Effects of type of packaging materials on physicochemical,microbiological and sensory characteristics of durian fruit leather during storage

A study on storage stability of durian leather was carried out at room temperature using four types of packaging materials—laminated aluminium foil (LAF), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) films—for 12 weeks. Analyses on physicochemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics were conducted at weeks 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12. Analyses for sugar, fat and caloric contents were conducted at the beginning and the end of storage period. Moisture contents and water activity (A_w) fluctuated during storage but tended to decrease after week 8. Non-enzymatic browning increased significantly (P<0·05) for all samples in packaging materials used; the highest increases were observed in LDPE-packed leather. The increases were related to the changes in colour of samples during storage. The longer storage time, the higher L and b values and the lower a value. The pH, although it fluctuated in the first weeks, slightly increased at the end of the storage period, while the hardness for each sample gradually increased during the storage. Microbial analyses showed that total mesophilic bacteria (TMB) and total moulds and yeast (TMY) counts were low, where after 12-week storage TMB and TMY were less than 60 and 140 cfu g⁻¹, respectively. Organoleptically, for all attributes evaluated, all samples were acceptable by panelists during the 12-week storage period. © 1998 SCI.     

Screening of lactic acid bacteria for antimicrobial properties from mayonnaise-based products and raw materials

A collection of lactic acid bacteria isolated from both mayonnaise-based products and raw materials used to manufacture them was tested for antimicrobial activity. Out of 144 strains (97 lactobacilli, 23 lactococci and 24 enterococci) only three supernatants of Enterococcus spp. strains (EN3, EN14 and EN15) exhibited activity against lactobacilli and lactococci. The supernatant of the strain EN3 exclusively inhibited the growth of Bacillus cereus and Listeria monocytogenes. Enterococcus strains EN3, EN14 and EN15 produced thermostable bacteriocins, which had antibacterial activity.     

进料水分对挤压人造米理化特性和物性的影响

着重研究了进料水分对挤压人造米的理化特性的影响,利用TA.XT2i物性测试仪对人造米米饭的物性进行了测定。结果显示,进料水分与人造米的吸水指数、α化度、水溶性碳水化合物、酶敏感性以及人造米米饭硬度、粘度呈显著性相关。与原料杂交籼米穴9718雪比较,质构和口感有较大的变化,接近粳米穴3618雪。α化度、吸水指数、水溶性碳水化合物以及酶敏感性与人造米米饭的硬度、粘度之间都有显著或非常显著的相关性。     

即食沙河粉品质与原料物化性质的关系

对六个大米样品的理化性质及凝胶质地进行了分析,并对这些性质与河粉质地之间的相关性进行了分析。直链淀粉含量与膨润力(r=-0.69P<0.05)、河粉硬度(r=0.89P<0.01)、弹性(r=-0.79P<0.01)、胶弹性(r=0.77P<0.01)具有很高的相关性。米粉溶解性与蒸煮损失(r=0.64P<0.05)、河粉胶弹性(r=0.77P<0.01)、咀嚼性r=0.65P<0.05正相关。米粉膨胀体积与河粉硬度r=-0.69P<0.05负相关;布拉班德糊化数据和凝胶质地参数与河粉质地参数有很高的相关性,在河粉原料选择时可作为快速、简便、准确预测河粉品质的方法。     

Encapsulation by spray drying of bioactive components, physicochemical and morphological properties from purple sweet potato

Purple-fleshed sweet potato flour could be used to enhance the colour, flavour and nutrients in food products. Thus, the investigation was to produce encapsulated flours from purple-fleshed sweet potato by spray drying using combinations of various levels of ascorbic acid (5 g kg⁻¹ and 10 g kg⁻¹) and maltodextrin (30 g kg⁻¹ and 100 g kg⁻¹) and to evaluate their effects on bioactive components, physicochemical and morphological properties. Encapsulated flours had higher total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and water solubility index than non-encapsulated flour. There were no significant differences in anthocyanin content between encapsulated and non-encapsulated flours. However, water absorption index and flavonoids content of encapsulated flours depended on concentrations of ascorbic acid and maltodextrin. In addition, the high concentrations of ascorbic acid and maltodextrin encapsulated flours had higher glass transition temperature as compared to that of lower concentrations. In respect to morphology, the particles of encapsulated flours with high concentration of ascorbic acid and maltodextrin were more aggregated than those encapsulated with lower concentrations. Therefore, flours encapsulated with 10 g kg⁻¹ ascorbic acid and 30 g kg⁻¹ maltodextrin could be used to enhance the antioxidant activities of functional food ingredients.     

Petrifilm--up-to-date tests for microbiological control of food products, raw materials and environmental objects

The principle of action, advantages and different types of Petrifilm as alternative test to the classical microbiological analysis are considered. Petrifilm is up-to-date high technology test systems for the rapid quantitative microbiological control in foodstuff of sanitary-significant and pathogenic microorganisms--yeast and moulds, coliforms, Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus, Listeria spp. and Lactobacilli spp. Automatic testing of colonies on Petrifilm with use of the Petrifilm-Reader allows to reduce time for colony counting, to exclude errors of personnel and to document results of the analysis.     

悬钩子类果实色素理化性质研究

比较了黑莓品种Boysen、Kiowa和高粱泡(Rubus lambertianus Ser.)果实色素的光谱特性和理化性质,主要包括光照、温度、pH、氧化剂和还原剂5个因素对三种色素水溶液稳定性的影响.结果表明,黑莓Boysen、Kiowa和高梁泡果实色素对光、热有较好的耐受性,对pH、氧化荆和还原剂较为敏感,其中Boysen色素的光稳定性较强;高粱泡色素的热稳定性较强;Kiowa的光和热稳定性均较差,耐氧化性较强.     

Structure,physicochemical properties and in vitro fermentation of enzymatically degraded cell wall materials from apples

Cell wall materials (CWM) prepared from apple parenchyma tissue by treatment with commercial enzymes for maceration, mash fermentation and liquefaction were characterised with regard to their composition and structure as well as their physicochemical and physiological properties. Increasing enzymatic degradation of the CWM resulted in growing loss of the pectin matrix, decreasing porosity as well as increasing particle aggregation. Due to these structural alterations the water binding, the viscoelastic properties of the CWM‐water‐suspensions and the in vitro fermentation, forming short chain fatty acids, were reduced. The investigations showed that interrelations exist between enzymatic treatment and changes of (i) structure and state of matrices (evaluated by means of thermal analysis( (ii) physicochemical properties and (iii) physiological properties. So the application of liquefying enzymes can lead to a complete removal of the pectin matrix, causing an essentially improved thermal stability of the CWM preparation, but strongly reduced water binding and reduced structure‐forming properties into the CWM‐water‐suspensions. The formation of short‐chain fatty acids during in vitro fermentation of the CWM preparations by fresh human faeces flora depended on the portion and the state of the pectin matrix and the cellulose network, respectively.     

Structure,physicochemical properties and in vitro fermentation of enzymatically degraded cell wall materials from apples

Cell wall materials (CWM) prepared from apple parenchyma tissue by treatment with commercial enzymes for maceration, mash fermentation and liquefaction were characterised with regard to their composition and structure as well as their physicochemical and physiological properties. Increasing enzymatic degradation of the CWM resulted in growing loss of the pectin matrix, decreasing porosity as well as increasing particle aggregation. Due to these structural alterations the water binding, the viscoelastic properties of the CWM-water-suspensions and the in vitro fermentation, forming short chain fatty acids, were reduced. The investigations showed that interrelations exist between enzymatic treatment and changes of (i) structure and state of matrices (evaluated by means of thermal analysis), (ii) physicochemical properties and (iii) physiological properties. So the application of liquefying enzymes can lead to a complete removal of the pectin matrix, causing an essentially improved thermal stability of the CWM preparation, but strongly reduced water binding and reduced structure-forming properties into the CWM-water-suspensions. The formation of short-chain fatty acids during in vitro fermentation of the CWM preparations by fresh human faeces flora depended on the portion and the state of the pectin matrix and the cellulose network, respectively.     

Interrelationships among microbiological, physicochemical, and biochemical properties of Terrincho cheese, with emphasis on biogenic amines

Changes in the microbiological, physicochemical, and biochemical characteristics of Terrincho cheese as represented by native microflora, pH, water activity, soluble nitrogen fractions, free amino acids, and biogenic amines (e.g., ethylamine, dimethylamine, tryptamine, phenylethylamine, putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, tyramine, cystamine, and spermine) during ripening were monitored. Terrincho is a traditional Portuguese cheese manufactured from raw ewe's milk. The main groups of microorganisms (lactococci, lactobacilli, enterococci, pseudomonads, staphylococci, coliforms, yeasts, and molds) were determined following conventional microbiological procedures. Free amino acids and biogenic amines were determined by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, following extraction from the cheese matrix and derivatization with dabsyl chloride. The total content of free amino acids ranged from 1,730 mg/kg of dry matter at the beginning of the ripening stage to 5,180 mg/kg of dry matter by day 60 of ripening; such an increase was highly correlated with the increase of water-soluble nitrogen in total nitrogen, 12% trichloroacetic acid-soluble nitrogen in total nitrogen, and 5% phosphotungstic acid-soluble nitrogen in total nitrogen throughout ripening. Histamine was consistently present at very low levels, whereas putrescine, cadaverine, and tryptamine were the dominant biogenic amines and increased in concentration during ripening. Ethylamine, tryptamine, phenylethylamine, and cystamine reached maxima by 30 days of ripening and decreased thereafter. Significant correlations between amino acid precursors and corresponding biogenic amines, as well as between biogenic amines and microbial viable numbers, were observed.     

Effect of ultrasonication on microbiological,chemical and sensory properties of raw,thermized and pasteurized milk

The combined effect of ultrasonication and heat treatment on microbiological, chemical and sensory properties of raw, thermized and pasteurized milk was studied. Microbiological parameters monitored included total viable counts and psychrotrophs, chemical parameters included thiobarbituric acid and volatiles determination and sensory evaluation included the monitoring of odour and taste as a function of storage time. Results showed a 1–2.1 log cfu mL^?1 reduction in total viable counts and psychrotrophs for raw, thermized and pasteurized milk up to 6 days of storage. For raw and pasteurized milk ultrasonication resulted in a taste score equal to or lower than that of untreated milk. However, thermized milk, ultrasonicated for 2 min gave a higher taste score than its untreated counter part on day 4 of storage. With regard to lipid oxidation, malondialdehyde ranged between 1.20 and 1.95 mg kg^?1. Finally, volatile compounds identified in all samples were mainly products of lipid oxidation that increased in concentration with sonication and storage time.     

Comparative studies on the physicochemical properties and microstructure of raw and parboiled rice

The protein and mineral salts of rice were found to have increased while water-soluble substances were found to have decreased as a result of parboiling. Parboiling resulted in marked changes in the amylograph properties of rice paste, as well as increasing its resistance to alkali dispersion. The grains were shorter but wider, with lower water absorption and swelling capacity during cooking than those of raw-milled rice.The differences in ultrastructure between dry and cooked raw-milled and parboiled rice were studied with a scanning electron microscope. Complete deformation of the starch granules was evident in the raw-milled rice after cooking for 9 × 10² and 12 × 10² s, while those of parboiled rice showed great resistance to deformation. Variations in the over-cooked grains of both raw-milled and parboiled rice were studied.     

Chemical composition and physicochemical properties of tubera salep produced from some Orchidaceae species

Salep samples obtained from 10 different Orchidaceae spp., namely Dactylorhiza osmanica var. osmanica, Ophrys mammosa, Orchis anatolica, Orchis coriophora, Orchis italica, Orchis morio, Orchis palustris, Orchis simia, Orchis tridentata and Serapias vomeracea ssp. orientalis, in Anatolia, were analyzed for moisture, glucomannan, starch, protein, ash contents, pH and viscosity values. Depending on the species, the samples showed statistically significant differences in glucomannan, starch and viscosity values. It was observed that the salep samples obtained from the tubers of O. italica, O. morio, O. anatolica and O. tridentata and S. vomeracea ssp. orientalis, respectively, had higher glucomannan contents and viscosities. To ensure a supply of high-quality salep, the uncontrolled collection of tubers from the wild, especially the species O. italica, O. morio and O. anatolica, should be prevented, and research into methods of cultivation should be carried out.     

Evaluation of PLA nanocomposite films on physicochemical and microbiological properties of refrigerated cottage cheese

A novel antimicrobial packaging system was prepared by incorporating TiO₂ or Ag nanoparticles into poly(lactic acid) (PLA) matrix. The effect of PLA, PLA/TiO₂, and PLA/TiO₂ + Ag film on the physicochemical and microbiological properties of Yunnan cottage cheese stored at 5 ± 1 °C for 25 days was investigated. The low density polyethylene (LDPE) film was used as the control. The weight loss, pH value, lactic acid bacteria count (LAB), texture, sensory quality, and antimicrobial activity were determined. Cheeses packed by PLA/TiO₂ and PLA/TiO₂+Ag film provided better retention in pH value, LAB, sensory quality, and antimicrobial activity compared with those packed by PLA and LDPE film. Migration of Ti and Ag nanoparticles was lower than the limit of 10 mg/kg as defined by EFSA for food contact materials. The results indicated that the incorporation of TiO₂ or Ag nanoparticles into PLA matrix could maintain cheese quality and prolong its shelf life to 25 days.

Practical applications

Yunnan cottage cheese is one of the most popular cheeses in China. However, the shelf life of unpacked Yunnan cottage cheese is only 5–7 days under refrigerated condition. PLA film incorporated with antimicrobial TiO₂ or Ag nanoparticles has great potential to prolong cheese shelf life. The novel packaging material may be an effective alternative for cheese preservation.     

Effect of reducing agents on physicochemical properties and gel-forming ability of surimi produced from frozen fish

Effects of different reducing agents (cysteine, ascorbic acid and sodium bisulfite) at various levels on physicochemical properties of protein, transglutaminase activity and gel properties of surimi produced from frozen croaker, lizardfish, threadfin bream and bigeye snapper were studied. Addition of cysteine resulted in the highest increase in the breaking force and the deformation of surimi gels, compared with other reducing agents. The optimum levels of cysteine were 0.05, 0.1, 0.05 and 0.1% (w/w) for surimi from frozen croaker, lizardfish, threadfin bream and bigeye snapper, respectively. Surimi from frozen croaker with cysteine added showed a similar breaking force and deformation to that produced from fresh fish. With addition of cysteine, an increase in sulfhydryl content with a concomitant decrease in disulfide bond content was generally observed. Ca²⁺ ATPase activity also increased, indicating the renaturation of the myosin molecule. T_max of peak 1 (myosin peak) of all surimi sols in the presence of cysteine was shifted to higher temperature. The increased transglutaminase activity was observed with addition of cysteine. Therefore, reducing agents, especially cysteine, recovered the denatured muscle proteins and activated the transglutaminase in the muscle, leading to the increased gel-forming ability of surimi produced from frozen fish.     

Different physicochemical properties of entirely α-glucan-coated starch from various botanical sources

Food Science and Biotechnology - Amylosucrase from Neisseria polysaccharea (NpAS) synthesizes α-1,4 glucan polymer from sucrose. In this study, we coated various botanical sources of raw...     

Changes of physicochemical, microbiological, and textural properties during ripening of Italian low-acid sausages. Proteolysis, sensory and volatile profiles

In this study low-acid sausages were studied to characterize their physicochemical, microbiological, and textural properties during ripening. The final a(w) was 0.87-0.88, whereas pH values stayed around their initial values during processing. Lactic acid bacteria increased very slowly in number and a small increase of Micrococcaceae was also noticed. Low-acid sausages showed low hardness and cohesiveness, and were easily distinguishable by sensory analysis from other industrial and artisan sausages. Under the conditions of the study, observed volatile compounds were mainly from spices and wine. The respective contribution of muscle and indigenous bacterial enzymes to proteolysis was determined by comparing changes in low-acid sausages to those containing an antibiotic-antimycotic mixture or sugar. A large part of the degradation of myofibrillar proteins appeared due to endogenous enzymes, although bacterial proteinases contributed to the degradation of these proteins. The role of microorganisms in proteolysis was more evident in the degradation of sarcoplasmic proteins.