Quality and shelf life evaluation of fermented sausages of buffalo meat with different levels of heart and fat

Investigations were carried to study the effect of heart incorporation (0%, 15% and 20%) and increasing levels of fat (20% and 25%) on physicochemical (pH, moisture content and thiobarbituric acid, TBA number) and microbiological (total plate count and yeast and mold count) quality and shelf life of semi dry sausages of buffalo meat during refrigerated storage (4 °C). Different levels of fat significantly (p < 0.05) increased the pH of the sausage samples. However different levels of heart incorporation did not significantly (p < 0.05) affect pH, moisture content and TBA number of sausage samples. Fresh samples had pH, moisture content and TBA number in the range of 5.15–5.28, 42.4–47.4% and 0.073–0.134 respectively. Refrigerated storage significantly (p < 0.05) increased TBA number of control samples while storage did not significantly (p < 0.05) increase the TBA number of sodium ascorbate (SA) treated samples. Total plate counts of twelve sausage samples were f under the TFTC (too few to count) limit at the initial stage. Incorporation of different levels of heart and also increasing levels of fat did not significantly (p < 0.05) increase the log TPC/g values. Yeast and molds were not detected in twelve samples of semi dry fermented sausages in their fresh condition. Storage revealed that there was a consistent decrease in pH, and moisture content. Refrigerated storage significantly (p < 0.05) reduced both pH and moisture contents. TBA number and total plate counts and yeast and mold counts of controls were found to increase significantly (p < 0.05) during refrigerated storage. However, in SA treated sausage, only TPC and yeast and mold count significantly (p < 0.05) increased during refrigerated storage. Shelf life of the sausages was found to be 60 days under refrigerated storage (4 °C).     

Comparison of the compositional, microbiological, biochemical and volatile profile characteristics of three Italian PDO fermented sausages

Three Italian PDO fermented sausages, Varzi, Brianza and Piacentino, were compared for compositional, microbiological, biochemical and volatile profile characteristics. Mean values for the gross composition varied especially due to moisture, fat, total protein and nitrate concentration which reflected differences in the ingredients and some technological parameters. Cell numbers of the major microbial groups were almost similar among sausages. The major differences were found for Brochothrix thermosphacta, enterococci and moulds. Apart from their use as starters, Lactobacillus sakei and Lactobacillus curvatus were the dominant lactic acid bacteria and, as well as Staphylococcus xylosus, dominated the population of coagulase-negative staphylococci. Sausages differed for the hydrolysis of myofibrillar proteins and secondary proteolysis. Varzi, the sausage subjected to prolonged fermentation at 23–25 °C for 10 days before ripening, showed the highest degree of secondary proteolysis. Varzi and Brianza, the two fermented sausages manufactured by using microbial starters, showed the highest concentration and similar profiles of free amino acids. The peptidase activities contained in the aqueous extracts agreed with the above findings. A total of 52 volatile components, mainly alcohols, aldehydes and terpenes, were identified by solid-phase micro-extraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. The volatile profiles of the three Italian PDO fermented sausages differed in part and, except for terpenes, the highest levels of the other chemical classes were found in Varzi and Brianza sausages. The composition of free fatty acids of the three Italian PDO sausages was rather similar. Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were found at the highest relative percentage followed by saturated (SFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids. Oleic, palmitic, linoleic and stearic were the main free fatty acids found in all fermented sausages.     

The antioxidant properties of baechu-kimchi and freeze-dried kimchi-powder in fermented sausages

The antioxidant properties of baechu-kimchi in fermented sausages were evaluated by investigating its effect on the changes in total free fatty acid content, peroxide value, and TBARS during ripening. The conditions for its antioxidant effectiveness were optimized in a model system (beaker sausages). For this, the conditions of added kimchi – form (kimchi and freeze-dried kimchi-powder), fermentation temperature (7 and 20 °C) and concentrations (5%, 10% and 15%) – were varied. The results were compared with that of the control without kimchi. According to the evolution of peroxide value and TBARS, the addition of 5% and 10% kimchi clearly indicated retardation of the development of lipid oxidation. However, an increase in the amount of kimchi added caused a prooxidant effect. The antioxidant effect of kimchi has been found to be dependant on its fermentation temperature as the batches treated with kimchi fermented at 20 °C displayed better protection against the formation of oxidative products than those fermented at 7 °C. Kimchi-powder did not show any antioxidant properties.     

Quality characteristics of Chinese sausages made from PSE pork

Chinese sausages made from normal and different levels of PSE pork (100% Normal, 50%Normal+50% PSE and 100% PSE) were vacuum-packaged and stored at 4 °C for 45 days. The composition, processing yield, pH value, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value, water activity, lactic acid bacteria counts and sensory properties of the meat products were evaluated. PSE pork loins had lower pH value, water holding capacity, moisture, fat and myofibrillar proteins content, but higher L^* value, drip loss and protein content than normal pork. Sausages made from 100% PSE pork had lower pH value, processing yield, moisture and fat content, but higher protein content than those of the 100% Normal and the 50% Normal+50% PSE treatments. Water activity was higher in the 100% PSE treatment than in other treatments. No differences in lactic acid bacterial counts among these treatments were observed. The pH values and water activity of the meat samples decreased, while lactic acid bacterial counts increased with storage time. TBA values among these treatments were not significantly different; however, the increase% of TBA values was higher for the 100% PSE treatment. TBA values of all treatments remained relatively low during storage. Chinese sausages made with 50–100% PSE pork had lower sensory texture, flavor and overall acceptability scores than the control samples, but were of acceptable quality.     

Effect of fat level and partial replacement of pork backfat with olive oil on processing and quality characteristics of fermented sausages

Six formulations of dry fermented sausages were produced in three replications with three initial fat levels (30, 20 and 10%) and two levels (0 and 20%) of pork backfat replacing olive oil. After 4 weeks of fermentation and ripening the fat content of the treatments with 30, 20 and 10% fat level ranged from 38.86 to 43.60%, 25.56 to 26.86% and 19.01 to 20.14%, respectively. Fat level affected (P<0.05) the weight losses, the chemical composition, the Gram −ve bacterial count, the lightness, the texture and the appearance of fermented sausages. Replacing 20% of pork backfat by olive oil affected (P<0.05) the lightness and yellowness of sausages. Fat-reduced sausages without olive oil and low-fat sausages with olive oil had the highest score for odour and taste. However, the appearance of fat-reduced sausages was just acceptable while that of low-fat sausages was unacceptable, because the surface was intensively wrinkled and case hardening had developed. Further research is needed to improve the appearance of these sausages.     

Effects of protein and fat levels in milk on Cheddar cheese yield

Over a 14-month period, bulk tank milk was collected twice a week and was adjusted with cream and skim milk powder to provide six levels each of fat and protein varying from 3·0 to 4·0%. Milk samples were analyzed for total solids, fat, protein, casein, lactose and somatic cell count and were used for laboratory-scale cheesemaking. Data obtained from the milk input and the cheese output were used to determine actual, moisture adjusted, theoretical yield, and efficiency of yield. Least squares analyses of data indicated that higher cheese yields were obtained from higher fat and protein contents in milk. Higher yield efficiency was associated with higher ratios of protein to fat and casein to fat. Regression analysis indicated that a percentage increase in fat content in milk resulted in an increase of 1·23–1·37% in moisture adjusted yield in the different protein levels. For a similar increase of protein in milk, there were 1·80–2·04% increase in moisture adjusted yields in different fat levels.     

Meat quality characteristics of springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis). 2: Chemical composition of springbok meat as influenced by age, gender and production region

The effects of age, gender and production region on the chemical, mineral and amino acid composition of the M. longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle of springbok were investigated. There was a significant gender^*region interaction for protein content – for the four production regions it varied between 18.80 and 21.16 g/100 g. The intramuscular fat (IMF) content of the LD muscle varied between 1.32 and 3.46 g/100 g. Females (3.13 ± 0.28 g/100 g) had a higher (P < 0.05) fat content than males (1.35 ± 0.08 g/100 g). The IMF content of the adult (2.45 ± 0.26 g/100 g) and sub-adult (2.50 ± 0.28 g/100 g) categories was higher (P < 0.05) in comparison to that of the lambs (1.32 ± 0.11 g/100 g). An inverse correlation was noted between the IMF and moisture content (r = −0.49, P < 0.001) of the meat. The two main amino acids were glutamic and aspartic acid, which contributed 2.47–2.74 and 2.31–2.54 g/100 g of dry matter, respectively. Phosphorous was the predominant mineral in the LD muscle (122.92–159.78 mg/100 g of dry matter), followed by potassium (119.44–131.25 mg/100 g of dry matter) and calcium (6.57–145.18 mg/100 g of dry matter). Production region had a significant effect on the mineral and amino acid composition of the meat, while the effects of age and gender were found to be insignificant.     

Impact of sorbitol on the thermostability and heat-induced gelation of bovine serum albumin

The influence of sorbitol (0–40 wt.%) on the thermal denaturation and gelation of bovine serum albumin (BSA, pH 7.0) in aqueous solution has been studied. The effect of sorbitol on heat denaturation of 0.5 wt.% BSA solutions was measured using ultrasensitive differential scanning calorimetry. The unfolding process was irreversible and was characterized by the thermal denaturation temperature (T_m). As the sorbitol concentration increased from 0 to 40 wt.%, T_m increased from 73.0 to 80.9 °C. The rise in T_m was attributed to the increased thermal stability of the globular state of BSA relative to its native state. The dynamic shear rheology of 4 wt.% BSA solutions containing 200 mM NaCl was monitored as they were heated from 30 to 90 °C at 1.5 °C min⁻¹, held at 90 °C for 120 min, and then cooled back to 30 °C at −1.5 °C min⁻¹. Sorbitol increased the protein gelation temperature (ΔT_gel +10 °C for 40 wt.% sorbitol), decreased the isothermal gelation rate at 90 °C, but increased the final shear modulus of the gels cooled to 30 °C. The impact of sorbitol on gel characteristics was attributed to its ability to increase protein thermal stability, increase the attractive force between proteins and decrease the protein–protein collision frequency.     

Effect of the addition of pancreatic lipase on the ripening of dry-fermented sausages - Part 2. Free fatty acids, short-chain fatty acids, carbonyls and sensory quality

The effect of the addition of nine different amounts (3–500 units) of pancreatic lipase on the composition of free fatty acids (FFA), short-chain fatty acids and carbonyls, as well as the sensory quality, has been studied on dry fermented sausages. The lipase produced a greater release of all fatty acids in relation to the control sausages. The greater the pancreatic lipase content, the higher the release of these fatty acids, the most important ones being myristic, palmitoleic and oleic acids. A lower release of linoleic acid was observed, probably because of its oxidative degradation. At the end of the ripening in all lipase-added batches, a clear increase of the carbonyl content was noticed in relation to conventional sausages. No consistent changes were observed in the short-chain fatty acid fraction. In the sensory evaluation, the highest significant differences (P < 0·01) between control sausages and lipase-added batches were observed when 60 and 90 lipase units were used. According to the chemical and sensory analyses, it can be concluded that the addition of 60 and 90 units to sausages seems to be useful to enhanced the flavour of these products.     

脂代果蔬/鹿肉复合发酵香肠加工特性与工艺优化

制备具有营养保健功能的脂代果蔬/鹿肉复合发酵香肠,以乳化植物油取代原料中常用的动物脂肪,研究其加工特性与工艺优化。利用不同种类乳化植物油,对果蔬/鹿肉复合发酵香肠中的猪肉脂肪进行不同比例的取代,通过比较感官特性和碘值,得到植物油脂取代的最佳比例;通过发酵工艺单因素试验,研究发酵温度、发酵时间和菌种用量对脂代果蔬/鹿肉复合发酵香肠p H值、碘值和蛋白质的影响;利用中心复合试验设计,以碘值为评价指标,优化出脂代果蔬/鹿肉复合发酵香肠最佳发酵工艺参数为油脂取代量70%、发酵温度28℃、发酵时间23.7 h、菌种用量0.94%;通过脂代发酵香肠水分含量与质构特性的相关性研究,建立了水分含量和持水性的线性回归模型。     

Modeling of growth and bacteriocin production by Leuconostoc mesenteroides E131

Leuconostoc mesenteroides E131, isolated from dry fermented sausages, produces an antimicrobial agent, characterized as bacteriocin. The effect of pH and temperature on growth and bacteriocin production, using MRS broth as growth medium, was studied in a fermentor. The pH value at which the best cell growth was observed (6.5) did not coincided with the value at which the maximum bacteriocin activity was attained (5.5). In contrast, the maximum bacteriocin activity was attained at temperature (25 °C) close to the optimum temperature for cell growth (25–30 °C). Notably, the range of pH and temperature for good bacteriocin production was within the range used for sausage fermentation. An empirical model was developed to describe the growth and bacteriocin production in different pH and temperature conditions. The model was able to describe growth and bacteriocin production and it could be used to predict the kinetic parameters of growth and bacteriocin production within the pH and temperature range examined.     

Sensory acceptability of slow fermented sausages based on fat content and ripening time

Low fat dry fermented sausages were manufactured using controlled ripening conditions and a slow fermented process. The effect of fat content and ripening time on the chemical, colour, texture parameters and sensory acceptability was studied. The fat reduction in slow fermented sausages produced an increase in the pH decline during the first stage of the process that was favoured by the higher water content of the low fat sausages. Fat reduction did not affect the external appearance and there was an absence of defects but lower fat content resulted in lower sausage lightness. The sausage texture in low fat sausages caused an increase in chewiness and at longer ripening times, an increase in hardness. The sensory acceptability of the fermented sausages analyzed by internal preference mapping depended on the different preference patterns of consumers. A group of consumers preferred sausages with high and medium fat content and high ripening time. The second group of consumers preferred sausages with low ripening time regardless of fat content except for the appearance, for which these consumers preferred sausages of high ripening time. Finally, the limit to produce high acceptability low fat fermented sausages was 16% fat content in the raw mixture that is half the usual content of dry fermented sausages.     

羊肉发酵干香肠在成熟和贮藏过程中感官指标的变化及其相关性

试验通过接种复合发酵剂和添加天然香辛料,采用相同的工艺条件生产4组羊肉发酵香肠,1组为对照组(CO),2组为接种发酵剂组(SC),3组为发酵剂+黑胡椒组(SC+BP),4组为发酵剂+黑胡椒+孜然组(SC+BP+C)。采集成熟后(第7天)及贮藏过程(第14天、第21天和第35天)各组发酵香肠进行感官评价,结果建立了色泽、风味、组织状态和滋味与整体可接受性之间的线性模型公式为Y=0.08X1+0.147X2+0.222X3+0.836X4(R2=0.999),感官特性权重依次为滋味>组织状态>风味>色泽,说明滋味对产品的品质具有决定性作用。发酵剂+黑胡椒(SC+BP)组和发酵剂+黑胡椒+孜然(SC+BP+C)组的色泽评分由于添加黑胡椒的原因,其色泽评分在成熟和贮藏期间一直低于对照组。试验发酵剂组(SC)的羊肉发酵香肠在贮藏2周(第21天)时,各项感官评分均明显高于对照组,而且试验组的膻味评分在贮藏过程中明显低于对照组,说明接种复合发酵剂对羊肉发酵香肠感官品质的提高有一定的作用。     

The effect of post-mortem ageing and heating on water retention in bovine muscles

The muscles semitendinosus (ST) and psoas major (PM) were removed from chilled young bull carcasses 24 h after slaughter and stored at 4 °C. At the 1st, 6th and 12th day of post-mortem ageing the chemical composition (moisture, fat, protein, collagen) and contents of free, immobilized and unfreezable water in the muscles were estimated. The muscle steaks were boiled at 100 °C, roasted at 170 °C or fried at 160 °C to an internal temperature of 75 °C, and the amounts of total, free, immobilized, and unfreezable water in heated muscles were evaluated. The unfreezable water was estimated by DSC. In the raw muscles immobilized water constituted 74–75%, free water 16.6–17.6% and unfreezable water 7–8% of the total water. Independent of time of ageing, PM muscle contained significantly more free water than ST muscle. During post-mortem ageing, changes in free, immobilized and unfreezable water in muscles were not significant. The level of free water was highest in boiled and least in fried meat, however the amount of immobilized water was highest in fried and lowest in boiled meat. The amount of unfreezable water in muscles heated after 12 days of post-mortem ageing decreased.     

Effects of protein and fat levels in milk on cheese and whey compositions

Bulk tank milk was standardised to six levels of fat (3·0, 3·2, 3·4, 3·6, 3·8, 4·0%) and similarly to six levels of protein, thus giving a total of 36 combinations in composition. Milk was analyzed for total solids, fat, protein, casein, lactose and somatic cell count and was used to make laboratory-scale cheese. Cheese samples from each batch were assayed for total solids, fat, protein and salt. Losses of milk components in the whey were also determined. Least squares analysis of data indicated that higher protein level in milk was associated with higher protein and lower fat contents in cheese. This was accompanied by lower total solids (higher moisture) in cheese. Inversely, higher fat level in milk gave higher fat and lower protein and moisture contents in cheese. Higher fat level in milk resulted in lower retention of fat in cheese and more fat losses in the whey. Higher protein level in milk gave higher fat retention in cheese and less fat losses in the whey. Regression analysis showed that cheese fat increased by 4·22%, while cheese protein decreased by 2·61% for every percentage increase in milk fat. Cheese protein increased by 2·35%, while cheese fat decreased by 6·14% per percentage increase in milk protein. Milk with protein to fat ratio close to 0·9 would produce a minimum of 50% fat in the dry matter of cheese.     

On-line prediction of chemical composition of semi-frozen ground beef by non-invasive NIR spectroscopy

The chemical composition of industrial scale batches of frozen beef was measured on-line during grinding by near infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy. The MM55E filter based non-contact NIR instrument was mounted at the outlet of a meat grinder, and the fat, moisture and protein contents determined from the average of each filter reading throughout the grinding of the batch. The filters were selected from full spectra measurements to be as insensitive to water crystallization as possible. For on-line calibration and prediction, 55 beef batches of 400–800 kg in the range of 7.66–22.91% fat, 59.36–71.48% moisture, and 17.04–20.76% protein, were ground through 4 or 13 mm hole plates. The regression results, presented as root mean square error of cross validation (RMSECV) were between 0.48 and 1.11% for fat, 0.43 and 0.97% for moisture and 0.41 and 0.47% for protein.     

Effect of selected yeast strains on the sensory properties of dry fermented sausages

This study examines the role of yeasts in the sensorial characteristics of dry fermented sausages. A total of 172 yeast strains were isolated from commercially obtained dry fermented sausages and their enzymatic activities studied. Those most active against meat proteins and pork fat were selected. Experimental sausages were manufactured and the yeasts inoculated onto the surface or into the mince. Control batches were manufactured similarly, but without inoculation. After ripening, the composition of the protein and lipid fractions were studied. The sensory properties of the products were evaluated by trained judges. Despite the enzymatic activity of the yeasts, the organoleptic characteristics of the sausages—irrespective of inoculation site—did not differ significantly from those of the controls. The influence of yeasts on the ripening of dry fermented sausages is, therefore, doubtful.     

Response of storage molds to different initial moisture contents of maize (corn) stored at 25 °C, and effect on respiration rate and nutrient composition

Maize was stored for 2 months in chambers maintained at 25 °C to simulate conditions observed in the central part of the “Corn Belt” of the United States when the grain warms because of high summertime temperatures after a period of winter storage. Maize was brought to three moisture contents (m.c.) within the range typically observed in farm and commercial storage, and was inoculated to simulate the amount of storage mold contamination typical of this situation. Certain of the experimental units were packed in insulation so that heat could accumulate within the grain masses to simulate hot spots. The wettest grain heated rapidly and became semi-anaerobic. The hot grain then dried rapidly, with the amount of moisture loss influenced by the ratio of water vapor pressures inside and outside the grain. The hot grain cooled and became more aerobic over time. New infections by storage molds, disappearance of viable field molds, development of kernel damage, and changes in atmospheric gases within the grain masses were correlated with the grain moisture or temperature and the rate at which the moisture and temperature changed. The rate of increase in new kernel damage was as high as 3.3% per week. Both the rate of respiration and the estimated ratio of starch to fat consumed were associated with the mean grain m.c. during the trial, and the estimated ratio of starch to fat consumed was in the range of 2.2/1–2.6/1 in the grain containing 16.6–18.2% m.c. That both fat and starch were consumed calls into question loss estimates based on starch metabolism alone. The fat content of the grain decreased more than 10% in some experimental units, but increased less than 5% in others. The protein content generally increased as other grain constituents were consumed.     

Dietary energy and protein effects on partitioning of carcass components in beef cattle

This study evaluated carcass and wholesale cut composition of 20 Angus steers fed two levels of protein (LP = 8% versus HP = 14%) at two levels of energy intake (LE = 1·96 versus HE = 2·67 Mcal ME) at 6·35 kg head⁻¹ d⁻¹ dry matter intake for 238 d using a factorial arrangement (n = 5/diet). The left side of each carcass was physically separated into wholesale cuts and each cut was, in turn, physically separated into the lean, subcutaneous fat, intermuscular fat, bone portions and cavity fat when applicable. Intramuscular fat for the entire side was chemically determined using only the separated lean tissue component. Energy was the greatest source of variation (P < 0·05) on carcass and wholesale cut composition: HE was associated with more total carcass fat (32·4 versus 23·9%) and less lean (56·7 versus 60·2%) and bone (17·9 versus 20·1%) than LE. Protein by energy level interactions (P < 0·05) were observed for carcass subcutaneous fat and carcass lean in addition to brisket subcutaneous fat, round subcutaneous fat and bone. The HP:HE group had the least carcass lean and the most subcutaneous fat followed by the LP:HE group, LP:LE and then HP:LE. This was also the trend for the wholesale cut composition. These results suggest that fat deposition in cattle can be significantly and favorably reduced in wholesale cuts by adjusting the relative balance of dietary protein and energy.     

脂肪添加量对发酵香肠脂质和蛋白质氧化及挥发性化合物形成的影响

通过研究不同脂肪添加量（5%、10%、15%和20%）的香肠在发酵过程中脂质和蛋白质的氧化水平,并对发酵前后的挥发性化合物进行分析,最后对香肠进行感官评价。结果表明,随着脂肪添加量的增加,硫代巴比妥酸值显著增加,肌原纤维蛋白的羰基含量增加,总巯基含量降低（P＜0.05）,说明增加脂肪添加量会促进发酵香肠中脂肪和蛋白质的氧化;挥发性化合物分析可知,脂肪添加量较高的发酵香肠,因脂质自动氧化产生的醛、酮、酸、醇、酯和烷烃类化合物含量也相应增加（P＜0.05）;感官评价结果表明,脂肪添加量为15%的发酵香肠,其整体可接受性最佳（P＜0.05）。