High‐pressure processing‐induced conformational changes during heating affect water holding capacity of myosin gel

This study aimed to investigate the effects of high‐pressure processing (HPP) (0.1‐400 MPa for 9 min) on the water holding capacity (WHC) of heat‐induced rabbit myosin gel and structural changes during thermal treatment (25–75 °C). HPP at 100 MPa significantly increased the WHC (P < 0.05) and formed more regular and homogeneous three‐dimensional network. Myosin tails at 100 MPa unfolded completely during the thermal treatment, which was beneficial to form a high WHC gel network. However, myosin pressurised at 200 MPa and above formed a weak gel. Their heads were already aggregated before heating, preventing from subsequent thermal denaturation and aggregation. With the temperature increasing, unfolding of myosin tails was not sufficient for a filamentous network formation. These results suggested that HPP could modify the myosin structure and affect the gel formation during heating. The 100 MPa was the optimum pressure level for the WHC of rabbit myosin gel.     

The influence of additives on properties of heat‐induced gels from salt‐soluble proteins extracted from goose

Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and phosphates are important additives to improve product quality during meat processing. Response surface methodology was used to study the influence of CaCl₂ and phosphates on the hardness, water‐holding capacity (WHC) and ultra‐structure of salt‐soluble goose meat protein gels. The results show that the hardness and WHC of salt‐soluble protein gels increased significantly when CaCl₂ concentration was increased and phosphates were added. Scanning electron microscopy showed that tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) had a greater impact on the cross‐linking and pore diameter of the gel networks than sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP). At the 0.02 m and 4:3:2 of CaCl₂ concentration and the ratio of TSPP, SHMP and STPP, hardness and WHC values were 114.55 gf and 96.65%, which corresponded to the prediction value of our model. Further results showed that the hardness and WHC of gels reached the maximum with 0.3% of phosphates levels.     

Improving the quality of meat‐free sausages using κ‐carrageenan,konjac mannan and xanthan gum

High consumption of processed red meat can cause health issues. Therefore, production of high‐quality meat‐free food alternatives is necessary. The main objective of this study was to use hydrocolloids including κ‐carrageenan, konjac mannan and xanthan gum at 0, 0.3, 0.6, 1.0 and 1.5% w/w to improve the quality of meat‐free sausages formulated by soy protein isolated, texturised soy protein, corn starch, vegetable oil and spices. With the addition of the tested hydrocolloids, the lightness of the sausages improved. κ‐Carrageenan and konjac mannan significantly improved the water‐holding capacity and texture and reduced the cooking loss of the samples, while xanthan gum showed no considerable effect on these parameters. Konjac mannan and κ‐carrageenan (up to 0.6%) improved the general acceptability of the sausages, while inclusion of xanthan gum made no significant difference. Unlike xanthan gum, κ‐carrageenan followed by konjac mannan was highly successful in improving the overall quality of meat‐free sausages.     

Use of high pressure to reduce cook loss and improve texture of low-salt beef sausage batters

Methods were investigated to reduce the salt content of beef-containing smallgoods as high-salt intake has been identified as a public health risk for most individuals. Raw meat batters were manufactured from retail beef mince (4–7% fat) using various NaCl concentrations (0–2%), and were packed into casings and subjected to high pressure processing (up to 400 MPa for 2 min at 10 °C). Following pressure treatment, samples were cooked to an internal temperature of 72 °C and cooled. Cooked products were assessed for cooking loss, colour and physical consistency by texture profile analysis. Flavour and overall acceptability were assessed by sensory panels. High pressure processing (HPP) was found to produce a dramatic improvement in the moisture retention of the cooked products. Control (unpressurised) sausages containing 2% NaCl had a similar cook loss (9.3%) to pressure-treated sausages containing just 1% NaCl, whereas unpressurised samples with 1% NaCl had a cook loss of 24.9%. The hardness and gumminess of pressure-treated samples was higher compared to untreated samples, at all salt concentrations. The greatest differences in texture with pressure treatment were seen in the 1% NaCl samples. Pressure treatment generally caused no changes in the colour of either the raw or cooked product; however there was a slight increase in “whiteness” with pressure treatment. Sensory panels reported a greater acceptability in both appearance and texture of pressure-treated sausages of lower salt content compared with non-pressure-treated samples. Examination of extracted proteins using SDS-PAGE and of muscle proteins by thermal analysis indicated that pressure contributed to enhanced binding through protein solubilisation and gelation through partial protein unfolding. The application of high pressure to beef sausages with low-salt content resulted in reduced cooking losses and improved texture.

Industrial relevance

Enhanced meat binding through extraction of salt-soluble proteins is an essential step in the formulation of meat products such as sausages and emulsion-type products. The ability to reduce salt and achieve high binding and water retention through use of HPP is important in being able to produce healthier foods.     

超高压对鸡肉肌原纤维蛋白-MgCl2凝胶特性的影响

在低盐条件下（2.3% NaCl）,以含有质量分数0.3% MgCl2的鸡肉肌原纤维蛋白（myofibrillar protein, MP）混合体系（MP-MgCl2）为研究对象,室温下（20～25 ℃）考察超高压处理（high pressure processing, HPP）（100～400 MPa,10 min）对混合体系凝胶硬度和保水性（water holding capacity,WHC）的影响, 并通过对该混合体系流变特性、横向弛豫时间及凝胶微结构分析,探讨其凝胶特性的变化机制。结果表明： 100～400 MPa的HPP可显著提高凝胶的硬度和WHC（P＜0.05）,且300 MPa是改善其凝胶硬度的合适压力;HPP 通过增加MP-MgCl2混合体系的储能模量（G’）,缩短自旋-自旋弛豫时间T22和T23,促进凝胶形成交联、密实的多孔 网络结构,进而改善混合体系凝胶的特性。     

Effect of high‐pressure treatment on trypsin hydrolysis and antioxidant activity of egg white proteins

High‐pressure processing (HPP) is known to modify the functional properties of the proteins by changing its structure that can lead to protein denaturation, aggregation or gelation, depending on the protein system and the applied pressure. The potential to modify functional properties of protein and their products using HPP has been explored widely in last decade. In this study, the effect of HPP on the degree of trypsin hydrolysis (DTH) and antioxidant activity (AA) of egg white protein (EWP) and freeze‐dried egg white powder (DEW) was evaluated. EWP and DEW were subjected to trypsin hydrolysis for up to 120 min, with and without HP treatments [pressure level (350–550 MPa) and treatment time (5–15 min)]. HP treatment caused substantial increase in DTH of EWP and DEW, increasing it from 2.78% (EWP control) and 2.20% (DEW control) to 11.3% (HP‐treated EWP) and 8.41% (HP‐treated DEW), respectively. HP treatment also had an emphatic effect on AA of EWP (concentration 10% w/v) with AA increasing from 9.34% for control EWP to 19.0% after 5‐min HP treatment at 350 MPa and 25.00% after the same treatment at 550 MPa. Overall, HPP caused an increase in DTH and AA of EWP and DEW over the control. SDS‐PAGE and differential scanning calorimetric studies confirmed the effect of HP on the hydrolysis of egg proteins.     

Frozen storage of Bologna sausages as a function of fat content and of levels of added starch and egg white

The effect of freezing and frozen storage on the water holding capacity (WHC) and texture of Bologna sausages formulated with varying fat levels (7.2, 12.8 and 20.1%) and with different proportions of added starch (0, 5 and 10%) and egg white (EW) (0, 1.5 and 3%) was studied. High-fat sausages exhibited better binding properties than low-fat sausages. Freezing and frozen storage caused binding properties to deteriorate, the more so the lower the fat content. In general, addition of starch caused an increase in penetration force and a decrease in elasticity of sausages, and also favoured freeze-thaw stability. Addition of egg white had no influence (p > 0.05) on the WHC of Bologna sausages but did influence texture.     

Soybean and milk proteins modified by transglutaminase improves chicken sausage texture even at reduced levels of phosphate

Consumer demands for poultry processed meats have increased due to low fat content. In this experiment, chicken sausages were manufactured with various biopolymers prepared from soybean protein, casein, whey protein isolate (WPI), mixtures of soybean protein and casein, and soybean protein and WPI. The extent of various biopolymer formations was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and high performance liquid chromatography. Cross-linking soybean protein and casein or WPI by transglutaminase provided biopolymers with improved heat stability and emulsifying property. Shear force of chicken sausages were measured to evaluate the addition of biopolymer on the hardness in the presence of 0.05 or 0.2% sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP). The texture of chicken sausages was improved by the addition of such biopolymers even in the presence of 0.05% STPP. These results suggested that chicken sausage texture was improved by the formation of network structures that contribute to hardness of sausage gels with the addition of biopolymers. Thus, addition of biopolymers in the manufacture of chicken sausages may permit reduction in phosphate content without loss in texture.     

Physicochemical Properties,Fatty Acid Profiles,and Sensory Characteristics of Fermented Beef Sausage by Probiotics Lactobacillus plantarum IIA‐2C12 or Lactobacillus acidophilus IIA‐2B4

Probiotics may be used to enhance the functionality and nutritional values of fermented sausages. This study aims to evaluate the physicochemical and sensory properties of beef sausages fermented by lactic acid bacteria of Lactobacillus plantarum IIA‐2C12 and L. acidophilus IIA‐2B4. These strains were isolated from beef cattle and have shown to display probiotic features. While the nutrient contents were not affected by the probiotics, the pH, texture, and color varied among the sausages. Further analysis on fatty acids showed different profiles of saturated (C14:0, C17:0, and C20:0) and unsaturated (C14:1, C18:1n9c, C18:2n6c, and C22:6n3) fatty acids in sausages with probiotics. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry further revealed some flavor development compounds including acid, alcohols, aldehydes, aromatic, ketones, sulfur, hydrocarbons and terpenes, varied among the sausages. Hedonic test showed no difference in the preference toward aroma, texture, and color for untrained panelists.     

Contribution of High‐Pressure‐Induced Protein Modifications to the Microenvironment and Functional Properties of Rabbit Meat Sausages

Rabbit meat batters were subjected to high pressure (HP, 100 to 300 MPa for 3, 9, or 15 min) to elucidate their effects on proteins structures, the microenvironment, and the resulting functionalities of the subsequently heated products. To determine these effects, we investigated structural and microenvironmental changes using Raman spectroscopy and also expressible moisture content, textural characteristics, and dynamic rheological properties of batters during heating (20 to 80 °C). Untreated samples served as controls. Analysis of specific Raman spectral regions demonstrated that applications of HP to rabbit meat batters tended to induce the transformation of the all‐gauche S‐S conformation to gauche‐gauche‐trans in the batter system. HP treatment higher than 100 MPa for 9 min promoted secondary structural rearrangements, and molecular polarity enhancement in the proteins prior to cooking. Also, increases of O–H stretching intensities of rabbit meat sausages were obtained by HP treatment, denoting the strengthening of water‐holding capacity. These HP‐induced alterations resulted in improved texture and, perhaps, improved juiciness of rabbit meat sausages (P < 0.05), however they had relatively poorer rheological properties than the controls. Nevertheless, HP treatment, especially 200 MPa for 9 or 15 min, was an effective technique for improving the functionalities of gel‐type products through modification of meat proteins.     

超高压及三聚磷酸钠质量分数对肌球蛋白凝胶保水性及热胶凝过程的影响

为探究超高压处理及三聚磷酸钠质量分数对肌球蛋白凝胶保水性及热胶凝过程的影响,在不同压力条件（100、200、300 MPa）下对添加不同质量分数（0%、0.15%、0.30%、0.45%）三聚磷酸钠的兔骨骼肌肌球蛋白进行25 ℃、9 min超高压处理后再经程序升温（1 ℃/min）制备凝胶,以未经超高压处理的含质量分数0.30%三聚磷酸钠的肌球蛋白为对照组,测定凝胶的保水性,并筛选出对其有显著影响的参数组合。在该条件下对蛋白的溶解度、ATP酶活力和升温过程中的蛋白二级结构含量、表面疏水性、活性巯基含量、静态流变性以及凝胶微观结构等指标进行测定。结果显示：含质量分数0.15%三聚磷酸钠的肌球蛋白经不高于200 MPa的超高压处理后,其溶解度显著下降,ATP酶活力显著上升（P＜0.05）;质量分数0.15%三聚磷酸钠对超高压处理诱导的肌球蛋白功能特性变化存在拮抗作用,且蛋白在升温过程中的变性、聚集受抑制,随着三聚磷酸钠质量分数升高到0.30%,拮抗作用消失,蛋白在热胶凝过程中结构充分展开,疏水基团与所包埋的巯基快速暴露,形成的凝胶结构富有弹性且致密有序,保水性显著提高（P＜0.05）;而300 MPa超高压处理使蛋白的ATP酶活力丧失,溶解度及热变性程度降低,分子间交联弱化,最终使凝胶保水性显著下降（P＜0.05）。三聚磷酸钠通过影响蛋白的结构与理化特性,改变其热凝胶形成过程中的变性速率与交联方式,导致最终凝胶保水性发生变化。     

Eating quality of low‐fat beef burgers containing fat‐replacing functional blends

Tapioca starch, carrageenan, oat fibre, pectin, whey protein and a commercial mixture of carrageenan and locust bean gum were assessed for their ability to mimic fat characteristics in cooked low‐fat (10%) beef burgers. Thirteen different blends of the ingredients were formulated in order to examine their effects on quality parameters of low‐fat beef burgers. The beef burgers were tested for cook yield, water‐holding capacity (WHC), retention of shape, sensory and mechanical texture analysis. Most blends significantly (P<0.05) increased both cook yield and WHC, in particular blends containing tapioca starch, oat fibre, whey protein and the carrageenan/locust bean gum mixture. These blends substantially reduced both Warner–Bratzler and Kramer shear values. Sensory analysis showed that beef burgers containing tapioca starch, oat fibre and whey protein were acceptable in terms of flavour and texture. The low‐fat control was found to be the toughest and driest of the beef burgers examined. This study shows that blends of these ingredients can be used to offset the poor quality associated with low‐fat beef burgers. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Chemical and microstructural evaluation of ‘hard‐to‐cook’ phenomenon in legumes (pinto bean and small‐type lentil)

Some physicochemical and microstructural characteristics of hard‐to‐cook (HTC) and easy‐to‐cook (ETC) pinto beans and small‐type lentils were compared. The development of HTC seeds was monitored over 6 months for changes in physicochemical properties. Results indicated that hardness, extent of water absorption and solid loss of HTC legumes were, respectively, 21–97%, 7–72% and 62–236% higher than those of ETC legumes. In addition, darkening of HTC beans and lentils was significantly higher than those of ETC ones. Scanning electron microscope observations indicated deteriorations in cytoplasmic contents of cotyledon cells of hard seeds. Phytic acid and total phenolic contents were, respectively, decreased 36–61% and 43–61% during storage, whereas hardness of seeds was increased 3–6 times. The soaking of hard seeds in sodium solutions resulted in the improvement in legume texture.     

高压和食盐对鸡肉肠品质特性的影响

在不同压强条件（0.1、200、400 MPa）下对不同食盐添加量（质量分数0%、1%、2%）的生鸡肉肠加热（60 ℃）处理30 min,测定处理后鸡肉肠的持水力、水分分布、质构特性和微观结构,分析高压和食盐对鸡肉肠热诱导凝胶特性的影响。结果发现：常压下,减少食盐添加量会降低鸡肉肠的保水性和质构特性,但高压处理能降低食盐对鸡肉肠的影响。相比常压组,200 MPa高压处理能显著提高产品的保水性和质构特性（P＜0.05）,而400 MPa的高压处理则显著降低产品的保水性和质构特性（P＜0.05）。高压能促进肉糜中的肌纤维分解,使不易流动水的比例升高,自由水比例下降;200 MPa下能形成致密的凝胶网络,而400 MPa则阻碍凝胶网络的形成。高压结合加热处理可用于提高低盐鸡肉肠的品质特性。     

鸡胸肉盐溶蛋白热诱导凝胶保水性和超微结构的研究

本文以鸡胸肉为材料,采用L9(34)正交设计及混料回归分析研究了鸡胸肉盐溶蛋白热诱导凝胶保水性和凝胶超微结构。结果表明,鸡胸肉最佳提取条件为MgCl2浓度0.01mol/L、NaCl浓度0.6mol/L、提取液pH7.0,其凝胶的保水性为96.92%。扫描电镜观察显示,保水性不同的凝胶其超微结构表现出很大的差异,保水性为96.92%,其凝胶的网络结构比较均匀、细致,蛋白束平滑;保水性为52.19%其凝胶的网状结构粗糙、疏松、不均匀。磷酸盐的最佳组合为:DSPP0.04g、STPP0.05g、HMP0.03g。     

Reduction of salt in pork sausages by the addition of carrot fibre or potato starch and high pressure treatment

The combined effect of high pressure processing (HPP) (400, 600 and 800 MPa) and carrot fibre (CF) and potato starch (PS) on low salt (1.2%) pork sausages was investigated and compared with high (1.8%) salt sausages. Sausages had a marked increase in whitening with increasing content of fibre or starch, pressure level, and process temperature. The degree of redness was mainly affected by pressure level and heat treatment. An important finding regarding salt reduction was that the use of starch or fibre had more impact on textural properties than the level of salt since Young's modulus and strain at fracture were mainly affected by formulation and HPP. Water binding capacity of low salt sausages was improved to the same level as high salt sausages with HPP and addition of CF or PS particularly by the addition of PS which produced sausages with better sensory properties than CF. The sensory analysis showed that this approach is promising for producing low salt sausages.     

Effects of Rigor Status during High‐Pressure Processing on the Physical Qualities of Farm‐Raised Abalone (Haliotis rufescens)

High‐pressure processing (HPP) is used to increase meat safety and shelf‐life, with conflicting quality effects depending on rigor status during HPP. In the seafood industry, HPP is used to shuck and pasteurize oysters, but its use on abalones has only been minimally evaluated and the effect of rigor status during HPP on abalone quality has not been reported. Farm‐raised abalones (Haliotis rufescens) were divided into 12 HPP treatments and 1 unprocessed control treatment. Treatments were processed pre‐rigor or post‐rigor at 2 pressures (100 and 300 MPa) and 3 processing times (1, 3, and 5 min). The control was analyzed post‐rigor. Uniform plugs were cut from adductor and foot meat for texture profile analysis, shear force, and color analysis. Subsamples were used for scanning electron microscopy of muscle ultrastructure. Texture profile analysis revealed that post‐rigor processed abalone was significantly (P < 0.05) less firm and chewy than pre‐rigor processed irrespective of muscle type, processing time, or pressure. L values increased with pressure to 68.9 at 300 MPa for pre‐rigor processed foot, 73.8 for post‐rigor processed foot, 90.9 for pre‐rigor processed adductor, and 89.0 for post‐rigor processed adductor. Scanning electron microscopy images showed fraying of collagen fibers in processed adductor, but did not show pressure‐induced compaction of the foot myofibrils. Post‐rigor processed abalone meat was more tender than pre‐rigor processed meat, and post‐rigor processed foot meat was lighter in color than pre‐rigor processed foot meat, suggesting that waiting for rigor to resolve prior to processing abalones may improve consumer perceptions of quality and market value.     

Reduction of salt in pork sausages by the addition of carrot fibre or potato starch and high pressure treatment

The combined effect of high pressure processing (HPP) (400, 600 and 800MPa) and carrot fibre (CF) and potato starch (PS) on low salt (1.2%) pork sausages was investigated and compared with high (1.8%) salt sausages. Sausages had a marked increase in whitening with increasing content of fibre or starch, pressure level, and process temperature. The degree of redness was mainly affected by pressure level and heat treatment. An important finding regarding salt reduction was that the use of starch or fibre had more impact on textural properties than the level of salt since Young's modulus and strain at fracture were mainly affected by formulation and HPP. Water binding capacity of low salt sausages was improved to the same level as high salt sausages with HPP and addition of CF or PS particularly by the addition of PS which produced sausages with better sensory properties than CF. The sensory analysis showed that this approach is promising for producing low salt sausages.     

超高压处理对低脂乳化肠水分分布及微观结构的影响

以低脂乳化肠为材料,对0.1、100、200、300 MPa处理组进行保水性、低场核磁共振检测和扫描电子显微镜观察,并进行主成分分析,从水分子弛豫特性变化和微观结构角度揭示高压改善低脂乳化肠保水性的原因。结果表明：与对照组相比,压强从100 MPa增大到300 MPa时,结合水和不易流动水比例显著增加,自由水比例显著减少（P＜0.05）,其中200 MPa处理组水分分布情况最佳;扫描电子显微镜观察结果显示各组低脂乳化肠微观结构存在明显差异,超高压处理显著增加了凝胶结构中孔隙数量和大小;主成分分析表明保水性、微观结构和水分分布密切相关。因此,适当的超高压处理可以改善乳化肠的微观结构,降低凝胶水分分布中自由水含量,提高低脂乳化肠的保水性。     

Effect of high‐pressure processing on immunoreactivity,microbial and physicochemical properties of hazelnut milk

This study investigated the effects of high‐pressure processing (HPP) and thermal processing (TP) on the overall quality attributes of hazelnut milk. HPP achieved the same microbial safety as TP, and the pH, °Brix and sugar contents were maintained at the levels of fresh hazelnut milk. Although HPP caused colour changes, the ?E was smaller than that of the TP sample. Increasing pressure significantly decreased the immunoreactivity of the hazelnut milk by 70%, while simultaneously reducing the levels of essential and non‐essential amino acids and chemical score (CS) and the essential amino acid index (EAAI) values. However, neither HPP nor TP significantly affected the fatty acid composition of hazelnut milk. HPP retained higher total phenolic and flavonoid levels of the hazelnut milk, with a better antioxidant capacity than TP samples. Thus, the HPP maintained microbial safety during cold storage, and physicochemical properties of the treated hazelnut milk were not significantly different from those of the fresh hazelnut milk.