EXTENDING THE CHILLED SHELF LIFE OF VACUUM-PACKAGED GROUND BEEF USING ASCORBIC ACID, NITRITE OR SALT

The objective of this study was to extend the shelf life of ground beef in chilled conditions. Samples were treated with 2% salt, 2% salt  +  500-ppm ascorbic acid, or 2% salt  +  100-ppm sodium nitrite. The control sample did not contain any additives. Protein, nitrite, moisture contents, pH, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value, color attributes and microbial counts of samples were determined. Samples were vacuum packaged and stored in refrigeration, and chemical and microbial analyses were performed throughout storage. The pH of samples decreased during storage, and the sample having 2% salt and 500-ppm ascorbic acid had the greatest pH decline. TBA values generally increased ( P <  0.05) with storage time. Samples having 2% salt  +  500-ppm ascorbic acid had the lowest TBA value. On a given storage day, samples having 2% salt  +  100-ppm sodium nitrite had lower microbial microbial count than other samples, indicating the antibacterial effect of nitrite. A significant storage time  ×  treatment interaction ( P <  0.05) existed for almost all quality parameters studied.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Ground beef has commercial importance for the meat industry in Turkey. Meat processors have difficulties in marketing ground beef because of its relatively low shelf life. By adding ascorbic acid or salt, it is possible to extend shelf life and preserve its color, and to limit lipid oxidation, which will collectively help to increase market share of ground beef.     

EFFECTS OF USING ROSEMARY EXTRACT AND ONION JUICE ON OXIDATIVE STABILITY OF SARDINE (SARDINA PILCHARDUS) MINCE

Sardine (Sardina pilchardus) mince was treated with rosemary extract (RE – 300 ppm) and onion juice (OJ – 1 mL/100 g) then stored at ?20C for 5 months. Proximate composition, thiobarbutiric acid (TBA), free fatty acids (FFA) and peroxide value (PV) were determined on 0 and 15 days and 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 months of storage. Fatty acid composition was also determined on 0 and 5 months of frozen storage. TBA, PV and FFA levels increased on all experimental groups due to the lipid oxidation. RE showed antioxidative effect on sardine mince during frozen storage as indicated by TBA, PV and FFA levels. Oxidation was delayed for 3 months by OJ treatment. At the end of 5 months’ storage, the TBA values in OJ treatment and control (C) treatment were out of consumable limits. After frozen storage of 5 months polyunsaturated fatty acid level decreased and saturated fatty acid level increased in the control treatment. No significant change was observed in fatty acid composition in samples of RE and OJ treatments.     

Quality Assessment of Tiger Tooth Croaker (Otolithes ruber) During Ice Storage

Quality and shelf life of tiger tooth croaker (Otolithes ruber) during 19 days of iced storage were investigated in terms of sensory, chemical (total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), thiobarbituric values (TBA), peroxide value (PV), free fatty acid (FFA), and pH) and microbiological (total viable count, TVC and total psychrotrophic count. TPC) aspects. Acceptability quality of Tiger tooth croaker determined by panelists was 15–17 days. Limiting factors for acceptability were eye, gills, peritoneum, smell of gills and abdominal cavity, internal organs and flesh. Bacterial loads in samples were higher than limiting level (3 × 10⁶ CFU g^?1) between 15–17 days of ice storage. Of the chemical indicators of spoilage, the initial value of pH was 6.71 and increased to 7.35 at the end of storage. TVB-N content was 15.31mg N/100g on day 0 and reached to 36.52 on day 19. The acceptability of tiger tooth croaker decreased as FFA, PV and TBA values increased (P < 0.05). The release of FFA increased from an initial value of 4.15 (expressed as % of oleic acid) to a final value of 12.75 during the storage period. The initial PV value was 11.69 meq/kg and it increased to 50.75 meq/kg on day 12 and then started to decrease to 35.82 meq/kg at the end of storage period. The initial and final values of TBA were 0.83 and 3.75, respectively.     

Hydrolysis and oxidation of European eel oil during frozen storage for 48 weeks

The quality assessment of the wild European eel (Anguilla anguilla) stored at −20 °C was assessed by sensory, chemical (total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), peroxide value (PV), free fatty acid (FFA), thiobarbituric values (TBA) and pH) methods. The sensory analysis of showed that European eels were acceptable by panellists and can be stored for more than 48 weeks at −20 °C. No effects of frozen storage were observed on the proximate composition of eel. The level of TVB-N showed fluctuations (7.09–14.72 mg TVB-N/100 g) during frozen storage period, thus TVB-N could not be used as an indicator of frozen eel quality. FFA, PV and TBA values showed fluctuations during frozen storage period but remained low at the end of storage period, PV reached to the maximum level of 13.20±1.73 meq/kg, which did not exceed the maximum recommended value for human consumption (20 meq/kg). The release of FFA slightly increased (P>0.05) from the initial value of 0.88 to 2.14 (expressed as % of oleic acid) until 32 weeks of frozen storage while TBA increased from the initial value of 0.085 mg MA/kg to maximum level of 0.7696 mg MA/kg after week 40. After that, their values decreased to 1.82 and 0.5577 at week 48, respectively. This study showed that off-flavour and off-odour was not detected and frozen European eels were still acceptable by panellists and can be stored for more than 48 weeks at −20 °C.     

Stabilization of sunflower oil by garlic extract during accelerated storage

Efficacy of garlic extract in stabilizing sunflower oil during accelerated storage has been studied. Extracts of garlic were prepared in different solvents; extract yield was in the range of 6.24–23.2% and antioxidant activity range in the linoleic acid system was 14.1–93.2%. Being highest in yield and antioxidant potential, methanolic extract was thermally evaluated by heating the extract at 185 °C for different intervals, i.e. 0–80 min and evaluating antioxidant activity of the heated extract in the linoleic acid system (71.6% inhibition). Methanolic extract of garlic at three different concentrations, i.e. 250 (SFO-250), 500 (SFO-500) and 1000 ppm (SFO-1000) were added to preheated RBD sunflower oil. BHA (SFO-BHA) and BHT (SFO-BHT) at 200 ppm served as standards besides the control. Weight gain (WG), antioxidant activity index (AAI), free fatty acid (FFA) content, peroxide value (PV), conjugated dienes (CD), conjugated trienes (CT) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were taken as parameters for evaluation of effectiveness of garlic in stabilization of sunflower oil. Results from different parameters were in agreement with each other, suggesting the highest efficiency of SFO-1000, followed by SFO-BHT, SFO-BHA, SFO-500, SFO-250 and Ctrl. Results reveal garlic to be a potent antioxidant for stabilization of sunflower oil.     

Quality Assessment of Farmed Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) during Chilled Storage

ABSTRACT:  The quality changes of farmed rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) stored in ice for a period of up to 20 (0, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20) d were determined by chemical (total volatile basic nitrogen [TVB-N], free fatty acid (FFA), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), peroxide value (PV), heme iron), microbiological (total viable counts, TVC), and sensory methods. The TVB-N level showed fluctuations during storage, indicating that TVB-N could not be a good indicator of rainbow trout quality. The TBA values remained low and were found to fluctuate during storage. The PV values and the release of FFA increased ( P < 0.05), while heme iron content decreased during storage. The total viable counts of rainbow trout increased ( P < 0.05) from the initial value of 4.0 log CFU/g (day 0) to 7.04 log CFU/g (day 20) over the period of storage. This study showed that sensory analysis of rainbow trout correlated well with the microbiological analysis. The results of this study according to microbiological and sensorial data indicated that the shelf life of rainbow trout stored in ice was approximately 9 to 11 d.     

Effect of frozen storage on the quality of whole fish and fillets of horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) and mediterranean hake (Merluccius mediterraneus)

 Whole fish and fillets of horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) and mediterranean hake (Merluccius mediterraneus) were assessed for quality (physical, chemical and sensory attributes) changes throughout 12 months of frozen storage at −18 °C. The pH, expressible water (EXW), quantities of trimethylamine (TMA), dimethylamine (DMA), formaldehyde (FA), the total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) the thiobarbituric acid number (TBA), peroxide value (PV) and amount of free fatty acids (FFA) increased, while sensory attributes (odour, taste, texture) decreased during the frozen storage period. A comparison of quality scores between whole fish and fillets of horse mackerel and mediterranean hake showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in attribute scores. There were, however, significant differences (P<0.05) in pH, EXW, TMA, DMA, FA, TVB-N, TBA, FFA and PV. Received: 19 April 1996/Revised version: 7 September 1996     

Effects of starter cultures and additives on the quality of Turkish style sausage (sucuk)

The effects of starter cultures and additives on the quality of Turkish style sausage (sucuk) were investigated during ripening and storage. Total aerobic plate counts (aerobic bacteria), mould and yeast counts, pH, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value and biogenic amine formation were followed. Aerobic bacteria increased (P<0.05) during the first 10 days of ripening to 9.26 log CFU/g and they decreased (P<0.05) to 5.70 at the end of the storage. Larger reductions (P<0.05) were observed in sausages made with high levels of potassium sorbate, nitrite and nitrate than in those containing low levels of additives and those without additives at the end of storage. During the first 3 days of ripening, the pH values of all sausages decreased (P<0.05) from 5.98 to about 4.53. Later, the pH values increased slowly, due to decomposition of acids to an approximately constant value of about 5.20. TBA values were higher (P<0.05) in the sausages made without additives than in the others. Sausages prepared using high concentration of additives had lower (P<0.05) concentrations of biogenic amines than the others. Addition of starter culture with high concentration of additives (nitrite, nitrate, α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, potassium sorbate, potassium pyrophosphate and di-potassium hydrogenphosphate) decreased the formation of biogenic amine.     

Effect of potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate on microbial population and fermentation of black olives

Black olive fermentation characteristics and diffusion of preservatives into olives were evaluated in brines containing 500 ppm potassium sorbate, 1000 ppm sodium benzoate, 500 ppm sodium benzoate + 250 ppm potassium sorbate and no preservative (control). Changes in brine pH, acidity and microbial population (lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, moulds) were followed during fermentation and storage. Results indicated that K‐sorbate when used at 500 ppm concentration in black olive fermentation had a slight stimulatory effect on the growth of lactic acid bacteria. The yeast counts of brines containing 500 ppm K‐sorbate and 1000 ppm Na‐benzoate were lower than for the brine containing 250 ppm K‐sorbate + 500 ppm Na‐benzoate and for the control with no preservative, while mould growth was completely inhibited in all treatments during fermentation. Mould counts stayed below the detection limit (<10 cfu g⁻¹) during 214 days of vacuum‐packaged storage. Yeast counts showed a progressive decline within 28 days of storage and then stayed relatively constant in all treatments thereafter. The level of yeast population was higher in the control sample than in the sample containing both preservatives during storage. The diffusion of Na‐benzoate and K‐sorbate into the olives after equilibrium was 64% and 80% during fermentation respectively. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of excess iron in milk replacer on calf performance

Milk replacers containing 100, 500, 1000, 2000, or 5000 ppm iron were fed to 3-d-old calves for 6 wk to estimate the lowest amount of dietary iron (added as ferrous sulfate) that would reduce calf performance. Calves tolerated all iron treatments except 5000 ppm. At this intake calves showed reduced weight gains, DM intake, feed efficiency, and digestibility of DM and protein. There were no other signs of iron toxicity and no gross abnormalities were found on postmortem examination. Percent of dietary iron in feces increased with higher dietary iron and ranged from 65 to 84%. Elevated iron intakes caused relatively small increases in iron concentration of blood plasma, bile, kidney, heart, and muscle but marked increased in spleen and liver iron, particularly in liver for the 2000 and 5000 ppm treatments. At 100 ppm iron intake, nonheme iron in liver, spleen, and kidney was composed of similar proportions of ferritin and hemosiderin, but at 5000 ppm iron intake, hemosiderin predominated in these tissues. Thus, the preruminant calf tolerated between 2000 and 5000 ppm iron in milk replacer. At toxic iron intake, calf performance and feed efficiency were reduced; there was a characteristic change to higher liver than spleen iron; and hemosiderin became the predominant iron storage compound in both tissues.     

Capability of the rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) extract on the oxidative stability of cooked sea bream (Sparus aurata) during frozen storage

The effects of rosemary extract addition on oxidative stability of cooked sea bream during frozen storage period were investigated. Sea bream fillets were fried, oven baked and grilled. Three groups with rosemary extract were also cooked by the same methods and cooked samples (with and without rosemary extract) were stored in −18 °C for 4 months. After cooking procedures, the FFA formation was quite similar in fresh-raw and fried sea bream fillets, but significantly increased oven baked (0.31–0.33% oleic acid) and grilled fillets (0.39–0.40% oleic acid). The highest value of PV was also obtained from grilled fillets (1.18–1.58 meq/kg). However, TBA values (1.92 mg MA/kg for fresh-raw fillet) did not increase in sea bream fillets after the frying and grilling procedure except oven baking without rosemary extract (2.41 mg MA/kg). A considerable increase in the FFA, PV and TBA was observed in all cooked groups during frozen storage period. The treated samples with rosemary extract generally showed slower PV and TBA formation than those of the untreated samples. However, the additions of rosemary extract have positive effect on sensory quality of baked sea bream.     

Effects of combining of smoking and marinating on the shelf life of anchovy stored at 4°C

The quality of smoked and marinated anchovy was investigated in terms of sensory, chemical [total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), peroxide value (PV), fatty acids, free fatty acids (FFA), and pH] and microbiological parameters (total aerobic count (TVC), coliform, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus) during 7 months of storage. The results of sensory analyses showed that the total appearance, odor-taste, and texture scores decreased gradually during storage period. The results of the chemical analyses also correlated well with the sensory analyses apart from TVBN value. TBA significantly increased (p<0.05) from 1.9 to 4.25 MA/kg after the storage of 6 month. Peroxide value (POV) showed significant fluctuations (p<0.05) during the storage period. Initial TVC of 3.8 log CFU/g increased to 6.2 log CFU/g at the end of storage period. According to results obtained from sensory, chemical, and microbiological analyses, shelf life of this product was about 6 month.     

Capability of the rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) extract on the oxidative stability of cooked sea bream (Sparus aurata) during frozen storage

The effects of rosemary extract addition on oxidative stability of cooked sea bream during frozen storage period were investigated. Sea bream fillets were fried, oven baked and grilled. Three groups with rosemary extract were also cooked by the same methods and cooked samples (with and without rosemary extract) were stored in ?18?°C for 4?months. After cooking procedures, the FFA formation was quite similar in fresh-raw and fried sea bream fillets, but significantly increased oven baked (0.31?C0.33% oleic acid) and grilled fillets (0.39?C0.40% oleic acid). The highest value of PV was also obtained from grilled fillets (1.18?C1.58?meq/kg). However, TBA values (1.92?mg MA/kg for fresh-raw fillet) did not increase in sea bream fillets after the frying and grilling procedure except oven baking without rosemary extract (2.41?mg MA/kg). A considerable increase in the FFA, PV and TBA was observed in all cooked groups during frozen storage period. The treated samples with rosemary extract generally showed slower PV and TBA formation than those of the untreated samples. However, the additions of rosemary extract have positive effect on sensory quality of baked sea bream.     

The effects of nitrite on the survival of Clostridium sporogenes and the autoxidation properties of the Kavurma

Kavurma is a traditional cooked (fried) meat product manufactured to preserve meat. Some bacterial genera, e.g., clostridia are important in kavurma. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of nitrite and the traditional cooking process on the survival and proliferation of Clostridium botulinum and the autoxidation properties of the kavurma. For this purpose, Clostridium sporogenes having similar characteristics to C. botulinum was used, and the samples were inoculated with 10(6) CFU/g C. sporogenes cells before the traditional cooking. The final products were packaged and stored under refrigeration for 6 months, and then the oxidation parameters (TBA, peroxide and free fatty acid values) and C. sporogenes counts of samples were determined. It was observed that C. sporogenes could survive during the traditional cooking process and storage. However, counts decreased during storage; for example, nitrite containing samples initially had 3.21logCFU/g C. sporogenes and 2.73logCFU/g at the end of storage. While nitrite had a slight antimicrobial effect on clostridia, it significantly reduced the TBA, peroxide and FFA values of the samples. In conclusion, it is suggested that addition of 100ppm of nitrite might be useful in kavurma processing because of its role in limiting oxidation as well as its antimicrobial effect.     

Effects of turmeric, shallot extracts, and their combination on quality characteristics of vacuum-packaged rainbow trout stored at 4 ± 1 °C

The effects of turmeric extract (T), shallot extract (Sh), and their combination (T + Sh) on the quality of vacuum-packaged rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were examined during refrigerated storage (4 ± 1 °C) over a period of 20 d. Fish samples were divided into 4 batches; 3 batches were treated by dipping for 30 min in aqueous solution of turmeric extract (1.5%; v/v), shallot extract (1.5%; v/v), or turmeric and shallot extract combination (1.5%+ 1.5% v/v), while the fourth batch was dipped in distilled water as a control sample. The control and the treated fish samples were analyzed periodically for microbiological (total viable count, psychrotrophic count), chemical (total volatile base nitrogen [TVB-N], peroxide value [PV], and thiobarbituric acid [TBA] value), and sensory characteristics. The results indicated that the effect of the T, Sh, and T + Sh on the fish samples were to enable the good quality characteristics to be retained longer and to extend the shelf life during the refrigerated storage.     

Effects of ascorbic acid and pre-packaging on shelf-life and quality of raw and cooked okra (Hibiscus esculentus)

Fresh okra fruits were dipped in aqueous solutions containing 250 and 500 ppm ascorbic acid (AA) or 1000 ppm Tween-20 for 5 min, air-dried, packaged and stored at 2°C. Blackening of the fruits dipped in the Tween-20 solution occurred within 2–4 days of storage while the AA-treated samples showed signs of deterioration after 20 days. Weight loss was greatly reduced in the AA-treated okra samples.The total chlorophyll, oxalate, fibre (hot-water-insoluble materials), ash and moisture contents of all the treated samples remained fairly constant. The maintenance of good quality by AA-treated samples packed in ‘cellophane’ bags was reflected in all aspects of sensory evaluation for cooked okra, even after 29 days of storage. It is concluded that a postharvest dip in 500 ppm ascorbic acid can be beneficial in maintaining texture and greenness of okra.     

Effect of gamma irradiation and frozen storage on chemical and sensory characteristics of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillet

The present study was conducted to evaluate the combined effect of low‐dose gamma irradiation (1, 3 and 5 kGy) and frozen storage (5 months at ?20 °C) on chemical and sensory characteristics of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillet. Our statistical analysis showed that irradiation process and frozen storage time had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on total volatile nitrogen (TVN), peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and pH. The level of all of these factors increased with increasing frozen storage time. At the end of the fifth month of frozen storage, the lowest and the highest level of TVN, PV and TBA were corresponding to the irradiated samples at 3 and 5 kGy, respectively. In terms of the overall acceptability of their texture, odour, colour and taste, irradiated samples at 3 kGy had the best quality and remained acceptable after 5 months frozen storage. The optimum dose of gamma radiation of rainbow trout fillets according to chemical and sensory analysis was obtained at 3 kGy.     

The effects of rosemary extract combination with vacuum packing on the quality changes of Atlantic mackerel fish burgers

The effects of the use of antioxidant technology on the quality of mackerel burgers stored at 4 °C were investigated in terms of sensory, biochemical [thiobarbituric acid (TBA), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N), peroxide value (PV) and free fatty acids (FFA)] and microbiological analyses [total viable count (TVC)]. Fish meat was divided into three groups; the control (C) without rosemary extract, the second group with 0.4% rosemary extracts (Group A) and the third with 0.8% rosemary extracts (Group B). Results showed that the TVB‐N level did not exceed acceptability limit (30–35 mg 100 g^?1) for all groups. TBA value for the control significantly increased from 1.47 to 4.80 MA kg^?1 whereas it slightly increased in treatment groups as the storage time increased. Significantly higher PV and FFA (P < 0.05) were obtained from the control group. Rosemary extract, in combination with vacuum pack was effective in controlling the growth of bacteria and biochemical indices.     

Effect of leek and onion on processing and quality characteristics of Greek traditional sausages

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of leek and onion on processing and quality characteristics of sausages and select the most appropriate, to determine the optimum level of selected vegetable and to improve its effectiveness on quality characteristics of sausages, in comparison to the addition of nitrites (100 ppm), by using a starter culture of Staphylococcus carnosus and ascorbate. The nitrate content of leek ranged from 213 to 255 ppm and that of onion was 79 ppm. Sausages produced with leek had higher (p<0.05) nitrite content (1.3-2.1 ppm) and a (?)(+) values and higher scores for sensory attributes than sausages with onion. Sausages made with the total leek plant had the highest score for overall acceptability. The higher the leek level the higher the nitrate and nitrite content of sausages and the lower the redness, a (?)(+). Sausages with 240 g of leek/kg had the highest (p<0.05) overall acceptability. Sausages with higher leek level had an intensive wrinkling on the surface and also an intensive and undesirable green colour. Sausages produced with 240 g of leek/kg had the same low level of nitrate and nitrite content, higher weight losses and lower pH values after the 3rd day of storage, compared to sausages produced with the addition of sodium nitrite. The addition of starter culture and ascorbic acid improved the redness (a (?)) of sausages and reduced the 2-thiobarbituric acid value. Sausages with leek, starter culture and ascorbic acid had the highest score for odour and taste and overall acceptability.     

THE EFFECT OF PROCESSING METHOD AND STORAGE TIME ON CONSTITUENTS OF TURKISH SAUSAGES (SUCUK)

Turkish sausages ( sucuk ) were produced by two methods (heat processing and traditional). Their moisture, pH and water activity and lipid stability were studied during refrigerated storage (4  ±  2C/90 days). Heat-processed (Therm) sausages had higher moisture content, water activity and pH values, and low thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values, free fatty acids (FFA) and peroxide values. FFA content of Therm sausages increased from 2.5 to 5.5% during storage and was significantly ( P <  0.05) affected by storage time. In the case of traditionally produced (Trad) sausages, there was no significant impact of storage time, but their TBA value increased from 0.38 to 0.48 mg MA/kg, while only a slight increase was observed in Therm sausages, from 0.41 to 0.43 mg MA/kg. Storage time significantly ( P <  0.05) increased the TBA value of Trad sausages.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

In the current study, the effect of processing methods (heat processing and traditional) and storage time on some constituents of Turkish sausages was studied. Processing method significantly affected proximate composition of the sausages. On the other hand, lipolytic and oxidative changes were observed in both heat-processed and traditional sausages during storage. This could be attributed to hydrolytic enzymes and residual oxygen in vacuum packs. In practical applications, low oxygen permeability packing materials or modified gas atmosphere packing are recommended for both processing methods.