Highly Concentrated Branched Oligosaccharides as Cryoprotectant for Surimi

Freeze-thawing studies at different concentrations, using an actomyosin solution (extracted from Alaska pollock), revealed that an 8% (w/v) solution of oligosaccharides mixture (HBOS) was most effective in cryoprotection. During frozen storage (-18°C), HBOS showed cryoprotective effects similar to sucrose and a sucrose+sorbitol mixture (1:1). Surimi gel prepared with HBOS showed higher hardness and more dense microstructure than others, although water holding capacity was slightly lower than the gel with sucrose+sorbitol. HBOS containing gel showed lower whiteness than sucrose but no difference with sucrose+sorbitol. HBOS appeared to have good potential as a non-sweet cryoprotectant of fish protein.     

Impact of Added Encapsulated Phosphate Level on Lipid Oxidation Inhibition during the Storage of Cooked Ground Meat

The effect of levels (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5%) of added encapsulated (e) phosphate (sodium tripolyphosphate, STP; sodium hexametaphosphate, HMP; sodium pyrophosphate, SPP) on lipid oxidation inhibition during storage (0, 1, and 7 d) of ground meat (chicken, beef) was evaluated. The use of eSTP and eSPP resulted in lower and higher cooking loss (CL) compared to eHMP, respectively (P < 0.05). Increasing encapsulated phosphate level (PL) enhanced the impact of phosphates on CL in both chicken and beef samples (P < 0.05). Encapsulated STP increased pH, whereas eSPP decreased pH (P < 0.05). pH was not affected by PL. The highest orthophosphate (OP) was obtained with eSTP, followed by eSPP and eHMP (P < 0.05). The level of OP determined in both chicken and beef samples increased (P < 0.05) during storage. Increasing PL caused an increase in OP (P < 0.05). The highest reduction rate in the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and LPO for both meat species were obtained with eSPP, followed by eSTP and eHMP (P < 0.05). Increasing PL resulted in lower TBARS and LPO (P < 0.05). Findings suggest that encapsulated phosphates can be a strategy to inhibit lipid oxidation for the meat industry and the efficiency of encapsulated phosphates on lipid oxidation inhibition can be enhanced by increasing PL.     

Selected Washing Processes Affect Thermal Gelation Properties and Microstructure of Mechanically Deboned Chicken Meat

Cooked mechanically deboned chicken meat (MDCM), washed with tap water, 0.5% sodium bicarbonate, sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.2; ionic strength, 0.1), or 0.1M sodium chloride had increased (P lt;0.05) gel strength compared to unwashed MDCM. The selected washing solutions affected (P lt;0.05) lightness (HunterLab L values) of washed meat, and also had a slight (Plt;0.05) influence on water-holding capacity and textural properties. These differences were attributed to pH and washing solvent residue in the washed MDCM. Scanning electron microscopy revealed distinct differences between the washed and unwashed MDCM. The washed meat showed a fibrous protein network structure resulting from protein gelation.     

Effects of Different End‐Point Cooking Temperatures on the Efficiency of Encapsulated Phosphates on Lipid Oxidation Inhibition in Ground Meat

Effects of 0.5% encapsulated (e) phosphates (sodium tripolyphosphate, STP; sodium hexametaphosphate, HMP; sodium pyrophosphate, SPP) on lipid oxidation during storage (0, 1, and 7 d) of ground meat (chicken, beef) after being cooked to 3 end‐point cooking temperatures (EPCT; 71, 74, and 77 °C) were evaluated. The use of STP or eSTP resulted in lower (P < 0.05) cooking loss (CL) compared to encapsulated or unencapsulated forms of HMP and SPP. Increasing EPCT led to a significant increase in CL (P < 0.05). Both STP and eSTP increased pH, whereas SPP and eSPP decreased pH (P < 0.05). The higher orthophosphate (OP) was obtained with STP or SPP compared to their encapsulated counterparts (P < 0.05). The lowest OP was determined in samples with HMP or eHMP (P < 0.05). A 77 °C EPCT resulted in lower OP in chicken compared to 74 and 71 °C (P < 0.05), dissimilar to beef, where EPCT did not affect OP. In encapsulated or unencapsulated form, using STP and SPP enhanced reduction in TBARS and lipid hydroperoxides (LPO) compared with HMP (P < 0.05). Regardless of the phosphate type, more effective lipid oxidation inhibition was achieved by the use of encapsulated forms (P < 0.05). Increasing EPCT resulted in lower TBARS in beef and higher LPO values in both beef and chicken samples (P < 0.05). Findings suggest that encapsulated phosphates can be a strategy to inhibit lipid oxidation for meat industry and the efficiency of encapsulated phosphates on lipid oxidation inhibition can be enhanced by lowering EPCT.     

Polyphenols in red pepper [<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum annuum var. aviculare</Emphasis> (Tepin)] and their protective effect on some pro-oxidants induced lipid peroxidation in brain and liver

Polyphenols exhibit a wide range of biological effects because of their antioxidant properties. The study sought to carry out a comparative studies on the protective ability of free and bound polyphenol extracts of red Capsicum annuum var. aviculare (Tepin) on brain and liver – in vitro. Free polyphenols of red Capsicum annuum var. aviculare (Tepin) were extracted with 80% acetone, while the bound polyphenols were extracted with ethyl acetate from acid and alkaline hydrolysed residue from free polyphenols extract. The phenol content, Fe(II) chelating ability, OH radical scavenging ability and protective ability of the extract against some pro-oxidant (25 μM Fe(II), 7 μM sodium nitroprusside and 1 mM quinolinic acid)-induced lipid peroxidation in brain and liver was subsequently determined. The results of the study revealed that the free polyphenols (218.2 mg/100 g) content of the pepper were significantly higher (P<0.05) than the bound polyphenols (42.5 mg/100 g). Furthermore, the free polyphenol extract had a significantly higher (<0.05) Fe(II) chelating ability, OH radical scavenging ability than the bound polyphenols. In addition, both extracts significantly inhibited (P<0.05) basal and the various pro-oxidant (25 μM Fe(II), 7 μM sodium nitroprusside and 1 mM quinolinic acid)-induced lipid peroxidation in rat's brain and liver in a dose-dependent manner. However, the free polyphenols caused a significantly higher inhibition in the MDA (malondialdehyde) production in the brain and liver homogenates than the bound phenols. In conclusion, Capsicum annuum var. aviculare (Tepin) contains 83.7% free soluble polyphenol and 16.3% bound polyphenols. In addition, both polyphenolic extracts inhibit the various pro-oxidant agents (Fe²⁺, sodium nitroprusside and quinolinic acid) induced lipid peroxidation in brain and liver tissues in a doe-dependent manner. However, the free polyphenols had higher protective ability than the bound polyphenols. The main mechanism through which they are carry out their protective effect against lipid peroxidation in the brain and the liver is by Fe(II) chelating ability, OH and NO radicals scavenging ability and inhibition of over-stimulation of NMDA receptor.     

Stability of the Stevia‐Derived Sweetener Rebaudioside A in Solution as Affected by Ultraviolet Light Exposure

Rebaudioside A is a natural noncaloric high‐potency sweetener extracted from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana. With rebaudioside A use increasing in foods, understanding the factors affecting its stability is necessary. This project evaluated the degradation rate constants of rebaudioside A in water, 0.1 M phosphate buffer, and 0.1 M citrate buffer at pH 3 and 7 as a function of ultraviolet (UV) light intensity (365 nm, 0 μW/cm² for dark conditions, 27 μW/cm² for low intensity, and 190 μW/cm² for high intensity) at 32.5 °C. Rebaudioside A stability was adversely affected by light exposure. The pseudo‐1st‐order degradation rate constants increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing light intensity in all solutions. Under dark conditions, rebaudioside A in phosphate buffers was more susceptible to breakdown than in water and citrate buffers at both pH levels. However, exposure to UV light resulted in rebaudioside A degradation occurring approximately 10 times faster in citrate than in phosphate buffers at both pH levels. The sensitivity of rebaudioside A to UV light was greater in citrate buffers than in water or phosphate buffers. The use of light‐protective packaging for beverages containing rebaudioside A will improve its stability.     

Effects of washing with oxidising agents on the gel-forming ability and physicochemical properties of surimi produced from bigeye snapper (Priacanthus tayenus)

The effects of washing with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solutions on the gel-forming ability and physicochemical properties of surimi produced from bigeye snapper (Priacanthus tayenus), stored in ice for up to 14 days, were investigated. Generally, pH and the trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-soluble peptide content of washed mince varied, depending on the type of oxidizing agent and storage time of the fish. With increasing time of storage, the pHs of water- and H₂O₂-washed mince were lower than that of NaOCl-washed mince (P < 0.05). However, no differences in the TCA-soluble peptide contents of the resulting mince washed with any media were observed (P > 0.05). Washing with 20 ppm NaOCl resulted in the highest increase in both the breaking force and the deformation of mince from fish stored in ice for all the times studied (P < 0.05). Natural actomyosin (NAM) extracted from NaOCl-washed mince had higher surface hydrophobicity and disulfide bond (SS) content than that of water-washed mince (P < 0.05). With no effect on Ca²⁺-, Mg²⁺-, or Mg²⁺–Ca²⁺-ATPase activities, NaOCl washing resulted in an increase in Mg²⁺–EGTA-ATPase activity of NAM (P < 0.05). The results suggested that washing mince with the appropriate type and concentration of oxidizing agent can improve the gelling ability of surimi, particularly from low quality fish.     

Effect of Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) on Growth Control of Clostridium perfringens and Lipid Oxidation of Ready‐to‐Eat Jokbal (Pig's Trotters)

This study investigated the antimicrobial effects of rooibos (tea extract), potassium lactate (PL) and sodium diacetate (SDA) mixture alone or in combinations on the growth of Clostridium perfringens vegetative cell and spore in ready‐to‐eat (RTE) Jokbal (pig's trotters). Addition of a combination of 10% rooibos and 4% PL + SDA inhibit growth of C. perfringens vegetative cell in Jokbal at 24 °C and 36 °C. The significant inhibition on germination and growth of C. perfringens spores was also observed in Jokbal with a combination of 10% rooibos and 4% PL + SDA (PL: 2.24%, SDA: 0.16%) at 24 °C. The Jokbal treated with 10% rooibos and 4% PL + SDA mixture had significantly (P < 0.05) lower TBARS values than the control at 10 and 24 °C. The lipid oxidation inhibition effect was the highest (P < 0.05) in anaerobic packed Jokbal with 10% rooibos. The addition of a combination of 10% rooibos and 4% PL + SDA during the processing of Jokbal prevented the growth of C. perfringens and the germination and growth of C. perfringens spores at room temperature. This study shows rooibos tea as a valuable natural food preservative in meat products.     

Cryoprotective effects of trehalose and sodium lactate on tilapia (Sarotherodon nilotica) surimi during frozen storage

The cryoprotective effects of trehalose and sodium lactate at level of 8% (w/w) in tilapia surimi were studied in comparison with a conventional cryoprotectant (sucrose/sorbitol, 1:1) during extended storage at −18 °C for up to 24 weeks. All present cryoprotectants retarded the protein changes as evidenced by the lowered decrease in salt extractable protein (SEP), Ca²⁺-ATPase activity, total sulfhydryl content as well as the impeded increase in disulfide bond content and surface hydrophobicity. The gel-forming ability of frozen surimi was more retained with addition of cryoprotectants. Among all cryoprotectants used, trehalose exhibited the greatest protective effect on protein denaturation as shown by the effectiveness in maintaining Ca²⁺-ATPase activity and protein solubility. Additionally, the greatest breaking force and deformation were obtained in surimi added with 8% trehalose throughout the frozen storage up to 24 weeks. Sodium lactate showed a similar cryoprotective effect to sucrose/sorbitol blend. Therefore, trehalose and sodium lactate appeared to be promising alternative cryoprotectants for surimi owing to their low sweetness and caloric value.     

The effect of irradiation on technological properties and protein solubility of broiler chicken meat

During investigations on the effects of irradiation of chicken meat it was found that a 5 kGy dose of gamma ⁶⁰Co radiation brings about a statistically significant (P<0.05) increase in free water content, and fall in water holding capacity and water retention capacity, in breast muscles of broiler chickens. The cause of deterioration of hydration properties in meat is a decrease in solubility of the protein fractions after irradiation. The relative protein extractability Y (in 0.1M phosphate buffer+1.1M KI) fell in a linear manner with increase in the radiation dose D according to the equation Y=98.494–0.838 D. The changes in sarcoplasmic fraction extractability Y in 0.03M phosphate buffer are described by the equation Y=101.615–0.515 D, and those of myofibrillar fraction by Y=100.377–1.628 D. Electrophoresis of the protein fraction (soluble in phosphate buffer+1.1M KI) on polyacrylamide gel (with SDS) indicated that the lowest extractability, as compared with untreated samples, was shown by myosin. Other protein solubilities were only slightly altered by the 5 and 10 kGy doses.     

Sweetener Blend Optimization by Using Mixture Design Methodology and the Electronic Tongue

Utilizing more than one sweetener has been shown to be an effective way to substitute sucrose in food products. The objective of this study was to apply the augmented simplex‐centroid mixture design for the optimization of acceptable sweetener blends using coconut sugar, agave, and stevia. Sweetener blends were evaluated in aqueous solutions and gluten‐free granola bars by a trained panel and consumers (n = 60). Significant differences were found between sweetener mixtures in solutions by both panelists and consumers (P < 0.05). Taste profiles for the sweetener solutions were also generated using the electronic tongue. Most consumer and trained intensity ratings were highly correlated (R² ≥ 0.79) with the electronic tongue taste profile analysis. Granola bars were also found to be significantly different (P < 0.05), with consumers preferring coconut sugar mixtures. Using contour plots and desirability function analysis, an optimal sweetener combination was found for a granola bar formulation of 89.9% coconut sugar, 6.1% agave, and 4% stevia. These results indicate that a mixture design can be a reliable way to develop new sweetener blends for product development.     

Chicken Skin Composition As Affected By Aqueous Washing

Broiler skin was washed in either 0.1M sodium chloride (pH 7.0) or 0.5% sodium bicarbonate buffer (pH 8.4) to reduce water-soluble proteins and fat. Washing increased moisture and total protein content (P<0.05) of skin. Ash content was lower (P<0.05) in skin washed in 0.5% sodium bicarbonate buffer compared to unwashed and 0.1M sodium chloride washed skin. Fat content decreased (P<0.05) following washing. Salt extractable proteins and collagen content remaining in skin increased following washing (P<0.05). Water-soluble proteins remaining in washed skin were lower (P<0.05). SDS-PAGE gel patterns for salt extractable proteins remaining in skin after washing revealed more intense bands in regions of myosin (200K daltons), M-proteins (165K daltons) and C-protein (135–140K daltons) and 31-45K daltons.     

Influence of freeze-drying conditions on survival of Oenococcus oeni for malolactic fermentation

Malolactic fermentation (MLF) is an important process in wine production. Oenococcus oeni is most often responsible for MLF. Starter culture technology, involving the inoculation of O. oeni into wines, has been developed for inducing MLF. In this study, the effects of cell washing, pH of suspension medium, preincubation in sodium glutamate, initial cell concentration and freezing temperature on viability of freeze-dried O. oeni H-2 were investigated. The cell viability of samples without washing with potassium phosphate buffer was significantly lower than those samples undergone washing. When pH of suspension medium was 7.0 the cell survival was the highest. The cell viability was enhanced when the cells were preincubated at 25 °C before freezing. When 2.5% sodium glutamate was used as protective agent in suspension medium, the optimal initial cell concentration was 10⁹ CFU/ml. The cell viability increased by 21.6% as freezing temperature decreased from − 20 °C to − 65 °C. However, when the cells were frozen in liquid nitrogen (− 196 °C), the cell survival significantly decreased.     

Microstructure and color of starch–gum films: Effect of gum deacetylation and additives. Part 2

Xanthan gum deacetylation, additives (sucrose, soybean oil, sodium phosphate and propylene glycol) and pH modifications influence on cassava starch-based films microstructure and color has been studied. X-ray diffraction and microscopic analysis have demonstrated that sucrose addition influenced (p<0.05) the film crystallinity during 60 days storage (75% RH, 23 °C). Although not enough to prevent sucrose crystallization, deacetylated xanthan gum addition delayed the crystallization process. Comparing to the control, only cassava starch concentration and the additives sucrose and sodium phosphate affected samples total color difference (ΔE). However, all samples presented high lightness and low color values for ‘a’ redness and ‘b’ yellowness, indicating that, independent of the additives or pH modifications, the materials were almost colorless, with a high brilliancy.     

Effect of some additives on the inhibition of lizardfish trimethylamine-N-oxide demethylase and frozen storage stability of minced flesh

Effects of some additives on the inhibition of trimethylamine‐N‐oxide demethylase (TMAOase) from lizardfish (Saurida tumbil) muscle were investigated. Sodium citrate and pyrophosphate could inhibit TMAOase activity in a concentration‐dependent manner, most likely because of their chelating property. Sodium alginate was the hydrocolloid possessing the inhibitory activity towards TMAOase (P < 0.05). During the storage of lizardfish mince at ?20 °C for 24 weeks, the addition of 0.5% sodium alginate and 0.3% pyrophosphate in combination with 4% sucrose and 4% sorbitol as the cryoprotectants resulted in the retarded increase in TMAOase activities with the coincidental lowered formation of dimethylamine and formaldehyde (FA), compared with the control (without additives) (P < 0.05). The loss in solubility of muscle proteins was also impeded with the addition of those compounds, suggesting their role in the inhibition of TMAOase as well as the retardation of protein denaturation induced by FA.     

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.     

Original article: Effect of sucrose and glycerol mixtures in the osmotic solution on characteristics of osmotically dehydrated mandarin cv. (Sai‐Namphaung)

This study investigated the effects of a series of osmotic solutions consisting of sucrose and glycerol on the quality of osmotically dehydrated mandarin, namely mandarin cv. (Sai‐Namphaung). Mandarin samples were peeled and osmotically dehydrated at 55 °C with agitation at 3.5776 × 10^?1g in five osmotic solutions containing various mixtures of 60% sucrose and 60% glycerol (9:1, 8:2, 7:3, 6:4 and 5:5 w/w, respectively). The osmotically dehydrated mandarin was further dried using hot‐air drying at 70 °C for 360 min. Increasing the glycerol ratio in the mixtures significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased water loss and solid gain during osmotic dehydration, and significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected kinetic rate constants during drying. An increase in the glycerol ratio in the mixtures caused a significant decrease in the quality factors of hardness, moisture content, water activity and reducing sugar. However, the increase resulted in an increase in the darkness of the dried mandarin, compared with increasing the sucrose ratio in the mixtures (P ≤ 0.05). The increase had an insignificant (P > 0.05) effect on vitamin C content.     

Optical dispersion through muscle fibers isolated from pork

Individual muscle fibers (n=20) isolated from pork were mounted in a microscope chamber and perfused with 0.2 M phosphate buffer. After washing out myoglobin, transmittance (T) spectra were measured from 300 to 800 nm at high and low pH (pH 7.26±0.15 and 5.49±0.06), starting half the samples at low and half at high pH. As fibers were moved across the measuring aperture, light at short wavelengths was first to be refracted through the fiber and lost by scattering. Finally, with all wavelengths traversing the full depth of the fiber, T was higher at high than low pH (300–740 nm, P<0.05; 310–510 nm, P<0.01). Post-mortem development of paleness in normal pork muscle may be caused by refraction through myofibrils.     

Efficacy of Plant‐Derived Antimicrobials as Antimicrobial Wash Treatments for Reducing Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia Coli O157:H7 on Apples

This study investigated the efficacy of 3 GRAS‐status, plant‐derived antimicrobials (PDAs), trans‐cinnamaldehyde (TC), carvacrol (CR), and β‐resorcylic acid (BR) applied as an antimicrobial wash for killing Escherichia coli O157:H7 on apples. “Red delicious” apples inoculated with a 5 strain mixture of E. coli O157:H7 were subjected to washing in sterile deionized water containing 0% PDA (control), 0.15% TC, 0.35% TC, 0.15% CR, 0.30% CR, 0.5% BR, or 1% BR for 1, 3, and 5 min at 23 °C in the presence and absence of 1% soil, and surviving pathogen populations on apples were enumerated at each specified time. All PDAs were more effective in reducing E. coli O157:H7 compared to the water wash treatment (P < 0.05) and reduced the pathogen by 4‐ to 5‐log CFU/apple in 5 min. Chlorine (1%) was the most effective treatment reducing the pathogen on apples to undetectable levels in 1 min (P < 0.05). Moreover, the antimicrobial effect of CR and BR was not affected by the presence of soil, whereas the efficacy of TC and BR was decreased in the presence of soil. Further, no bacteria were detected in the wash solution containing CR and BR; however, E. coli O157:H7 was recovered in the control wash water and treatment solutions containing TC and chlorine, in the presence of 1% soil (P < 0.05). Results suggest that the aforementioned PDAs, especially CR and BR could be used effectively to kill E. coli O157:H7 on apples when used as a wash treatment. Studies on the sensory and quality characteristics of apples treated with PDAs are needed before recommending their usage.     

Water extractable phytochemicals from Capsicum pubescens (tree pepper) inhibit lipid peroxidation induced by different pro-oxidant agents in brain: in vitro

This study seeks to determine the antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of aqueous extract of ripe and unripe Capsicum pubescens (tree pepper) on some pro-oxidant induced lipid peroxidation in rat’s brain (in vitro). The total phenol, vitamin C, ferric reducing antioxidant property (FRAP) and Fe (II) chelating ability of the extracts of C. pubescens were determined. Thereafter, the ability of the extracts to inhibit lipid peroxidation (induced by FeSO₄, sodium nitroprusside or quinolinic acid) in rat’s brain homogenates (in vitro) was determined. The results of the study revealed that ripe C. pubescens had a significantly higher (P < 0.05) total phenol content [ripe (113.7 mg/100 g), unripe (70.5 mg/100 g)] and reducing power than the unripe pepper. However, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the vitamin C [ripe (231.5 μg/g), unripe (224.4 μg/g)] content and Fe (II) chelating ability of the extracts. However, both extracts significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited lipid peroxidation induced by the pro-oxidant agents [25 μM Fe(II), 7 μM sodium nitroprusside and 1 mM quinolinic acid] in the rat’s brain homogenates in a dose-dependent manner. Nevertheless, the ripe pepper extracts inhibited MDA (Malondialdehyhide) production in the rat’s brain homogenates than the unripe pepper. Conversely, both extracts did not significantly (P > 0.05) inhibit Fe (II)/H₂O₂ induced decomposition of deoxyribose. It was therefore concluded that ripe and unripe C. pubescens would inhibit lipid peroxidation in rat brain in vitro. However, the ripe pepper was a more potent inhibitor of lipid peroxidation in the rat’s brain; this is probably due to its higher phenol content and reducing power.