Spray‐dried encapsulation of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) with polymeric matrices

Conjugated linoleic acid was encapsulated in three different matrices: whey protein concentrate (WPC), gum arabic (GA) and a blend of WPC and maltodextrin 10 DE (1:1, w/w). Kinetic studies on the degradation of CLA and lipid oxidation of microcapsules were carried out at water activities from 0.108 to 0.892 at 35 and 45 °C. The highest values of CLA degradation and lipid oxidation were observed in the range of water activities 0.103–0.429 for all matrices at 45 °C, whereas the lowest CLA degradation and lipid oxidation were observed for WPC at a water activity of 0.743 and 35 °C. WPC microcapsules showed the best morphology and encapsulation efficiency and the lowest CLA degradation. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Characterization and Stability Analysis of Zinc Oxide Nanoencapsulated Conjugated Linoleic Acid

Abstract: Nanoencapsulation technology has a diverse range of applications, including drug-delivery systems (DDS) and cosmetic and chemical carriers, because it can deliver various bio- and organic-molecules and improve their stabilities. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has health benefits, including being an anticancer agent, but it decreases flavor due to volatiles from oxidation. To improve the stability of CLA for food applications, nanoencapsulated CLA was synthesized for use in zinc basic salt (ZBS) and characterized by powder X-ray diffractometry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental CHN analysis, inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis, UV/VIS spectroscopy, and FTIR spectroscopy. The thermal stability of nanoencapsulated CLA at 180 °C, a temperature similar to that used in cooking, was analyzed by gas chromatography. The gallery height of nanoencapsulated CLA was determined to be approximately 26 Å through powder X-ray diffractometry; therefore, the CLA molecules were closely packed with zig-zag form between the intracrystalline spaces of nano particles. Elemental CHN analysis and ICP data determined the chemical composition of nanoencapsulated CLA to be Zn_4.86(OH)_8.78(CLA)_0.94. By TGA, it was determined about 45% (wt/wt) of weight loss corresponded to CLA, which is good agreement with the 42.13% (wt/wt) determined from high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and elemental CHN analysis. UV/VIS spectroscopy and Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed encapsulated CLA maintained a conjugated diene structure, supporting the presence of CLA. Nanoencapsulation improved the thermal stability of CLA by about 25%, compared to pristine CLA. Practical Application : This system can be used for protection of encapsulated negatively-charged food ingredients from thermal processing.     

Oxidative stability of ultra high temperature milk enriched in conjugated linoleic acid and trans-vaccenic acid

Milk naturally enriched in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and trans-vaccenic acid (TVA) was ultra high temperature (UHT)-treated at 125–145 °C for 2–20 s and stored at 4 and 25 °C for up to 120 d. The oxidative stability of treated enriched milk was evaluated in terms of changes on the contents of CLA and TVA, dissolved oxygen, hydroperoxides, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and formation of volatiles. After UHT treatment, more than 78% of CLA and 87% of TVA remained. After 15 d of storage at 25 °C, the CLA and TVA were relatively stable with values in the range of 67–75 and 63–73%, respectively. During storage, CLA oxidized faster than TVA, independently of the UHT treatment and storage conditions. Heptanal was the most abundant volatile resulting from UHT processing and a potential suitable marker for heat treatment of milk rich in CLA and TVA.     

Effect of thiamine hydrochloride,pyridoxine hydrochloride and calcium‐d‐pantothenate on the patulin content of apple juice concentrate

Thiamine hydrochloride, pyridoxine hydrochloride and calcium‐d‐pantothenate were applied apple juice concentrates (AJC) at various doses in order to reduce the patulin content. AJC samples containing high levels of patulin were stored at 22 ± 2°C and 4°C for 6 months after vitamins were added. Patulin was fully degraded at the end of a 6‐month period in samples stored at 22 ± 2°C, on the other hand, other quality parameters diminished significantly. Without any considerable reduction on other quality parameters, applications of 1000 and 2500 mg/kg calcium‐d‐pantothenate resulted in reduction of patulin of 73.6 and 94.3%, respectively, however, 42.1% of patulin reduction was observed in the control sample of AJC stored for 1 month at 22 ± 2°C. Addition of thiamine hydrochloride (1000 mg/kg( pyrodoxine hydrochloride (625 or 875 mg/kg) and calcium‐d‐pantothenate (1000 or 2500 mg/kg) into the samples and storage at 4°C for 6 months yielded 55.5 to 67.7% of patulin reduction which was only 35.8% for the control, while the other quality parameters were protected adequately.     

Protein Stability of Frozen Milk as Influenced by Storage Temperature and Ultrafiltration

Milk and milk concentrates containing 12–35% total solids were stored at 0, –2, –4, –6, –8, –12, and –20°C and protein stability of the thawed products was evaluated periodically. Samples stored at –4 to – 12°C exhibited poorer protein stability than samples stored at higher or lower temperatures. Ultrafiltered (UF) skimmilk with permeate: retentate ratios of 10:90, 20:80, and 30:70 were stored at –8°C and they remained stable at least three times longer than frozen control samples of UF skimmilk stored at the same temperature. When the extent of UF was increased to 40:60, protein stability in the frozen retentate declined somewhat as compared to that of less concentrated retentates.     

Low‐Fat Beef Patties with Augmented Omega‐3 Fatty Acid and CLA Levels and Influence of Grape Seed Extract

The effects of raising the omega‐3 fatty acid (FA), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), or omega‐3 FA plus CLA levels on beef by means of dietary supplementation and of adding grape seed extract (250 mg/kg meat product) in beef patties stored at 2 ± 1 °C in aerobic packaging under simulated retail display conditions for 6 d was evaluated by measuring the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), pH, and instrumental color measurement values and by means of sensory analysis. The pH, instrumental color measurements, and sensory attribute values for patties made from beef with augmented omega‐3 FA and/or CLA contents were similar to the values for the control patties made from beef from animals fed a conventional diet. Adding GSE lowered oxidation levels on day 6 (P < 0.001) and did not affect the instrumental color or sensory analysis results during the display period. This suggests that omega‐3 FA and CLA‐augmented beef could be used to make low‐fat beef patties having characteristics similar to those of conventional beef patties while being more in keeping with currently recommended nutritional guidelines.     

Non‐freezing points below zero induce low‐temperature breakdown of kiwifruit at harvest

To induce low‐temperature breakdown (LTB) at harvest, a post‐storage disorder of kiwifruit, kiwifruit were exposed to ?2 °C (a temperature determined to be above the freezing point), for 0 (control), 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 and 42 h, followed by 5 days at 20 °C. Kiwifruit were also stored at ?0.5 °C for 16 and 24 weeks plus 5 days at 20 °C. LTB incidence and severity were measured on the cut surfaces following slicing at the upper, middle and lower parts of each fruit subjected to ?2 °C, whereas in stored fruit LTB incidence was measured following slicing at the middle part. Electrolyte leakage (ELL) was also determined. Exposure of fruit to ?2 °C resulted in induction of LTB incidence and severity, which increased with the duration of exposure, particularly, on the upper fruit part. Maximum ELL during exposure at ?2 °C for 36 h or during storage at ?0.5 °C for 16 weeks was as high as 50% of that of the frozen fruit. Fruit exposed to ?2 °C or stored at ?0.5 °C had similar LTB symptoms but both differed from those observed in frozen fruit. LTB of fruit stored at ?0.5 °C for 24 weeks was 27% and corresponded to LTB induced at harvest by exposure at ?2 °C for 24 h. The results of this study confirm that LTB is inducible by low but not freezing temperatures at harvest and therefore it might be considered as the physiological basis towards the development of an LTB incidence index for harvested kiwifruit. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of handling and storage on alkylamides and cichoric acid in Echinacea purpurea

Changes in alkylamide and cichoric acid concentrations during the handling and storage of freshly harvested and dried Echinacea purpurea plants were investigated. Plants subjected to varying degrees of physical damage to simulate rough handling were found to show no change in the concentrations of alkylamides and cichoric acid when subsequently dried within 24 h. Storage of undamaged fresh plant material at 20 °C and 60% RH for 30 days also showed no significant loss of either group of constituents. Storage of dried crushed plant material showed that alkylamides were degraded at 20 and 30 °C, especially when held in light, but no loss occurred when stored at 5 °C in the dark. Cichoric acid was found to be stable at 5, 20 and 30 °C provided that the moisture content remained low or enzymic activity was eliminated by blanching. The findings have implications for the handling and storage of echinacea to optimise retention of alkylamides and cichoric acid. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Thermal Stability of l-Ascorbic Acid and Ascorbic Acid Oxidase in Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)

ABSTRACT: The thermal stability of vitamin C (including l -ascorbic acid [l -AA] and dehydroascorbic acid [DHAA]) in crushed broccoli was evaluated in the temperature range of 30 to 90 °C whereas that of ascorbic acid oxidase (AAO) was evaluated in the temperature range of 20 to 95 °C. Thermal treatments (for 15 min) of crushed broccoli at 30 to 60 °C resulted in conversion of l -AA to DHAA whereas treatments at 70 to 90 °C retained vitamin C as l -AA. These observations indicated that enzymes (for example, AAO) could play a major role in the initial phase (that is, oxidation of l -AA to DHAA) of vitamin C degradation in broccoli. Consequently, a study to evaluate the temperature–time conditions that could result in AAO inactivation in broccoli was carried out. In this study, higher AAO activity was observed in broccoli florets than stalks. During thermal treatments for 10 min, AAO in broccoli florets and stalks was stable until around 50 °C. A 10-min thermal treatment at 80 °C almost completely inactivated AAO in broccoli. AAO inactivation followed 1st order kinetics in the temperature range of 55 to 65 °C. Based on this study, a thermal treatment above 70 °C is recommended for crushed vegetable products to prevent oxidation of l -AA to DHAA, the onset of vitamin C degradation. Practical Application : The results reported in this study are applicable for both domestic and industrial processing of vegetables into products such as juices, soups, and purees. In this report, we have demonstrated that processing crushed broccoli in a temperature range of 30 to 60 °C could result in the conversion of l -ascorbic acid to dehydroascorbic (DHAA), a very important reaction in regard to vitamin C degradation because DHAA could be easily converted to other compounds that do not have the biological activity of vitamin C.     

Polyamine Accumulation Following Hot-Water Dips Influences Chilling Injury and Decay in'Friar' Plum Fruit

Mature‐green (Prunus salicina Lindl. cv.‘Friar’) plums were treated in water at 40°C for 40 min, 45°C for 35 min, 50°C for 30 min or 55°C for 25 min, stored at 0°C for 35 d plus 9 d of ripening at 20 to 25°C. During cold storage, putrescine and cadaverine accumulated most compared to spermine and spermidine, especially in fruits treated at 45 or 50°C, compared to other treatments. Chilling injury (CI) and decay symptoms were severe in fruits of control, 55 and 40°C‐treated fruits. Decay incidence was also high in fruits stored at room temperature. Chilling injury and decay symptoms were retarded in fruits treated at 45 and 50°C, which also maintained increased polyamines and low ethylene. By the end of their shelf life, only 45 and 50°C‐HWD treated fruits were fit for market.     

Survival and Metabolic Activity of Microencapsulated Bifidobacterium longum in Stirred Yogurt

ABSTRACT: Live cells of Bifidobacterium longum, microencapsulated in K‐carrageenan, were added to stirred yogurt after fermentation (pH 4.6) and stored at 4.4 °C for 30 d. Cell enumeration indicated no decline of encapsulated cell number in yogurt samples, while there was significant reduction in nonencapsulated cell population (89.3% for B. longum B6 and 91.8% for B. longum ATCC 15708). Ion‐exchange high‐performance liquid chromatography showed comparable amounts of lactic and acetic acids in all samples, indicating little metabolic activity by bifidobacteria in experimental yogurts. Consumer sensory analysis of blackberry‐flavored yogurts revealed that samples containing encapsulated bifidobacteria had a grainy texture. Results suggested that microencapsulation protected bifidobacteria from the low pH of yogurt.     

Lipid oxidation and colour in pressure‐ and heat‐treated minced chicken thighs

Lipid oxidation and colour in pressurised and heated chicken samples were evaluated. In a preliminary test, raw and overcooked (100 °C/60 min) minced chicken thighs were pressurised (500 MPa/50 °C/30 min). Samples were stored at 4 °C in contact with air. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were quantified at 1, 6 and 9 days. Pressure induced oxidation in chicken, but overcooking generated many more secondary oxidation compounds. In a second experiment, raw minced chicken thighs were pressurised (500 MPa/?10, 5, 20 and 50 °C/30 and 60 min) or cooked (90 °C/15 min). Samples were vacuum stored at 4 °C. TBARS were measured at 1 and 9 days, whereas colour parameters (L, a, b and ΔE) were determined at 1 day. No differences in TBARS values were observed between untreated and pressurised samples, whereas cooked samples presented the highest values. Pressurisation for 30 and 60 min generated similar TBARS contents. At 9 days, oxidation values did not increase. Pressurisation and cooking induced marked colour changes. Pressurised samples were lighter and less red than untreated ones. Samples pressurised at 50 °C were the palest and, together with cooked samples, presented the lowest a values. Therefore pressurised chicken thigh cannot be marketed as a fresh product but can be incorporated as an ingredient in ready‐to‐eat meals. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of various storage conditions on the stability of quinolones in raw milk

Research on the storage stability of antibiotic residues in milk is important for method development or validation, milk quality control and risk assessment during screening, confirmation, qualitative or quantitative analysis. This study was conducted using UPLC-MS/MS to determine the stability of six quinolones – ciprofloxacin (CIP), danofloxacin (DAN), enrofloxacin (ENR), sarafloxacin (SAR), difloxacin (DIF) and flumequine (FLU) – in raw milk stored under various conditions to investigate if quinolones degrade during storage of milk, and finally to determine optimal storage conditions for analysis and scientific risk assessment of quinolone residues in raw milk. The storage conditions included different temperatures and durations (4°C for 4, 8, 24 and 48 h; –20°C for 1, 7 and 30 days; –80°C for 1, 7 and 30 days), thawing temperatures (25, 40 and 60°C), freeze–thaw cycles (1–5), and the addition of different preservatives (sodium thiocyanate, sodium azide, potassium dichromate, bronopol and methanal). Most quinolones exhibited high stability at 4°C for up to 24 h, but began to degrade after 48 h. In addition, no degradation of quinolones was seen when milk samples were stored at –20°C for up to 7 days; however, 30 days of storage at –20°C resulted in a small amount of degradation (about 30%). Similar results were seen when samples were stored at –80°C. Moreover, no losses were observed when frozen milk samples were thawed at 25, 40 or 60°C. All the quinolones of interest, except sarafloxacin, were stable when milk samples were thawed at 40°C once and three times, but unstable after five freeze–thaw cycles. Preservatives affected the stability of quinolones, but the effects differed depending on the preservative and quinolone. The results of this study indicate optimum storage protocols for milk samples, so that residue levels reflect those at the time of initial sample analysis, and should improve surveillance programmes for quinolones in raw milk.     

Quality changes during the storage of apple puree

The stability of apple puree at different constant temperatures (-18°C, 4°C, 20°C, 50°C and 60°C) was studied within the period of 30 days. During this time changes in the samples of apple puree, which was stored at variable temperature, were determined as well. The content of ascorbic acid, the sucrose inversion, the formation of furfural and levulinic acid as well as sensory properties were followed as criteria of the puree quality. From obtained data the temperature dependence of these reactions was derived. On this base the shelf life of apple puree (the time, after which the sensory differences became significant) was estimated. This period was relatively short, i.e. less than 100 days at 20°C. The changes in puree at variable temperature were similar to those at higher storage temperatures (40°C–50°C).     

Oxidative Stability of Anhydrous Milkfat Microencapsulated in Whey Proteins

The chemical stability was studied on anhydrous milkfat (AMF) encapsulated in whey protein isolate (WPI) and WPI combined with lactose (1:1 w/w WPI/L). AMF-containing microcapsules, as well as bulk milkfat, were stored at 20°C with light, 40°C without light, and 50°C with and without light for up to 12 mo. Milkfat oxidation was monitored by oxygen uptake in headspace and hexanal accumulation. In all cases, AMF oxidation was significantly limited by microencapsulation in WPI or WPI/L. Whey proteins are effective microencapsulating agents.     

Ascorbic Acid Stability in Ground Asparagus Samples and in Oxalic Acid Extracts

To establish the storage conditions for asparagus preparation before ascorbic acid determination, samples were ground, the mass was divided into three aliquots that were, respectively, stored at 4°C, – 18°C, or extracted with 1% oxalic acid. The extract was further split into aliquots and stored at 25°, 4°, –18° and -75°C. Ascorbic acid content was measured at different times of storage by a polarographic method. The rate of degradation increased with storage temperature; the degradation rate was higher in ground samples than in extracts; no significant changes in ascorbic acid content were observed in extracts stored for 7 days at -18° or for 90 days at -75°C.     

Improved physical stability of docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid encapsulated using nanoliposome containing α‐tocopherol

This study aimed to develop a nanoliposomal formulation containing α‐tocopherol loaded with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and to characterise the formulation by its physical stability. For this purpose, different nanoliposomal formulations with dipalmitoyl phosphocholine were prepared using a modified thin‐film hydration method and evaluated by particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and determining the encapsulation efficiencies of DHA and EPA. A physical stability study was conducted by investigating the change in the vesicle encapsulation efficiency, particle size, PDI and shape when stored at 4, 30 and 40 °C for 3 months. High encapsulation efficiency of DHA and EPA (89.1% ± 0.6% and 81.9% ± 1.4%) and appropriate particle size (82 ± 0.8 nm) were obtained for liposomes composed of α‐tocopherol. The optimum formulation was stable for 90 days when kept at 4 °C. This study demonstrated that α‐tocopherol had a protective effect on the physical stability of the nanoliposomes containing DHA and EPA.     

Stability study of veterinary drugs in standard solutions for LC-MS/MS screening in food

A study on stability of veterinary drugs in standard solutions stored at ?80°C and at ?20°C was conducted over 1 year. Data were acquired on 152 individual stock standard solutions and also on 15 family mixes and 2 working standard solutions. All solutions were prepared, stored and compared 1 year later against freshly prepared ones by LC-MS/MS. A statistical analysis was performed to set the acceptability criteria, taking into account the variability of standard preparations. In individual stock standard solutions stored at ?80°C (12 months) and ?20°C (9 months), stability was demonstrated for 141 and 140 out of 152 compounds, i.e. for 92% and 93% of compounds, respectively. Drugs were even more stable when solubilised in either diluted family mixes or working standard solutions, with more than 99% and 94% of compounds found unaltered when stored at ?80°C and at ?20°C, respectively. In mixes, beta-lactams from the cephalosporin (cefadroxil and cephalexin) and penicillin (amoxicillin and ampicillin) families were found to be the least stable compounds when stored at ?20°C (6 months), necessitating storage at ?80°C to achieve a 1-year shelf life. The study also evidenced solubility issues for two sulfonamides (sulfadiazine and sulfamerazine) in methanol-based solutions. An independent stability study conducted by a second laboratory confirmed the 1-year stability of 3 family mixes—quinolones, sulfonamides and tetracyclines.     

High-Resolution NMR and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Studies on Fresh and Frozen Cod ( Gadus morhua) and Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Changes in the fish muscle from cod ( Gadus morhua ) and haddock ( Melanogrammus aeglefinus ) were investigated by high-resolution NMR and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Water- and salt-soluble extracts from fish stored at −20°C and −30°C were analysed by high-resolution proton NMR and enabled the identification of metabolites including trimethylamine oxide, trimethylamine (TMA) and dimethylamine. It was not possible to detect formaldehyde by NMR either in the stored fish samples or in spiked water or salt extracts even at high levels of formaldehyde addition, probably due to polymerisation. Systematic and controlled storage trials indicated the presence of dimethylamine at around 9 months for samples stored at −20°C, whereas no changes were detected at the control storage temperature of −30°C. A comparison of cod and haddock fillets stored for 1 year at −20 and −30°C confirmed the production of dimethylamine only in cod stored at −20°C. It was interesting to note that ‘fresh’ cod and haddock samples purchased from a local supermarket showed high levels of TMA indicating a breakdown of trimethylamine oxide to TMA by bacteria. TMA was not detected in the fish fillets especially obtained for the storage trials. MRI of fresh cod and fish stored at −8 and −30°C indicated that the fish half stored at −8°C exhibited dense lines or arches which are indicative of gaps in the tissue due to possible breakdown of the connective tissue. The images of fish stored at −30°C did not indicate any differences compared with the fresh fish. MRI also showed the presence of frozen and unfrozen areas in the fish non-destructively.