Optimization of gelatine gel preparation from New Zealand hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae) skins and the effect of transglutaminase enzyme on the gel properties

Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was adopted to optimize the preparation of NZ hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae) gelatine gels treated with Transglutaminase (TGase) and some of the rheological properties were characterized. The optimum concentration of the enzyme [X₁] was 3.33 mg/g, incubation time, [X₂] was 30 min, and incubation temperature, [X₃] was 37 ^°C. The calculated gel strength achieved by RSM was in very good agreement with the experimental value. The addition of TGase to hoki gelatine at the optimum concentration of increased the gel strength from 197 ± 5 g to 278.2 ± 0.19 g and the melting point from 21.4 ± 0.8 ^°C to 25.9 ± 0.1 ^°C. The increase in the G' values with the addition of TGase indicated the formation of firmer gels and the changes in G' and G" values with increase in temperature showed increase in melting point.     

Effect of cooking method on the fatty acid profile of New Zealand King Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Farmed New Zealand King Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) was prepared according to common consumer techniques; raw, poached, steamed, microwaved, pan fried (no added oil), oven baked (no added oil) and deep fried (in sunflower oil). The fatty acid profile was investigated to determine the optimal preparation techniques to achieve both optimal sensory and nutritional qualities, in particular the levels of long chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids. The modified Bligh and Dyer method was used for lipid extraction and the Hartman and Lago method for FAMES preparation. Fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. There were moisture and lipid losses during cooking amongst the different methods. The fatty acid profile showed only minor differences between the methods apart from an increase in PUFA in the deep fried salmon due to linoleic acid uptake from the frying oil. In all the cooking methods the omega-3 fatty acids were well preserved. However, deep fried showed the lowest amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. As the results showed good preservation of omega-3 fatty acids regardless of cooking method, there may be possible “internal protection” of omega-3 fatty acids in King Salmon that warrants future research.     

Correlation between astaxanthin amount and a* value in fresh Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) muscle during different irradiation doses

The amount of astaxanthin and a* value changes in fresh Atlantic salmon light and dark muscle during cold storage was studied for different e-beam doses (0, 1, 1.5, 2 and 3 kGy). Astaxanthin (mg/kg muscle) and a* value decreased with increasing irradiation dose for both fresh light and dark muscle. The level of irradiation dose gave high correlation between a* value and amount of astaxanthin. The reason for the change in colour or decrease in a* value of Atlantic salmon during irradiation could be due to the destruction of astaxanthin. The amount of astaxanthin and a* value of 1 kGy treated salmon fillets were not significantly different (p > 0.05) from that of the control but significantly different (p < 0.05) from other irradiation treatments. The colour (a* value) of salmon muscle was related to the content of astaxanthin, which decreased as irradiation increased. The amount of astaxanthin in light muscle was three to five times greater than dark muscle. This study demonstrated that irradiating salmon fillets at 1 kGy, can be successfully used and leads to no significant change in colour and amount of astaxanthin.     

Restoration of EPA and DHA in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) using a finishing fish oil diet at two different water temperatures

Feeding fish a fish oil finishing diet (FOFD) after grow-out on vegetable oil diet is one strategy to restore eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels. We investigated restoration of EPA and DHA in rainbow trout fed a FOFD preceded by a grow-out period on 50% or 75% palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) diets at optimal (15 °C) or elevated (20 °C) water temperatures. Using the FOFD restored EPA and DHA in fillet and whole carcass of fish previously fed either 50% PFAD diet from 85% to 98% or 75% PFAD from 66% to 93% of values obtained for fish fed FO diet throughout. Water temperature did not influence EPA and DHA restoration. Growing rainbow trout with diets where FO was replaced by either 50% or 75% PFAD followed by a FOFD reduced FO usage by around 30% and 44% at 15 °C, respectively, and 32% and 48% at 20 °C, respectively.     

Autolytic degradation and microbiological activity in farmed Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) during chilled storage

Two deteriorative pathways (autolysis and microbiological activity) were studied in farmed Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) for 24 days during chilled storage. These changes were assessed by nucleotide degradation (determination of adenosine 5′-triphosphate and its degradation compounds) and biochemical (pH; content of total volatile base-nitrogen; trimethylamine-nitrogen, TMA-N; histamine) and microbial (total aerobe mesophiles, TAM; coliforms) indices related to bacterial activity. An important nucleotide degradation could be assessed according to the fast inosine 5′-monophosphate formation, followed by degradation into inosine and hypoxanthine; the K value was found to be an accurate tool for the measurement of quality loss throughout the whole experiment. Regarding bacterial activity, contents of TMA-N and histamine and TAM counts assessment showed sharp increases after the end of the microbial lag phase (12–17 days); however, values obtained for histamine content and TAM growth remained below acceptable security limits throughout the whole experiment.     

Hot topic: Enhancing omega-3 fatty acids in milk fat of dairy cows by using stearidonic acid-enriched soybean oil from genetically modified soybeans

Very long chain n-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) are important in human cardiac health and the prevention of chronic diseases, but food sources are limited. Stearidonic acid (SDA; 18:4n-3) is an n-3 fatty acid that humans are able to convert to EPA. In utilizing SDA-enhanced soybean oil (SBO) derived from genetically modified soybeans, our objectives were to examine the potential to increase the n-3 fatty acid content of milk fat and to determine the efficiency of SDA uptake from the digestive tract and transfer to milk fat. Three multiparous, rumen-fistulated Holstein cows were assigned randomly in a 3 × 3 Latin square design to the following treatments: 1) control (no oil infusion); 2) abomasal infusion of SDA-enhanced SBO (SDA-abo); and 3) ruminal infusion of SDA-enhanced SBO (SDA-rum). The SDA-enhanced SBO contained 27.1% SDA, 10.4% α-linolenic acid, and 7.2% γ-linolenic acid. Oil infusions provided 57 g/d of SDA with equal amounts of oil infused into either the rumen or abomasum at 6-h intervals over a 7-d infusion period. Cow numbers were limited and no treatment differences were detected for DMI or milk production (22.9 ± 0.5 kg/d and 32.3 ± 0.9 kg/d, respectively; least squares means ± SE), milk protein percentage and yield (3.24 ± 0.04% and 1.03 ± 0.02 kg/d), or lactose percentage and yield (4.88 ± 0.05% and 1.55 ± 0.05 kg/d). Treatment also had no effect on milk fat yield (1.36 ± 0.03 kg/d), but milk fat percentage was lower for the SDA-rum treatment (4.04 ± 0.04% vs. 4.30 ± 0.04% for control and 4.41 ± 0.05% for SDA-abo). The SDA-abo treatment increased n-3 fatty acids to 3.9% of total milk fatty acids, a value more than 5-fold greater than that for the control. Expressed as a percentage of total milk fatty acids, values (least squares means ± SE) for the SDA-abo treatment were 1.55 ± 0.03% for α-linolenic acid (18:3n-3), 1.86 ± 0.02 for SDA, 0.23 ± <0.01 for eicosatetraenoic acid (20:4n-3), and 0.18 ± 0.01 for EPA. Transfer efficiency of SDA to milk fat represented 39.3% (range = 36.8 to 41.9%) of the abomasally infused SDA and 47.3% (range = 45.0 to 49.6%) when the n-3 fatty acids downstream from SDA were included. In contrast, transfer of ruminally infused SDA to milk fat averaged only 1.7% (range = 1.3 to 2.1%), indicating extensive rumen biohydrogenation. Overall, results demonstrate the potential to use SDA-enhanced SBO from genetically modified soybeans combined with proper ruminal protection to achieve impressive increases in the milk fat content of SDA and other n-3 fatty acids that are beneficial for human health.     

Rancidity development during the frozen storage of farmed coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch): Effect of antioxidant composition supplied in the diet

A commercial diet including synthetic antioxidants (BHT–ethoxyquin mixture) (diet I) was provided to coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in parallel with two diets including natural antioxidants (tocopherol isomers–rich mixture, diet II; tocopherol isomers-rosemary extract mixture, diet III). A comparative study of the rancidity development in the corresponding frozen (−18 °C) products was undertaken. When compared to fish fed with diet I, individuals corresponding to diet II showed a greater (p < 0.05) retention of primary (conjugated dienes and peroxides content) and secondary (anisidine and thiobarbituric acid indices) lipid oxidation compounds that led to a lower interaction compound formation (fluorescence ratio ranges: 0.33–0.50 and 0.55–0.85, for diet II and diet I individuals, respectively); likewise, a higher polyene index (1.99–2.14 and 1.72–1.97, respectively) and lower oxidised taste scores (0.0–0.6 and 0.0–2.4, respectively) were obtained. No effect (p > 0.05) on lipid hydrolysis development (free fatty acid formation) could be found as a result of employing different diets.     

Changes in water holding capacity and drip loss of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) muscle during superchilled storage

Changes in water holding capacity and drip loss of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fillets during superchilled storage were studied. Due to the significant differences in ice crystal sizes observed in our previous study, the liquid loss (LL) was analysed separately, at the surface and centre of the superchilled samples. No significant differences were found in LL between surface and centre parts of the superchilled samples. No significant difference in the LL was observed from surface samples between 1 and 14 days of storage. There was a significant difference in the LL at day 1 of the centre samples, but no significant differences were observed between 3 and 14 days of storage. In contrast, the LL was significantly decreased at day 21 both at the centre and the surface of the superchilled samples. No significant difference (p < 0.05) was found in drip loss between 1 and 14 days of storage for the superchilled samples. A significant increase in drip loss for the superchilled samples was observed at day 21. These findings are significant for the industry because it provides valuable information on the quality of food in relation to ice crystallisation/recrystallisation during superchilled storage.     

Seasonal variation in the fatty acid composition of three Mediterranean fish – sardine (Sardina pilchardus), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicholus) and picarel (Spicara smaris)

The total fat contents and the fatty acid compositions of three common Mediterranean fish, namely sardine (Sardina pilchardus), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicholus) and picarel (Spicara smaris) were determined at bimonthly intervals for a one-year period. The purpose of this work was to study the seasonal variation of the fatty acids in the three fish that are some of the best sources of n − 3 fatty acids. The fat and fatty acid content of the investigated fish species show a significant seasonal dependency. Two of the fish (anchovy and picarel) have the highest fat content during the late winter – spring period. On the other hand, sardine shows the highest fat concentrations during the spring-early summer period. The fish that showed the highest variation in fatty acid composition was the anchovy. The sardine was found to be the best source of n − 3 fatty acids during the one-year period (35.35 g/100 g fatty acids). Finally the picarel had the highest oleic acid content (on average, 13.89/100 g fatty acids).     

Amino acid, fatty acid, and mineral profiles of materials recovered from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) processing by-products using isoelectric solubilization/precipitation

ABSTRACT:  Protein, lipid, and insolubles (bones, skin, scales, fins, insoluble protein, and more) were recovered from rainbow trout processing by-products by means of isoelectric solubilization/precipitation at basic pH and acidic pH. Isoelectric solubilization/precipitation of the trout processing by-products resulted in the recovery of protein that was higher ( P < 0.05) in essential amino acids (EAAs), non-EAAs, and total EAA/total AA ratio when compared to the processing by-products. Basic pH treatments yielded a higher ( P < 0.05) content of EAAs than the acidic pH treatments. Nutritional quality of the recovered protein was high based on EAAs meeting the FAO/WHO/UNU recommendations for adults. The presence of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (ω-3, ω-6 FAs) and the ω-3/ω-6 ratio in the recovered lipids were similar to the trout processing by-products, indicating that the pH treatments had no effect on these FAs. Ca and P contents of the processing by-products exceeded the recommended dietary allowances (RDA), but Fe and Mg did not. Basic pH treatments yielded protein with the lowest ( P < 0.05) amount of minerals and the highest ( P < 0.05) amount of Ca, P, and Mg in the insolubles when compared to acidic pH. The isoelectric solubilization/precipitation of the processing by-products effectively removed minerals from the recovered protein without removal of the bones, skin, scales, fins, and so on, prior to processing. The results indicated that isoelectric solubilization/precipitation, particularly at basic pH, permitted recovery of high-quality protein and lipids from fish processing by-products for human food uses; also, the recovered insolubles may be used in animal feeds as a source of minerals.     

Uncooked Taiwanese yam (Dioscorea alata L. cv. Tainung No. 2) beneficially modulated the large bowel function and faecal microflora in BALB/c mice

This study investigated the effects of an uncooked Taiwanese yam, Dioscorea alata L. cv. Tainung No. 2, on faecal characteristics, faecal microflora, short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels in the caecal content and faeces, and morphological and proliferation indices of the caecal and colonic crypts in BALB/c mice. Mice were randomly allocated to consume a control diet or a 25 or 50% (w/w) yam diet for 21 days. Faecal wet and dry masses increased with increasing proportions of dietary yam. Both yam diets similarly increased faecal moisture content and decreased faecal pH as compared with the control diet. The yam diets increased total bacteria and bifidobacteria counts and decreased Clostridium perfringens counts in faeces. The 50% yam diet, but not the 25% yam diet, increased total SCFA concentration in the caecal content. However, both yam diets increased total SCFA output in faeces. Both yam diets also promoted crypt depth, width and proliferation indices in the caecum; in contrast, they only promoted crypt width in the distal colon. In conclusion, the 25 and 50% yam diets increased the faecal mass and SCFA output, modulated the faecal microflora and thickened the mucosa lining of the caecum in BALB/c mice. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Extraction and functional properties of gelatin from the skin of cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) using smooth hound crude acid protease-aided process

The characteristics and functional properties of gelatin from skin cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) were investigated and compared to those of halal bovine gelatin (HBG). The gelatin extraction efficiency was improved by an acid-swelling process in the presence of smooth hound crude acid protease extract (SHCAP). The yields of gelatins from cuttlefish skin after 48 h with acid and with crude acid protease (15 units/g alkaline-treated skin) were 2.21% and 7.84%, respectively. The gelatin from skin cuttlefish had high protein (91.35%) but low fat (0.28%) contents. Compared to HBG, the cuttlefish-skin gelatin (CSG) has different amino acids composition than halal bovine gelatin. CSG contained slightly low hydroxyproline and proline (180‰) than HBG (219‰), whereas the content of serine was higher (49‰ versus 29‰). The gel strength of the gelatin gel from CSG (181 g) was lower than that of HBG (259 g) (p < 0.05) possibly due to lower hydroxyproline content. Cuttlefish-skin gelatin exhibited a similar emulsifying activity but greater emulsifying and foam stability than the halal bovine gelatin (p < 0.05). Foam formation ability, foam stability and water-holding capacity of CSG were slightly lower than those of the HBG, but fat-binding capacity was higher in the cuttlefish gelatin.     

Changes in lipids and fishy odour development in skin from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) stored in ice

Changes in lipids, lipoxygenase activity and fishy odour development in the skin of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) during iced storage of 18 days were monitored. Triacylglycerol content of skin decreased with coincidental increases in free fatty acid, monoacylglycerol, diacylglycerol and phospholipid contents during storage (p < 0.05). During iced storage, peroxide value increased at day 9 and subsequently decreased up to 18 days (p < 0.05). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values and lipoxygenase activity increased throughout 18 days of iced storage (p < 0.05). With increasing storage time, a progressive formation of hydroperoxide was found as evidenced by the increase in amplitude of peak at 3600–3200 cm⁻¹ in Fourier transform infrared spectra. Those changes indicated that lipid oxidation took place during iced storage. The increase in fishy odour of skin was observed as the storage time increased. The development of fishy odour in Nile tilapia skin during iced storage was mostly governed by lipid oxidation via autoxidation or induced by lipoxygenase. Thus, the extended storage time of whole fish resulted in the pronounced changes in lipids and the increased fishy odour in the skin.     

Glycidyl esters in refined palm (Elaeis guineensis) oil and related fractions. Part II: Practical recommendations for effective mitigation

In a previous work, it was shown that at high temperatures (up to 280 °C) glycidyl esters (GE) are formed from diacylglycerols (DAG) via elimination of free fatty acid (FFA). In the present study, the impact of DAG content and temperature on the formation of GE using a model vacuum system mimicking industrial edible oil deodorization is investigated. These deodorization experiments confirmed that the formation of GE from DAG is extensive at temperatures above 230-240 °C, and therefore, this value should be considered as an upper limit for refining operations. Furthermore, experimental data suggest that the formation of GE accelerates in particular when the DAG levels in refined oils exceed 3-4% of total lipids. Analysis of the lipid composition of crude palm oil (CPO) samples allowed the estimation that this critical DAG content corresponds to about 1.9-2.5% of FFA, which is the conventional quality marker of CPO. Moreover, high levels (>100 ppm) of GE were also found in palm fatty acid distillate samples, which may indicate that the level of GE in fully refined palm oils also depends on the elimination rate of GE into the fatty acid distillate.     

Variation in exon 10 of the ovine calpain 3 gene (CAPN3) and its association with meat yield in New Zealand Romney sheep

Variation in the ovine CAPN3 gene was analysed using PCR-single strand conformational polymorphism, and its effect on growth and carcass traits was assessed in 513 New Zealand Romney lambs produced by 17 unrelated rams. Among the four allelic variants detected, the presence of variant *02 was found to be associated with an increased proportion of shoulder yield (absent: 32.6 ± 0.01%; present: 33.4 ± 0.03%; P = 0.016), and tended to be associated with increased shoulder yield (lean meat yield of the shoulder expressed as a percentage of the hot carcass weight) (absent: 16.6 ± 0.06%; present: 17.02 ± 0.20%; P = 0.067). No association was detected with growth traits or other carcass traits.     

Study of volatile organic acids in freeze-dried Cheonggukjang formed during fermentation using SPME and stable-isotope dilution assay (SIDA)

Volatile organic acids in freeze-dried Cheonggukjang were quantified using a stable-isotope dilution assay (SIDA) according to the fermentation period. Five organic acids, acetic acid, propanoic acid, 2-methylpropanoic acid, butanoic acid, and 3-methylbutanoic acid, were identified using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) in conjunction with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The contents of volatile organic acids in Cheonggukjang were highly dependent on the fermentation period and they increased during fermentation. Moreover, the branched-chained organic acids (namely 2-methylpropanoic acid and 3-methylbutanoic acid) were formed earlier and were present at much higher contents than the corresponding straight-chained organic acids during Cheonggukjang fermentation.     

Lipid oxidation and fishy odour development in protein hydrolysate from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) muscle as affected by freshness and antioxidants

Lipid oxidation and fishy odour development in protein hydrolysate from fresh and ice-stored Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were investigated. During iced storage of 18 days, heme iron content decreased with a concomitant increase in non-heme iron content (P < 0.05). Peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values increased. Phospholipid content decreased with a corresponding increase in free fatty acid content. The results suggested that lipid hydrolysis and oxidation took place during storage. When protein hydrolysates were produced from fresh and 18 days ice-stored Nile tilapia muscle, higher lipid oxidation and fishy odour/flavour along with higher amount volatile compounds were obtained in hydrolysate for unfresh sample (P < 0.05). However, the addition of mixed antioxidants during hydrolysis process markedly lowered lipid oxidation, b^∗, ΔC^∗, ΔE^∗ values, fishy odour/flavour as well as the formation of volatile compounds in the resulting hydrolysates prepared from both fresh and unfresh samples. Therefore, hydrolysate from Nile tilapia muscle with reduced fishy odour and lighter colour could be prepared by using fresh fish and incorporation of mixed antioxidants during hydrolysis.     

Characterization and in vitro antioxidation of papain hydrolysate from black-bone silky fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus Brisson) muscle and its fractions

Black-bone silky fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus Brisson) (BSF) muscle was hydrolyzed by papain, and the hydrolysate was separated by preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The amino acid composition of the BSF hydrolysate (BSFH) and its fractions was determined by HPLC precolumn derivation with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene. The molecular weight (MW) distribution of the BSFH and its fractions was measured by a peptide column on an HPLC system. Antioxidant activities of the BSFH and its fractions were studied by testing the reducing power and four radical scavenging systems: superoxide anion (O₂⁻), hydroxyl (·OH), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS⁺) radicals. The results demonstrated that the BSFH had strong antioxidant capacity to scavenge O₂⁻, DPPH and ABTS⁺, and displayed strong reducing power, but revealed less powerful ability to scavenge ·OH. Fraction II of the BSFH exhibited the highest activity in scavenging O₂⁻ and DPPH, and reducing power, whereas fraction I displayed the strongest ·OH scavenging ability. Besides Glu, Asp and Gly, the rich amino acids of Ala and Leu played an important role in antioxidant activity. The small-size peptides with MW ranging from approximately 200-6000 Da probably contributed to higher antioxidant activity. Results from this study indicated that BSFH and its fractions could be used as food additives and diet nutrients.     

Chemical composition,fatty acid content and antioxidant potential of meat from goats supplemented with Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves,sunflower cake and grass hay

The present study determined the chemical composition, fatty acid (FA) content and antioxidant capacity of meat from goats supplemented with Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) or sunflower cake (SC) or grass hay (GH). The meat from goat supplemented with MOL had higher concentrations of total phenolic content (10.62 ± 0.27 mg tannic acid equivalent E/g). The MOL significantly scavenged 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic-acid (ABTS) radical to 93.51 ± 0.19% (93.51 ± 0.19%) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical to 58.95 ± 0.3% than other supplements. The antioxidative effect of MOL supplemented meat on catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid oxidation (LO) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than other meat from goat feed on grass hay or those supplemented with sunflower seed cake. The present study indicated that the anti-oxidative potential of MOL may play a role in improving meat quality (chemical composition, colour and lipid stability).