Modelling the effects of pH, storage temperature and redox potential (Eh) on the survival of bifidobacteria in fermented milk

The effects of storage temperature, pH and E _h on the survival of Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis were modelled in a 3 × 4 × 3 factorial design using three storage temperatures (4, 8, 12 °C), four pH (4.0, 4.25, 4.5, 4.75) and three E _h (0, 200, 400 mV) values. Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis showed significantly better survival than B. longum ( P  < 0.0001) in fermented milk under normal environmental conditions. Bifidobacterium longum was more susceptible to acidity and survival was log-linear at low pH values whereas at higher pH pronounced shouldering and tailing effects were apparent. Both individual environmental conditions ( T , pH, E _h) and interactions between E _h and pH affected survival and death was always more rapid in B. longum . Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis generally showed a simple log-linear reduction over time. Temperature, pH and E _h could be manipulated to enhance survival but E _h reduction appears to be the best way to enhance survival without adversely affecting other properties.     

The increase of CO2 permeability of paper packaging with increasing hydration

CO₂ transport through hydrated paper was studied using gas chromatography to measure CO₂ permeability (P) and diffusivity (D). With increasing water content from 0 to 0.8 g water/g paper, P and D increased from 3.47 to 9.03 × 10⁻⁶ m³ m⁻² s⁻¹ bar⁻¹ and from 1.35 to 3.51 × 10⁻⁵ m² s⁻¹, respectively. This resulted from structural changes in the cellulose network as reported in the literature; water sorption isotherms were used to explain these changes using BET theory.     

Alginate- and gellan-based edible films for probiotic coatings on fresh-cut fruits

ABSTRACT:  Alginate- (2% w/v) or gellan-based (0.5%) edible films, containing glycerol (0.6% to 2.0%), N-acetylcysteine (1%), and/or ascorbic acid (1%) and citric acid (1%), were formulated and used to coat fresh-cut apple and papaya cylinders. Water vapor permeability (WVP) was significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in alginate films (0.30 to 0.31 × 10⁻⁹g m/Pa s m²) than in the gellan ones (0.26 to 0.27 × 10⁻⁹g m/Pa s m²). Addition of 0.025% (w/v) sunflower oil decreased WVP of gellan films (0.20 to 0.22 × 10⁻⁹ g m/Pa s m²). Water solubility of gellan and alginate films at 25 °C (0.47 to 0.59 and 0.74 to 0.79, respectively) and their swelling ratios (2.3 to 2.6 and 1.6 to 2.0, respectively) indicate their potential for coating high moisture fresh-cut fruits. Fresh-cut apple and papaya cylinders were successfully coated with 2% (w/v) alginate or gellan film-forming solutions containing viable bifidobacteria. WVP in alginate (6.31 and 5.52 × 10⁻⁹g m/Pa s m²) or gellan (3.65 and 4.89 × 10⁻⁹ g m/Pa s m²) probiotic coatings of papaya and apple, respectively, were higher than in the corresponding cast films. The gellan coatings and films exhibited better water vapor properties in comparison with the alginate coatings. Values > 10⁶ CFU/g B. lactis Bb -12 were maintained for 10 d during refrigerated storage of fresh-cut fruits, demonstrating the feasibility of alginate- and gellan-based edible coatings to carry and support viable probiotics on fresh-cut fruit.     

Quality changes in fresh-cut Fuji apple as affected by ripeness stage, antibrowning agents, and storage atmosphere

ABSTRACT:  The effect of ripening state, modified atmosphere, and the use of antibrowning agents was investigated in an attempt to determine optimum ripeness and processing conditions for extending the shelf-life of fresh-cut Fuji apple. Apples were classified in 3 groups: mature-green, partially ripe, and ripe; after peeling and slicing, fruits were treated with 1% (w/v) N -acetylcysteine, or 1% (w/v) ascorbic acid (control), and then packed into polypropylene trays with air or a gas mixture (2.5% O₂+ 7% CO₂+ 90.5% N₂) and sealed. Trays containing the apple slices were stored in darkness at 4 °C ± 1 °C and analyzed periodically during 43 d. Changes in atmosphere composition, color, and firmness were examined. Partially ripe apples, based on their lower ethanol production and maintenance of their original color and firmness, were the most suitable to prepare the fresh-cut commodities. A postcutting dip in 1% (w/v) N -acetylcysteine was the most effective treatment to prevent cut surface browning and preserve the initial appearance of Fuji apple slices during more than 1 mo at 4 °C. Low O₂ and elevated CO₂ (2.5% O₂+ 7% CO₂) atmosphere extended the shelf life of apple slices because of a significant inhibition of ethylene production.     

Toxicological analysis of the chronic consumption of diheptanoin and triheptanoin in rats

The aim of this study was to synthesise glycerol esters from heptanoic acid and to evaluate the toxicity of their chronic consumption in rats. The synthesised product (64% triheptanoin, 34% diheptanoin and 2% monoheptanoin) was called experimental oil. Newly weaned male Wistar rats ( n  = 3 × 10) were fed with control diet AIN-93, control with 30% substitution of soybean oil with experimental oil (TAGC₇ 30%) or control with substitution of 50% (TAGC₇ 50%), for 9 months. The experimental oil did not affect the growth, lipid digestibility or hepatic and renal function, and the lipid profile serum analysis. Additionally, it exhibited a hepato-protector effect in group TAGC₇ 50%. In conclusion, the chronic consumption of di- and triheptanoin was not toxic in rats, suggesting that they may be used in the treatment of disorders in which more easily digestible lipids are required.     

Influence of sodium chloride and glucose on the aggregation behavior of heat-denatured ovalbumin investigated with a multiangle laser light scattering technique

ABSTRACT:  The molecular characteristics of ovalbumin aggregates formed by heating with NaCl and glucose were investigated with a multi-angle laser light scattering system. The presence of NaCl and glucose affected the formation and molecular structure of the aggregates. Specifically, glucose increased the denaturation temperature of ovalbumin due to thermal stabilization of the native state of ovalbumin, regardless of the content of added NaCl. The surface hydrophobicity of the aggregates was increased by the addition of NaCl, which induced the denaturation of ovalbumin at a lower temperature. Aggregates with a larger weight-average molar mass ( M_w ) and root mean square radius ( R_g ) formed from heat-denatured ovalbumin with NaCl and glucose. The presence of NaCl during heat denaturation caused the formation of aggregates with a larger M_w (1.9 × 10⁵ and 3.5 × 10⁶ g/mol for 0 and 10 mM NaCl, respectively) and R_g (14.8 and 80.4 nm for 0 and 10 mM NaCl, respectively). Over a certain amount of NaCl, the addition of more glucose resulted in the formation of more aggregates with greater M_w and R_g values. In sum, the thermostability of ovalbumin was affected primarily by glucose, but the molecular characteristics of the soluble aggregates formed by heat denaturation varied primarily with NaCl content.     

Effect of technological parameters on the characteristics of kasseri cheese made from raw or pasteurized ewes' milk

Two groups of kasseri cheese (pasta filata type) were manufactured from raw or pasteurized ewes' milk, without starter cultures. Cheeses of each group were divided into two subgroups: the first was ripened and stored at 4°C and packaged in plastic film; the second ripened and stored at 15°C and coated with paraffin wax. Milk pasteurization and technological parameters had a significant effect on the pH ( P  < 0.05), while only technological parameters had an effect on the total solids content. At day 120, the range of mean cfu/g counts for the mesophilic aerobic flora was 9.5 × 10⁷−1.4 × 10⁸; for the thermophilic streptococci, the range was 2.6 × 10⁷−7.6 × 10⁷; and for the thermophilic bacilli, 9.8 × 10⁶−1.7 × 10⁷. Changes in the N fractions became significant after 30 days of ripening. For mature 120-day-old cheeses, the percentage of total N soluble at pH 4.6 was 22.7%–22.9% in raw milk cheeses and 19.0%–21.7% in pasteurized milk cheeses. The percentage of total N soluble at 12% TCA was 10.1%–12.2% in raw milk cheeses and 7.3%–11.5% in pasteurized milk cheeses; the percentages of total N soluble at 5% PTA were 3.1%–4.0% and 2.6%–3.6%, respectively. The residual α_s-casein percentages at day 120 ranged between 63% and 78% of the respective area at day 1; the residual β-casein ranged between 67% and 75%. There were some characteristic differences in the reverse phase-HPLC peptide profiles of the four cheeses. In general, the effect of the different ripening conditions was more pronounced in cheeses made from pasteurized milk.     

SIMULATING DIFFUSION MODEL AND DETERMINING DIFFUSIVITY OF POTASSIUM SORBATE THROUGH PLASTICS TO DEVELOP ANTIMICROBIAL PACKAGING FILMS

A diffusion model was simulated by computer programming and diffusivities of potassium sorbate through various plastic films were determined by a lag time method. The simulation showed that partition coefficient affected the flux of total penetration but did not affect the lag time. Therefore, the lag time method is appropriate in determining diffusivity, using any value for the partition coefficient. The diffusivities of potassium sorbate were 1.83 × 10⁻⁸ cm²/s, 4.26 × 10⁻¹³ cm²/s, 4.65 × 10⁻¹³ cm²/s, and 5.47 × 10⁻¹³ cm²/s through low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate, respectively at 25 C. Arrhenius equation shows very good fit between the diffusivity and the temperature by the linear regression analysis. D₀ and E_a of potassium sorbate through LDPE film resulted in 1.98 × 10⁻⁶ cm²/s, and 11.83 KJ/mole K. The concentration of potassium sorbate was insignificant and did not contribute to the statistical model. This result verifies that the diffusion of potassium sorbate in LDPE film is typical case ofFickian diffusion.     

Microwave heat treatment of leek: drying kinetic and effective moisture diffusivity

The effect of microwave drying technique on moisture ratio, drying time and effective moisture diffusivity of white and green parts of leek ( Allium porrum ) were investigated. By increasing the sample amount (100–300 g) at constant microwave output power of 180 W, the drying time increased from 52 to 130 min and increased from 55 to 135 min for white and green parts of leek, respectively. Effective moisture diffusivity values for white and green parts of leek ranged from 0.618 × 10⁻¹⁰ to 2.128 × 10⁻¹⁰ m².s⁻¹ and 0.256 × 10⁻¹⁰ to 0.611 × 10⁻¹⁰ m² s⁻¹, respectively. Among the models proposed, Midilli et al. model gave a better fit for all drying conditions applied. The activation energy for microwave drying of white and green parts of leek was calculated using an exponential expression based on Arrhenius equation; found as 0.9530 and 1.2045 W g⁻¹, respectively. The dependence of drying rate constant on effective moisture diffusivity gave a linear relationship.     

Characterization of Gum Ghatti (Anogeissus latifolia): A Structural and Rheological Approach

ABSTRACT:  Gatifolia, a commercial gum ghatti ( Anogeissus latifolia ) product was studied for its structural, thermal, and rheological characteristics. This study may prove helpful for the use of gum ghatti in a diverse range of food applications. The molecular weight ( M _W) and  R_g  (radius of gyration) for gum ghatti were calculated to be approximately 8.94 × 10⁷ g/mol and 140 nm, respectively, using high-performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) system combined with multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS). Gum ghatti solutions exhibited pseudoplastic behavior (as determined by flow experiments), which became more prevalent with increasing concentrations. Gum ghatti also displayed time-dependent shear-thickening behavior and showed negative hysteresis during up–down flow measurements. Under the measurement conditions at the range of frequencies and temperatures studied, the gum did not behave as a typical viscoelastic gel.     

Changes in rheological behaviour and functional properties of hen's egg yolk induced by processing and fermentation with phospholipases

Functional changes of hen's egg yolk rheological behaviour as a result of processing (pasteurisation, freeze-drying) and modifying its phospholipids using phospholipase A₁ (PLA₁) and phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) were studied. It could be shown how fermentation with phospholipases affects the different steps of heat-induced gelation of egg yolk. As a consequence of fermentation of native yolk with 0.1% PLA₁, the first viscosity maximum was shifted from 79 to 97 °C. In fermented pasteurised yolk, the homogenous gel-like consistency from the first viscosity maximum was even stabilised up to 100 °C. The second viscosity ascent, which indicates solid gel structures (caused by aggregation of denatured proteins), was prevented entirely. In contrast to pancreatic PLA₂, fermentation of egg yolk with microbial PLA₁ resulted in a hydrolysis of approximately 78% of phosphatidylethanolamine and a significant change in flow behaviour (of yolk solutions).     

Mathematical modelling of O2 consumption and CO2 production rates of whole mushrooms accounting for the effect of temperature and gas composition

Investigation of respiration rate of fresh produce, under different gas composition and temperatures, and respective mathematical modelling is central for the modified atmosphere packaging design. This work investigates the effect of temperature (4, 8, 12, 16, 20 °C) and gas composition (O₂ between 3 to 21% and CO₂ between 0 to 15%) on respiration rate of whole mushrooms. Oxygen and carbon dioxide respiration rates increased significantly (3–4 fold) as the temperature elevated from 4 to 20 °C and were in the range of 13.23 ± 3.12 to 102.41 ± 2.132 mL kg⁻¹ h⁻¹) and 14.33 ± 1.56 to 97.02 ± 2.51 mL kg⁻¹ h⁻¹) respectively. Low O₂ and high CO₂ levels reduced O₂ consumption and CO₂ production rates of whole mushrooms on average by a circa 47–60% at all temperatures as compared to the respiration rate at ambient air. Mathematical models were developed for RO₂ and RCO₂, by combining the Arrhenius and Michaelis–Menten uncompetitive equations. These models predicted well, O₂ consumption and CO₂ production rates of whole mushrooms as a function of both temperature and gas composition.     

Aflatoxin levels in dried figs, nuts and paprika for export from Turkey

Three hundred and thirteen of 2643 dried fig, two of eighty hazelnut, sixteen of twenty-eight pistachio, five of ten peanut and nineteen of twenty-three paprika samples for export from Turkey were contaminated with total aflatoxins in the range of 0.2–162.76, 5.46–6.55, 2.31–63.11, 0.75–26.36 and 1.79–6.55 μg kg⁻¹, respectively. Samples were collected from January to August 2007 and tested for aflatoxins (B₁, B₂, G₁ and G₂) by immunoaffinity column extraction using RP-HPLC. Fifty-six of the 313 dried fig, all of the contaminated hazelnut and pistachio, two of the sixteen peanut and three of the nineteen paprika samples exceeded the regulatory limits of the European Union. The ratio of the different types of aflatoxin present in each sample exhibited great variability. For example, of 313 contaminated fig samples, 159 contained only aflatoxin B₁, eighty-five contained B₁ (49.7%) + G₁ (50.3%), twenty-two contained only G₁, twenty contained B₁ (89.4%) + B₂ (10.6%), thirteen contained B₁ (73.7%) + B₂ (10.8%) + G₁ (15.5%) and fourteen contained all four types, B₁ (26%) + B₂ (2.5%) + G₁ (66.5%) + G₂ (5%).     

Influence of pre-treatments on microbial load of stored dehydrated onion slices

Onions slices were pre-treated in potassium meta-bisulphite (KMS) and sodium chloride with different concentration levels to study the microbial load of tray and greenhouse-dried onion slices up to 6 months of storage. Data were analysed as per procedure of one-way classified anova using DMRT of AgRes statistical package for bacteria, yeast, fungi and Lactobacilli . Results revealed that in almost all samples, permissible levels of bacteria [18.33 × 10¹ colony-forming units (CFU) per gram], yeast (ND), fungi (0.5 × 10¹ CFU g⁻¹) and Lactobacilli (0.25 × 10¹ CFU g⁻¹) were observed after 5 months of storage. All the samples were also found to be free from Escherichia coli and no Mac Conkey growth was noticed. Onion slices pre-treated in 0.25% and 0.50% KMS and dried in tray and greenhouse, respectively, were found best after 6 months of storage period.     

Isolation and characterization of polygalacturonase and invertase from a yeast Endomycopsis fibuligera (3812) bioconversion of date wastes

Properties of polygalacturonase [E.C. 3.2.1.15] (E₁) and invertase (E.C. 3.2.1.26] (E₂) isolated and purified in powdered form from Endomycopsis fibuligera grown on date wastes were measured.
The molecular weights were estimated to be about 32000 and 69500, and they were highly specific for hydrolysing (1–4) and (1–2) glycosidic links respectively. the K_m value of E₁ was 7.1 × 10^-2M for soluble-pectic acid and that for E₂ was 6.7 × 10^-2M for sucrose at pH4.5, and optimal pHs were 3.5 for E₁ and 4.0 for E₂. the purified enzymes are stable on storage for more than one year at - 20°C.     

Characterization of Lactoferrin (LF) from Colostral Whey Using Anti-LF Antibody Immunoaffinity Chromatography

ABSTRACT: Lactoferrin (LF) in colostral whey was isolated by anti-LF immunoglobulin in yolk (IgY)-Sepharose 4B immunoaffinity chromatography, and parameters such as binding capacity (q_m) and dissociation constant (K_d, × 10⁻⁶ M) of this immunoaffinity gel for LF were discussed. Purification folds for colostral whey I (from colostrum collected within 6 d of postpartum) and colostral whey II (from colostrum collected within 1 d of postpartum) by anti-LF IgY-immunoaffinity chromatography were 135.80 and 103.60, respectively. The recovery for LF in the same colostral whey sample by anti-LF IgY-immunoaffinity chromatography was 82 to 99 %. q_m of anti-LF IgY-immunoaffinity gel for LF in colostral whey I and whey II were 0.372 and 0.272 mg LF/mL wet gel, respectively. K_d of anti-LF IgY-immunoaffinity gel for LF in colostral whey I was 1.594 × 10⁻⁶ M and II was 1.587 × 10⁻⁶ M.     

Osmotic dehydration kinetics of carrot cubes in sodium chloride solution

Osmotic dehydration kinetics of carrot cubes in sodium chloride solution having concentrations 5%, 10% and 15% (w/v), solution temperature 35, 45 and 55 °C, sample to solution ratio (STSR) 1:4, 1:5 and 1:6 were studied up to 240 min duration. During the experimentation, effect of solution temperature and process duration was significant and that of solution concentration and STSR were non-significant on water loss. Among the different models applied (Penetration model, Magee Model, and Azuara model), Azuara model best fitted to the experimental data for water loss and solute gain during osmotic dehydration. Effective diffusivities of water and solute were calculated by using the analytical solution of Fick's unsteady state law of diffusion by iterative technique with a computer program. For the above conditions, the effective diffusivity of water was found to be in the range between 2.6323 × 10⁻⁹ and 6.2397 × 10⁻⁹ m²/s and that of solute between 3.1522 × 10⁻⁹ and 4.6400 × 10⁻⁹ m²/s.     

Impact of nitrite on detection of Listeria monocytogenes in selected ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and seafood products

ABSTRACT:  The impact of sodium nitrite (NaNO₂) on detection and recovery of Listeria monocytogenes from select ready-to-eat (RTE) foods including smoked salmon, smoked ham, beef frankfurters, and beef bologna was assessed. Nitrite-containing (NC; 100 to 200 ppm NaNO₂) or nitrite-free (NF) foods were inoculated with a 5-strain cocktail of L. monocytogenes by immersion into Butterfield's buffer solution containing 5.4 to 7.4 × 10³ L. monocytogenes per milliliter. Inoculated products were vacuum-packaged and stored at 5 °C. A weekly comparative analysis was performed for presence of L. monocytogenes using 5 detection methods on products held at 5 °C for up to 8 wk. L. monocytogenes initially present at <100 CFU/g during the first 2 wk of storage increased throughout the study, attaining final populations of approximately 1 × 10⁴ to 1 × 10⁵ CFU/g. Lactic acid bacteria predominated throughout the study in all products. Exposure to NaNO₂ (100 to 200 ppm) resulted in 83% to 99% injury to the L. monocytogenes strains tested. The genetic-based BAX^® System (DuPont™ Qualicon, Wilmington, Del., U.S.A.) and modified USDA/FSIS methods detected 98% to 100% of Listeria -positive food samples and were consistently superior to and significantly different ( P < 0.05) from conventional cultural methods in recovering Listeria from NC samples. Data show that nitrite-induced injury adversely affects detection and recovery of L. monocytogenes from NC food, confirming earlier findings that nitrite-induced injury masks L. monocytogenes detection in NC RTE food products. Nitrite-injured Listeria can subsequently repair upon nitrite depletion and grow to high levels over extended refrigerated storage.     

YIELD STRESS OF STRUCTURED AND UNSTRUCTURED FOOD SUSPENSIONS

Yield stresses of 40 model suspensions of apple pulp particles with unimodal and bimodal particle size distribution in water, of 13 commercial food suspensions, and of 11 prepared apple sauce samples were determined by the vane method (_0V), and by application of the Casson (_0C) model. For the unstructured (US) apple pulp suspensions magnitudes of _0V and _0C were nearly equal, but for the structured commercial and prepared apple sauce samples, magnitudes of _0V were much higher than _0C. The ratio of _0V/_0C can be used to determine the shear diameter and the degree of structure of a suspension. Energy dissipation due to viscous drag was also higher for the structured suspensions than for the US suspensions. The results suggest that some trends observed with rheological properties of nonfood suspensions may not be applicable to structured food suspensions.