Quality Enhancement of Chilled Fish by Including Alga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bifurcaria bifurcata</Emphasis> Extract in the Icing Medium

Bifurcaria bifurcata is a widely extended brown macroalga, whose antimicrobial and antioxidant properties have previously been described. In this study, ethanolic extracts of B. bifurcata were included in the icing medium employed for the chilled storage of megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis). For it, two different concentrations of this brown macroalga extract (0.67 and 2.50 g lyophilized alga L^?1 aqueous solution; B-1 and B-2 batches, respectively) were tested for a 14-day storage. The effect of the alga extract was compared with a counterpart batch stored in traditional ice prepared only from water (B-0 batch). Significant (p < 0.05) inhibitions of microbial activity (aerobes, psychrotrophs, lipolytic bacteria, proteolytic bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae) as well as of pH and trimethylamine formation were observed as a result of the incorporation of the alga extract in the icing medium, being this effect especially relevant in the B-2 batch. Concerning lipid damage development, a significantly (p < 0.05) lower formation of free fatty acids (lipid hydrolysis development) and of fluorescent compounds (tertiary lipid oxidation development) in samples corresponding to both alga-including batches could also be observed; this inhibitory effect was more intense in fish belonging to the B-2 batch. The icing medium proposed in this work constitutes a promising strategy in order to apply algae extracts to enhance fish quality retention during the different steps of storage and commercialization of marine species.     

Chemical profiles of heated perilla meal extracts and their antioxidant activities

Chemical profiles of aqueous or ethanolic extracts of 140, 170 and 200 °C-heated perilla meal were identified by GC-MS, and antioxidant properties of the extracts were observed via in vitro assays and in bulk oil or oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion. A total of 22 and 27 chemicals were found in aqueous and ethanolic extracts from non-heated samples, respectively. As the heating temperature increased to 200 °C, the carbohydrate and derivative contents decreased significantly (P < 0.05), whereas rosmarinic acid concentration decreased in both extracts. Ethanolic extracts possessed higher antioxidant activities than aqueous extracts based on the results of radical scavenging and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assays and the Rancimat assay, but there were no significant differences among samples (P > 0.05). In the case of O/W emulsions, aqueous extracts inhibited lipid oxidation more efficiently than ethanolic extracts at 50 °C. In particular, heat treatment decreased the antioxidant activities of ethanolic extracts and not aqueous extracts in the O/W emulsion system. Aqueous extracts are recommended in moisture-rich emulsion-based foods while ethanolic extracts are more suitable in a lipid-rich environment for enhancing oxidative stability.     

Effect of a natural organic acid-icing system on the microbiological quality of commercially relevant chilled fish species

Natural preservative organic acids (ascorbic, citric and lactic acids) were used to prepare a novel organic acid-flake icing system for the chilled preservation of hake (Merluccius merluccius), megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) and angler (Lophius piscatorius). The icing system was prepared with two different concentrations of a commercial acid mixture-formula containing the three organic acids at 800 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg (C-800 and C-400 batches, respectively). Aerobic mesophiles, psychrotrophs, proteolytic bacteria, trimethylamine and pH were evaluated and the results compared with sensory analyses. Significantly (P < 0.05) lower counts of mesophiles were found for hake and megrim in the C-800 and C-400 batches compared with the control batch. In the case of angler, significantly (P < 0.05) lower counts of mesophiles, psychrotrophs and proteolytic microorganisms (P < 0.05) were found for fish stored in the C-800 icing conditions. Both C-400 and C-800 megrim batches exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) lower pH values than the control batch, and this result was also observed in the C-800 angler batch. Sensory analysis confirmed that the shelf lives of the three fish species in the C-800 batch were extended. According to the parameters assessed, storage of hake, megrim and angler in the proposed ice system better protects their microbial and sensory qualities.     

Influence of pressurised liquid extraction and solid–liquid extraction methods on the phenolic content and antioxidant activities of Irish macroalgae

The efficiencies of pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) and a traditional solid–liquid extraction (SLE) at extracting antioxidant polyphenols from Irish macroalgae Ascophyllum nodosum, Pelvetia canaliculata, Fucus spiralis and Ulva intestinalis were compared. PLE was more effective for extracting polyphenols with acetone/water (80:20); however, when food‐friendly solvents of ethanol/water (80:20) and water were employed, SLE resulted in higher phenolic content in brown macroalgal extracts. For example, the Fucus spiralis SLE water and ethanol/water extracts displayed total phenolic contents (TPCs) of 130.58 ± 2.78 and 142.81 ± 1.77 μg phloroglucinol equivalents (PGE) mg^?1 sample, respectively, compared with TPCs of 90.79 ± 1.16 and 124 ± 6.54 μg PGE mg^?1 sample for the corresponding PLE extracts. All SLE aqueous ethanolic macroalgal extracts possessed higher DPPH radical scavenging abilities (RSA) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) than their PLE equivalents . This study indicates that the application of high extraction temperatures (50–200 °C) and pressures (500–3000 psi) used in PLE does not enhance the antioxidant activities of macroalgal extracts relative to SLE extraction. The ability to produce antioxidant food‐friendly macroalgal extracts using SLE could represent significant cost reductions on an industrial scale further enhancing the potential of macroalgal polyphenols to be used in functional food preparations.     

Effect of slurry ice on chemical changes related to quality loss during European Hake (Merluccius merluccius) chilled storage

Slurry ice is a biphasic system consisting of small spherical ice crystals surrounded by seawater at subzero temperature. Its employment was evaluated in the present work as a new chilled storage method for whole European Hake (Merluccius merluccius) and compared to traditional flake icing. Different chemical analyses (nucleotide degradation, formaldehyde formation, lipid hydrolysis and oxidation, interaction compound formation, and electrophoretic protein profiles) related to quality changes were analysed and compared to sensory evaluation. An inhibitory effect on quality loss mechanisms was observed for the slurry ice treatment, according to nucleotide degradation (K value), free formaldehyde content, browning development, and sarcoplasmic protein profiles. No differences in lipid hydrolysis and oxidation could be distinguished by a comparison between both icing conditions. The sensory analysis showed a higher shelf-life time for slurry icing than flake icing (12 days and 5 days, respectively). Results confirm the practical advantages of using slurry ice as a chilled storage method.     

Microwave irradiation enhances the in vitro antifungal activity of citrus by‐product aqueous extracts against Alternaria alternata

The effect of two lemon by‐product aqueous extracts at different concentrations (14, 7, 3.5 and 1 mg mL^?1) was tested against the in vitro growth of Alternaria alternata. Prior to extraction, one batch of by‐product was dehydrated by freeze‐drying (untreated by‐product), while the other batch was treated by microwave irradiation in conjunction with freeze‐drying (microwave‐treated by‐product). High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed for the identification of individual phenolic compounds with potent antifungal activities. Both lemon by‐product aqueous extracts inhibited the mycelial growth and suppressed the spore germination of the fungus in a concentration‐dependent manner. In general, the extracts obtained from the microwave‐treated lemon by‐product displayed enhanced antifungal activity than those obtained from the untreated one. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that both lemon by‐product extracts affected the hyphal morphology of the fungus. The antifungal activity of the extracts was attributed to their phenolic acid and ascorbic acid contents.     

Ethanolic guava leaf extract with different chlorophyll removal processes: Antioxidant properties and its preventive effect on lipid oxidation in Pacific white shrimp

Sedimentation process (GLE-S) or chloroform (GLE-Ch) were used for dechlorophyllisation of ethanolic guava leaf extract (EGLE). EGLE without chlorophyll removal (GLE-C) was served as control. Among all the extracts, GLE-S had the lowest chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll contents (P < 0.05). Extraction yield was highest in GLE-C, followed by GLE-S and GLE-Ch, respectively. Total phenolic content and antioxidant properties were highest in GLE-S (P < 0.05). When Pacific white shrimp (PWS) was pre-treated with GLE-S at varying doses (0.5% and 1%), lipid oxidation products were monitored as compared to the control (CON) and those pre-treated with 1.25% sodium metabisulphite (SMS-1.25) during refrigerated storage (4°C) for 12 days. Lower lipid oxidation was recorded for PWS pre-treated with GLE-S, especially at 1%. Therefore, sedimentation process, a green method, showed promising efficacy for producing EGLE free of green colour with improved antioxidant properties. The extract effectively reduced lipid oxidation in PWS during refrigerated storage.     

Inhibition of chemical changes related to freshness loss during storage of horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) in slurry ice

Slurry ice is a biphasic system consisting of small spherical ice crystals surrounded by seawater at subzero temperature. Its employment was evaluated in the present work as a new chilled storage method for whole horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) and compared with traditional flake icing. Different chemical analyses (nucleotide degradation, lipid hydrolysis and oxidation, interaction compounds formation and electrophoretic protein profiles) related to quality loss were checked and compared to sensory evaluation. An inhibitory effect on quality loss mechanisms was observed for the slurry ice treatment, according to the assessment of the K value, free fatty acid content, thiobarbituric acid index, fluorescent compounds formation and sarcoplasmic protein profiles. The sensory analysis showed a higher shelf-life time for fish treated under slurry icing than for flake iced fish (15 and 5 days, respectively). Results confirm the practical advantages of using slurry ice as a chilling storage method. According to the inhibition of lipid hydrolysis and oxidation obtained, the employment of slurry ice on relatively fat fish species is recommended to obtain safer and higher quality fish products.     

Antioxidative effect of added dried Holy basil and its ethanolic extracts on susceptibility of cooked ground pork to lipid oxidation

Efficacy of varying concentrations of dried Holy basil powder and its ethanolic extracts in retarding oxidative rancidity was tested with cooked ground pork. The development of lipid oxidation products during 14 days refrigerated storage (5 °C) was evaluated by means of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) value, peroxide value (POV), conjugated diene and hexanal content. In the amounts studied, dried Holy basil powder and its ethanolic extract significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited the formation of TBARS, peroxide, conjugated dienes and hexanal in a dose-dependent manner. The oxidation process was significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by the type of antioxidant and its concentration. Addition of dried Holy basil powder to cooked ground pork was more effective in inhibiting lipid oxidation than its ethanolic extracts. Additionally, TBARS values and hexanal contents in cooked ground pork were highly correlated (r² = 0.95; P < 0.05) with each other.     

Microbial Activity Inhibition in Chilled Mackerel (Scomber Scombrus) by Employment of an Organic Acid‐Icing System

Abstract: The present study concerns Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) traded as a chilled product. The study was aimed to investigate the effect of including a mixture of organic acids (citric, ascorbic, and lactic) in the icing medium employed during the fish chilled storage. To this end and according to preliminary trials results, an aqueous solution including 0.050% (w/v) of each acid was employed as icing medium; its effect on the microbial activity development in mackerel muscle was monitored for up to 13 d of chilled storage and compared to a counterpart‐fish batch kept under traditional water ice considered as control. Results indicated a lower bacterial growth in mackerel muscle subjected to storage in the organic acid‐icing system by comparison with control fish. Thus, statistically‐significant (P < 0.05) differences between both batches for all 6 microbial groups investigated (aerobes, anaerobes, psychrotrophes, Enterobacteriaceae, lipolytics, and proteolytics) and for 2 chemical indices related to microbial activity development (total volatile bases and trimethylamine) were obtained. The surface wash caused by the melting of the ice during storage and the subsequent antimicrobial effect of such acids on skin microflora of the fish can be invoked as the main reasons for the limited bacterial growth found in the corresponding mackerel muscle. Practical Application: Among natural antioxidants, citric, ascorbic, and lactic acids are low molecular weight organic compounds that represent a relevant choice because of their easy availability, low commercial cost, and wide range of permitted concentrations for their use in foods. Present results obtained by their inclusion in a novel icing system have led to a lower microbial development in chilled mackerel when compared to its counterpart fish kept under traditional icing conditions. Such a finding indicated that inclusion of this acid mixture in the icing medium can lead to a marked quality and safety enhancement as well as to profitable commercial value increases.     

Cherry (Prunus cerasus cv Montmorency) extract with standardised antioxidant potential as preservative for refrigerated storage of ground pork

Antioxidants occurring naturally are much sought‐after for their safety of use for human nutrition and strong preservative properties. The study was performed to determine the antioxidant potential of sour cherry extract and its effect (equivalent of 20 mg and 40 mg GAE kg^?1) on the quality of ground pork patties during 8‐day storage. The patties were analysed for antioxidant capacity, oxidation, profile of fatty acids, flavour, colour, sensory properties and aerobic bacteria count. Patties with addition of cherry extract (40 mg GAE kg^?1) showed higher antioxidant capacity of 844 ± 149 μmol TE L^‐1 on the last day of the storage than the control group where the result was 480 ± 81 μmol TE L^‐1. The addition of extract caused lower overall increase in lipid oxidation and prevented loss of redness even on the last day of the storage. Flavour changes resulted from oxidation and decrease in the amount of desirable volatile compounds in storage. The application of the extract from Prunus cerasus combined with vacuum packaging inhibited both oxidation and quality deterioration of pork patties in cold storage.     

Preparation and use of apple skin polyphenol extracts in milk: enhancement of the viability and adhesion of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus (ATCC 1643) bacteria

This study explored the feasibility of using apple skin as a source for generating antioxidant extracts, that is ethanolic or aqueous apple skin polyphenol extract (ASPE) and examined the effects of such ASPEs and six purified polyphenols (PPs), that is rutin, epicatechin, phlorizin, cholorogenic acid, quercetin and p‐coumaric acid on the viability of probiotic bacteria (PB) Lactobacillus acidophilus in a PP‐enhanced milk drink at 4 °C and the in vitroPB adhesion to hydrophilic tissue culture microtitre plates (TCMPs) at 4 °C or 37 °C. The two ASPEs differed slightly in antioxidant activity, PP composition and total extracted PP, vitamin C and uronic acid contents. PB. had over 10× better viability in milk with added PPs than without over a 50‐day storage at 4 °C, while the aqueous extract was more effective than any of the pure PPs, except rutin. PB exhibited significantly greater potential adhesion to intestinal cells in the presence of the aqueous ASPE than the ethanolic ASPE or purified PP, while temperature (4 °C or 37 °C) had a negligible effect on adhesion. Use of apple skin as a source of PPs for enhancing PB functionality in dairy foods may offer a means of deriving value from this waste stream.     

Antioxidant properties of aqueous and methanol soy extracts in minced trout muscle

Antioxidant capacity of freeze-dried aqueous and methanolic extracts of soy protein isolate (SPI) and soybean meal (SBM) were assessed by 2, 2′-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and total phenolic content (TPC). Caffeic and chlorogenic acids in liquid aqueous extracts, and genistein and daidzein in liquid methanolic extracts were measured by HPLC. Freeze-dried extracts were applied (1000 and 4000 μg/g) to trout mince and TBARS formation monitored during 14 days refrigerated storage. SBM aqueous extracts-treated mince (4000 μg/g) had significantly lower (P < 0.05) TBARS than all other treatments. SPI methanolic extract had the highest TPC (100 mg chlorogenic acid equivalents/100 g extract) and genistein and daidzein contents. SPI aqueous extracts had the highest chlorogenic acid (280 μg/g) while SBM aqueous extracts had the highest caffeic acids content (484 μg/g). SPI had the best in vivo antioxidant profile. SBM extracts were most effective at retarding lipid oxidation in refrigerated trout mince.     

Inhibition effects of green tea and grape seed extracts on lipid oxidation in bonito fillets during frozen storage

The aim of this study was to investigate inhibition effects of green tea and grape seed extracts on lipid oxidation in bonito (Sarda sarda) fillets during frozen storage. Dried and powdered green tea and grape seed were extracted using ethanol. Extract solutions of 1 g 100 g^?1 were prepared using concentrated extracts and distilled water. Bonito fillets were divided into two groups. The first group was dipped into extract solutions and then frozen. The second group of fillets was glazed by extract solutions. Oxidation increased progressively through the storage period. 2‐Thiobarbituric acid and para‐anisidine values of samples treated with green tea and grape seed extracts remained at low levels. Both plant extracts displayed successful effects in delaying lipid oxidation compared to the control groups. The best results were obtained by extract treatment of fillets before freezing.     

Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extract of Brassica oleracea L. var. italica

In this study, antioxidant activities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Brassica oleracea L. var. italica were investigated. The antioxidant properties of both extracts of Brassica oleracea L. var. italica were evaluated using different antioxidant tests, including 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, superoxide radical scavenging, inhibition of microsomal lipid peroxidation, reduction of power, and metal ion chelating activities. Inhibition of superoxide scavenging by aqueous and ethanolic extracts showed an IC₅₀ of 0.93 and 0.25 mg/ml, respectively. Metal ion chelation showed an IC₅₀ of 0.35 mg/ml of both the extracts and was equipotent to positive control, ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid. The ethanolic extract of Brassica oleracea L. var. italica exhibited higher antioxidant activity in DPPH radical and superoxide anion scavenging than that of aqueous extract. The results obtained in the in vitro models clearly suggest that, Brassica oleracea L. var. italica is a natural source for antioxidants, which could serve as a nutraceutical with potential applications in reducing the level of oxidative stress and related health benefits. However, comprehensive studies need to be conducted to ascertain the in vivo safety of such extracts in experimental animal models.     

Rancidity development in frozen pelagic fish: Influence of slurry ice as preliminary chilling treatment

The slurry ice technology has shown profitable advantages when employed instead of traditional flake ice for the manufacture of chilled aquatic species. The present work is aimed at evaluating the effect of slurry ice as a preliminary treatment prior to frozen storage. For it, specimens of a small pelagic fatty fish species (sardine; Sardina pilchardus) were stored in slurry ice for 2, 5 and 9 days, then subjected to freezing (-80 °C; 24 h) and finally kept frozen (−20 °C) during 1, 2 and 4 months. At such times, rancidity development in frozen sardine was measured by sensory (odour, skin, colour and flesh appearance) and biochemical (lipid hydrolysis and oxidation) analyses and compared to a control batch previously chilled in flake ice. Sensory analysis indicated an extended shelf-life time for frozen sardine that was preliminary stored under slurry ice for 2, 5 or 9 days, as compared to their counterparts subjected to flake icing. Sensory results were corroborated (P<0.05) by biochemical lipid oxidation indices (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and the fluorescence formation). The present work opens the way to the use of slurry ice instead of flake ice as preliminary treatment of fish material prior to the frozen storage.     

Quality enhancement of the abundant under‐valued crustacean,lobster krill (Munida spp.), during its chilled storage

Lobster krill (Munida genus) represents an under‐valued crustacean frequently caught on European fishing banks. In this work, its sensory, microbiological and biochemical qualities were evaluated during chilled storage. Additionally, the effects of a prestorage antimelanosic treatment consisting of soaking in sodium metabisulphite (SMB) solutions at two different concentrations (0.25% and 0.75%) were also studied. SMB prestorage treatment provided lobster specimens that still exhibited acceptable sensory quality after 10 days of storage, while control specimens were unacceptable at that time. SMB treatment also resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of microbial growth, mainly of Enterobacteriaceae, psychrotrophes and proteolytic bacteria. Low lipid oxidation levels were observed for all batches; however, a significantly higher (P < 0.05) retention of polyunsaturated fatty acids was found in SMB‐treated lobster, especially in the 0.75% SMB batch. The results presented here open the way to the potential commercialisation of currently under‐utilised lobster krill as a chilled product.     

Inhibition of quality loss in chilled megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) by employing citric and lactic acid icing

This study focuses on the quality retention of megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) during chilled storage. Aqueous solutions of two different concentrations of citric (CA) and lactic (LA) acids were employed as icing media (0.125% CA–0.050% LA and 0.175% CA–0.050% LA, respectively; w/v). The effects of each solution on microbial activity, lipid damage and sensory acceptance were monitored for up to 13 days of storage. Lower (P < 0.05) bacterial growth was detected according to microbiological (aerobe and psychrotroph counts) and chemical (trimethylamine‐N and pH) assessments, which led to an enhancement of sensory appreciation. Whereas control fish were determined as unacceptable at day 13, the acid‐iced fish were still acceptable at that time. Concerning lipid damage, an inhibitory effect (P < 0.05) on fluorescent compound formation was observed in the acid‐iced fish. Present results allow to conclude that the use of a CA–LA icing system can provide a profitable strategy to obtain higher quality chilled fish.     

Screening of phytochemicals in fresh lamb meat patties stored in modified atmosphere packs: influence on selected meat quality characteristics

This study was carried out to determine the antioxidant activity of phytochemicals and plant extracts in fresh lamb patties. Quality indices such as colour (Hunter L* a* b*), lipid oxidation (TBARS) and pH were measured over an 8‐day storage period. Resveratrol, citroflavan‐3‐ol, olive leaf extract and Echinacea purpurea were added to raw minced M. longissimus dorsi lamb patties, at concentrations ranging from 0–400 mg kg^?1 lamb meat, stored in high oxygen modified atmospheres packs (75% O₂:25% CO₂) for up to 8 days at 4 °C. The pH of the lamb meat was not significantly affected by the addition of the phytochemicals and plant extracts examined (P > 0.05). Resveratrol and citroflavan‐3‐ol decreased (P < 0.05) lipid oxidation in raw lamb patties during storage and increased a* values (P < 0.05), relative to controls. By contrast, olive leaf extract and Echinacea purpurea did not exhibit antioxidant activity or promote higher a* values relative to controls. Results obtained demonstrate potential for the development of functional meats using plant extracts such as resveratrol and citroflavan‐3‐ol.     

Investigation of nutraceutical potential of the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis

The microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis were evaluated as nutraceuticals. It was observed that Arthrospira platensis is richer in saturated fatty acids (FA) and Chlorella vulgaris richer in monounsaturated FA. Within polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), n3 PUFA content was below 1% in Arthrospira sp and over 10% in Chlorella vulgaris. This microalga had the lowest polyphenolic content. The highest value was found in the aqueous extract of Arthrospira platensis, 334 ± 32 mg GAE per 100 g dw. Regarding DPPH, only aqueous extracts of Chlorella vulgaris yielded antioxidant activity with an inhibitory activity of 80 ± 1%. ABTS results showed stronger inhibition through the aqueous extracts than through the ethanolic extracts, 89%–93% vs. 24%–32%. Concerning cytotoxicity, ethanolic extracts of Chlorella vulgaris induced a cell viability decrease of approximately 80%. The biochemical characterisation and bioactivity assessment of Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis showed that these microalgae have potential for nutraceutical applications.