Microbial and Sensory Assessment of Milk with an Electronic Nose

ABSTRACT: An electronic nose (e-nose) was used to assess milk odor inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescens or Bacillus coagulans , and odors were correlated with microbial loads and sensory scores. Sterile whole, reduced-fat, and fat-free milk were inoculated, stored at 1.7, 7.2, and 12.8 °C, and evaluated at d 0, 3, 5, 7, and 10 by e-nose and sensory panel. Aerobic plate counts were performed. E-nose readings, microbial counts, and sensory data were analyzed using discriminant function analysis. The e-nose discriminated differences in odor due to microbial load and sensory data. This may lead to a rapid method for determining sensory evaluation and microbial loads of milk.     

Mass spectrometry-based electric nose system for assessing rice quality during storage at different temperatures

A mass spectrometry-based electronic nose (MS e-nose) was used to measure changes in rice quality during storage at different storage conditions. Rice was stored for 4 months at four different temperatures (0 °C, 20 °C, 30 °C, and 40 °C) and tested for fat acidity, sensory characteristics, and flavor pattern analysis using the MS e-nose. When the rice was stored for long durations at higher temperatures, fat acidity increased and sensory quality was low. Flavor volatile profiles of the rice determined by MS e-nose revealed a tendency for the results to separate into three groups (months 1 + 2, 3, and 4). Volatile profile changes in rice during storage depended on the storage time, regardless of storage temperature. It is likely that the fat acidity and sensory evaluation results, which were related, could be distinguished by their volatile-producing metabolic activities. Accordingly, MS e-nose system was successfully used to screen and qualitatively evaluate stored rice.     

油炸裹糊牡蛎贮藏品质的变化与货架期预测

为探讨油炸裹糊牡蛎的货架寿命,以感官评分、pH、挥发性盐基氮（total volatile basic nitrogen, TVB-N）含量、菌落总数为指标,研究在4、15、25 ℃下贮藏的油炸裹糊牡蛎的品质变化规律,建立并验证油炸裹糊牡蛎在4～25 ℃贮藏温度下的货架期预测模型。结果表明:随贮藏时间的延长,油炸裹糊牡蛎的感官评分不断下降,pH呈先下降后上升的趋势,TVB-N含量和菌落总数不断增加,且贮藏温度越高,变化越快。感官评分与TVB-N含量的相关性较pH与菌落总数的高,以TVB-N含量作为关键品质指标,建立的油炸裹糊牡蛎货架期预测模型预测的货架期相对误差小于6%,可用于快速准确地预测4～25 ℃贮藏温度下油炸裹糊牡蛎的货架寿命。     

Influence of packaging strategy on microbiological and biochemical changes in high‐pressure‐treated oysters (Crassostrea gigas)

BACKGROUND: High‐pressure (HP) treatment is being increasingly employed for commercial processing of oysters, but there is relatively limited information on the microbiological quality and enzymatic activity of HP‐treated in‐shell oysters. The objective of this research was to study the influence of packaging strategy on microbiological and biochemical changes in oysters HP treated at 260 MPa for 3 min or 400 MPa for 5 min at 20 °C and stored at 0 °C either aerobically on ice, in vacuum packaging (VP) or under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP; 40% CO₂, 60% N₂), compared with changes in untreated oysters. RESULTS: Both HP treatments reduced the microbiological load to below the detection limit (<100 colony‐forming units g^?1). MAP and VP also delayed subsequent microbial growth compared with aerobically stored samples. After 21 days of storage, total volatile base levels remained lower than the proposed acceptability limits for all samples; however, after 28 days, only oysters HP treated at 400 MPa, irrespective of the packaging system used, did not exceed this limit. HP increased the thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substance (TBARS) values of oysters, indicating increased lipid oxidation. During storage, TBARS values of all MAP and VP oysters remained lower than those of aerobically stored oysters. CONCLUSION: HP treatment, in combination with adequate chilled storage and MAP, can extend the shelf‐life and safety of oysters. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of Elevated CO2 Atmosphere on Storage of Freshwater Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus)

The effects of elevated CO₂ levels on the keeping quality of cooked, freshwater crayfish was investigated. Experiments were conducted using an enriched atmosphere of 80% CO₂:20% air compared to air storage at 4°C. Chemical and microbial changes were correlated with sensory panel evaluations of flavor, odor and texture. After 28 days of storage, the concentrations of ammonia and trimethylamine and total plate counts were lower in crayfish stored under carbon dioxide as compared to samples stored in air. The sensory panel found no significant difference between the odors of the samples stored in CO₂ atmosphere for 21 days and fresh cooked crayfish, whereas samples stored in air were found to have significantly more fishy flavor and odor after 14 days of storage.     

Combined effect of ozonated water and chitosan on the shelf-life of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas)

Effects of ozonated water and chitosan treatment on the shelf-life extension of Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) stored at 5 ± 1 °C were studied. Results indicated that ozonated water treatment reduced the total microbial load of fresh oysters by about 10-fold (from 3.2 × 10³ CFU/g to 1.8 × 10² CFU/g) before storage and the microbial flora was different with that of raw samples. The wide-spectrum antibacterial property of chitosan against bacteria isolated from oysters was confirmed, and chitosan concentration of 5.0 g/l was eventually determined for application in oyster preservation. Based on microbiological analysis, biochemical indices determination and sensory evaluation, shelf-lives of 8–9 days for control, 10–12 days for ozonated water treated samples, 14–15 days for chitosan treated samples and 20–21 days for samples with combined treatment were observed, indicating that ozonated water and chitosan have a great potential for oyster preservation.Industrial relevanceAs seafood, Pacific oysters have a short shelf-life. Improvements in the shelf-life of oysters can have an important economic impact by reducing losses and by allowing the products to reach distant and new markets.In this work, Shelf-life of oysters with combined treatment of ozonated water and chitosan doubled, which has great practical meaning, and the process could be fully adopted by the food industry.We also did some research about the changes in microbial flora after ozonated water treatment. This work could help in preservation of oysters when ozone or ozonated water concerned.We discovered Wide-spectrum antibacterial property of chitosan against the strains isolated from raw oysters. The potential for using chitosan as a natural preservative in oysters was approved.     

The response of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in the Sydney rock oyster (Crassostrea commercialis), during depuration and storage

Sydney Rock Oysters, when allowed to feed in waters containing approximately 10(4) cfu of Campylobacter cells per ml, concentrated between 10(2) and 10(3) cfu of the organism per g of oyster tissue, within 1 h. When these contaminated oysters were subjected to depuration, they were effectively cleaned in 48 h. The survival of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli was also investigated. Oysters contaminated by feeding and injection were processed as half shells and bottled oysters and were held at 3 and 10 degrees C. Half shells were also stored at -20 to -24 degrees C. At all these temperatures the organism survived for periods varying between 8 to 14 days and in oysters contaminated by feeding, the survival was substantially greater. Survival was better at 3 than at 10 degrees C in half-shelled oysters. Campylobacter survived better in bottled oysters than in half shells stored at the same temperature. In frozen half shelled oysters previously contaminated by feeding, the organisms were viable for months. In contaminated unopened oysters stored at 20 and 30 degrees C, C. jejuni and C. coli failed to multiply as expected. They survived for periods varying from 2 to 9 days.     

Identification and origin of the character‐impact compounds of raw oyster Crassostrea gigas

The French consume large amounts of raw oysters. The study of the aroma of oyster Crassostrea gigas is of economic interest because it is a good method of checking the sensory quality. Aromas were extracted by vacuum steam distillation at 20 °C using whole oyster flesh. This extract presented similar sensory characteristics to raw oyster. The odour‐active compounds were characterised by gas chromatography coupled with olfactometry using a panel of 10 judges trained in seafood aroma recognition. Fifty‐nine volatile compounds were identified in oyster aroma extract. Among these, 25 were responsible for the overall odour of raw oyster. Four compounds identified in oysters were characterised by fresh and marine odour: 3‐(E)‐hexen‐1‐ol, decanal, 2‐undecanone and 3,6‐(E,Z)‐nonadien‐1‐ol. Some compounds were identified for the first time in oysters: 4‐(Z)‐heptenal (white boiled fish odour), which comes from n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid oxidation, and 3‐octanol (moss and sulphury odour), 2‐nonanol (cucumber odour) and octanoic acid, which arise from n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acid oxidation. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Liquid Loss in Shucked Oyster (Crassostrea virghica) Meats During Ice Storage

East and Gulf coast oysters were processed under Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) requirements, packed in retail size containers and stored on ice for 18 days. At 3-day intervals, containers of oyster meats were tested for free liquid content. Gulf coast oyster meats lost more liquid and in a different pattern during storage than East coast oysters. Seasonal differences in liquid loss were noted in Gulf coast oysters only. Washing oyster meats by blowing in accordance with CFR requirements did not increase liquid loss during the first 9 to 12 days of storage. Liquid loss in Gulf coast oysters was inversely correlated with salt content. Except for oysters with low salt content, most containers of oyster meats did not exceed 15% free liquid during storage.     

Levels of Vibrio vulnificus and organoleptic quality of raw shellstock oysters (Crassostrea virginica) maintained at different storage temperatures.

Temperature abuse during raw oyster harvesting and storage may allow for the multiplication of natural spoilage flora as well as microbial pathogens, thus posing a potential health threat to susceptible consumers and compromising product quality. The objective of this study was to provide a scientific basis for determining whether different refrigeration and abuse temperatures for raw oysters would result in a spoiled product before it became unsafe. Raw shellstock oysters (Crassostrea virginica) purchased from a commercial Virginia processor were subjected to different temperature abuse conditions (7, 13, and 21 degrees C) over a 10-day storage period. Salinity, pH, halophilic plate count (HPC), total culturable Vibrio counts, and culturable Vibrio vulnificus counts were determined at each abuse condition. V. vulnificus isolates were confirmed by a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Olfactory analysis was performed to determine consumer acceptability of the oysters at each abuse stage. The pH of the oysters decreased over time in each storage condition. The HPC increased 2 to 4 logs for all storage conditions, while olfactory acceptance decreased over time. V. vulnificus levels increased over time, reaching 10(5) to 10(6) CFU/g by day 6. The length of storage had a greater effect on the bacterial counts and olfactory acceptance of the oysters (P < 0.05) over time than did the storage temperature (P < 0.05).     

EFFECT OF CHEMICAL INHIBITORS AND STORAGE TEMPERATURE ON THE QUALITY OF FRESH-CUT POTATOES1

Fresh‐cut potato strips were dipped in 1% N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NALC), 1% diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) and 5% erythorbic acid ‐ 1% citric acid (EACA) prior to storage under modified atmosphere at 1 and 6C. Color changes over a 21 day storage period were assessed by tristimulus colorimetry; microbial changes (total aerobic populations, lactic acid bacteria, yeast and mold) by standard microbiological methods; and color, texture, exudation, off odor and integrated quality assessment by a six‐member sensory panel. All chemical treatments delayed color changes, microbial growth and sensory alterations in the stored potatoes. However, dipping in EACA was the only treatment that yielded product that compared favorably with freshly prepared potatoes after 14 days at 1C or 7 days at 6C. The effectiveness of all the treatments was strongly affected by storage temperature.     

Potential Application of the Electronic Nose for Quality Assessment of Salmon Fillets Under Various Storage Conditions

ABSTRACT: The feasibility of using an electronic nose (AromaScan^TM) to assess seafood quality was studied with salmon fillets stored at -20, 4, and 10 °C for 14 d. AromaScan mappings of these fillets were compared to their timerelated changes in microbial counts, histamine contents, and sensory panel evaluations. Fillets stored at 10 °C had respective bacterial counts of 8.90 and 9.06 log¹⁰ CFU/g after 7 and 9 d. The mappings for the 10 °C fillets were separated from those of fresh fillets by Day 3, and continued to separate further as storage time increased. An electronic nose can be used as an assisting instrument to a sensory panel in evaluating seafood quality.     

Microbiological, sensory, and electronic nose evaluation of yellowfin tuna under various storage conditions.

Microbiological assessment, sensory evaluation, and electronic nose (AromaScan) analysis were performed on yellowfin tuna stored at 0, 4, 10, and 22 degrees C for 0, 1, 3, 5, and 9 days. Fish color, texture, appearance, and odor were evaluated by a trained sensory panel, while aroma-odor properties were evaluated using an AromaScan. Bacterial enumeration was performed using plate count agar containing 1.5% NaCl. Tuna fillets stored at 22 degrees C for 3 days or longer had a bacterial load of over 10(7) CFU/g and were rated not acceptable for consumption (grade C) by the sensory panel. Tuna fillets stored at 4 degrees C for 9 days or 10 degrees C for over 5 days were rated as grade C products and also had a bacterial load of over 10(7) CFU/g. The change in fish quality as determined by AromaScan followed increases in microbiological counts in tuna fillets, indicating that bacterial load can serve as a useful and objective indicator of gross spoilage. Electronic nose devices can be used in conjunction with microbial counts and sensory panels to evaluate the degree of decomposition in tuna during storage.     

Quality of Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus L.) Fillets during Modified Atmosphere Storage

Sensory, physical, biochemical and microbial quality were investigated in mackerel fillets stored under CO₂ modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) at -2°C for 21 days. Packaging gas composition remained constant during storage. An experienced sensory panel found seaweedy and cucumber-like odors (raw) decreased whereas sourness corresponded with lactic acid bacteria increase. Both sensory (raw) fillet ‘yellowness’ and Hunter ‘b’ values increased. Visual (cooked) moistness and expressible fluid decreased but no difference was found in cooking losses. Small increases in total volatile base-nitrogen and trimethylamine-nitrogen paralleled aerobic plate counts; ethanol increased linearly. Coliforms, yeasts and molds were detected at < 10 CFU/g. CO₂ MAP storage at – 2°C can maintain Grade 1 shelf-life extension for ≥ 21 days     

High‐pressure processing with hot sauce flavouring enhances sensory quality for raw oysters (Crassostrea virginica)

This study evaluated flavouring raw oysters by placing them under pressure in the presence of a commercially available hot sauce. Hand‐shucked raw oysters were processed at high pressure (600 MPa), in the presence or absence of hot sauce flavouring and evaluated by an experienced sensory panel 3 and 10 days after postharvest processing. The sensory panel evaluated high‐pressure‐processed oysters, with and without flavouring, for eleven flavours and three texture characteristics using an 11‐point intensity scale. Oysters were plump and characterised as moderately chewy and firm. Most oyster flavour characteristics were low in intensity with moderate intensity for briny and umami attributes. Flavoured oysters had a moderately intense tangy flavour and aftertaste. Flavouring a raw oyster by high‐pressure processing provides the potential to create a microbiologically safe product with unique sensory characteristics, which may influence consumer acceptance and marketability.     

Oyster preservation by high-pressure treatment

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of 10-min continuous pressure and pulsed pressure in two 5-min steps (400 MPa at 7 degrees C) on the microbial flora, total volatile bases, pH, and texture of purified and unpurified oysters. High-pressure treatment reduced the number of all the target microorganisms (total viable count, H2S-producing microorganisms, lactic acid bacteria, Brochothrix thermosphacta, and coliforms), in some cases by around 5-log units. The difference between the counts in the control and the pressurized oysters remained stable throughout 41 days of storage at 2 degrees C. No Salmonella spp. were detected in either the control batch or the pressurized batches during this storage period. Deterioration of the oyster was accompanied by increased total volatile bases, mainly in the nonpressurized samples. The pH was practically constant in the pressurized oysters and fell slightly in unpressurized samples. As for mechanical properties, shear strength values were higher in pressurized than in unpressurized oysters. Step-pulse pressurizing (400 MPa at 7 degrees C in two 5-min pulses) produced no apparent advantages over continuous pressurizing based on any of the indices used.     

Effect of different high pressure treatments on shucking,biochemical, physical and sensory characteristics of oysters to elaborate a traditional Taiwanese oyster omelette

BACKGROUND: Whole oysters (Crassostrea gigas) were processed using high‐pressure (HP) treatment (150–300 MPa) to determine their shucking and biochemical properties. Subsequently, HP‐treated oysters were cooked at 160 °C for 90 s, as when preparing the oyster omelette dish, to evaluate their physical and sensory characteristics as compared to raw oysters. RESULTS: The treatments of 250 and 300 MPa for 2 min and 0 min, respectively, resulted in 100% release. The pH of HP‐treated oysters increased slightly from 6.50 to 6.82, and the moisture contents of the HP‐treated oysters with or without further cooking were all higher than those of the control. The brightness, yellowness and cutting strength of HP‐treated oysters with further cooking changed insignificantly, while the redness decreased compared to the control. Sensory evaluation showed that oysters treated at 250 and 300 MPa oysters after cooking received higher quality scores than the control. CONCLUSIONS: HP processing at 250 and 300 MPa proved to be a good method for oyster shucking. The HP‐treated oysters cooked in the oyster omelette are acceptable to consumers. Overall, the application of HP as a processing method to improve the quality and acceptability of oysters and their related products would be possible. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Oyster-to-oyster variability in levels of Vibrio parahaemolyticus

This study examined the variability in the levels of total and pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus in individual oysters. Twenty oysters were collected on three occasions (in June, July, and September 2001) from a site near Mobile Bay, Ala. Ten of these oysters were tested immediately, and 10 were tested after 24 h of storage at 26 degrees C. Levels of total and pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus were determined by alkaline phosphatase-labeled DNA probe procedures targeting the thermolabile hemolysin and thermostable direct hemolysin genes, respectively. Similar V. parahaemolyticus levels (200 to 2,000 CFU/g) were found in nearly 90% of the oysters (for all sampling occasions) prior to storage. The log-transformed densities (means +/- standard deviations) of V. parahaemolyticus in oysters immediately after harvest were 2.90 +/- 0.91, 2.88 +/- 0.36, and 2.47 +/- 0.26 log10 CFU/g for June, July, and September, respectively. After storage for 24 h at 26 degrees C, the mean V. parahaemolyticus densities increased approximately 13- to 26-fold. Before storage, pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus was detected in 40% (10 to 20 CFU/g) of the oysters collected in June and July but was not detected in any oysters collected in September. After storage, pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus was detected in some oysters at levels of > 100 CFU/g. These data should aid in the development of sampling protocols for oyster monitoring programs and in the determination of exposure distributions associated with raw oyster consumption.