Parameters affecting the isolation of collagen from squid (Illex argentinus) skins

The solubility of collagen from squid (Illex argentinus) skin in salt solutions and the efficiency of removal of skin chromatophores were determined. Homogenization of minced squid skin in 5–15% NaCl solution at 0°C solubilized 35–24% of total amount of crude protein and caused 2–5% loss of collagen but was not effective in removing pigments from the skin. The treatment of whole squid skins in 5–15% NaCl solutions at room temperature led to separation of the chromatophores, but the loss of soluble collagen was 57–16%. Collagen, soluble in dilute acid solutions was isolated from squid skins by 24 h soaking in 10% NaCl solution at room temperature, washing with water and bleaching for 48 h in 1% H₂O₂ in 0.01 M NaOH. The yield of collagen was 53%. It could be increased to 90% by using NaOH solution at pH 11.5 instead of 10% NaCl but the isolate was less soluble in dilute acid and the viscosity of 0.5% dispersion of collagen was four times lower. The rancid off-odour could be prevented by adding 0.5% of a non-ionic detergent to all solution used in the procedure. ©     

The effect of long‐term alkali treatment on the molecular characteristics of native and extruded starches at 35°C

In this study the molecular characteristics of native and extruded starches of wheat, corn, and potato were observed under long‐term alkali treatment (0.5 M NaOH, 7 days, 35°C). The molar mass distribution of samples determined by means of calibrated semi‐analytical size exclusion chromatography (SEC) showed different profiles (double and single peak distribution) depending on the dissolution status of the starch polysaccharides with simultaneous loss of supermolecular structures because of disintegration of the aggregates. The molecular range was between 4 × 103 and 2 × 106 g/mol and their calculated average molar masses were M_w = 1.7 × 105–4.1 × 105 and M_n = 2.5 × 104–1.1 × 105 g/mol. The reduction value and the value of intrinsic viscosity were additional indicators for the dissolving status of starch polysaccharides as well as for the stability of starch molecules in alkaline solution.     

Similar Reduction of Salmonella enterica Typhimurium on Grape Tomatoes and Its Cross-Contamination in Wash Water by Washing with Natural Antimicrobials as Compared with Chlorine Treatment

Thymol (THY), a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) compound found in thyme oil, has inhibitory effects against foodborne pathogens including Salmonella. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is another GRAS agent to effectively inactivate Salmonella. The aim of the current study was to develop a GRAS wash solution containing THY (or H₂O₂) and other GRAS antimicrobials (organic acids and food surfactants) that would effectively reduce Salmonella enterica on grape tomatoes and minimize cross-contamination in washing water. A systematic approach including minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration tests, inhibition zone tests, and small-scale and scaled-up tomato washing tests was used to develop such wash solutions. Grape tomatoes surface-inoculated with S. enterica Typhimurium were washed with selected solutions containing combination of 0.2 mg/ml THY, 5 % sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and 2 mg/ml acetic acid (AA), 800 ppm H₂O₂, combination of 200 ppm H₂O₂ with 4 % SDS, or 200 ppm chlorine for 2 min. THY 0.2 mg/ml + SDS 5 % + AA 2 mg/ml, 800 ppm H₂O₂, or 200 ppm chlorine achieved around 7.5 log reductions of Salmonella on the tomatoes as compared to the control in tests involving 10 or 100 g tomatoes. More than 5.0 log reductions in the spent washing solutions (0.2 mg/ml THY + SDS 5 %?+?2 mg/ml AA; 800 ppm H₂O₂) was observed. None of these antimicrobial washes changed the color, pH, texture, sensory quality of the tomatoes during 16-day storage at 4 and 22 °C. These treatments also achieved a 1.3 log reduction of total aerobic bacteria. Thus, washing with 0.2 mg/ml THY + SDS 5 %?+?2 mg/ml AA and 800 ppm H₂O₂ as alternative to chlorine-based washing could be an effective method to inactivate Salmonella on tomatoes and reduce the transmission of pathogens from tomatoes to washing solutions.     

Combined chemical and enzymic treatments of corn husk lignocellulosics

The potential for using corn (Zea mays L) husk residues (carbohydrates 827 g kg^?1, lignin 66 g kg^?1 DM) as a carbohydrate source for the production of soluble sugars by combined chemical pretreatment and enzymic hydrolysis was assessed. Comparative investigations of acidic and alkaline pretreatments on corn husk have shown that pentose-containing carbohydrates comprised 86–93% of the solubilised fraction. While pretreatments with 1.25 M NaOH at 25.85° C resulted in preferential extraction of hemicellulose having DP; > 12, acid pretreatments 0.51 M H₂SO₄, 0.51 M H₃PO₄ at (85° C) resulted in extensive depolymerisation of this polysaccharide. Xylose and low molecular weight carbohydrates were identified as the major products. Subsequent hydrolysis of the solubilised fraction with crude hemicellulase preparations yielded 40.90% fermentable sugars. When NaOH (0.02–1.25 M), H₂SO₄ and H₃PO₄ (0.02–0.51 M) were used as pretreatment solvents (25–85° C, 2 h), NaOH was the most effective in increasing the susceptibility of the residual husk towards enzymes, yielding 83–96% reducing sugars. This solvent solubilised up to 60.6% of the lignin and appeared to disintegrate the fibrillar structure of husk. The crystallinity of husk residues increased following the chemical pretreatments and was positively correlated with cellulose content. Enzymic hydrolysis with commercial cellulase preparations proceeded in two stages: a rapid breakdown of amorphous cellulose after which the hydrolysis rate levelled off. Similar biphasic patterns were observed for the pyrolysis temperature of cellulose. Under the most optimal conditions for husk saccharification (pretreatment with 1.25 M NaOH, 25° C, 2 h, followed by enzymic hydrolysis using a mixture of cellulase and cellobiase), 96% of the cellulose-enriched residues was hydrolysed to reducing sugars. A cellulase preparation from Trichoderma reesei exhibited substantial hemicellulolytic activity and could, therefore, be used as the sole saccharifying enzyme preparation for husk lignocellulosics.     

Effectiveness of Sanitizing Agents in Inactivating Escherichia coli in Golden Delicious Apples

Research was undertaken to develop improved methods of sanitizing apples contaminated with Escherichia coli. Unwaxed Golden Delicious apples, inoculated with non pathogenic E. coli, were washed with 200 ppm Cl₂, commercial washing formulations, 5% H₂O₂, or combinations of H₂O₂ with commercial formulations at ca. 20°C or 50°C. Heated commercial formulations achieved a 2.5 log reduction in E. coli load, compared to a 2 log reduction for 200 ppm Cl₂. However, heated combinations of H₂O₂ with acidic surfactants achieved a 3–4 log reduction. Residual H₂O₂ in treated apples dissipated within several hours. These results demonstrate the efficacy of H₂O₂ in decontaminating apples containing E. coli.     

Storage of Spinach Under Low Oxygen Atmosphere Above the Extinction Point

The extinction point of spinach was <0.4% but above 0.2% O₂ at 0° and 5°C. Respiration rates were ～2.3 times greater at 5°C than at 0°C and were similar among cultivars. In 0.8% O₂ atmosphere, O₂ uptake of three cultivars was reduced by an average of 53% and CO₂ production was reduced by 35% relative to those stored in air. Deterioration of leaves was reduced by 30 to 54%, while weight loss, color and chlorophyll content were not affected by the 0.8% O₂ atmosphere. Thus O₂ could be allowed to be depleted to 0.8% in modified atmosphere packaging without quality loss due to anoxia.     

Optimization for alkali extraction of windmill palm fibril

Optimization conditions for windmill palm fibril extraction from palm surface fiber with NaOH were investigated using response surface methodology. Thus, changes in NaOH and H₂O₂ concentration and temperature occurring in palm surface fiber before and after alkali treatment were studied. A central composite design was employed to build the empirical model. The optimal conditions for weight loss were established as: an NaOH concentration of 1.93%, H₂O₂ concentration of 4.17%, and extraction temperature of 67.08 °C. Under these conditions, a loss rate of 53.14 ± 0.27% was observed. This is in good agreement with the predicted value of 52.99%. Changes after optimum alkali treatment were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric measurements. These measurements indicated that the alkali treatment removed most of the hemicellulose and lignin covering the palm surface and increased its crystallinity as well as the initial thermal degradation temperature.     

Nonthermal starch hydrolysis using ultra high pressure: I. Effects of acids and starch concentrations

Corn starches with 2 mol/l hydrochloric acid (HCl), 2 mol/l sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and 2 mol/l oxalic acid (C₂H₂O₄) were pressurized at 600 MPa for 30 min. Corn starch with C₂H₂O₄ formed a gel after ultra-high-pressure (UHP) treatment. Corn starch with HCl showed partial disintegration but starch with H₂SO₄ maintained its shape. Corn starch with HCl showed higher (0.42-0.47) degree of hydrolysis compared to starch with C₂H₂O₄ (about 0.14) and H₂SO₄ (0.13-0.14) regardless of increasing starch concentration up to 20 g/100 g sample. Main component of starch hydrolysate was maltose for HCl and oligosaccharides for H₂SO₄ and C₂H₂O₄. Crystallinity of starch with HCl decreased with decreasing starch concentration as observed by both differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction. Therefore, UHP can be used for nonthermal starch hydrolysis and HCl would be a good catalyst for UHP starch hydrolysis compared to H₂SO₄ and C₂H₂O₄. This work provides a potential of nonthermal UHP processing for new starch hydrolysis method.     

Characterization of the induction of increased thermotolerance by high osmolarity inSalmonella

Factors limiting the growth ofSalmonellaat high temperature were analyzed in minimal medium. The growth ofS. typhimuriumwas curtailed at 44°C by high temperature-dependent block in methionine synthesis. At 45°C, the organism could not grow in glucose-mini- mal medium even with methionine, but growth could be restored at this temperature by the addition of NaCl in the final concentration range of 0.15–0.3m. Similar results were obtained with twoS. enteritidisstrains. The growth stimulatory effect of high osmolarity at 45°C was not altered by the osmoprotectant compound glycine betaine. Exposure to 0.3mNaCl also increased the resistance ofS. typhimuriumto thermal death at 50°C and to the oxidizing agent H₂O₂. However, the high osmolarity-dependent induction of enhanced resistance to 50°C and to H₂O₂was completely abolished by glycine betaine. The finding that glycine betaine blocks the induction of resistance to lethal high temperature by high osmolarity could provide a means for enhancing the bactericidal efficacy of heating, because it may be possible to increase the heat sensitivity of contaminating bacteria by supplementing food products with this naturally occurring plant metabolite, prior to thermal processing.     

Formation of Cholesterol-5,6-Epoxides during Spray-drying of Egg Yolk

An indirect heated spray dryer with an evaporative capacity of up to 7 kg H₂O/hr was used to identify factors responsible for formation of cholesterol-5,6-epoxides (CEs) in spray-dried egg yolk. CEs were not formed under various operating conditions without addition of H₂0₂ to liquid yolk. At 10% H₂O₂, 90° and 150°C outlet temperatures, concentrations of CEs were 27 and 37 ppm, respectively. At 5% H₂O₂, 90° and 150°C outlet temperatures, concentrations of CEs were undetected and 16 ppm, respectively. Antioxidants appeared to lower CEs. Small amounts of CEs were formed in products dried in the presence of low concentrations of nitrogen oxide gases (NO_x). CEs increased greatly during storage of products dried from liquid yolk containing H₂O₂.     

Use of Desirability Approach to Predict the Inhibition of Pseudomonas fluorescens, Shewanella putrefaciens and Photobacterium phosphoreum in Fish Fillets Through Natural Antimicrobials and Modified Atmosphere Packaging

The main goal of this paper was the prolongation of the microbiological acceptability limit (MAL) of gilthead sea bream fillets, added with some natural antimicrobials and packed under modified atmosphere; desirability approach was used, and the research was divided into two different steps. The first phase addressed fish fillet preservation through chitosan (0–4 %), grape fruit seed extract (GFSE) and thymol (0–6,000 ppm); Pseudomonas fluorescens, Shewanella putrefaciens and Photobacterium phosphoperum, inoculated onto the surface of fillets, were used as microbial targets. The concentration of the three antimicrobials were combined through a three variables/five levels central composite design; after fish inoculation and dipping into active solutions containing the natural compounds, fillets were stored at 4 °C and analysed periodically. Data of microbiological counts were fitted through a primary model (modified Gompertz equation), for the evaluation of MAL; MALs were used to build a polynomial model, able to draw a desirability profile for each antimicrobial. These outputs (desirability and polynomial equation) highlighted that Pseudomonas fluorescens was the most resistant microorganism; it could be inhibited through an active solution containing 2 % of chitosan and 6,000 ppm of GFSE and thymol. Therefore, in the second step of the research, fish fillets were dipped in this active solution and packed under two different atmospheres (30:40:30 O₂/CO₂/N₂ and 5:95 O₂/CO₂) and stored at 4 °C. For each microorganism, the stability time was evaluated, thus pointing out that the best sample was that packed under 5:95 O₂/CO₂.     

Low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of the effects of heating temperature and time on braised beef

We investigated the characteristics of water mobility and distribution in Chinese braised beef after treatment at different temperatures for different times using low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF‐NMR). The beef was heated at 45, 55, 65, 75, 85 or 95 °C for 30, 60, 90 and 120 min. Results showed that T₂ changed significantly with heating temperature. T₂₁ and A₂₁ decreased significantly with increasing temperature below 65 °C, with a steady phase from 75 to 95 °C, which agreed with cooking loss. Inversely, T₂₂ had no changes below 65 °C and changed apparently from 75 to 95 °C. The change in T₂₁ below 65 °C may be related to proteins denaturation and shrinkage and, above 65 °C, T₂₂ possibly induced by the dissolution of connective tissue. The characteristics of braised beef at 65 °C were different from those at other temperatures in T₂ distributions. The findings could provide a theoretical basis for the processing of Chinese braised beef.     

Some Properties of Starch Isolated from Radix Cynanchi bungei

The physicochemical and scanning electron micrograph characteristics of Radix Cynanchi bungei (RCb) starch were investigated. RCb starch presented an apparent amylose content of 20.1%, less than that of potato starch (23.6%), with a granule size ranging from 5 to 15 μm with round, spherical and polygonal shapes and B‐type X‐ray diffraction pattern. The RVA pasting properties of RCb starch were similar to those of potato starch, with pasting temperature of 60.8°C, lower than that of potato starch (64.3°C). The gelatinization parameters of RCb starch were found to be 55.9°C (T_o), 60.0°C (T_p), 66.6°C (T_C) and 13.2 J/g (ΔH) while those of potato starch were 58.9°C, 63.5°C, 68.6°C and 13.2 J/g. Both RCb and potato starch pastes behaved as high shear‐thinning liquids. RCb starch pastes had lower apparent viscosity than potato starch pastes at the same shear rate.     

A simple pretreatment with low O2 to alleviate superficial scald in Granny Smith apples

Sealing Granny Smith apples in a low‐O₂ atmosphere for 7 days at 20 °C (LO₂‐20C) prior to cold storage reduced superficial scald development after 6 and 8 months at 0 °C plus 10 days at 20 °C. This LO₂‐20C treatment reduced the O₂ levels that induce endogenous production of significant amounts of CO₂, acetaldehyde and ethanol, and thereby reduced ethylene production in cold storage, which in turn reduced scald development. Treatment with ethanol vapour (20 mL L^?1) for 1 day at 20 °C plus 6 days at 1 °C or with low O₂ for 1 day at 20 °C plus 6 days at 1 °C (LO₂‐1C) did not reduce scald effectively. 1‐Methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) treatment at 0.5 µL L^?1 was the most efficient at reducing scald development. In all treatments, superficial scald development proceeded from the distal blossom end towards the proximal stem end of fruits. After 6 months of cold storage at 0 °C, peel browning and membrane leakage, measured as electrical conductivity in situ, were greater at the blossom end than at the stem end of control, ethanol‐ and LO₂‐1C‐pretreated fruits. In LO₂‐20C‐ and 1‐MCP‐pretreated fruits, colour indices (hue angle, lightness and chroma) and electrolyte leakage were similar at both the stem and blossom ends and were associated with less scald development after 6 months at 0 °C. The reduction in scald development was also associated with lower peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activities in the peel of LO₂‐20C‐ and 1‐MCP‐pretreated fruits. A simple treatment at 20 °C (LO₂‐20C) prior to regular cold storage could also be suitable for organically grown apples that cannot be treated with diphenylamine or 1‐MCP. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Diffusion von Wasser in Stärkegelen

Diffusion of Water in Starch Gels. By the technique of NMR with pulsed field gradients we have studied the diffusion of water in maize starch gels with 50–95% H₂O at temperatures between 1 and 47°C. The water molecules showed uniform and unrestricted diffusion of the same activation energy as in bulk water. The coeffizient of self-diffusion D_s is roughly proportional to the square of the fraction of water and fits continuously to that of bulk water; D_S (gel)∼D_S (H₂O) ∼ (fraction of water)² The boundaries of the swollen starch grains are no barriers to diffusion.     

Degradation of curdlan using hydrogen peroxide

Curdlan, a linear glucan interconnected by β-(1 → 3) linkages, is soluble in alkaline solutions but not in water, which limits its wide application, particularly in the food industry. In this study, curdlan was subjected to oxidative degradation using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The optimal hydrolysis conditions were determined, and the results were as follows: reaction time, 40 min; temperature, 60 °C; H₂O₂ concentration, 1.5% (v/v); and NaOH concentration, 2.5 M. Under these optimised conditions, the maximum dextrose equivalent value (13.49%) was obtained. The composition and the structure of the hydrolysates were characterised by high-performance liquid chromatography and Fourier-transform infra-red spectroscopy, respectively. The hydrolysates were filtered, neutralised with HCl, concentrated to ∼12% (w/v), desalted, and freeze dried to yield a water-soluble, white powder. The (1 → 3)-β-d-glucan oligosaccharide content of the product was 98.6% and the yield was 91.4% (w/w).     

Chemical Composition and Structure of Granule Periphery and Envelope Remnant of Rice Starches as Revealed by Chemical Surface Gelatinization

In this work the contribution of molecular structures to the swelling behavior of rice starches was investigated. Rice starches with different amylose contents (0 ‐ 23.4 %) were gelatinized to various degrees (approximately 10, 20, and 50 %) with 13 M aqueous LiCl, and the surface‐gelatinized starch and ungelatinized remaining granules were separated and characterized. The native starches were heated at 85 or 95°C for 30 min in excess water, and the granule envelope remnants were recovered by centrifugation for further characterization. The remaining granules after surface removal exhibited a lower gelatinization temperature and enthalpy, and swelled to a greater extent upon heating than the native counterpart. The amylopectin molecules in granule envelope remnants obtained at 95°C had larger M_w (weight‐average molar mass) and R_z (z‐average gyration radius) than those in remnants obtained at 85°C. The chemical composition and structure of granule envelope remnants obtained at 85°C were different from those obtained at 95°C for the same rice starch cultivar. The results imply that starch periphery may not be responsible for maintaining starch granule integrity during gelatinization and swelling. It is proposed that the composition and structure of the granule envelope remnant that maintains granule integrity are not constant but dynamic. The formation of a semi‐permeable membrane‐like surface structure during gelatinization and swelling is proposed to be a result of molecule entanglement after gelatinization.     

Molecular and physicochemical characterisation of starches from yam,cocoyam, cassava,sweet potato and ginger produced in the Ivory Coast

Granule sizes, macromolecular features and thermal and pasting properties of starches from seven tropical sources (Florido, Kponan and Esculenta yams, cocoyam, cassava, sweet potato and ginger) were compared with those of several well‐known cereal, legume and tuber starches. The aim of the study was to characterise some non‐conventional starches with a view to possibly marketing them. Amylose content varied from 148 mg g^?1 in Esculenta starch to 354 mg g^?1 in smooth pea starch. For total starches, weight‐average molar mass (M?_w) ranged between 0.94 × 10⁸ and 1.80 × 10⁸ g mol^?1 for potato and normal maize starches respectively. Gyration radius (R?_G) varied from 157 nm for ginger starch to 209 nm for normal maize starch. Gelatinisation enthalpy (ΔH) ranged between 9.8 and 20.7 J g^?1 for wheat and Florido starches respectively. Gelatinisation peak temperature (T_g) varied from 58.1 °C for wheat starch to 87.3 °C for ginger starch. Native starch granule mean diameter ranged between 5.1 and 44.5 µm for Esculenta and potato starches respectively. Cassava and potato starches had the highest swelling power and dispersed volume fraction at all treatment temperatures, while ginger starch had the lowest. Cocoyam starch had the highest and ginger starch the lowest solubility at 85 and 95 °C. Cassava starch was the most stable under cold storage conditions. Roots and tubers such as ginger and cassava produced in the Ivory Coast are new sources of starches with very interesting properties. Thus these starches could be isolated on an industrial level in order to market them. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of sodium metabisulphite,hydrogen peroxide and heat on aflatoxin B1 in lafun and gari - two cassava products

Sodium metabisulphite and hydrogen peroxide alone or in combination with heat (50–70°C) were found to be effective in degrading aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in lafun and gari. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) at a concentration of 3 % in the aqueous phase gave a 12.5 % degradation of aflatoxin B1 in lafun and at 50°C, degradation levels of 25 % and 50 % were obtained with 6.0 and 9.0 % H₂O₂, respectively. When sodium metabisulphite was applied during the production of gari (a fermented cassava product heated to 50-70°C during production) AFB1 degradation levels were found to be 65.8 %, 60.9 %, 41.5 % and 36.6 %, respectively, for sodium metabisulphite levels of 1.0 %, 0.8 %, 0.5 % and 0.3 %.     

Effect of Chemical Additives on Toughening of Fillets of Frozen Alaska Pollack (Theragra chalcogramma)

Fillets of Alaska pollack (Theraga chalcogramma), a gadoid, were treated with solutions of citrate, sodium pyruvate, or H₂O₂, frozen and stored for 9 wk at -10°C. Protein extractability, texture, cooked moisture content, and activity of trimethylamine oxide demethylase were monitored during storage. None of the treatments slowed normal decline in protein extractability during frozen storage, however, sodium citrate and H₂O₂ significantly (P < 0.1) inhibited development of dimethylamine (DMA). This inhibition of DMA development did not, however appear to be associated with a decrease in the rate of toughening evidenced in H₂O₂-treated fillets. Sodium citrate and sodium pyruvate significantly slowed rate of toughening during storage, and this effect may be related to their positive effect on water-holding capacity.