Development of potentially synbiotic fresh-cut apple slices

The aim of this study was, to develop potentially synbiotic fresh-cut apple wedges by applying probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG) and prebiotics in the form of oligofructose and inulin. An assessment of the quality, sensory, polyphenol and volatile attributes of synbiotic and probiotic samples was also undertaken. Fructan analysis showed that all prebiotics remained stable over the 14 days storage period and an intake of 100 g of apple supplies 2–3 g of prebiotics. All samples sets contained ca. 10⁸ cfu/g over the test period, which is sufficient for a probiotic effect, and is comparable to counts of probiotic bacteria in commercially available dairy products. Browning index, firmness, acidity and dry matter remained stable throughout the 14 days compared to the control while applying prebiotic coatings resulted in an increase in soluble solids. Sensory assessment indicated acceptable quality of probiotic and synbiotic apple wedges. HPLC analysis showed levels of decrease in polyphenolic compounds. No difference was found between O₂ and CO₂ headspace concentration and volatile production of synbiotic samples and samples only treated with probiotics.     

Using polysaccharide-based edible coatings to maintain quality of fresh-cut Fuji apples

The effect of alginate and gellan-based edible coatings on the shelf-life of fresh-cut Fuji apples packed in trays with a plastic film of a known permeability to oxygen (110 cm³ O₂ m⁻² bar⁻¹ day⁻¹) was investigated by measuring changes in headspace atmosphere, color, firmness and microbial growth during 23 days of storage at 4 °C. Concentration of O₂ and CO₂ in the package was measured and no significant differences between coated and uncoated fresh-cut apples were observed. Ethylene concentration in coated apples seemed to be delayed since it remained below 50 μl l⁻¹ throughout the whole refrigerated storage period, while production of this gas was detected in uncoated apples from the very initial days of storage. Coated apple wedges exhibited ethanol and acetaldehyde formation from the second week of storage indicating fermentative metabolism. Polymers were crosslinked with a calcium chloride solution, to which the antibrowning agent N-acetylcysteine was added, being incorporated into the coatings formulation and helping to maintain firmness and color of apple wedges during the entire storage time. The application of the edible coatings also retarded the microbiological deterioration of fresh-cut apples. Alginate and gellan edible coatings effectively prolonged the shelf-life of Fuji apple wedges by 2 weeks of storage compared with the control apple slices which showed a considerable cut surface browning and tissue softening from the very early days of storage, limiting their shelf-life to less than 4 days.     

Evaluation of fresh-cut apple slices enriched with probiotic bacteria

The aim of this study was to apply a probiotic microorganism (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG; LGG) to fresh-cut apple wedges (cultivar Braeburn) and measure entrapment and stability of the microorganism. Instrumental eating quality parameters (Colour Lab, texture, soluble solids, titratable acidity and pH) and sensory acceptability were also monitored to investigate if application of the probiotic significantly influenced eating quality. Apple samples were cut into skin-on wedges and were dipped in an edible buffer solution containing approximately 10¹⁰ cfu/ml of LGG. LGG were enumerated on each test day (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10) on whole wedges, on wedges flushed with a buffer solution (2% tri-sodium citrate), and on the flush-off liquid itself. All three samples sets contained ca. 10⁸ cfu/g over the test period, which is sufficient for a probiotic effect, and is comparable to counts of probiotic bacteria in commercially available dairy products. This included the sample set of wedges which had been flushed with buffer solution indicating good adherence of the bacteria over the test period. Physicochemical properties of the apple wedges containing LGG compared to the control remained stable over the 10 day period. Cryo scanning electron microscopy and confocal scanning laser microscopy demonstrated good adherence of LGG to the surface of apple wedges.Industrial relevanceProbiotic dairy foods, e.g. yoghurts, are well recognised by most consumers and command a significant market share. However, many people are allergic or intolerant to dairy products and an alternative option is desirable. Minimally processed freshly prepared fruits are a popular item and are perceived as healthy by consumers. They are therefore an ideal vehicle for incorporation of other functional components such as probiotics. Therefore, a probiotic bacterium was applied to fresh-cut apple wedges. This will provide an alternative probiotic food choice for consumers and could be particularly appealing to children. The process for making this product is relatively simple and the product would retail from the conventional chill counters of supermarket stores. It is likely that its price would be competitive with existing probiotic dairy products.     

Effect of Tapioca Starch/Decolorized Hsian-tsao Leaf Gum-Based Active Coatings on the Qualities of Fresh-Cut Apples

The effect of tapioca starch/decolorized hsian-tsao leaf gum (dHG)-based edible coatings with various food additives (including ascorbic acid, calcium chloride, and cinnamon oil) on the qualities and shelf life of fresh-cut “Fuji” apple pieces was investigated during the refrigerated storage. The initial respiration rate, headspace gas composition, color, texture, microbial quality, peroxidase activity, and sensory qualities were analyzed. The results were also compared to those for samples submerged in distilled water and the samples treated with 120-ppm chlorine solution widely used in the industry. It was found that ascorbic acid and cinnamon oil delayed the browning of fresh-cut apples effectively when being applied in the starch/dHG-based edible coating solutions. In combination with calcium chloride, starch/dHG coated fresh-cut apples retained satisfactory firmness. Incorporation of cinnamon oil in starch/dHG coatings significantly reduced the growth of microorganisms, respiration rate, CO₂, and ethylene production of fresh-cut apples, but these apple pieces received lower scores in overall preference during sensory evaluation. Among the starch/dHG-based active coatings studied, starch/dHG coatings with ascorbic acid and calcium chloride are suggested for fresh-cut apples, as they could enhance qualities in terms of color and firmness, and prolong the shelf life up to 5–7 days by providing reasonable microbial quality.     

Evaluation of thermal and high hydrostatic pressure processed apple purees enriched with prebiotic inclusions

The effects of high hydrostatic pressure (500 MPa/1.5 min/20 °C) and mild conventional pasteurization (P₉₀ > 10 min) processing on the fructan content, polyphenolic stability and physico-chemical characteristics of apple purees enriched with two commercial prebiotics [Beneo GR® (inulin) and HSI® (fructooligosaccharides—FOS)] over 30 days at 4 °C were evaluated. Fructan analysis showed that the prebiotics were stable throughout 30 days and were present in sufficient quantities to deliver a prebiotic effect. Fluctuations in physico-chemical characteristics were more evident in purees containing inulin than FOS. Sensory acceptability of purees was deemed acceptable (> 3) by panellists and showed no preference for either processing type. Minor deterioration in acceptability was observed in thermal processed samples containing inulin inclusions during storage (p < 0.05). Processing reduced (p < 0.05) the levels of some polyphenolic compounds in all samples compared to unprocessed controls, in particular chlorogenic acid and phloridzin, which were largely responsible for overall decreases in total phenolic index (TPI).

Industrial relevance

Studies have shown that high hydrostatic pressure processing (HHP) can better retain inherent functional components i.e. antioxidant compounds, compared to mild pasteurization. However, processors need to be assured that further additions of functionally beneficial components, such as prebiotics, are similarly protected. This study focussed primarily on assessing the effect of thermal and HHP on the stability of two prebiotics over storage (30 days at 4 °C). Results indicate that both prebiotics were stable and present in sufficient quantities to deliver a prebiotic effect for both processing types after storage. In some cases, less hydrolysis of the prebiotic occurred in HHP purees. These outcomes could help the food industry identify the optimal processing type to maximise retention of added and inherent functional properties.     

Quality and microbial safety of ‘Fuji’ apples coated with carnauba-shellac wax containing lemongrass oil

A carnauba-shellac wax (CSW)-based nanoemulsion containing lemongrass oil (LO) was prepared using high pressure homogenization. ‘Fuji’ apples were coated with the CSW/LO nanoemulsion and the coated apple samples were compared with uncoated apple samples with respect to quality and microbial safety for 5 months. During storage, the hardness of the uncoated apples decreased by 3.3 N, and the weight loss was 7.7%. In contrast, the hardness of the coated apples did not change, and the weight loss was 5.2%. Titratable acidity and total soluble solids were not significantly different between coated and uncoated apples. The apples coated with the CSW/LO solution had the best sensory appreciations. After 5 months of storage, the population of total aerobic bacteria on the coated apples was decreased by 1.4 log CFU/g compared with the uncoated apples. In addition, the population of yeast and molds on the uncoated apples was 2.2 log CFU/g after 5 months of storage, whereas yeast and molds were not detected on the coated apples. The CSW/LO coating can improve the quality of ‘Fuji’ apples during storage.     

Effects of Gellan-Based Edible Coating on the Quality of Fresh-Cut Pineapple During Cold Storage

The effects of gellan-based [gellan gum 0.56 % (w/v), glycerol 0.89 % (w/v) and sunflower oil 0.025 % (w/v)] edible coating on the respiration rate, physico-chemical properties and microbiological and sensory quality of fresh-cut pineapple during 16 days of storage (5?±?1 °C, 85?±?10 % RH) were evaluated. Uncoated fresh-cut pineapple was stored under the same condition and served as the control. For cross-linking reaction which was necessary for gel formation of gellan gum, a 2 % (w/v) calcium chloride solution that contained 1 % (w/v) ascorbic acid and 1 % (w/v) citric acid (as antibrowning agents) was used. The results obtained show that the respiration rate and weight loss of gellan-based coated samples were significantly (p?<?0.05) lower than those of the uncoated samples during 16 days of storage at 5 °C. In addition, coated samples significantly (p?<?0.05) maintained the firmness and colour of fresh-cut pineapple during low-temperature storage as compared to uncoated samples. The results obtained in this study also indicate that pH, titratable acidity and total soluble solids of coated and uncoated samples showed little changes during 16 days of storage at 5 °C. Gellan-based formulation did not show any antimicrobial effect, and no significant (p?>?0.05) differences were found among total plate counts and yeast and mould counts for coated and uncoated samples. Total plate counts and yeast and mould counts for coated and uncoated samples reached 10⁶ CFU/g (limit of shelf life acceptance for fruit-based products recommended by the Institute of Food Science and Technology in the UK) after 12 days of storage at 5 °C. In addition, the scores for all sensory characteristics at day 12 were significantly (p?<?0.05) higher in coated samples as compared to control. Therefore, the results obtained in this study indicate that gellan-based edible coating formulation has the potential to maintain the quality of fresh-cut pineapple during low-temperature storage for about 12 days.     

Control of browning and microbial growth on fresh-cut apples by sequential treatment of sanitizers and calcium ascorbate

ABSTRACT:  This study investigated the efficacy of different sanitizers, including acidic electrolyzed water (AEW), peroxyacetic acid (POAA), and chlorine, on the inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on fresh-cut apples. The effects of the sanitizers and sequential treatments of AEW or POAA followed by calcium ascorbate (CaA) on browning inhibition and organoleptic qualities of fresh-cut apples stored under different package atmospheres at 4 °C were also evaluated. Changes in package atmosphere composition, product color, firmness, total aerobic bacterial counts, yeast and mold counts, and sensory qualities were examined at 0, 4, 8, 11, and 21 d. Among all sanitizer treatments, POAA and AEW achieved the highest reduction on E. coli O157:H7 populations. The sequential treatment of AEW followed by CaA (AEW-CaA) achieved the best overall dual control of browning and bacterial growth on fresh-cut apple wedges. Package atmospheres changed significantly over time and among package materials. Packages prepared with films having an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of 158 had significantly lower O₂ and higher CO₂ partial pressures than those prepared with 225 OTR films and the Ziploc™ bags. The effect of package atmospheres on the browning of apples is more pronounced on AEW, POAA, and POAA-CaA-treated apple wedges than on AEW-CaA-treated samples.     

Alginate-based coatings charged with hydroxyapatite and quercetin for fresh-cut papaya shelf life

In this study, the effect of alginate-based coatings charged with quercetin glycoside compounds and hydroxyapatite/quercetin glycoside compounds (HA/QUE) on the microbiological quality, and on bioactive compounds of fresh-cut papaya, was evaluated for 14 days at 6 °C. Alginate coatings with hydroxyapatite/quercetin showed a high capability to slow down the growth of all microbiological parameters investigated. At the end of cold storage, the total bacteria count in papaya samples covered with HA/QUE alginate coating was 4.8 log CFU g⁻¹ which is significantly lower (P < 0.05) than 8.3 log CFU g⁻¹ for uncoated samples. Total carotenoids’ percentage decrease, at the end of storage, was about 20% in papaya with active coatings, with respect to the losses of 39 and 35%, registered in uncoated and alginate-coated samples respectively. Vitamin C content and the antioxidant activity measured in papaya coated with HA/QUE alginate showed significantly higher values (P < 0.05) for each storage day than those detected for control- and alginate-coated samples. Based on the sensory evaluation, active-coated fresh-cut papaya reached, at the end of the storage period, suitable values for commercial purposes.     

鲜切火龙果低温贮藏期间游离态和结合态香气物质的变化

以“密宝”火龙果为研究对象,研究其鲜切后4 ℃贮藏期间游离态和结合态香气物质的变化。采用酶解法释放结合态香气物质,结合气相色谱-质谱联用分析技术对鲜切火龙果中游离态和结合态香气物质分别进行定性定量分析。结果表明,火龙果中游离态和结合态香气成分在组成和含量上差异较大。火龙果进行切分后游离态香气物质含量显著上升,随着贮藏时间延长含量持续下降。结合态香气物质在贮藏第1天上升至最高值后第3天显著下降,贮藏后期含量保持稳定。     

品种和后成熟对NFC苹果浊汁挥发性香气成分的影响

为了探讨果实品种和后成熟度对苹果浊汁风味的影响,采用顶空-固相微萃取结合气相色谱-质谱联用技术,基于多元数据分析手段,非靶向分析了富士、嘎啦、华硕、金冠、澳洲青苹等5个品种,在3个后熟度下制成的NFC苹果浊汁挥发性香气成分差异。结果表明:醇类（2-甲基-1-丁醇、1-己醇等）、醛类（己醛、（E）-2-己烯醛等）和酯类（2-甲基乙酸丁酯等）为苹果浊汁的主要挥发性香气成分。品种和后熟度对苹果汁的特征性挥发性香气成分的含量和组成影响显著。澳洲青苹果汁挥发性香气成分总量少且含量低,醛类是其主要的挥发性香气物质;富士、嘎啦和金冠果汁则表现出相似的香气组分特征,酯类、醛类和醇类物质含量丰富,具有浓郁的香甜水果气味和青草味;华硕苹果汁的挥发性香气成分以醇类和醛类为主,整体具有清淡的香味和生青味。另外,随着不断后熟,不同品种苹果浊汁挥发性香气成分的变化呈现不同趋势。澳洲青苹和富士苹果汁中的香气成分逐渐累积,分别有15和28种挥发性化合物含量显著增加;嘎啦和金冠苹果汁香气物质含量呈现先上升后下降的趋势,在第二个后熟阶段风味最好;用采摘初期华硕苹果原料制成的苹果汁香气最浓郁,但随着不断后熟,挥发性香气含量显著降低。本研究开展的苹果汁风味特性研究,可为苹果浊汁加工的原料选择提供理论基础。     

Quality Measurement of Intact and Fresh-cut Slices of Fuji, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, and GoldRush Apples

ABSTRACT: Development of fresh-cut apple products requires consideration of cultivars that store well as both intact and fresh-cut fruit. We compared the instrumental and sensory quality of 2 apple cultivars, Granny Smith and Fuji, that are used for fresh cutting with 2 new cultivars, Pink Lady and GoldRush, which were considered to have quality characteristics suitable for fresh cutting. Firmness, titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids content (SSC), and aromatic volatile concentration were measured in intact fruit of the 4 cultivars during 12 mo storage in air at 0 °C and during 3 wk storage at 5 °C as fresh-cut slices. After 1 wk storage as fresh-cut slices, sensory evaluations for acceptability of flesh and peel appearance, flavor, texture, and overall eating quality were performed. During storage, GoldRush apples maintained > 80 N firmness, approximately 17% SSC, > 0.5% TA, and had high aromatic volatile production, that is, maintained quality better than the other cultivars. The quality and shelf stability of GoldRush slices were also as good as or better than slices from the other cultivars, whereas Granny Smith slices generally rated lower than the other cultivars. The acceptability of flavor, texture, and overall eating quality of GoldRush slices was as good as that for Pink Lady and Fuji. The quality of GoldRush apples can be maintained throughout the year in refrigerated air storage and still remain suitable for fresh-cut processing. The results indicate that GoldRush and Pink Lady are 2 promising new, high-quality apple cultivars for fresh cutting. Keywords: fresh-cut fruit, Malus × domestica , postharvest quality, respiration rate, shelf life     

Fungal infections of fresh-cut fruit can be detected by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometric identification of microbial volatile organic compounds

There is a large and rapidly growing market for fresh-cut fruit. Microbial volatile organic compounds indicate the presence of fungal or bacterial contamination in fruit. In order to determine whether microbial volatile organic compounds can be used to detect contamination before fruit becomes unmarketable, pieces of cantaloupe, apple, pineapple, and orange were inoculated with a variety of fungal species, incubated at 25 degrees C, then sealed in glass vials. The volatiles were extracted by headspace solid-phase microextraction and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Forty-five compounds were identified that might serve as unique identifiers of fungal contamination. Fungal contamination can be detected as early as 24 h after inoculation.     

Production of Volatiles in Fresh‐Cut Apple: Effect of Applying Alginate Coatings Containing Linoleic Acid or Isoleucine

One of the main quality parameters in apples is aroma, its main precursors are fatty acids (FA) and amino acids (AA). In this study, alginate edible coatings were used as carriers of linoleic acid or isoleucine to serve as precursors for the production of aroma in cut apples. Apple wedges were immersed in a CaCl₂ solution and coated with one of the following formulations: alginate solution (Alg‐Ca), Alg‐Ca‐low‐level linoleic acid (0.61 g/Lt), (LFA), Alg‐Ca‐high‐level linoleic acid (2.44 g/L; HFA), Alg‐Ca‐low‐level isoleucine (0.61 g/L; LAA), and Alg‐Ca‐high‐level isoleucine (2.44 g/L; HAA). Apple wedges were stored at 3 °C and 85% relative humidity for 21 d and key volatiles were studied during storage. Addition of precursors, mainly isoleucine, showed to increase the production of some key volatiles on coated fresh‐cut apples during storage. The concentration of 2‐methyl‐1‐butanol was 4 times higher from day 12 to day 21 in HAA, while 2‐methyl butyl acetate increased from day 12 to day 21 in HAA. After 21 d, HAA‐apples presented a 40‐fold value of 2‐methyl‐butyl acetate, compared to Alg‐Ca cut apples. Values of hexanal increased during cut apple storage when the coating carried linoleic acid, mainly on HFA, from 3 to 12 d. The ability of apples to metabolize AA and FA depends on the concentration of precursors, but also depends on key enzymes, previous apple storage, among others. Further studies should be done to better clarify the behavior of fresh‐cut apples as living tissue to metabolize precursors contained in edible coatings for the production of volatiles.     

威代尔冰葡萄酒发酵过程中香气动态变化规律

为考察冰葡萄酒发酵过程中香气化合物的演变规律,以R2酵母发酵威代尔冰葡萄酒为研究对象,采用顶空固相微萃取结合全二维气相色谱质谱联用对发酵过程中样品的挥发性化合物进行测定分析。结果表明,在发酵过程中冰葡萄酒的挥发性组分发生了明显变化,醇类、芳香族类、酯类、酸类、萜烯类、酚类、含氮类、呋喃类、内酯类、醛类化合物的总含量随着发酵的进行逐渐增加,并在发酵第14天时达到最高,随后含量降低并趋于稳定;酮类化合物的总含量随着发酵的进行呈下降趋势,在发酵14 d后趋于稳定;含硫类化合物则是随着发酵的进行含量逐渐升高,并在发酵第28天达到最高,随后又逐渐降低。偏最小二乘法判别分析结果表明,发酵前期(0、7、14 d)挥发性化合物变化较为显著,到发酵中后期的样本则比较聚集,挥发性化合物趋于一个较稳定的状态。该研究可为冰酒生产中风味的进一步调控提供基础数据和理论依据。     

钙和褐变抑制剂对鲜切菠萝影响的初步研究

研究的目的是筛选对鲜切菠萝颜色和硬度有重要影响的因子。试验采用正交设计,使用浓度为0%和0.5%的异抗坏血酸钠、柠檬酸、六偏磷酸钠、EDTA和氯化钙溶液浸泡菠萝扇片3分钟,振干表面溶液后用聚苯乙烯塑料托盘装(每盘5片,每片约25g)并用PVC膜包扎密封,在10℃下贮藏7天;分别在处理后的第1天和第7天测定菠萝片的L*、a*、b*和硬度。结果表明,在α=0.05水平下,只有异抗坏血酸钠显著抑制L*、a*、b*值的变化;所有5种试剂对鲜切菠萝硬度的影响均不显著。     

Aroma profile and volatiles odor activity along gold cultivar pineapple flesh

Physicochemical attributes, aroma profile, and odor contribution of pineapple flesh were studied for the top, middle, and bottom cross-sections cut along the central axis of Gold cultivar pineapple. Relationships between volatile and nonvolatile compounds were also studied. Aroma profile constituents were determined by headspace solid-phase microextraction at 30 °C, followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. A total of 20 volatile compounds were identified and quantified. Among them, esters were the major components which accounted for 90% of total extracted aroma. Methyl butanoate, methyl 2-methyl butanoate, and methyl hexanoate were the 3 most abundant components representing 74% of total volatiles in pineapple samples. Most odor active contributors were methyl and ethyl 2-methyl butanoate and 2,5-dimethyl 4-methoxy 3(2H)-furanone (mesifuran). Aroma profile components did not vary along the fruit, but volatile compounds content significantly varied (P < 0.05) along the fruit, from 7560 to 10910 μg/kg, from the top to the bottom cross-sections of the fruit, respectively. In addition, most odor-active volatiles concentration increased from the top to the bottom 3rd of the fruit, concurrently with soluble solids content (SSC) and titratable acidity (TA) differences attributed to fruitlets distinct degree of ripening. Large changes in SSC/TA ratio and volatiles content throughout the fruit found through this study are likely to provoke important differences among individual fresh-cut pineapple trays, compromising consumer perception and acceptance of the product. Such finding highlighted the need to include volatiles content and SSC/TA ratio and their variability along the fruit as selection criteria for pineapples to be processed and quality assessment of the fresh-cut fruit.     

无损检测光动力杀菌鲜切苹果气味及糖度

目的利用电子鼻及高光谱成像无损检测技术评价光动力杀菌对鲜切苹果气味及糖度的影响。方法通过电子鼻,基于雷达图、负荷加载(loadings)和主成分分析(principal components analysis,PCA)评价光动力处理鲜切苹果风味变化。卷积平滑(Savitzkye-Golay,S-G)和多元散射矫正(multiplicative signal correction,MSC)预处理高光谱数据,以偏最小二乘法建立糖度数学模型。结果鲜切苹果贮藏8 d后挥发性物质增加,其中2、8号传感器在区分其香气成分中起关键作用,结果显示光动力处理对鲜切苹果气味影响较小。高光谱S-G模型拟合效果较好,预测均方根误差为0.5320,相关系数r为0.8452,且光动力处理有助于维持其贮藏前期可溶性糖分含量。结论电子鼻及高光谱技术可以无损检测鲜切果蔬品质,可为光动力处理作为新型非热杀菌技术在鲜切果蔬保鲜的应用提供理论参考。     

Effects of mannan-oligosaccharide and Bacillus subtilis supplementation to preweaning Holstein dairy heifers on body weight gain,diarrhea, and shedding of fecal pathogens

The objective of this clinical trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotic, prebiotic, and synbiotic supplementation on average daily weight gain (ADG), duration of diarrhea, age at incidence of diarrhea, fecal shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts, enteric pathogens, and the odds of pneumonia in preweaning dairy heifer calves on a commercial dairy. Feeding prebiotics and probiotics may improve health and production of calves. Hence, healthy Holstein heifer calves (n = 1,801) from a large California dairy were enrolled at 4 to 12 h of age and remained in this study until weaning at 60 d of age. Calves were block randomized to 1 of 4 treatments: (1) control, (2) yeast culture enriched with mannan-oligosaccharide (prebiotic), (3) Bacillus subtilis (probiotic), and (4) combination of both products (synbiotic), which were fed in milk twice daily from enrollment until weaning. Serum total protein at enrollment and body weight at 7, 42, and 56 d of age were measured. Fecal consistency was assessed daily for the entire preweaning period. A subgroup of 200 calves had fecal samples collected at 7, 14, 21, and 42 d for microbial culture and enumeration of Cryptosporidium oocysts by direct fluorescent antibody staining. Synbiotic-treated calves had 19 g increased ADG compared with control calves for overall ADG, from 7 to 56 d. From 42 to 56 d, prebiotic-treated calves had 85 g greater ADG and synbiotic-treated calves had 78 g greater ADG than control calves. There was no difference in duration of the first diarrhea episode, hazard of diarrhea, or odds of pneumonia per calf with treatment. Probiotic-treated calves had 100 times lower fecal shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts at 14 d and prebiotic-treated calves had fewer Escherichia coli and pathogenic E. coli at 42 d compared with control calves. Although there were no effects on duration of diarrhea or pneumonia incidence, greater ADG in the late preweaning period may reflect treatment effects on enteric pathogens during the rearing process. The decreased shedding of Cryptosporidium should reduce infectious pressure, environmental contamination, and public health risks from Cryptosporidium. Our findings suggest ADG and potential health benefits for calves fed prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics and can help the dairy industry make informed decisions on the use of these products in dairy production.     

Quality and antioxidant capacity of fresh‐cut apple wedges enriched with honey by vacuum impregnation

The effect of vacuum impregnation (VI) of fresh‐cut apple wedges with honey, in presence and absence of a browning inhibitor on physicochemical, sensory and antioxidant properties over 7 days of storage at 2–4 °C was studied. Infusion of wedges with honey resulted in very little weight change indicating loss of internal water and ingress of honey carbohydrates into the wedges, hence the correlation coefficients with soluble solids content (r = ?0.91) and dry matter (r = ?0.77). Water infused samples showed the highest water uptake resulting in an increase in weight of 30%. Browning (P < 0.001) and firmness (P < 0.001) of apple wedges were the quality parameters most affected by VI. Samples dipped in browning inhibitor prior AS1 showed slightly better performance than undipped wedges with regard to browning and firmness. Total phenol content and antioxidant activity were significantly (P < 0.001) lower for honey infused apple wedges.