweetness using a time–intensity test. The results show that the different aspects of temporal perception of sweetness of hydrocolloid gels were related to their mechanical properties in different ways. Maximum sweetness intensity was closely related to the amount of deformation required to break the network and with its resistance to deformation. Meanwhile resistance to rupture was also an important factor influencing the variation in the rate of intensity decrease. The time needed to reach maximum sweetness intensity was only dependent on sweetener concentration.     

Compression resistance,sweetener's diffusion and sweetness of hydrocolloids gels

The effects of the type and concentration of two hydrocolloids—κ-carrageenan and gellan gum—and of the type and concentration of two sweeteners—sucrose and aspartame—on the gel resistance to compression, on the sweetener diffusion and on the intensity of the gel sweetness and the relationships between the gel physical properties and their perceived sweetness were studied. The gels true rupture stress increased with hydrocolloid concentration, this increase being higher for gellan gels. Gellan gels showed lower true rupture strain values, which in contrast with carrageenan gels, decreased on increasing hydrocolloid concentration. The addition of sucrose produced a bigger increase in gel strength at the higher hydrocolloid concentration. The main effect detected on the sweeteners’ diffusion constant was the higher value observed in low concentration (3 g L⁻¹) κ-carrageenan gels. Gellan gels were perceived as sweeter than κ-carrageenan gels. The decrease in sweetness due to an increase in hydrocolloid concentration was greater in gellan than in carrageenan gels. Variations in sweetener concentration, true rupture strain, and deformability modulus values explained 93% of the variability in sweetness for gels with sucrose and 94% for gels with aspartame.     

The effects of electrical stunning and percussive captive bolt stunning on meat quality of cattle processed by Turkish slaughter procedures

The effects of electrical and percussive captive bolt stunning both on initial and up to 14 days post mortem meat quality of Friesian young bulls were studied. The first group (NS; n=10) were slaughtered without stunning under Turkish slaughter procedure (these animals were slaughtered under conditions acceptable to the appropriate ethics committee) in a modern abattoir. In the second group (ES; n=10) animals were electrically stunned. In the third group (PS; n=10) animals were stunned with percussive captive bolt. Meat quality was assessed by examining muscle glycogen concentration, pH and WHC. Also cooking loss, texture parameters and consumer sensory properties were assessed at 24 h, 4, 7 and 14 days post mortem. Meat colour as L^*, a^*, b^*, C^*, h^* values were evaluated at 0, 48 h, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 14 days post mortem. Pre-slaughter handling affected muscle glycogen concentration (P<0.05). Animals in electrical and percussive captive bolt stunned groups had higher muscle glycogen concentrations compared to animals in the non-stunned group (P<0.05). Although pre-slaughter handling did not affect significantly pH_{24 h} and WHC, differences were significant for cooking loss, colour coordinates and texture parameters at some storage times. For all sensory attributes (odour, flavour, tenderness and overall acceptability) at all ageing periods (24 h, 4, 7 and 14 days) the percussive stunned (PS) group was significantly superior to the non-stunned (NS) group. The electrically-stunned (ES) group also tended to be superior to the NS group although not all differences were statistically significant. These results indicate that percussive captive bolt stunning of cattle improved meat quality compared with cattle electrically stunned using head only tongs and those non stunned under approved Turkish slaughter procedure.     

Effect of starter culture, spice mix and storage time and temperature on biogenic amine content of dry fermented sausages

Two types of dry fermented sausage differing in spicing mixture and the diameter (low content of red pepper + diameter 80 mm, H-sausage; high content of red pepper + diameter 55 mm, P-sausage, respectively) were produced in parallel with two different starter cultures (Pediococcus pentosaceus + Staphylococcus carnosus, B-samples and S. carnosus + Staphylococcus xylosus + Lactobacillus farciminis, F-samples, respectively). The sausages were ripened 21 days and subsequently stored 91 days at the room temperature. Concentration of both most abundant amines, putrescine and tyramine (y; mg/kg DM) increased significantly (P<0.01) in HB-sausage during ripening (x; days): y=2.5+18.13x−0.3144x² (R²=0.99) and y=0.7+8.17x−0.1130x² (R²=0.99), and also during storage: y=127.3+5.123x (R²=0.79) and y=26.0+3.211x (R²=0.74), respectively. At the end of ripening, putrescine (247 mg/kg DM) and tyramine (123 mg/kg DM) content in the HB-sausage was higher (P<0.05) than in the PB-sausage (12 and 9 mg/kg DM, respectively), concentration of either of these amines was negligible (1 mg/kg DM) in either type of F-inoculated sausage. Both starter culture and sausage type influenced significantly (P<0.001) both putrescine and tyramine content in the sausage; starter accounted for 57% and 55% of total variability in putrescine and tyramine content, respectively. Due to the significant (P<0.05) increase of total aerobic counts in the HB-sausage between the end of ripening and the 7th day of storage, followed by the significant (P<0.01) increase of the sum of total biogenic amines between the end of ripening (425 mg/kg DM) and the end of storage (1029 mg/kg DM), the storage of the dry fermented sausages at the room temperature should not be recommended.     

Development of chocolate dairy dessert with addition of prebiotics and replacement of sucrose with different high-intensity sweeteners

The aims of this study were (1) to optimize the formulation of a prebiotic chocolate dairy dessert and assess the extent to which sensory properties were affected by adding different concentrations of prebiotics (inulin and fructooligosaccharides) combined with different levels of xanthan and guar gums, and (2) to analyze the ideal and relative sweetness of prebiotic chocolate milk dessert sweetened with different artificial and natural sweeteners. Acceptability was evaluated by 100 consumers using a 9-cm hedonic scale, and the level of sample creaminess was evaluated using a 9-point just-about-right (JAR) scale. Data were subjected to a multivariate regression analysis and fitted to a model provided by response surface methodology. The optimal concentrations were 7.5% (wt/wt) prebiotic and 0.20% (wt/wt) gum (guar and xanthan, in a 2:1 ratio). The ideal sweetness analysis revealed that the ideal concentration of sucrose was 8.13%. The relative sweetness analysis showed that Neotame (NutraSweet Corp., Chicago, IL) had the highest sweetening power compared with the prebiotic chocolate dairy dessert containing 8% sucrose, followed by sucralose, aspartame, and stevia. The study of sweetness in this product is important because consumers desire healthier functional products with no added sugar.     

L-ASPARTYL-L-PHENYLALANINE METHYL ESTER (ASPARTAME) AS A SWEETENER

In aqueous solutions, L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester (aspartame) was 182 times sweeter than 2% sucrose but only 43 times sweeter than 30% sucrose according to rank analyses of scores from 20 judges. In buffer solutions (pH 3.2), pH was elevated by 0.025% and 0.12% aspartame and not by 4% or 12% sucrose, but no effect on sweetness equivalents or sourness was detected. Sweetness of 0.025% aspartame was enhanced by gelatin (1.5%) and methocel (1%). Enhancement also occurred when gelatin was combined with 0.12% aspartame. Sweetness ranks were not significantly affected by 1% carboxymethylcellulose or gum arabic. Viscosity was not a reliable indicator of differences in sensory response for thickness.     

Physicochemical and sensory properties of chicken nuggets with washed mechanically deboned chicken meat: Research note

The effects of different proportions (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%) of washed mechanically deboned chicken meat (WM) as a substitute for hand deboned chicken meat, on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of chicken nuggets were evaluated. The addition of WM increased fat content, but it was only significant (P < 0.05) when 40% of WM was added, whereas the protein content was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced as from 20%. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in L^*, a^* and b^* values with different proportions of WM, however, these differences were evidently not discerned as shown by the no significant differences (P > 0.05) in ΔE^* color scores. The addition of WM did not affect (P > 0.05) sensory attributes of chicken nuggets. From a technical viewpoint, up to 40% WM could be incorporated into nugget formulation instead of hand deboned chicken meat without affecting sensory attributes of the product. Minor changes in composition were observed but they were probably not detrimental to the product.     

Influence of dietary inclusion level of manganese on pork quality during retail display

Boneless pork loins (n = 112) were used to test the influence of dietary manganese (Mn) inclusion level on pork quality traits during retail display. Crossbred barrows and gilts were fed diets formulated with 0, 20, 40, 80, 160, or 320 ppm Mn from Availa^®Mn (AvMn; a Mn–amino acid complex) from 23.8 to 106.8 kg live weight. At approximately 48 h postmortem, boneless pork loins were fabricated into longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LM) chops, which were subsequently placed in open-topped, coffin-chest display cases (2.6 °C) under continuous warm-white, fluorescent lighting (1600 lx) for 7 days. Dietary Mn level had no effect on LM pH (P = 0.47), purge volume (P = 0.60) and loss (P = 0.53), or moisture loss (P = 0.95) during retail display. Chops from pigs fed 80 ppm Mn received higher (P < 0.05) American and Japanese color scores than pigs fed 0 and 40 ppm Mn. Even though the LM from pigs fed 80, 160, and 320 ppm Mn tended to be darker (lower L^* values; P = 0.07) than chops from pigs fed 40 ppm Mn, a^* (redness) and b^* (yellowness) values, as well as hue angle and chroma, were not (P  0.19) affected by dietary Mn. On days 0 and 1, the reflectance ratio of 630 nm/580 nm was similar (P > 0.05) among dietary Mn supplementation levels; yet, by day 4 of retail display, chops from pigs fed 80 ppm Mn had higher (P < 0.05) reflectance ratios than chops from pigs fed 0, 20, 40, and 160 ppm, whereas LM chops from pigs fed 40 ppm Mn had lower (P < 0.05) reflectance ratios than all other dietary treatments on day 7 (Mn supplementation level × display day; P = 0.04). Although TBARS were greater (P < 0.001) on day 7 than 0 of retail display, TBARS values did not (P = 0.43) differ among dietary Mn levels. Results indicate that supplementing swine diets with 80 ppm Mn may improve pork color during retail display without increasing the likelihood of lipid oxidation.     

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.