Effects of changes during ripening and frozen storage on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of Cabrales cheeses

The physicochemical and organoleptic characteristics of two batches of Cabrales cheese, stored at −20°C for 4 and 8 months, respectively, were studied during subsequent ripening. Frozen storage did not result in significant alterations in overall compositional, rheological and sensory properties or the level of lipolysis. The extent of proteolysis was slightly lower in the cheeses frozen prior to ripening.     

Effects of freezing and frozen storage on the microstructure and texture of ewe's milk cheese

Semi-hard ewe's milk cheeses, frozen immediately after manufacture either slowly at –35 °C or rapidly at –80 °C and stored at –20 °C for 4 months were studied for microstructural and textural characteristics during subsequent ripening. Two control groups were used to establish the effect of freezing: the fresh unfrozen cheese and cheese thawed immediately after freezing. Freezing proper did not result in any marked changes in the textural parameters of the cheeses, but considerable changes were found in slowly frozen cheeses after 4 months of frozen storage. Shear strength values were lower in all frozen and stored cheeses, particularly in cheese samples frozen slowly compared to those in the unfrozen control batch. This parameter and firmness values were significantly lower in both slowly and rapidly frozen cheeses at the completion of ripening. Ripening tended to offset differences in elasticity, noticeable in the cheeses during the first 30 days of ripening. Light microscopy and electron microscopy revealed small cracks and ruptures in the cheeses which could not be observed by the naked eye. More extensive damage to the cheese microstructure was found in slowly frozen cheese samples stored frozen for 4 months.     

Effect of freezing, thawing and frozen storage on physico-chemical and sensory characteristics of buffalo meat

A study was conducted on some physico-chemical and sensory characteristics of buffalo meat frozen by plate and blast freezing and stored at −15 ± 3°C for a period of 3 months. A marginal increase in pH values and drip losses were observed during the storage period. Drip losses were less in blast frozen samples. WHC, cooking losses thermal shrinkage and WB Shear values indicated inconsistent results, during storage. Similar observations were recorded with regard to tyrosine and TBA values. No significant differences in the physico-chemical characteristics were observed between meat cuts and minced meat. Plate frozen meat samples scored higher for texture, juiciness and aroma. Both the plate and blast frozen meat samples, however, were similar in overall quality according to taste panel results.     

Effect of freezing method and frozen storage duration on lamb sensory quality

This study assessed the effect of three freezing methods with three frozen storage durations (1, 3, and 6 months) on the sensory quality of lamb. Methods were: air blast freezer, freezing tunnel + air blast freezer, and nitrogen chamber + air blast freezer. Meat was frozen after 48 h of ageing (0-4 °C). Fresh meat (72 h ageing at 2-4 °C) was used as control. Sensory analyses (trained panel and consumer tests) were performed on loin chops (Longissimus lumborum) after 24 h of thawing. Results from the trained panel test showed that freezing (method and/or storage duration) had no significant effect. Consumers found that freezing affected sensory quality. Cluster analysis for overall acceptability divided the population into four classes with different preference patterns, and none of them showed a significant preference for fresh meat. The small differences between fresh and thawed meat shown in this study should not give consumers concerns about buying frozen meat or consuming thawed meat.     

Effects of guar gum and arabic gum on the physicochemical,sensory and flow behaviour characteristics of frozen yoghurt

This study investigated the effect of guar gum and arabic gum on physicochemical, sensory and flow behaviour properties of frozen yoghurt. The results indicated that gums significantly affected the viscosity, overrun and melting rate of frozen yoghurt. The highest overrun value was observed in sample containing 0.5% arabic gum. Frozen yoghurt containing 0.3% guar gum had the highest viscosity. The longest first dripping time was observed in sample containing 0.5% arabic gum. Flow behaviour of samples showed that all frozen yoghurts exhibited shear thinning behaviour. Guar gum at a concentration of 0.2% and arabic gum at a concentration of 0.5% presented the best total acceptability. The results of this study revealed that the frozen yoghurt produced with arabic gum had the better overall sensory and physicochemical characteristics.     

Effects of four multi-compound freezing medium on the quality of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) during frozen storage

Taking air freezing (AF) as the reference, the effects of four types of multi-compound freezing medium for cryogenic liquid quick-freezing (immersion freezing, IF) on the freezing rate, quality and myofibrillar protein (MP) denaturation of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) fillets during frozen storage (−18°C) from days 0 to 90 were studied. Samples were gathered on days 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 for analysis. The results showed that IF groups (IF-1: 20% ethanol, 30% propylene glycol, 10% sodium chloride aqueous solution; IF-2: 20% ethanol, 20% propylene glycol, 10% glycerol, 10% sodium chloride aqueous solution; IF-3: 20% ethanol, 20% propylene glycol, 10% polyethylene glycol, 10% sodium chloride aqueous solution; IF-4: 20% ethanol, 20% propylene glycol, 5% glycerol, 5% polyethylene glycol, 10% sodium chloride aqueous solution) significantly shortened the time to cross the formation zone of maximum ice crystals while the freezing rate was 6.13 times higher than the AF group after adding 30% propylene glycol as the freezing medium. Furthermore, compared with the AF group, the IF groups significantly reduced losses in the water-holding capacity, the myofibrillar fragmentation index, microstructure damage, texture characteristics, drip loss and water migration (P < 0.05). In addition, the MP of IF groups had higher maximum transition temperatures (T_max1 and T_max2), total sulfhydryl content, Ca²⁺-ATPase activity and relative α-helix content compared with the AF group. In conclusion, IF could significantly increase the freezing rate of red drum fillets, and slow down quality deterioration and denaturation of MP during frozen storage for 90 days (−18°C). In particular, IF-2 (20% ethanol, 20% propylene glycol, 10% glycerol, 10% sodium chloride aqueous solution) was found to be more suitable for the immersion freezing of marine fish among the four multi-compound freezing medium.     

Influence of immersion freezing in NaCl solutions and of frozen storage on the viscoelastic behavior of mozzarella cheese

ABSTRACT:  The freezing of Mozzarella cheese by immersion in NaCl solutions may be an innovative procedure for the dairy industry because it combines conveniently salting and freezing processes. In this work, the influence of this type of freezing method and of the frozen storage of samples on the viscoelastic behavior of Mozzarella cheese was studied. Slabs (2 × 10 × 10 cm³) were immersed in 23% w/w NaCl solutions (control samples: 4 °C, 90 min; frozen samples: −15 °C, 180 min). Half of the frozen samples were immediately thawed at 4 °C . The other half was stored at −20 °C for 2 mo and then was thawed at 4 °C (frozen-stored samples). Samples were stored at 4 °C and assayed at 1, 7, 14, 20, 27, 34, and 41 d. Rheological tests were carried out in oscillatory mode (parallel-plate geometry, diameter: 20 mm, gap: 1 mm, frequency: 1 Hz). Strain sweeps were run (0.001 ≤γ₀≤ 0.1) at 20, 40, and 60 °C, and temperature sweeps were run from 20 to 65 °C (1.33 °C/min, γ₀= 0.005). Similar crossover temperatures were observed after 20 d of ripening. The influence of temperature on complex viscosity was studied by an Arrhenius-type equation. Activation energy values of 15.9 ± 0.4, 14.1 ± 0.5, and 13.8 ± 0.6 kcal/mol were obtained at 41 d for control, frozen, and frozen-stored samples, respectively. Although the immersion freezing of Mozzarella cheese affects some of the studied parameters, the differences observed between frozen and frozen-stored samples with control samples were small. Therefore, it was considered that the immersion freezing might be useful for the manufacture and commercialization of Mozzarella cheese.     

Microbiological,physicochemical and sensory characteristics of Cameros cheese packaged under modified atmospheres

This study evaluated the shelf-life quality of Cameros cheeses packaged under modified atmospheres. Five different modified atmosphere conditions were studied (carbon dioxide/nitrogen mixtures and vacuum). Control cheeses were packaged in air. The product stored at 3–4°C was evaluated periodically to investigate its sensory quality, microbiological condition and physicochemical characteristics. Weight loss and pH evolution were similar in vacuum and air packaging. Cheeses packaged in 100% CO₂showed the greatest weight losses and lower pH values. CO₂reduced proteolysis and lipolysis during storage in all conditions studied. Fat acidity and NPN/TN values were slightly higher in vacuum than in CO₂, but lower than in air. Modified atmosphere packaging presented an extended shelf life. Those containing CO₂reduced the growth rate of mesophiles, psychrotrophs, Enterobacteriaceae and coliforms, which was lower when the CO₂concentration increased. The lowest microbial counts were at 100% CO₂while vacuum conditions presented microbial counts only slightly lower than the controls. Salmonella spp.,Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria spp. were not found in any of the samples. Faecal coliforms, moulds and yeasts were not detected under CO₂atmospheres or in vacuum. After 7 days of storage, the sensory characteristics of the control cheeses were unacceptable in all the parameters studied. However, the overall score for cheeses stored in 40% and 50% CO₂did not change substantially, retaining a reasonable acceptability until the end of the storage period. The 100% CO₂atmosphere had a very negative effect on sensory quality. With regard to Cameros cheese, packaging in 50%CO₂/50%N₂and 40%CO₂/60%N₂are the most effective for extending shelf life and retaining good sensory characteristics.     

Effect of Enterococcus faecium on microbiological,physicochemical and sensory characteristics of Greek Feta cheese

Greek Feta cheese was prepared using as adjunct starter cultures Enterococcus faecium FAIR-E 198, E. faecium FAIR-E 243, and their combination. Numbers of enterococci in the control and in the batches containing E. faecium strains as adjunct starters rapidly increased until day 15 of ripening, and then remained constant. Both E. faecium strains positively affected the counts of non-starter lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB), micrococci and coliforms, while thermophilic cocci were not influenced. Moreover. E. faecium FAIR-E 243 enhanced the growth of mesophilic cocci and thermophilic bacilli. Physicochemical characteristics, such as pH, moisture, ash, salt in moisture and fat in dry matter (FDM) were not influenced by the addition of the E. faecium strains. The most pronounced effect was observed in the case of proteolysis. Both E. faecium strains, either as sole adjunct starter or in combination, increased the proteolytic index and the free amino groups concentration, and enhanced degradation of alpha(s1)- and beta-caseins in comparison to the control. Furthermore, the reverse-phase (RP)-HPLC peptide profiles of the water-soluble nitrogen (WSN) fractions were significantly affected by the addition of enterococci. The main volatile compounds produced were ethanol, acetate, acetone, acetaldehyde, acetoin and diacetyl, with highest amounts determined for ethanol, followed by acetate. Both E. faecium strains positively affected taste, aroma, colour and structure of the full-ripened cheeses, as well as the overall sensory profile. The present work emphasizes the technological significance of E. faecium strains and supports their use as adjunct cultures in the manufacture of Feta cheese.     

Microbiological, physicochemical, and sensory characteristics of kefir during storage

Changes in certain microbiological, physicochemical, and sensory parameters of kefir were studied during refrigerated storage. Kefir batches were prepared using 1% and 5% added kefir grains, and samples for analysis were taken 24 h after inoculation and then after 2, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of storage at 5 ± 1 °C. After fermentation for 24 h after inoculation, lactobacilli and lactococci were present at levels of 10⁸ cfu/ml, and yeasts and acetic acid bacteria were present at levels of 10⁵ and 10⁶ cfu/ml, respectively. The lactic acid flora decreased by about 1.5 log units between days 7 and 14 and then stabilized at that level. Yeast and acetic acid bacterial counts, lactose, and pH all remained constant over the storage period, while the total fat content and dry matter decreased. The percentage inoculate did exert an influence, and the sample batches made using 1% added kefir grains had higher lactic acid bacterial counts, lactose, and pH, while the sample batches made using 5% added kefir grains had higher yeast and acetic acid bacterial counts and viscosity. The total fat and dry matter contents were similar in both sample batches. Sensory analysis of the kefir samples revealed maximum acceptability levels in the first 2 days of storage.     

Effect of freezing rate and frozen storage on the texture and sensory analysis of two pineapple fruit cultivars

The effects of freezing rate (in a cold room at –18°C and in an air-blast freezer at –50°C) and frozen storage (at –18°C for 0–12 months) on texture and the sensory quality of pineapple fruit slices of Smooth Cayenne and Red Spanish cultivars were examined. The texture of pineapple fruit slices was evaluated by sensory and instrumental measurements. Sensory texture was highly (P0.05) and positively correlated with overall fruit acceptability and appearance and negatively correlated with flavour in the two cultivars studied. Sensory analysis showed no significant differences (P0.05) in the appearance, colour, odour, texture, flavour and overall acceptability between the two varieties studied when frozen at different rates, as compared to the fresh product and after 1 year of frozen storage at –18°C. The two cultivars are suitable for freezing.     

Effects of sunflower honey on the physicochemical,microbiological and sensory characteristics in set type yoghurt during refrigerated storage

The primary purpose of this research was to monitor the influence of sunflower honey addition (2%, 4% and 6% w/v) to yoghurt milk on survival of the microbial flora of yoghurt and the physicochemical and sensory characteristics during refrigerated storage for 4 weeks. The water activity decreased according to the addition of honey with higher concentrations in the storage period (4°C). At the end of fermentation, pH values of yoghurt samples ranged between 4.33 (without honey) and 4.52 (addition of honey with 6%). The highest water holding capacity, consistency and the lowest brightness values were determined in the groups produced with 6% honey addition. The water holding capacity and a* (redness) values of the honey incorporated yoghurt samples increased during storage. Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus values of the yoghurt with honey increased compared with the control group samples (P < 0.01). Addition of honey to yoghurt milk has affected the vitality of the characteristics starters in the incubation and storage time of the yoghurt samples (P < 0.01). Optimum sweetness was obtained with the samples containing 4% honey level.     

Microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of Cameros cheese

Eighteen samples of Cameros cheese, a fresh Spanish goat's cheese, were collected from the four different producers of this regional kind of cheese. Physicochemical and microbiological analyses were carried out to evaluate the sanitary quality and the physicochemical characteristics of the product. The influence of the season of the year and the elaboration conditions were also studied. Cameros cheese is a fat cheese (54·2±6·5% of total solids; TS), with a high pH close to the neutrality (6·35±0·14), high moisture (TS value of 42·5±4·7%) and low salt content (0·78±0·30% of TS). Listeria monocytogenes was found in 5·6% of samples. Staphylococcus aureus counts above 2 log cfu g⁻¹were found in 55% of the cheeses studied. Thirty-three percent of the April samples and 67% of the July samples reached microbiological levels above the legally established standards. None of the samples yieldedSalmonella spp. The dairy had a significant effect on salt content (P<0·001) because different salt application methods were applied. Also significant differences (P<0·01) of S. aureus counts were detected among the different dairies. Significant seasonal differences of non-protein nitrogen (P<0·01) were detected. The season significantly affected the counts of Enterobacteriaceae (P<0·01), mesophilic micro-organisms and psycrotrophs (P<0·05) and yeast and mould counts (P<0·05).     

Physicochemical, microbiological and sensory changes during ripening and storage of Xinotyri, a traditional Greek cheese from raw goat's milk

Physicochemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics, evolution of lipolysis monitored by measuring acid degree value (ADV) and the main mineral elements were studied during ripening and storage of artisanal Xinotyri cheese from raw goat's milk. Cheeses were characterized by a high content in total solids (TS; 83%) and fat (59% of TS), and very low pH (4.0), water activity (0.87) and moisture (17%). Protein and salt contents at the end of storage were 31% and 2.8%, respectively. Lipolysis increased, while variations in mineral (Ca, P, Mg and Zn) content were found during ripening and storage. Cheeses were free of Salmonella and Listeria in 25 g, while enterobacteria, pseudomonads, and coagulase-positive staphylococci were < 100 cfu/g. Mesophilic lactic acid bacteria increased above 8 log cfu/g by day 6, but declined by 2–3 logs in the ripened cheese (45 days) and by 3–4 logs during cheese storage at 4°C for up to 180 days.     

Effects of type of packaging materials on physicochemical,microbiological and sensory characteristics of durian fruit leather during storage

A study on storage stability of durian leather was carried out at room temperature using four types of packaging materials—laminated aluminium foil (LAF), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) films—for 12 weeks. Analyses on physicochemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics were conducted at weeks 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12. Analyses for sugar, fat and caloric contents were conducted at the beginning and the end of storage period. Moisture contents and water activity (A_w) fluctuated during storage but tended to decrease after week 8. Non-enzymatic browning increased significantly (P<0·05) for all samples in packaging materials used; the highest increases were observed in LDPE-packed leather. The increases were related to the changes in colour of samples during storage. The longer storage time, the higher L and b values and the lower a value. The pH, although it fluctuated in the first weeks, slightly increased at the end of the storage period, while the hardness for each sample gradually increased during the storage. Microbial analyses showed that total mesophilic bacteria (TMB) and total moulds and yeast (TMY) counts were low, where after 12-week storage TMB and TMY were less than 60 and 140 cfu g⁻¹, respectively. Organoleptically, for all attributes evaluated, all samples were acceptable by panelists during the 12-week storage period. © 1998 SCI.     

不同冻结方式对大菱鲆鱼片冻藏过程中品质变化的影响

该文以鲜活大菱鲆为原料,研究了5种冻结方式处理对大菱鲆鱼片贮藏过程中品质变化的影响。对5种冻结方式(-20℃冰箱冻结、-20℃平板速冻、-30℃冰箱冻结、-30℃平板速冻、-90℃液氮速冻)处理的大菱鲆鱼片在-18℃冷库冻藏15周内的理化指标、质构特性和微观结构进行测定。结果表明,随着冻藏时间的延长,不同冻结方式处理的大菱鲆鱼片持水力、肌原纤维蛋白含量、活性巯基含量、Ca~(2+)-ATPase活性及质构特性均呈下降趋势;白度值、TBA值呈上升的趋势;pH呈先下降后上升趋势;微观组织结构不同程度劣化。经-90℃液氮速冻和平板速冻处理的大菱鲆鱼片品质劣化趋势显著低于或迟缓于冰箱冻结组,低温速冻在大菱鲆品质保鲜方面具有广阔的应用前景。     

Rapid freezing, frozen storage and the tenderness of lamb

Cold-shortening in pre-rigor lamb can be prevented by freezing carcasses very rapidly in less than four hours. Thaw-shortening can also be prevented by storing the carcasses for a period (> 10 days) in the frozen state (− 12°C). By this simple combination of rapid freezing and frozen storage, the hazard of toughness development from cold- and thaw-shortenings is avoided.