Decontamination Efficacy of Combined Chlorine Dioxide with Ultrasonication on Apples and Lettuce

ABSTRACT:  The bacterial reduction of Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7-inoculated apples and lettuce by ClO₂ at 0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 ppm with and without 170-kHz ultrasonic treatments for 3, 6, and 10 min, respectively, have been studied. The treatments of ClO₂ at 20 and 40 ppm for 3, 6, and 10 min or at 5 and 10 ppm for 6 and 10 min with 170-kHz ultrasonication caused 3.115 to 4.253 log reductions in Salmonella and 2.235 to 3.865 log reduction in E. coli O157:H7 on inoculated apples. Using combined ClO₂ and ultrasonication to treat 4.48 × 10⁴ CFU/g Salmonella and 1.07 × 10⁵ CFU/g E. coli O157:H7-inoculated lettuce, the bacterial reductions were 2.257 to 2.972 and 1.357 to 2.264 log, respectively. The residual ClO₂ decreased with increasing treatment times, over 80% of ClO₂ was detected after the 3-min treatment, and more than 70% remained after the 10-min treatment time. No bacteria were recovered from the posttreatment solutions of ClO₂ or ClO₂ combined with ultrasonication. The temperature of the ClO₂ treatment was 20.1 °C, and it increased to 40.1, 44.9, and 50.3 °C, with 170-kHz ultrasonic treatments for 3, 6, and 10 min, respectively, on apples.     

Nitrate content in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L) heads in relation to plant spacing,nitrogen form and irrigation level

A field study was conducted at two locations (Jordan valley and Al‐Jubeiha) with different rainfall levels, altitudes and temperature ranges. The study was established to evaluate the optimum planting density, nitrogen (N) form and irrigation level to attain the best quality of lettuce crop in terms of minimum nitrate (NO₃) content and to minimise the impact on the environment. Seeds of ‘Amar’ lettuce were sown 1 month before transplanting. Three forms of N fertiliser (Ca(NO₃)₂, (NH₄)₂SO₄ and CO(NH₂)₂) were applied at three times at a total rate of 100 kg N ha^?1. Three in‐row spacings (15, 20 and 25 cm) were assigned. Two irrigation levels were applied: level 1 had twice the amount of irrigation water as level 2, which was achieved by doubling the number of irrigation lines. The results indicated that N form significantly increased both N and NO₃ contents. Ca(NO₃)₂ was the most effective in increasing the N and NO₃ contents in lettuce leaf tissues, followed by CO(NH₂)₂ and then (NH₄)₂SO₄. The outer leaves (green colour) had about five times the NO₃ content of the inner leaves (pale yellow colour). However, the effect of N form on production, total N absorption and N recovery was significant in the following order: (NH₄)₂SO₄ > Ca(NO₃)₂ > CO(NH₂)₂. Increasing the plant spacing resulted in a significant increase in N and NO₃ contents in the lettuce leaves. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Ultrasonication as a novel processing alternative to pasteurization for camel milk: Effects on microbial load,protein profile,and bioactive properties

Ultrasonic technology presents a promising novel tool in the food industry for the processing of milk and dairy products. In this study, we investigated the effects of ultrasonication (US) as an alternative to thermal pasteurization for stabilization of the bioactive properties of camel milk. Camel and bovine milk samples were subjected to US at 6 different power levels (US1–US6), and 1 set of each type of milk was concurrently subjected to flash heat pasteurization (FHP) for comparative analysis (100 mL; n = 4). The microbiological and bioactive parameters of the samples were analyzed during 7 d of storage at 4°C. In both milk types subjected to US ≥ 140 W (US3), the bacterial load was reduced by almost 4 log cycles and complete reduction of microbial load was achieved with US = 170 W and US = 210 W (US5 and US6 treatments, respectively). No significant changes in protein patterns were observed with either FHP or US treatment. In addition, bioactive properties (cholesteryl esterase and pancreatic lipase inhibition) were either enhanced or retained at US3 or higher. 2,2′-Azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid and ferric reducing antioxidant power activities in camel milk were decreased after FHP treatment but increased or retained upon US, particularly at US3 and US4 (160 W). Overall, under our experimental conditions, US4 was effective in completely reducing the microbial count, while concomitantly retaining different bioactive properties of both camel and bovine milk. These outcomes highlight the potential of US at 160 W as an efficient nonthermal alternative processing method for milk.     

纳米包装材料对生菜保鲜品质的影响

制备一种含纳米银、纳米TiO2和高岭土的食品用纳米包装材料,研究该材料在生菜贮藏过程中的保鲜效果。对纳米膜进行结构表征及物理特性检测。并检测贮藏过程中生菜质量损失率、叶绿素、VC、多酚氧化酶活性、丙二醛含量等指标变化。研究结果表明：纳米粒子均匀分布在包装材料中,与普通包装材料相比,纵向拉伸强度增加31.69%,透湿量和透氧量降低28.07%和2.10%;4℃、贮藏14d,纳米包装处理的生菜质量损失率、丙二醛含量、多酚氧化酶比活力分别为1.35%、23.01nmol/g、5.43U/g,显著低于普通包装2.75%、26.35nmol/g(P＜0.05)、7.63U/g(P＜0.01),VC和叶绿素含量显著高于对照组。纳米包装材料较好地保持生菜在贮藏过程中感官品质和营养成分,延长贮藏时间。     

Purification and properties of polyphenol oxidase in head lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

Polyphenol oxidase (EC 1.10.3.1) in head lettuce (Lactuca sativa L) was purified by ammonium sulphate fractionation, ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The enzyme was found to be homogeneous by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be about 56 000 amu by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. The purified enzyme quickly oxidised chlorogenic acid (5-caffeoyl quinic acid) and (—)-epicatechin. The K^m values for the enzyme, using chlorogenic acid (pH 4·5, 30°C) and (—)-epicatechin (pH 7·0, 30°C) as substrate, were 0·67 mM and 0·91 mM, respectively. The optimal pH of chlorogenic acid oxidase and (—)-epicatechin oxidase activities were 4·5 and 7·8, respectively, and both activities were stable in the pH range 6–8 at 5°C for 20 h. Potassium cyanide and sodium diethyldithiocarbamate markedly inhibited both activities of the purified enzyme. The inhibitory effect of metallic ions such as Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ for chlorogenic acid oxidase activity was stronger than that for (—)-epicatechin oxidase activity.     

Browning on the surface of cut lettuce slices inhibited by short term exposure to nitric oxide (NO)

Freshly cut lettuce slices (Latuca sativa L.) were fumigated with nitric oxide (NO) gas at concentrations between 5 and 1000 μl/l in air at 20 °C for 1–4 h or dipped in an aqueous solution of the NO-donor compound, 2,2′-(hydroxynitrosohydrazino)-bisethanamine (DETANO) at concentrations between 10 and 1000 mg/l for 15 s to 60 min at 20 °C. Development of browning on the cut surfaces was inhibited during subsequent storage at 0 °C. The most effective treatments for extending postharvest life of lettuce slices were fumigation with 500 μl/l NO for 1 h, and dipping in 500 mg/l DETANO for 5 min. Dipping in DETANO solution was, however, more effective as it generated a 100% increase in postharvest life compared with a 70% increase due to NO gas. Solutions of DETANO in water were found to be relatively stable as the same extension in postharvest life was obtained for five batches of lettuce sequentially dipped in the same solution.     

Nitrate content of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) after fertilization with sewage sludge and irrigation with treated wastewater

A romaine-type lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was cultivated over three crop seasons (spring 2005, spring 2006 and autumn–winter 2006) in six 36 m² plots in Alcázar de San Juan, Spain. A drip irrigation system was used to water all plots: five plots with drinking water and one plot with wastewater from the activated sludge system of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). One drinking water-irrigated plot was not fertilized (control). Five different treatments were applied to the soil: three organic mixtures (sewage sludge, sewage sludge mixed with pine bark and municipal solid waste with composted sludge) and a conventional fertilizer were applied to the four plots irrigated with drinking water. The last plot was irrigated with treated wastewater. The treatments were tested for their effect on plant growth and nitrate concentration in vegetable tissue. An increase in fresh weight in the lettuce was linked to the dosage of sewage sludge. The highest nitrate level was observed in the sewage sludge treatment in all crops and seasons, although, in general, all values were below the maximum limits established by the European Commission for nitrate content in fresh romaine lettuce. In the third crop season, a significant increase in nitrate content was observed in lettuce from organic treatments. Nitrate concentration in lettuce from irrigated treated wastewater was higher than control, although significant differences were not found.     

鲜熟面条贮藏品质变化及货架期研究

为了明确鲜熟面条在不同贮藏温度下品质指标的变化情况,确定出不同贮藏温度下鲜熟面条的货架期,将制作好的鲜熟面条分别于0、4、10、15、20、25℃条件下贮藏,定期取样,测定其感官品质、pH值、质构品质和菌落总数,分析各项指标随贮藏时间的变化及其差异。结果表明,不同贮藏温度下,随着贮藏时间的延长,鲜熟面条的感官品质、pH值、弹性和黏聚性逐渐降低,硬度则先增大后减小,菌落总数逐渐增大;在0、4、10、15、20、25℃的贮藏条件下,鲜熟面条的货架期分别为126、91、17、11、5、4 d;pH值、菌落总数是评价鲜熟面条货架期较好的指标,其阈值分别为6.24和10~(5.87)CFU/g;温度对鲜熟面条品质及货架期有显著影响,低温(0、4℃)贮藏可使鲜熟面条货架期延长至3个月以上。     

高氧气调包装鲜鸡肉的品质变化及相关性分析

为研究高氧气调包装鲜鸡肉贮藏品质变化及指标间相关性,考察空气包装、高氧气调包装后文昌鸡鸡肉的品质变化规律,并对菌落总数和挥发性盐基氮进行相关性分析。结果表明,气调包装能显著抑制微生物生长,减少挥发性盐基氮产生,延缓水分含量降低。两种包装样品的菌落总数和挥发性盐基氮都呈高度正相关,且气调包装相关性为极显著。试验结果可为改善鲜鸡肉贮藏品质提供理论参考。     

等离子体处理对生鲜牛肉杀菌效果及营养品质的影响

采用大气等离子体技术对生鲜牛肉进行处理,研究该处理对牛肉杀菌效果和品质特性的影响,包括水分含量、pH值、菌落总数、硫代巴比妥酸反应物值、总挥发性盐基氮（total volatile basic nitrogen,TVB-N）含量、色差值、游离氨基酸含量及脂肪酸含量等品质指标。结果表明：经过30 s等离子体处理可有效降低牛肉的菌落总数,减缓脂质氧化和TVB-N含量增加的趋势,有效增加牛肉部分游离氨基酸含量并减少部分脂肪酸含量;此外,等离子体处理后牛肉的亮度值不变,红度值和黄度值均小幅度降低。综上,等离子处理可以有效抑制生鲜牛肉的菌落生长和脂质氧化,有助于延长货架期,且对生鲜牛肉营养品质没有明显影响。     

超高压对鲜榨苹果汁的杀菌效果及动力学分析

研究超高压对鲜榨苹果汁的杀菌效果,考察细菌总数、霉菌、酵母菌数分别在300、400、500、600MPa,保压时间5、10、15、20、25min条件下的变化。结果表明：随着压力的升高和时间的延长,杀菌效果增强;霉菌、酵母对压力较为敏感,500MPa处理5min即可被全部杀死。对不同处理压力下苹果汁杀菌效果进行动力学分析,应用Weibull模型,绘制杀菌曲线,在4个压力水平下,曲线相关系数R2均大于0.900,证明拟合效果良好。模型中,比例参数b值,随压力的增加而升高;形状参数n,在400～600MPa条件下则没有显著变化。     

超高压与冷冻协同处理对牛排品质和贮藏时间的影响

为改善预制牛排嫩度并延长保藏时间,采用超高压协同冷冻处理,考察不同处理条件下牛排的剪切力值、颜色、汁液流失率、菌落总数及贮藏时间等指标,分析比较不同处理方法对牛排品质的影响。结果表明:超高压协同冷冻前处理在达到相同嫩度情况下能够降低压力100MPa左右;经冷冻后超高压处理牛排汁液流失率先增大后减小,在压力400MPa时达到3.9%的最大值,汁液流失率和颜色与进行单一超高压处理的牛排差异不大;冷冻+超高压处理组的牛排菌落总数明显低于超高压处理组;冷冻后超高压处理牛排的菌落总数在0～4℃保存16d后达到1.9×105个与新鲜牛肉的菌落总数相当。     

Efficacy of Neutral pH Electrolyzed Water in Reducing Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium DT 104 on Fresh Produce Items using an Automated Washer at Simulated Food Service Conditions

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of neutral pH electrolyzed (NEO) water (155 mg/L free chlorine, pH 7.5) in reducing Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium DT 104 on romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, and tomatoes washed in an automated produce washer for different times and washing speeds. Tomatoes and lettuce leaves were spot inoculated with 100 μL of a 5 strain cocktail mixture of either pathogen and washed with 10 or 8 L of NEO water, respectively. Washing lettuce for 30 min at 65 rpm led to the greatest reductions, with 4.2 and 5.9 log CFU/g reductions achieved for E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium respectively on romaine, whereas iceberg lettuce reductions were 3.2 and 4.6 log CFU/g for E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium respectively. Washing tomatoes for 10 min at 65 rpm achieved reductions greater than 8 and 6 log CFU/tomato on S. Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 respectively. All pathogens were completely inactivated in NEO water wash solutions. No detrimental effects on the visual quality of the produce studied were observed under all treatment conditions. Results show the adoption of this washing procedure in food service operations could be useful in ensuring produce safety.     

硝普钠(SNP)对菠菜保鲜效果的影响

菠菜收获保存期间仍保持呼吸作用等生命活动,并不断产生热量,伴随水分的蒸发散失,造成萎焉现象。NO作为一种小分子信号物质,是在采后果蔬保鲜方面应用研究的热点,通过用0.51、.0 mmol/L的一氧化氮(NO)供体硝普钠(SNP)处理菠菜,研究不同浓度的SNP处理后,对菠菜中VC、可溶性总糖以及总蛋白含量的影响,从而评价SNP对菠菜的保鲜效果。结果表明:随着贮藏天数增加,菠菜体内VC、可溶性总糖和总蛋白含量均减少。0.5 mmol/L的SNP可以降低VC、可溶性总糖、总蛋白质含量并且保鲜效果较好。1.0 mmol/L的SNP可以促进VC含量的降低,对总蛋白含量的减少起抑制作用,对可溶性总糖的保鲜效果低于0.5 mmol/L的保鲜效果。NO可能通过改变菠菜体内不同成分含量比,延缓衰老现象,达到保鲜效果。     

Uptake of arsenic species by turnip (Brassica rapa L.) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) treated with roxarsone and its metabolites in chicken manure

Roxarsone is an organoarsenic feed additive that can be metabolised to other higher toxic arsenic (As) species in animal manure such as arsenate, arsenite, monomethylarsonic acid, dimethylarsinic acid, 3-amino-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid and other unknown As species. The accumulation, transport and distribution of As species in turnip (Brassica rapa L.) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) amended with roxarsone and its metabolites in chicken manure were investigated. Results showed arsenite was the predominant As form, followed by arsenate in turnip and lettuce plants, and a low content of dimethylarsinic acid was detected only in lettuce roots. Compared with the control plants treated with chicken manure without roxarsone and its metabolites, the treatments containing roxarsone and its metabolites increased arsenite content by 2.0–3.2% in turnip shoots, by 6.6–6.7% in lettuce shoots, by 11–44% in turnip tubers and by 18–20% in lettuce roots at two growth stages. The enhanced proportion of arsenate content in turnip shoots, turnip tubers and lettuce roots was 4.3–14%, 20–35% and 70%, respectively, while dimethylarsinic acid content in lettuce roots increased 2.4 times. Results showed that the occurrence of dimethylarsinic acid in lettuce roots might be converted from the inorganic As species and the uptake of both inorganic and organic As compounds in turnip and lettuce plants would be enhanced by roxarsone and its metabolites in chicken manure. The pathway of roxarsone metabolites introduced into the human body via roxarsone → animal → manure → soil → crop was indicated.     

A study of variation in the tendency for postharvest discoloration in a lettuce (Lactuca sativa) diversity set

Lettuce as a component of processed salad packs often suffers from pinking or browning discoloration on leaf surfaces within a few days after harvest limiting product shelf life. A lettuce diversity set representing the primary gene pool was used to investigate phenotypic variation for postharvest discoloration. Discoloration of minimally processed lettuce was assessed using material harvested from a replicated field trial. Significant variation for pinking and browning was recorded (P < 0.001). Rates of discoloration were specific to lettuce type, however potential for pinking or browning within a type varied. Interestingly, accessions were significantly more susceptible to browning (P < 0.05) early postharvest (day 1) but significantly more susceptible to pinking (P < 0.05) during later stages (days 6, 9 and 13). The results indicate that there is a genetic basis for this phenotypic variation and this natural allelic variation could be exploited through breeding to develop discoloration resistant cultivars, consequently minimising pre‐ and postharvest treatments and reducing food wastage.     

TVB-N Correlation with Odor Evaluation and Aerobic Plate Count in Mahi-Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus)

ABSTRACT: Two groups of 6 mahi-mahi fillets, one untreated and the other dipped in a suspension of Morganella morganii , were refrigerated at 7°C and sampled after 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 d of storage. Results were similar for both groups of fish. Total volatile base-nitrogen (TVB-N) reached 30 mg-N/100 g on d 3, at which time aerobic plate count (APC) reached 10⁶ colony forming units (CFU)/g and odor scores reached 6 on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 very fresh and 1 very spoiled). Good correlation existed between TVB-N and odor intensity (r = 0.84), between TVB-N and the log₁₀ APC (r = 0.71), and between odor and the log₁₀ APC (r = 0.91). These results show that TVB-N can serve as a good indicator of chilled mahi-mahi quality.     

Surface morphology and chemical composition of lamb’s lettuce (Valerianella locusta) after exposure to a low-pressure oxygen plasma

The influence of a low-pressure oxygen glow discharge plasma on secondary metabolites of lamb’s lettuce was examined. After extraction and hydrolysis the compounds were analysed by means of RP-HPLC. Whereas pure compounds showed a time-dependent degradation (flavonoids) or remained unchanged (phenolic acids), the exposure of lamb’s lettuce to the oxygen plasma led to a significant increase of protocatechuic acid, luteolin, and disometin after 120 s treatment time, independent of the applied plasma driving voltage. Contact angle (CA) measurements show an increased wettability of adaxial leaf surfaces after plasma exposure. A successive degradation of epicuticular waxes and cutin of the plant’s epidermis has been indicated by means of FTIR (ATR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These findings suggest that reactive species in the plasma play a crucial role for the observed changes upon exposure to non-thermal plasma.