Post-thawing quality changes of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) cubes treated by high voltage electrostatic field (HVEF) during chilled storage

In recent years, high voltage electrostatic field (HVEF) technology has been demonstrated to be a viable alternative to high-temperature treatments in processing for inhibiting microbial growth and maintaining post-thawing quality of foods. In this study, common carp (Cyprinus carpio) meat cubes were treated with HVEF, and compared to air-thawed and running tap water-thawed controls to investigate how HVEF affects common carp meat quality after thawing and low-temperature storage (4 °C). The results showed that thawing under − 6, − 12 kV HVEF and running tap water significantly decreased the thawing time by 30, 50 and 45 min, respectively, compared to air thawing control. In addition, − 12 kV HVEF treatment also reduced the moisture loss, which the initial drip loss of it was lower by 2.95% than CK. The initial total viable counts, Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, and lactic acid bacteria were 3.58, 3.15 2.88 and 3.25 log CFU/g in CK after thawing, respectively, which were higher than that in the cube thawed by − 12 kV HVEF (3.11, 2.93 2.71 and 2.91 log CFU/g). Additionally, − 12 kV HVEF treatment enhanced adenosine monophosphate deaminase (AMP-deaminase) activity, reduced acid phosphatase (ACP) activity and delayed the degradation of inosine monophosphate (IMP) to hypoxanthine (Hx). These results suggested that HVEF treatment could be useful in the thawing and storage of frozen common carp fish.Industrial relevanceThe study investigated the effects of high voltage electrostatic field (HVEF) thawing on the water-holding capacity, adenosine triphosphate degradation and microbial community changes of frozen common carp (Cyprinus carpio) cubes when stored at 4 °C. HVEF under − 12 kV was found to have positive influence on reducing the thawing time, maintaining water-holding capacity, decreasing the level of microbe, and delaying adenosine triphosphate (ATP) degradation. A potential application for HVEF in the thawing and storage of frozen aquatic product was highlighted in food industry.     

Effect of high voltage electrostatic field thawing on the lipid oxidation of frozen tuna fish (Thunnus albacares)

Changes in the quality, such as color, and TBA values are compared between tuna fish (Thunnus albacares) cuts thawed by high voltage electrostatic field (HVEF) and those thawed conventionally as control. The tuna cubes (2 × 4 × 4 cm³) are thawed under HVEF at three different voltages from the corona starting to the breakdown voltage one with electrode gaps of 3, 4.5, and 6 cm. The control specimens are subjected to no HVEF but thawed conventionally at 20 °C. The results show that thawing under HVEF increases significantly the TBA and ΔE values of the frozen tuna fish cubes (p < 0.05). Tuna fish cubes were observed to oxidize faster at high electrostatic field intensities than at lower ones. Among the two models considered in this study (zero-order and first-order), the first yielded excellent fits for the TBA value experiment.Industrial relevanceThe degree of fish oxidation due to application of a high-voltage electrostatic field method for fish thawing is an important issue that needs serious attention. Application of HVEF thawing is found to lack the potential to extend the freshness of thawed tuna fish due to lipid oxidation and color changes.     

Production of sophorolipids by the yeast Candida bombicola using simple and low cost fermentative media

In the present study, low cost media based on sugarcane molasses and three different oils, viz. soybean oil, sunflower oil or olive oil, were evaluated for the production of sophorolipids (SLs) from the yeast Candida bombicola in batch shake flasks. At the end of 5 days fermentation period, medium containing only molasses and soybean oil gave a maximum SLs yield of 23.25 ± 1.07 g/l compared to other media containing sugarcane molasses and either sunflower oil or olive oil. Moreover, the obtained yield was comparable to that obtained using a conventional synthetic medium having yeast extract, urea, soybean oil and glucose. Emulsification activity and stability of the produced SLs using different oils, and the effect of pH and temperature on the same were also studied. And these properties of the biosurfactant indicated good potential of the cheaply produced SLs in the pretreatment of high fats and oils containing food industry wastewaters.     

Effects of high-voltage electrostatic field treatment on the thawing rate and post-thawing quality of frozen rabbit meat

The thawing rate and post-thawing quality of frozen rabbit meat after the use of high-voltage electrostatic fields (HVEFs) were investigated in this study. The thawing efficiency could be significantly improved at voltages of − 15, − 20 or − 25 kV, and HVEF treatment resulted in 0.5–1.7log reductions in the number of microorganisms. The rabbit meat thawed at − 20 kV had optimal qualities, including a high water-holding capacity (WHC) and good texture quality. Although there were structural alterations of the myoglobin treated at − 20 kV HVEF, the sarcoplasmic protein solubility was not reduced. Additionally, the − 20 kV HVEF treatment led to less denaturation of the myofibrillar proteins than with still air thawing, as demonstrated by the actin denaturation enthalpy (− 0.26 ± 0.085 and − 0.12 ± 0.040 J/g, respectively). Finally, thawing at − 20 kV HVEF had little influence on the relaxation of water, including the water mobility, in rabbit meat.Industrial relevanceThis study found that HVEF thawing could shorten thawing time by 60%. Moreover, compared with air thawing, − 20 kV HVEF thawing led to less denaturation of the myofibrillar proteins, which is very important for further processing in the rabbit meat industry.     

Phospholipids determination in vegetable oil by thin-layer chromatography and imaging densitometry

A rapid reliable method was developed to measure vegetable oil phospholipid content by thin-layer chromatography–imaging densitometry. Phospholipid samples were obtained from crude soybean oil by water degumming and then analyzed and quantified by thin-layer chromatography and imaging densitometry. Phosphatidyl choline (PC), phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidyl inositol (PI) standard curves were generated. The total phospholipid content of the oil was 1.12–1.26%, of which 27.1 ± 1.86% was PC, 22.7 ± 0.45% was PE, while PI accounted for 17.2 ± 0.85% of the total. A high correlation coefficient of 0.985 was found for reproducibility of pixel area (OD*mm) at a constant concentration of standard phospholipid. Regression analysis of the pixel area vs the phospholipid (PC, PE, and PI) weights (μg) generated R² greater than 0.983. Thin-layer chromatography–imaging densitometry proved a useful tool for rapid determination and quantification of the major phospholipids in soybean oil.     

Thermo-mechanical properties of egg albumen–cassava starch composite films containing sunflower-oil droplets as influenced by moisture content

The effect of moisture content on the thermo-mechanical and structural properties of egg albumen–cassava starch composite films containing sunflower oil droplets was studied using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Composite films were prepared by cold gelation, dried in a moisture controlled incubator (83.5%RH) at 25 °C for 8 days and aged at different relative humidity at room temperature (21 ± 1 °C) for 7 days to obtain composite films with moisture contents of 4%, 7%, 11%, 17% and 46% (dry weight basis). In DMA thermograms the magnitude of G′ and G″ increased with increasing temperature in high-moisture samples, decreased and then again gradually increased for intermediate-moisture samples, and decreased in low moisture samples. DSC thermograms indicated two distinct peaks (at 49–53 °C and 79.8 to 132.4 °C) which were attributed to phase transitions and protein denaturation. SEM images indicated that the microstructure of the composite matrix changed with moisture content and heating temperature. Our study confirms that moisture content plays a key role in the thermo-mechanical properties and microstructure of egg albumen–cassava starch composite films containing sunflower oil.     

Proximate composition,cholesterol and fatty acids profile of canned sardines (Sardinella brasiliensis) in soybean oil and tomato sauce

Different brands of sardines canned in soybean oil and tomato sauce, that are commercialized in Brazil, had their proximate composition, cholesterol content and fatty acids composition analyzed. Protein contents were equivalent to the values found for sardines in natura, ranging from 19.8 to 24.4%. High variations of the total lipids content (5.30–16.8%) were verified; the highest levels were found for sardines canned in soybean oil. The cholesterol content ranged from 50.4 to 65.1 mg/100 g. The highest levels of essential C18:2n − 6 and C18:3n − 3 fatty acids were found in sardines canned in soybean oil. The EPA (C20:5n − 3) and DHA (C22:6n − 3) concentrations ranged from 5.39 to 15.1% and from 3.89% to 9.51%, respectively, and the highest levels were observed in sardines canned in tomato sauce.     

Stability of emulsions formulated with high concentrations of sodium caseinate and trehalose

Stability of emulsions formulated with 10 wt.% oil (concentrated fish oil, CFO, sunflower oil, SFO, or olive oil, OO), sodium caseinate concentrations varying from 0.5 to 5 wt.%, giving oil-to-protein ratios of 20–2, and 0, 20, 30 or 40 wt.% aqueous trehalose solution was studied by Turbiscan. Particle size distribution, microstructure, and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) patterns were also obtained. The main mechanism of destabilization in a given formulation strongly depended on oil-to-protein ratio. As evidenced by the BS-profile changes with time, emulsions formulated with 0.5 and 1 wt.% NaCas destabilized mainly by creaming while for the 2 wt.% NaCas concentration, both creaming and flocculation mechanisms, were involved. The main destabilization mechanism for the 3, 4 or 5 wt.% NaCas emulsions was flocculation. Stability of emulsions was also affected by the content of trehalose in the aqueous phase. Trehalose diminished the volume-weighted mean diameter (D_4,3) and greatly improved stability.     

二氧化硅作为新型环保吸附剂在食用油中的 高效吸附作用

针对常规油脂脱色存在油脂色泽过浅的问题,以活性白土作对比,将二氧化硅用于葵花籽油的脱色,通过测定不同添加量二氧化硅脱色葵花籽油的色泽、杂质含量、氧化诱导期及风险物质含量,考察二氧化硅的吸附脱色效果。结果表明：二氧化硅（0.1%~0.5%）添加量脱色葵花籽油的磷含量、苯并（a）芘和黄曲霉毒素B1含量与0.5%活性白土脱色葵花籽油的相当,但与0.5%活性白土相比,0.1%二氧化硅脱色可以在保持葵花籽油色泽的同时,达到葵花籽油中的皂未检出和氧化诱导期显著延长的效果,说明二氧化硅在食用油中具有较好的吸附脱色效果。     

Characteristics and in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of protein extracts from pre-germinated black soybean [Glycine max (L.)] treated with high hydrostatic pressure

We investigated the influence of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and pre-germination on black soybean protein and peptide characteristics. Black soybean was germinated (2 or 4 d) and subjected to HHP (0.1–150 MPa; 24 h), followed by preparation of extracts and testing for anti-inflammatory activity. The highest soluble protein content (815.85 mg/g) was in soybeans subjected to HHP (100 MPa) after germination (4 d). Germination and HHP caused the degradation of high molecular weight proteins; we detected the highest content of < 3 and < 10 kDa peptides (60.46 and 88.47 mg) and free amino acids (65.70 mg) in extracts from pre-germinated soybeans that received HHP (150 MPa). Pre-germinated (4 d) soybean extracts treated with HHP (150 MPa) significantly inhibited LPS-induced expression of inflammatory markers, nitric oxide (25.01%), TNF-α (76.78%), IL-1β (58.99%), and IL-6 (84.48%) by RAW 264.7 macrophages. These results suggest that peptides derived from black soybeans subjected to HHP and pre-germination may mediate anti-inflammatory activity.     

Optimization of the enzymatic treatment during aqueous oil extraction from sunflower seeds

Partially dehulled sunflower seeds were subjected to a hydrolytic treatment with cellulases during aqueous processing for oil and protein extraction. Sub-optimal extraction conditions (particle size and separation technology) were established in order to appreciate the potential improvement caused by the enzymatic treatment and to select the best operational conditions. The effects of three operational variables (extraction–treatment time, water/seeds ratio and enzyme/seed ratio) were studied on three objective functions (the extent of hydrolysis reaction, the oil extraction yield and the percent polyphenolics removal). After 2 h of enzymatic treatment–extraction a practical optimum in the range 7.5–8 g water g⁻¹ seeds and 1.25–1.4 g enzyme 100 g⁻¹ seeds could be defined. Under these conditions the oil extractability and the polyphenolics removal are improved by more than 30 and 80%, respectively.     

Interfacial characteristics and microchannel emulsification of oleuropein-containing triglyceride oil–water systems

This study investigated the adsorption characteristics of olive leaf water extract and its major phenolic compound, oleuropein, at the triglyceride oil–water interface. We also investigated the preparation characteristics of food-grade triglyceride oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions stabilized by oleuropein using microchannel (MC) emulsification. Refined soybean oil, extra virgin olive oil, refined olive oil, and medium-chain triacylglyceride (MCT) oil were used as triglyceride oils. Both olive leaf extract (OLE) and highly purified oleuropein had a pronounced ability to decrease the interfacial tension at the refined soybean oil–water interface. The packing of oleuropein molecules at the triglyceride oil–water interface was estimated on the basis of their surface excess concentration and area occupied per molecule, determined from the Gibbs adsorption equation. MC emulsification was performed using a silicon grooved MC array plate (model CMS6-2). The continuous aqueous phase contained 0.6 wt.% of oleuropein. Monodisperse, oleuropein-stabilized O/W emulsions with an average droplet diameter of 25 μm and coefficient of variation (CV) of < 5% were produced in all systems, except the MCT oil-containing system, even in the absence of a cross-flowing continuous phase. This successful MC emulsification was observed without droplet coalescence for 15 h of continuous operation. Our findings demonstrate that the use of oleuropein, which has an interfacial activity, is capable of producing monodisperse O/W emulsions using MC emulsification and stabilizing the generated oil droplets when appropriate types of triglyceride oils are used.     

Effect of germination on the chemical,functional and pasting properties of flour from brown and yellow varieties of tigernut (Cyperus esculentus)

The chemical, functional and pasting properties of flours processed from germinated (0, 24, 48 and 72 h) brown and yellow varieties of tigernut (Cyperus esculentus) seed was studied. Germination decreased carbohydrate (60.50–53.60%) and fat (60.50–53.60%) while protein and ash increased from 8.23% to 12.40% and 3.28% to 4.26%, respectively. In addition, functional properties such as foaming, emulsion, water and oil absorption capacities increased from 7.75% to 12.91%, 14.32–20.25 ml oil/g sample, 2.56–6.97 g water/g sample and 1.14–1.78 g oil/g sample, respectively, with germination. Least gelation of flour samples were improved as a result of germination process. Conversely, bulk density decreased with germination time (0.58–0.50 g/cm³). Trough, peak viscosity, break down, final viscosity, peak time and pasting temperature values were in the range (120.96–203.04 RVU), (145.28–228.11 RVU), (7.85–14.32 RVU), (180.62–324.73 RVU), (5.01.83–6.00 min) and (63.85–65.47 °C), respectively. Our results suggest that the incorporation of germinated tigernut flours may help in enhancing protein calorie delivery with improved functionality in complementary food formulations and baked products.     

Cyanidin-3-glucoside,nutritionally important constituents and in vitro antioxidant activities of Santalum album L. berries

Anthocyanins are ubiquitous plant pigments. They are hydrophilic, and have high tinctorial value hence, used as natural food colorant. The main aim of this study was characterization of Santalum album L. berries for its pigment content, nutritionally important phytoconstituents and functional attributes. Major pigment identified was cyanidin-3-glucoside (0.21% FW) as confirmed by spectral characteristics including LC–MS. Nutrients such as total carbohydrates (8.5), proteins (5.8), free amino acids (0.8 g), oil (1.5 g), ascorbic acid (1.5 μg), tocopherols (0.3 mg) and niacin (5.2 mg) per 100 g berries were determined along with total soluble solids (13.4°Brix) and phenols (3.1 mg GAE/g). Reducing power and DPPH· scavenging assays showed highest activity in methanol extract, which also efficiently protected bleaching of β-carotene (EC₅₀ 285 μg/mL) in β-carotene–linoleate model. Pigment rich crude extract was not toxic to HepG2 cells during 24 h exposure, whereas cyanidin-3-glucoside was cytotoxic (IC₅₀ 0.1 μg/mL).     

Morphological characterization of encapsulated fish oil with β-cyclodextrin and polycaprolactone

The present study characterized the morphology of fish oil β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) complex or fish oil encapsulated with polycaprolactone (PCL) by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation using low or high voltage with or without phosphotungstic acid (PTA) staining. Emulsion–diffusion or self-assembly aggregation methods were used to encapsulate fish oil in PCL or β-CD. PCL spheres averaged 200 nm in diameter. However, β-CD spheres were significantly larger and dependent on host:guest mixing ratio (w:w), being approximately 300 nm and 600 nm at ratios of 10:1 and 10:10, respectively. TEM enabled the visual distinction of core and wall materials, and revealed that fish oil was encapsulated with a different structure depending on whether the self-resembling aggregation of β-CD or emulsion–diffusion method with PCL was used. Hexagonal-type β-CD aggregates were evident at a mixing ratio 10:1 between β-CD and fish oil. The hexagonal arrangement of β-CD enveloped the fish oil with a thick (100–150 nm) membrane. Incorporation of β-CD with fish oil at a 10:10 mixing ratio produced a worm-type of β-CD. It is suggested that the fish oil might be physically blended without wrapping with β-CD. For the PCL formulation, the lower voltage TEM operating condition better enabled the observation of the thin PCL layer (1–2 nm) encapsulating the fish oil. Nanosizer^® and TEM yielded comparable measurements.     

Ultra-High Pressure Homogenization enhances physicochemical properties of soy protein isolate-stabilized emulsions

The effect of Ultra-High Pressure Homogenization (UHPH, 100–300 MPa) on the physicochemical properties of oil-in-water emulsions prepared with 4.0% (w/v) of soy protein isolate (SPI) and soybean oil (10 and 20%, v/v) was studied and compared to emulsions treated by conventional homogenization (CH, 15 MPa). CH emulsions were prepared with non-heated and heated (95 °C for 15 min) SPI dispersions. Emulsions were characterized by particle size determination with laser diffraction, rheological properties using a rotational rheometer by applying measurements of flow curve and by transmission electron microscopy. The variation on particle size and creaming was assessed by Turbiscan® analysis, and visual observation of the emulsions was also carried out. UHPH emulsions showed much smaller d_3.2 values and greater physical stability than CH emulsions. The thermal treatment of SPI prior CH process did not improve physical stability properties. In addition, emulsions containing 20% of oil exhibited greater physical stability compared to emulsions containing 10% of oil. Particularly, UHPH emulsions treated at 100 and 200 MPa with 20% of oil were the most stable due to low particle size values (d_3.2 and Span), greater viscosity and partial protein denaturation. These results address the physical stability improvement of protein isolate-stabilized emulsions by using the emerging UHPH technology.     

Thermal behavior of concentrated oil-in-water emulsions based on soybean oil and palm kernel olein blends

Droplet size distribution and thermal behavior of concentrated oil-in-water emulsions based on soybean oil (SBO)/palm kernel olein (PKO) blends were investigated. The emulsions were prepared using 70% (wt./wt.) oil blends of SBO/PKO as dispersed phases and stabilized by egg yolk. An increase in PKO level (0–40% wt./wt.) in the oil dispersed phase volume fraction caused significant increases (p < 0.05) in volume-weighted mean diameter (d_4,3). The DSC data suggested that crystallization of the emulsions was induced by a ‘template effect’ of yolk constituents via a surface heterogeneous nucleation. Emulsions with 0–20% (wt./wt.) PKO levels in the dispersed phase demonstrated a good cool–heat stability even after three successive thermal cycles (from 50 °C to ?70 °C at 10 min/°C). After the first thermal cycle, emulsions with 30% and 40% PKO levels in the oil dispersed phase were destabilized due to strong coalescence and crystallized via volume-surface heterogeneous nucleation. The unstable emulsions were attributable to high level of saturated triacylglycerols from PKO, with high droplet size characteristic, causing them to be more prone to partial coalescence.     

Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of acetylated EGCG and antioxidant properties of the acetylated derivatives

(−)-Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) acetylated derivatives were prepared by lipase catalyzed acylation of EGCG with vinyl acetate to improve its lipophilicity and expand its application in lipophilic media. The immobilized lipase, Lipozyme RM IM, was found to be the optimum catalyst. The optimized conditions were as follows, 1:1 of the molar ratio of EGCG to vinyl acetate, 2.0% (w/w of both substrates) of enzyme amount, and 84.5% conversion was obtained after 8 h reaction at 40 °C in acetonitrile. The presence of mono-, di- and tri-acetylated derivatives in acetylated EGCG were confirmed by LC–MS–MS and the tri-acetylated EGCG was identified as 5′,3″,5″-3-O-acetyl-EGCG by NMR. Their enhanced lipophilicity was confirmed by octanol–water partition coefficient. The antioxidant activity of the acetylated EGCG derivatives were superior to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) and EGCG as determined by peroxide values (POVs) in sunflower oil as well as by the p-anisidine method. Acetylated EGCG exhibited the highest 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ of 0.09 mg/mL) compared to EGCG, BHT and TBHQ. Acetylated EGCG might be used as a potent antioxidant for controlling oxidation of sunflower oil.     

Peptides derived from high oleic acid soybean meals inhibit colon,liver and lung cancer cell growth

Soybean meal, a co-product after oil extraction from seeds, is rich in protein. Our objective was to utilize this co-product, obtain gastrointestinal (GI) resistant peptides from the isolated protein, and test for bioactivity against colon, liver and lung cancer cell lines. N98-4445A, S03-543CR high oleic acid soybean lines, and R95-1705 high protein soybean line were used for this study. Protein isolates were prepared at alkaline pH and hydrolyzed using alcalase enzyme to generate peptide hydrolysates. After determining gastrointestinal resistance of the peptide hydrolysates they were fractionated into definite molecular sizes of < 5 kDa, 5–10 kDa, and 10–50 kDa and tested against human colon (HCT-116, Caco-2), liver (HepG-2) and lung (NCL-H1299) cancer cell lines. MTS, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2 H-tetrazolium, cytotoxicity assay was performed to test in vitro cancer cell viability upon treatment with peptide fractions. The peptide fractions from N98-4445A and S03-543CR lines showed cell growth inhibition of 73% of colon cancer (HCT-116), 70% of liver cancer cells and 68% of lung cancer cells. Dose response showed that the peptides had significant inhibitory effect at higher concentrations (1000 μg/mL to 600 μg/mL) and gradually decreased with decreased dosage (500 μg/mL to 100 μg/mL). Reverse phase HPLC identified three single peptides from the 10–50 kDa fractions of N98-4445A soy line that have potential for enhanced activity. Soybean peptide fractions can thus be a source of bioactivity against colon, liver and lung cancer cell proliferation.     

Nondestructive estimation of fatty acid composition in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] seeds using Near-Infrared Transmittance Spectroscopy

The potential of Near-Infrared Transmittance (NIT) Spectroscopy for estimation of fatty acid composition in soybean seed samples was studied. Total 612 whole seed samples with wide range of variability for major fatty acids were used to develop calibration equations by applying SNV de-trend and first derivative mathematical treatment in the range of 850–1048 nm. Useful chemometric models for most important fatty acids present in soybean seed oil were developed using Modified Partial Least Squares (MPLS) regression method. In external validation oleic (r² = 0.89, SEP = 1.61), linoleic (r² = 0.86, SEP = 1.50) and palmitic (r² = 0.89, SEP = 0.17) acids were predicted with good accuracy, while the predictions for linolenic acid (r² = 0.78, SEP = 0.36) and stearic acid (r² = 0.63, SEP = 0.11) had relatively poor accuracy. The whole-seed NIT spectroscopy equations for fatty acid estimation would be useful for improving efficiency of breeding programs aimed at altering fatty acid composition in soybean.