Influence of fruit ripeness and salt concentration on the microbial processing of Arbequina table olives

Arbequina table olives are processed as “naturally green olives”, they are directly placed in brine and fermentation starts spontaneously. Olives are harvested just before they change to ‘turning colour’. Different salt concentrations are used depending on the producer. The aim of the study was to evaluate how (i) the ripeness of the olive when it is harvested and (ii) the salt concentration of the brine influence the different microorganism populations in brine during the fermentation of Arbequina table olives.The results showed that the Enterobacteriaceae population lasted longer in black and turning colour olives than in green olives, whereas the growth of lactic acid bacteria was delayed in green olives. A higher salt concentration favoured the elimination of Enterobacteriaceae and hindered yeast growth. The main yeast species identified were Pichia anomala, Candida sorbosa and Candida boidinii, while Lactobacillus plantarum was the only lactic acid bacteria species involved in the process. In a sensory test, panellists preferred green olives and were not able to tell the laboratory-scale processed olives from a commercial sample, nor could they distinguish green olives from different brines.     

Identification of oxidized chlorophylls and metallochlorophyllic complexes of copper in table olives (cv. Gordal) with green staining alteration.

In Spanish green table olives showing the alteration known as green staining, new chlorophyll derivatives have been identified: the copper complexes of 3(1),3(2)-didehydrorhodochlorin-15-glyoxylic acid-17(3)-phytyl ester a and b (Cu-15-glyoxylic acid pheophytins a and b), and 3(1),3(2)-didehydro-15(1)-hydroxy-15(1)-hydroxyrhodochlorin- 15-acetic acid delta-lactone-15(2)-methyl-17(3)-phytyl ester a and b (Cu-15(1)-OH-lactone-pheophytins a and b). These compounds were isolated by normal phase thin-layer chromatography and identified from their UV-visible and mass spectra and by co-chromatography with authentic standards. The chromatographic and spectroscopic characteristics and the molecular mass for a new allomerized chlorophyll derivative and its copper complex are reported. The corresponding molecular structure according to the molecular mass has been proposed. The characterization of the latter compounds enables their possible detection in processed fruits and vegetables. The present work gathers new advances in the study of the color alteration in table olives and this is the first time that copper complexes of oxidized chlorophylls are detected in foodstuffs.     

Identification of acid-stable carmine in imported apple syrup product

An unknown red pigment was purified from an apple syrup product imported from Canada, using a DIAION HP-20 column with methanol as the eluent. By spectroscopic means and chemical synthesis, the isolated pigment was identified as 4-aminocarminic acid, which is the major pigment of acid-stable carmine (a red colorant illegal in Japan). In addition, HPLC and TLC methods were proposed to detect this illegal colorant. While the color of carminic acid changed from yellow to red in the pH range of McIlvaine buffer (3.0-7.0), the color of 4-aminocarminic acid was always red, and also the ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) spectra did not change. These characteristics are useful to distinguish 4-aminocarminic acid from carminic acid.     

Use of molecular methods for the identification of yeast associated with table olives

A molecular approach is used for the identification of yeast isolated from table olives. Our results validate those obtained in the past by the classical biochemical methodology. Yeast were isolated from both aerobically and anaerobically processed black table olives and also from canned seasoned green table olives. Molecular identification methodology used included restriction pattern analysis of both PCR-amplified 5.8S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacers ITS(1) and ITS(2). For some species, sequence analysis of the 26S rRNA gene was necessary. These techniques allowed the identification of three yeast species (Issatchenkia occidentalis, Geotrichum candidum and Hanseniaspora guilliermondii) which had not been described previously in table olives. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida boidinii were the most frequent species in green seasoned olives and processed black olives, respectively. The molecular study of total DNA variability among the S. cerevisiae strains isolated indicates a quite heterogeneous population, with at least four different restriction patterns.     

米团花色素在果汁、果冻中的应用

考察米团花色素在果汁和果冻中的应用效果,探讨该色素的应用范围。将米团花色素添加到果汁和果冻中,以柠檬黄为对照,研究其对食品感官的影响及其在储藏过程中的稳定性。结果表明:果汁和果冻添加米团花色素后色泽良好,储藏7周后,果汁和果冻中米团花色素含量分别降低4.1%和0.6%;米团花色素可用作果汁和果冻着色剂。     

Stability of monosodium glutamate in green table olives and pickled cucumbers as a function of packing conditions and storage time

The effects of different packing conditions and storage times on the stability of monosodium glutamate (MSG) added to two different fermented vegetables (Spanish-type green table olives and pickled cucumbers) were studied. Factors such as packaging material (glass bottle versus plastic pouch), heat treatment (pasteurisation versus non-pasteurisation), and the presence or not of a preservative compound (potassium sorbate) were considered. The MSG content of pickled cucumbers was stable for up to 1 year of storage in all packing conditions studied. The MSG content also remained stable in pasteurised green table olives. On the contrary, MSG was extensively degraded (>75% degradation) after 54 weeks of storage in unpasteurised green olives with a higher degradation rate in glass bottles compared with plastic pouches. In the presence of potassium sorbate, MSG was also considerably degraded in olives packed in plastic pouches (>50% degradation), but hardly degraded in glass bottles. The results indicate that MSG degradation in olives is due to the action of both lactic acid bacteria and yeasts, with the formation of γ-aminobutyric acid as the major end-product.     

Olive Fermentation and Processing: Scientific and Technological Challenges

ABSTRACT: The 3 main commercial table olive preparations are the Spanish-style green olives, the Greek-style naturally black olives, and the Californian-style black ripe olives. In all cases, fruits undergo fermentation in brine solution, which preserves them and increases palatability. Lactic acid bacteria dominate in brines of green olives, while mainly fermentative yeasts are found in brines of black ones. The fermentation is spontaneous and begins as soon as olives are put into brine. Research on table olives has been going on for 100 years, but many questions remain. Previous work has focused on the efficient utilization of starter cultures in order to control the fermentation, to guarantee the absence of spoilage, and to govern the relationship between olive flavor and microorganisms. Nowadays, there is concern over environmental problems that the fermentation solutions represent, in particular their high NaCl content. Fermentation or simply storing olives in water without salt presents some problems. The high concentration of sodium benzoate used for storing black ripe olives by the American industries is not advisable for European processes due to the residual amount of preservative in the final product. Fermentation of green olive wash waters, in order to obtain valuable products, is being pursued, but polymeric inhibitors are problematic and undesirable microorganisms grow. The consumption of organic foods is increasing and black olives fit the definition since they are processed without chemical treatment. However, the hydrolysis of the bitter compound oleuropein, either by microorganisms or acids, needs to be studied.     

猪血亚硝基血红蛋白在肉品中的应用研究

为了进一步确定HbNO在肉品中的可应用性，将适量亚硝摹血红蛋白作为着色剂制成火褪肠，感官状态完全接近哑硝酸钠发色效果，优于红曲色素的着色效果。由于具有很强的耐热性，亚硝基血红蛋白作为肉制品着色剂添加到高温火腿肠中是可行的。     

Study of the anti-lactic acid bacteria compounds in table olives

The analysis and formation of anti-lactic acid bacteria compounds in olive brines was performed for the main worldwide olive varieties intended for table olives. The results demonstrated that the growth of lactic acid bacteria in the brines of olives non-treated with NaOH is, in some way, variety dependant. Likewise, the most active antimicrobial compound, the dialdehydic form of decarboxymethyl elenolic acid linked to hydroxytyrosol, was not detected in fresh fruits but it was formed during brining from the hydrolysis of oleuropein and this reaction was enzymatically catalysed. Thus, the inactivation of the enzyme by heating the olives produced (i) an accumulation of oleuropein in olives and brines, (ii) the inhibition of the formation of antimicrobials and (iii) the growth of Lactobacillus pentosus in olive brines. These results provide tools for a full understanding of the growth or inhibition of lactic acid bacteria during fermentation of table olives.     

Triterpenic acids in table olives

An experimental investigation was carried out for the first time on the triterpenic acids in table olives. Maslinic acid was found in a higher concentration than oleanolic acid in the flesh of 17, unprocessed olive varieties, with the Picual and the Manzanilla varieties showing the highest and almost the lowest contents, respectively. The level of triterpenic acids in several types of commercial black and green olives ranged from 460 to 1470 mg/kg fruit, which represents a much higher value than reported for virgin olive oils. In fact, the NaOH treatment employed to debitter black and green olives reduced the concentrations of these substances in the flesh because of their solubilisation into alkaline solutions. Thus, natural black olives, which are not treated with NaOH, showed a higher concentration than 2000 mg/kg in the olive flesh. These results will contribute to the reevaluation of table olives from a nutritional and functional point of view because of the promising bioactivity properties attributed to olive triterpenic acids.     

Biogenic amines in packed table olives and pickles

The content of biogenic amines in different commercial preparations of table olives and other pickled foods was determined. Concentration of amines in packed table olives, capers, caperberries, and cucumbers was less than 60 mg of total biogenic amines per kg of fruit, and, therefore, these products represent no risk to human health. The highest concentrations of putrescine (50 mg/kg) and histamine (38 mg/kg) were found in untreated natural black olives and caperberries, respectively. Canned ripe olives were completely free of biogenic amines. Putrescine was found in all the samples of green olives and cucumbers but at levels lower than 18 mg/kg.     

Physicochemical and microbiological profile of packed table olives

The water activity of different commercial products of table olives as well as their physicochemical and microbiological profiles were studied. Average values of water activity were 0.976, 0.977, and 0.990 for green, directly brined, and ripe (by alkaline oxidation) olives, respectively. Mean values of pH were 3.69, 3.92, and 6.52 while salt levels were 5.53, 4.98, and 2.55 for the same commercial products. In some of the commercial products of green and directly brined olives that were examined, a certain level of microorganisms was observed. Most of them were lactic acid bacteria and yeasts, the lactic acid bacteria being more abundant than the yeasts. Traditionally, this flora has not been considered harmful due to its resemblance to that found in natural and spontaneous fermentation. Spore-forming mesophilic aerobes, which can be considered contaminants from ingredient or product handling, were present in only some samples and were always at low levels. However, their detection does not cause any concern regarding safety because there is no reference showing that they can grow in any of the products studied given the physicochemical characteristics found.     

Identification and characterization of yeast isolated from the elaboration of seasoned green table olives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the yeast population during the processing of green table olives. In the fresh olives, yeast were found at concentrations of around 3.0 log cfu/g, with Cryptococcus spp. being predominant. In the brine, the yeast concentrations were greater than 4.9 log cfu/ml, with Pichia anomala, Kluyveromyces marxianus, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae being the predominant species. Unlike the yeast isolated from the fresh olives, the strains obtained from the olive brine mostly showed low pectolytic but high catalase activities. Some of these strains also exhibited other biochemical desirable properties for the fermentation of green table olives, including their lipolytic activities and their assimilation or production of organic acids in the brine. Seven strains in particular of P. anomala, K. marxianus, S. cerevisiae, and Candida maris showed the best properties for use in trials as starter culture in pilot fermenters.     

醇提和碱提板栗壳色素粗提物抗氧化活性比较研究

板栗壳色素兼具着色剂和抗氧化剂的双重作用,分别以70%乙醇和氨水(pH11)为溶剂提取板栗壳色素,对2种提取方法在色素的得率、紫外-可见光光谱以及抗氧化活性方面作了比较研究,以期为板栗壳色素的开发利用提供理论依据。醇提法所得色素色价较高,但在抗脂质过氧化、清除羟自由基和1,1-二苯基-2-苦基肼自由基活性以及还原力方面都不及碱提法所得色素,两种方法所得色素对超氧阴离子自由基的清除能力都很弱。     

Effect of processing techniques on antioxidative enzyme activities, antioxidant capacity, phenolic compounds, and fatty acids of table olives

In this study, olive fruits (Olea europeae cv. Gemlik) of the most common sources of table olives in Turkey were used. Total polyphenol content (TPC), antioxidant capacity (AC), and antioxidant enzymes (catalase, CAT; ascorbate peroxidase, APX; and glutathione reductase, GR) of table olives were compared by 4 different methods of ripe table olive processing. Results revealed that TPC of the processed olives ranged from 117.44 to 418.69 mg gallic acid equivalents/g fresh weight (f.w.). The highest AC as mg Trolox equivalents of 189.58/g f.w. was obtained from unprocessed black olives. CAT, APX, and GR activities of unprocessed olives were higher than those obtained in all processed olives. In conclusion, TPC, AC, and antioxidant enzyme activities are strongly affected by fruit ripening and processing in table olives of ‘Gemlik’ cultivar. In addition, the best processing technique is untreated black olives in brine for antioxidant properties.     

Mineral content and sensory characteristics of Gordal green table olives fermented in chloride salt mixtures

This work studies the effects of the initial brine concentrations of NaCl, KCl, and CaCl(2) on the mineral content and gustatory and kinaesthetic sensations of fermented green table olives, using a simplex centroid mixture design augmented with interior points. The sodium in the flesh was linearly related to the mixture concentrations while potassium and calcium were linked by quadratic and special cubic models respectively. Acidity, saltiness, hardness, fibrousness, and crunchiness were expressed as linear funtions of the NaCl, KCl, and CaCl(2) initial brine contents but bitterness required quadratic equations. The models can be used to produce table olives with specific mineral contents in the flesh and to predict their corresponding sensory characteristics. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The study provides the industry with models to estimate the Na, K, and Ca mineral contents in the flesh of fermented Gordal green table olives as well as their sensory characteristics as a function of the NaCl, KCl, and CaCl(2) initial compositions in the brining solution. Therefore, the paper provides tools which are able to support the production of commercial presentations which not only satisfy consumer demand for low Na, but are also K and Ca fortified table olive presentations with specific sensory profiles.     

向日葵舌状花中天然黄色素的提取及稳定性研究

对从向日葵舌状花中提取的天然黄色色素在不同环境条件下进行稳定性研究。结果表明,该色素水溶性好,黄色素的最大吸收波长在390nm,具有较好的耐热性、耐光性和耐氧化还原性,食品添加剂和Na+、Ca2+、Zn2+,Cu2+ 等金属离子对这种色素具有护色作用。它是一种价廉易得,使用方便的天然植物色素和良好的食品添加剂及着色剂。     

Protoporphyrin-IX as a Substitute for Nitrite in Cured-Meat Color Production

The iron-free heme derivative protoporphyrin-IX, was added to a cooked emulsified beef product to mimic the typical cured-color obtained with nitrite. Although the pigment was stable and could be recovered from the emulsion it imparted a purple hue as noted by visual observation and Hunterlab color values (L,a,b). The possible implications of this pigment as a meat colorant are discussed.     

Lactic acid bacteria from fermented table olives

Table olives are one of the main fermented vegetables in the world. Olives can be processed as treated or natural. Both have to be fermented but treated green olives have to undergo an alkaline treatment before they are placed in brine to start their fermentation. It has been generally established that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are responsible for the fermentation of treated olives. However, LAB and yeasts compete for the fermentation of natural olives. Yeasts play a minor role in some cases, contributing to the flavour and aroma of table olives and in LAB development.     

Physicochemical, microbiological, and organoleptic profiles of Greek table olives from retail outlets

The physicochemical, microbiological, and organoleptic profile of different commercial table olive products from retail outlets was studied. Average pH values were 4.00, 3.96, and 4.31 for Spanish-style green, naturally black, and dry-salted olives, respectively, while salt content was 6.21, 7.34, and 8.00% for the same commercial products. Mean values for titratable acidity were 0.53 and 0.63% (wt/vol) for green and naturally black olives. In general, mean values for pH, titratable acidity, and salt content were in accordance with the requirements established by the International Olive Oil Council (IOOC) for the trade of table olives, although considerable variation was observed within individual olive samples. Salt content of dry-salted olives did not meet the minimum limit of 10% established by the IOOC. The dominant microbiota consisted of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. Their population was less than 10(9) CFU ml(-1), as stipulated by the IOOC standard for fermented olives held in bulk in a covering liquid. These microorganisms come from the natural microbiota found in spontaneous fermentations and impose no risk to human health. No enterobacteria, pseudomonads, Bacillus cereus, or Clostridium perfringens were detected in any of the samples given the physicochemical characteristics found. The organoleptic profile varied greatly according to processing style and commercial preparation. Green olives had more uniform sensory characteristics than naturally black and dry-salted olives. The most important attributes that influenced the judgment of the panelists were salt content and crispness of the olives.