Effects of type of packaging material on shelf-life of fresh broccoli by means of changes in weight,colour and texture

Five polymeric films were studied to determine their ability to retain the colour, weight and texture of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. Italica Monterey). The materials were oriented polypropylene (OPP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and two different low-density polyethylenes (LDPE), one of which contained a sachet reported to absorb ethylene. The broccoli was packaged and stored at 4 and 10 °C for 4 weeks. The weight, colour, chlorophyll content and texture were monitored during storage as well as O₂ and CO₂ concentrations inside the packages. Packaging prolonged the broccoli shelf-life by up to 14 days. The shelf-life varied depending on the packaging material and quality parameter considered. The atmosphere was modified inside the packages; however, no package provided the recommended atmosphere (O₂ 1–2% and CO₂ 5–10%) for broccoli. Packaging in OPP resulted in the highest CO₂ concentration, 6%, while the lowest O₂ concentration, 9%, was created in the LDPE package without a sachet for ethylene absorption. Storage in LDPE without ethylene absorber resulted in the overall longest shelf-life. Broccoli stored in PVC deteriorated faster than broccoli packaged in the other materials. The influence of packaging material was greater at the higher temperature.     

Shelf life of ready‐to‐cook cauliflower mixtures as affected by packaging film mass transport properties

In this work, the influence of packaging mass transport properties on quality loss of fresh‐cut cauliflower mixtures was addressed. The study was organised in two subsequent experimental steps; first, the selection of micro‐perforated packaging films was carried out by monitoring the package headspace gas concentrations of fresh‐cut white, green cauliflower and roman cabbage. Then, the effects of the barrier properties of the selected micro‐perforated film on shelf life of two different fresh‐cut cauliflower mixtures, stored at 4 ± 1 °C, were addressed. Results suggested that, among the investigated films, the micro‐perforated polymeric matrix with the lowest oxygen transmission rate value showed the best performance as it created the optimum headspace gas composition for each cauliflower variety, as well as, for the product mixtures. The appearance of visible moulds was the factor limiting product shelf life that accounted for about 18 days for both the investigated cauliflower mixtures.     

Shelf life of fresh‐cut green beans as affected by packaging systems

To reduce quality loss of fresh‐cut green beans, different packaging systems were studied. In particular, samples were packaged in micro‐perforated and no‐perforated films and stored at 5 °C; unpackaged fresh‐cut green beans were also stored at the same temperature as the control. Headspace gas concentrations, mass loss, sensory quality and microbial proliferation were monitored for about 3 weeks. Results confirmed that selection of proper packaging is of crucial importance to create conditions able to guarantee the maintenance of product quality. Shelf life of fresh‐cut green beans packaged in the no‐perforated film (polyethylene, 25 μm) and in two micro‐perforated films (polypropylene films with 7 and 4 micro‐holes per package) was higher (19.2, 18.13 and 17.7 days, respectively) than that of the control or samples packaged in the micro‐perforated film with 12 micro‐holes per package (16.5 days).     

Evaluation the quality characteristics of wheat flour and shelf-life of fresh noodles as affected by ozone treatment

In this study, the effects of ozone treatment on the microorganism mortality in wheat flour and shelf-life of fresh noodles were investigated, as well as the physicochemical properties of wheat flour and textural qualities of cooked noodles. Results showed that the total plate count (TPC) can be largely reduced in wheat flour exposed to ozone gas for 30 min and 60 min. Whiteness of flour and noodle sheet, dough stability, and peak viscosity of wheat starch were all increased by ozone treatment. Free cysteine content in wheat flour was shown to decrease significantly (P < 0.05) as the treatment time increased and remarkable protein aggregates were observed in both reduced and non-reduced SDS–PAGE patterns. In addition, ozone treated noodles were generally higher in firmness, springiness, and chewiness, while lower in adhesiveness. Microbial growth and darkening rate of fresh noodles made from ozone treated flour were delayed significantly.     

Quality and safety aspects of meat products as affected by various physical manipulations of packaging materials

This article explores the effects of physically manipulated packaging materials on the quality and safety of meat products. Recently, innovative measures for improving quality and extending the shelf-life of packaged meat products have been developed, utilizing technologies including barrier film, active packaging, nanotechnology, microperforation, irradiation, plasma and far-infrared ray (FIR) treatments. Despite these developments, each technology has peculiar drawbacks which will need to be addressed by meat scientists in the future. To develop successful meat packaging systems, key product characteristics affecting stability, environmental conditions during storage until consumption, and consumers' packaging expectations must all be taken into consideration. Furthermore, the safety issues related to packaging materials must also be taken into account when processing, packaging and storing meat products.     

Shelf life of fresh-cut Cime di rapa (Brassica rapa L.) as affected by packaging

In this work, the effectiveness of different packaging in prolonging the shelf life of fresh-cut Cime di rapa (Brassica rapa L.) was addressed. Two subsequent experimental trials were run to investigate first the ability of different packaging materials (an oriented polypropylene, a blend of biodegradable polyesters and a nylon/polyethylene multilayer) in delaying the quality loss and then to assess the efficacy of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Two different combinations of gas were investigated, oxygen 10%, carbon dioxide 2% and nitrogen 88%, noted as MAP1 and oxygen 8%, carbon dioxide 2% and nitrogen 90%, noted as MAP2. Headspace gas concentration, weight loss, spoilage microbial growth, pH and sensorial quality were monitored in both sets of experiments. The results demonstrated that the best performances under ordinary atmosphere were recorded with the oriented polypropylene-based film, justifying the choice of this polymeric material in the second set-up. The tested MAPs exerted somewhat different results on product quality: the samples packaged under MAP1 recorded a shelf life of 14 days limited by visible moulds, whereas, fresh-cut leaves sealed under MAP2 highlighted a shelf life less than 9 days, due to a high proliferation of total mesophilic bacteria.     

Antioxidant properties of tomato juice as affected by heating

The changes in the overall antioxidant properties of tomato juice samples and model solutions as a consequence of heat treatments were studied. The antioxidant properties were evaluated both through the measurement of the chain breaking and the oxygen scavenging activities. While a decrease in the antioxidant potential was found for short heat treatments, a recovery of these properties was measured by prolonging heating times. Results suggested that the initial reduction in the overall antioxidant activity can be attributed not only to the thermal degradation of naturally occurring antioxidants but also to the formation of early Maillard reaction products (MRP) with pro‐oxidant properties. The gain in antioxidant activity coincided with the formation of brown MRP. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Nitrite-embedded packaging film effects on fresh and frozen beef color development and stability as influenced by meat age and muscle type

Muscles (Longissimus lumborum, LL; Psoas major, PM, semitendinosus, ST) were aged (2, 9 d postmortem), cut into steaks, anaerobically packaged (nitrite-embedded film, NEF), and displayed (fresh, 19 d; frozen, 39 d). Fresh NEF increased (P < 0.05) in redness (first 48 h). Upon opening fresh NEF (d 6) and overwrapping in PVC film, redness declined (P < 0.05). NEF cooked LL had more red surface compared to non-NEF. Meat age influenced NEF color. Intact NEF maintained acceptable red color throughout display. Residual nitrite and nitrate associated with fresh NEF and nitrate in NEF cooked LL were found (P < 0.05) in the outer layer. Consideration should be given to providing sufficient time for nitric oxide myoglobin development when using NEF which may be influenced by meat age and muscle differences. NEF packaging has potential to extend fresh beef color display life. NEF appears to offer the opportunity to display bright red beef in frozen display by limiting typical effects of photooxidation.     

Internal quality and antioxidants content of cold-stored red sweet peppers as affected by polyethylene bag packaging and hot water treatment

Physical (weight, firmness) and compositional (sugars, organic acids, ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds and carotenoids) changes of red sweet peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) were monitored during 21 days of cold storage (at 7.5 °C); fruits were stored without packaging, packaged in low density polyethylene bags, or after hot water dipping (53 °C for 4 min) and packaging. Packaging prevented water loss, and preserved the firmness of the fresh product. Sugars (fructose and glucose) content was practically constant throughout the whole storage time, for all treatments. A moderate accumulation of citric acid was observed during storage, but no marked effects of packaging and hot water dipping on citric and malic acid content. Ascorbic acid content slightly increased in unpackaged and packaged fruits, but not in treated+packaged peppers. Hydroxycinnamics total content seemed not to be affected by cold storage, packaging or hot water treatment, whereas glycosylated flavonoids showed somewhat lowered levels during storage, particularly in the case of unpackaged and packaged+treated fruits. Regarding carotenoids content, the effect of the considered storage conditions seemed to be much smaller than that due to ripening stage. Provitamin A content showed an increasing trend in unpackaged and packaged fruits; packaged+treated peppers were characterised by a lower retention of provitamin A and a higher level of capsanthin and cucurbitaxanthin A with respect to not treated fruits. On the whole, packaging and hot water treatment did not produce noticeable adverse effects on the majority of the examined compositional quality parameters.     

Quality properties of fruits as affected by drying operation

The increasing consumption of dried fruits requires further attention on the quality parameters. Drying has become necessary because most fruits are highly perishable owing to their high moisture content and the need to make them available all year round and at locations where they are not produced. In addition to preservation, the reduced weight and bulk of dehydrated products decreases packaging, handling and transportation costs. Quality changes associated with drying of fruit products include physical, sensory, nutritional, and microbiological. Drying gives rise to low or moderate glycemic index (GI) products with high calorie, vitamin and mineral contents. This review examines the nutritional benefits of dried fruits, protective compounds present in dried fruits, GI, overview of some fruit drying methods and effects of drying operations on the quality properties such as shrinkage, porosity, texture, color, rehydration, effective moisture diffusivity, nutritional, sensory, microbiological and shelf stability of fruits.     

Physicochemical and pasting properties of maize as affected by storage temperature

Maize grains are used as raw material in various food products. In countries where the production is seasonal, the grains must be stored throughout the year in order to provide sufficient maize supply for the food industries and consumers. During storage, the environmental temperature is considered as one of the most critical variables that affects grain quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of various storage temperatures (5, 15, 25 and 35 °C) on the proximate composition, pH, fat acidity, percentage of grains infected by molds, grain color, protein solubility and pasting properties of maize stored for 12 months. Grains stored at 35 °C during the 12 months period showed the greatest decrease in grain yellowness, pH, protein solubility and breakdown viscosity. An increase in disulfide bonds within the protein structure and interaction between starch and non-starch components seems to be responsible for the changes in protein solubility and pasting properties determined in maize during the storage period. Fat acidity and the percentage of grains infected by visible molds were concluded to be very dependent of moisture content. The result of this study demonstrated that the minimum temperature of 5 °C was able to maintain the quality of maize stored for up 12 months.     

Peanut protein concentrate: Production and functional properties as affected by processing

Peanut protein concentrate (PPC) was isolated from fermented and unfermented defatted peanut flour by isoelectric precipitation and physical separation procedures. PPC was dried by spray or vacuum drying. PPC powders from each drying technique were evaluated for proximate composition and functional properties (protein solubility, water/oil binding capacity, emulsifying capacity, foaming capacity and viscosity) along with defatted peanut flour and soy protein isolate as references. PPC contained over 85% protein versus 50% protein in the defatted peanut flour used as raw material for PPC production. PPC had a solubility profile similar to that of peanut flour, with minimum solubility observed at pH 3.5–4.5 and maximum solubility at pH 10 and higher. Roasting of peanut reduced all functional properties of defatted peanut flour while fermentation had the reverse effect. The type of drying significantly affected the functional properties of PPC. Spray dried PPCs exhibited better functional properties, particularly emulsifying capacity and foaming capacity, than vacuum oven dried PPC. Spray dried PPCs also showed comparable oil binding and foaming capacity to commercially available soy protein isolate (SPC). At equivalent concentrations and room temperature, PPC suspension exhibited lower viscosity than soy protein isolate (SPI) suspensions. However, upon heating to 90 °C for 30 min, the viscosity of PPC suspension increased sharply. Results obtained from this study suggest that the PPC could be used in food formulations requiring high emulsifying capacity, but would not be suitable for applications requiring high water retention and foaming capacity. PPC could be a good source of protein fortification for a variety of food products for protein deficient consumers in developing countries as well as a functional ingredient for the peanut industry. The production of PPC could also add value to defatted peanut flour, a low value by-product of peanut oil production.     

Physicochemical,functional, thermal and structural properties of isolated Kabuli chickpea proteins as affected by processing approaches

Kabuli chickpea seeds were processed by soaking only and soaking followed either by pressure cooking or roasting. Proteins were isolated from both raw and processed seeds, and the effects of these processing approaches on the physicochemical, functional, thermal and structural properties as well as SDS‐PAGE profiles of the protein isolates were investigated. Thermal processes significantly (P < 0.05) decreased protein yield, content, colour difference, emulsifying properties and protein solubility of the protein isolates, but increased lightness and water and oil absorption capacities. Protein thermal properties, secondary structure and SDS‐PAGE banding patterns were significantly changed in thermal‐processed samples, especially those that were pressure cooked. No endothermic peak was detected in differential scanning calorimetry thermograms, and peak intensity of amide I absorption band at 1600–1700 cm^?1 in Fourier transform infrared spectra reduced. The results reveal that pressure cooking had more pronounced effects on the properties of the protein isolates than other processing approaches.     

Chitosan/clay films' properties as affected by biopolymer and clay micro/nanoparticles' concentrations

Blends of chitosan (from Cuban lobster) and clay micro/nanoparticles were prepared by dispersion of the clay particles in the film matrix and the films obtained were characterized in terms of water solubility, water vapor, oxygen and carbon dioxide permeability, optical, mechanical and thermal properties using an Instron universal testing machine, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analyses and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The water vapor barrier properties of the films were significantly improved by incorporation of clay in their composition, while the water solubility decreased as the clay concentration increased (for a constant chitosan concentration). The tensile strength of chitosan/clay films increased significantly with increasing chitosan and clay concentrations, while the values of elongation decreased slightly for high values of chitosan concentration. T_m increased with the increase of chitosan concentration, but the changes in T_m with the addition of clay were not significant.Polynomial models were fitted to the experimental data in order to facilitate future design of chitosan/clay film systems.     

Processing properties of yogurt as affected by the EPS produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides XR1

The aim of this study was to examine the fermentation characteristics of a novel Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain (XR1) and to investigate the effect of XR1 exopolysaccharides (EPS) on the microstructure, texture and rheological properties of yoghurt. The novel Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain (XR1) was isolated from wild kefir grains obtained from Xinjiang Province. The results showed that XR1 had good EPS production capacity and favourable fermentation performance. The addition of XR1 EPS to fermented milk effectively improved the water-holding capacity (WHC) of the fermented milk and changed its microstructure. In subsequent fermentation studies, the XR1 strain was found to be a compatible strain, and the steric barrier formed between XR1 EPS and the fermented milk proteins enhanced its viscoelastic properties. Rheology studies indicated that fermented milk supplemented with EPS possessed a higher modulus (G’, G’’ ) and complex viscosity. Thus, these results indicate that XR1 EPS are useful as a natural organic additive that can replace chemical additives in dairy products.     

Chemical and electrophoretic properties of Holstein cow milk as affected by somatic cell count

Chemical and electrophoretic properties of raw milk samples with different somatic cell counts (SCCs)(<200 000, 200 000–800 000 and >800 000 cells/mL) were determined. Milk was analysed for fat, lactose, total nitrogen (TN), non‐casein nitrogen (NCN), ratio of casein nitrogen to total nitrogen (CN/TN), pH, titratable acidity (TA), solid‐non‐fat (SNF), total solid (TS), the amount of α _s ‐casein and β‐casein. Milk SCC had no significant effect (P ≥ 0.05) on fat and TN. An increase in the SCC resulted in an increase in pH and NCN content, and a significant decrease in lactose, TA, SNF, CN/TN, α_s‐casein and β‐casein. Milk quality of Holstein dairy cattle deteriorate due to higher proteolytic activity associated with high SCC.     

Shelf‐life characteristics of fresh oysters and ground beef as affected by bacteriocin‐coated plastic packaging film

Fresh oysters and ground beef were wrapped in antimicrobial films coated with a bacteriocin (nisin or lacticin NK24) incorporated into a polyamide binder layer. The packaged foods were stored at 3 and 10 °C and changes in counts of total aerobic bacteria and coliform bacteria were monitored together with appropriate quality attributes in order to determine the influence of the bacteriocin‐coated films on quality preservation and shelf‐life extension. Compared to plain low‐density polyethylene film, plastic films with incorporated bacteriocins slowed down microbial growth on packaged oysters and ground beef at both temperatures, contributed in some degree to the preservation of chemical quality and extended shelf‐life significantly. The effects of the antimicrobial films on the suppression of coliform bacterial growth were more pronounced at 10 than at 3 °C , while the effects on total aerobic bacteria were consistently evident at both temperatures. There was no difference in food quality preservation between the two types of antimicrobial film. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Physicochemical and sensory properties of healthier frankfurters as affected by walnut and fat content

This study evaluates the physicochemical and sensory properties of healthier frankfurters with 25% added walnut (WF) versus low-fat frankfurters (6% pork fat) (LF) and traditional frankfurters (18% pork fat) (NF). Results reveal that cooking losses were unaffected (p ? 0.05) by the formulation of frankfurters. The addition of walnut led to higher (p < 0.05) redness and yellowness values, while colour parameters did not differ significantly between LF and NF sausages. Frankfurters with added walnut (WF) presented higher (p < 0.05) hardness and chewiness values than LF and NF frankfurters. Differences in composition were also accompanied by changes in the microstructure of the gel/emulsions. Frankfurters with added walnut presented a flavour significantly different from meat and scored lower (p < 0.05) on texture preferences. However, all frankfurters scored the same for overall acceptability.     

Changes in functional properties of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) myofibrillar protein as affected by ultrasound-assisted freezing

Ultrasound-assisted freezing (UF) has proven to be a method that can effectively increase the freezing rate of frozen food and improve its quality. The functional properties of myofibrillar proteins (MP) are important factors that affect the further processing quality of meat products. At present, the effect of UF on the functional properties of frozen MP is not yet clear. Therefore, in the present study, changes in the functional properties (emulsifying and gel properties) of MP in common carps (Cyprinus carpio) frozen with UF at different power levels were investigated. The results revealed that, compared with immersion freezing (IF), UF at 175 W (UF-175) effectively inhibited the decrease in protein solubility, absolute Zeta potential, emulsion activity index, storage modulus (G'), and loss modulus (G'') caused by freezing. UF-175 sample had lower protein turbidity, and smaller protein particle size than any other frozen samples (P < 0.05), which suggested that UF-175 inhibited protein aggregation induced by freezing. In addition, shorter T₂₁ and T₂₂ relaxation times were obtained in UF-175 sample than other frozen samples, indicating that UF-175 reduced the mobility of immobilized and free water. Accordingly, UF-175 sample had higher gel strength and water holding capacity than other frozen samples (P < 0.05). A denser and more uniform gel network structure was also found in UF-175 sample than other frozen samples. In general, improved functional properties of common carp MP can be achieved by optimal UF.