Couscous, a traditional Turkish food product: production method and some applications for enrichment of nutritional value

Traditional Turkish couscous, a cereal‐based product, is made by covering bulgur with milk and flour. Traditionally Turkish couscous was produced from different flours (soyflour and oat flour) and eggs. The nutrient composition of traditional couscous was 90.6% dry matter, 11.27% protein, 2.58% fat, 71.80% carbohydrate, 42.25 mg sodium, 365.62 mg potassium, 2.73 mg iron and 48.30 mg calcium. The calorie content of traditional couscous is about 1487.41 kJ 100 g^?1. The addition of soy and oat flours increased protein content and Ca, K and Fe levels. Sensory properties were also affected. Panellists preferred traditional couscous and couscous with eggs or soyflour over couscous with oat flour.     

Effect of information about animal welfare and product nutritional properties on acceptability of meat from Podolian cattle

The present study was aimed to study the effect of information about the welfare of Podolian cattle and their meat nutritional properties on beef acceptability for regular users and non-users of this particular beef meat. For both user groups, information induced a high expected liking. However, the information had a positive impact on the actual liking score when the product was tasted (an assimilation effect occurred) only for regular users. For these regular users the same level of expected liking and an assimilation effect were also observed in a second occasion. For the non-users, an information session where Podolian meat was tested after detailed information about production system and nutritional and sensory characteristics of this product was organised. After this training, the expected liking did not increase but the information had a positive effect on the actual liking score when the product was tasted (an assimilation effect occurred). Thus, information concerning animal welfare and nutrition may be used to differentiate meat in a mixed production system with competing industrialised and traditional farms.     

Minimum leak size determination, under laboratory and commercial conditions, for bacterial entry into polymeric trays used for shelf-stable food packaging

This study sought to determine the minimum leak size for entry of Enterobacter aerogenes under laboratory conditions, and normal flora under commercial conditions, into tryptic soy broth with yeast extract (TSBYE), homestyle chicken, and beef enchilada packaged in 355-ml polyethylene terephthalate/ethylene vinyl alcohol/polypropylene trays. Channel leaks (diameters of 50 to 200 microm) were made across the sealing area of the trays. Pinholes (diameters of 5 to 50 microm) were made by imbedding laser-drilled metal and plastic disks into the tray lids. For the laboratory simulation, all trays were submerged and agitated for 30 min at 25 degrees C in phosphate-buffered saline that contained 10(7) CFU/ml of E. aerogenes. Under commercial conditions, trays with channel leaks were processed in retorts to achieve commercial sterility. All trays were subsequently incubated at 37 degrees C for 2 weeks, and their contents plated onto eosin-methylene blue agar (for laboratory simulation) to enumerate E. aerogenes and brain heart infusion agar (for commercial conditions) to determine the presence of any bacteria. Under laboratory conditions, minimum pinhole sizes for E. aerogenes entry approximated 5 microm (TSBYE, metal disks; homestyle chicken, plastic disks), 20 microm (beef, plastic disks), and 30 microm (beef, metal disks). The minimum channel leak sizes for entry of E. aerogenes approximated 10 microm (TSBYE), 70 microm (chicken), and 200 microm (beef enchilada). Under commercial conditions, the minimum channel leak size for bacterial entry approximated 40 microm (TSBYE), 50 microm (homestyle chicken), and more than 200 microm (beef). Results showed that E. aerogenes can enter pinholes as small as 5 microm under a worst-case scenario. This information can be used to set pass and fail parameters for leak detection devices.     

废次烟叶作为天然药食资源的研究进展

废次烟叶不仅含有丰富的医药中间体成分——茄尼醇和烟碱,还含有丰富的功能食品成分——叶蛋白,是一种价廉物美的天然药食资源。文章陈述了废次烟叶可以作为药食资源开发的理由和市场前景,并提出了开发利用新途径。     

Structure and properties of urban household food demand in Nairobi,Kenya: implications for urban food security

Urban household food insecurity continues to be a major problem in many urban households of Sub-Saharan Africa. The ineffectiveness of policies addressing the problem has hinged in particular on the paucity of information about consumption patterns under changing economic conditions. Elasticities of food demand were estimated through the Linear Approximated Almost Ideal Demand System (LA/AIDS) and inferences about access to food were drawn. Shifts in consumption were evident when changes occurred in income, prices and household demography. As the urban poor are sensitive to variation in food prices and income, they should be cushioned against their negative effects in order for their access to food to be enhanced and hence their food security improved. Dairy and dairy products and wheat and wheat products were identified as subsidy carriers which would improve the nutrition of the urban poor. These results provide guidance for the design of food security and nutrition strategies and programs at the micro and macro-economic levels.     

食品及农畜产品的冷冻粉碎技术及其应用

本文阐述了冷冻粉碎的原理,并研究低温脆性与玻璃化转变及转变温度的关系;概述冷冻粉碎的工艺流程并提出了当前应重点解决的问题;最后对当前冷冻粉碎在食品及农畜产品中的应用情况作了较详尽的介绍。     

Preface: Challenges and opportunities for enhancing food security in Kenya

Achieving sustainable food security in Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the main challenges facing African governments and the international community. The 2007?C2008 food crisis and ongoing chronic hunger problems clearly demonstrate that millions of people on the continent, including in relatively stable countries such as Kenya, are dangerously vulnerable to economic, political and climatic shocks that threaten food availability and accessibility. At the heart of the strategies to build resilience and tackle food insecurity is the need for effective institutional and policy frameworks that can support local innovations while taking into account the biophysical, social and economic constraints within which rural livelihoods operate. The papers included in this Special Issue of Food Security support the view that for food security initiatives in Kenya to be effective, they must embrace solutions that are equitable, generalizable and ecologically sound to ensure sustainability. Ultimately, to improve innovation and technology adoption, a systems approach that allows women and men, wealthy and poor farmers to engage with scientific and political elites in the design and implementation of food-related research and development initiatives must be embraced. There is also the need to develop tools and approaches that can assist smallholder farmers, researchers, policy makers and other stakeholders to share a better understanding of the multiple factors driving food insecurity and hindering the implementation of effective policies and institutions.     

貂绒混纺产品的开发及其服用性能

综合考虑貂绒纤维的各种性能,在粗纺纺纱系统的基础上,选择合适的纺纱工艺流程及纺纱参数,将貂绒纤维与锦纶、天丝以及粘胶纤维进行混纺,并对2种不同混纺比的纱线进行性能测试。在手摇横机上采用2种混纺纱线编织纬平组织及1+1罗纹组织针织面料,最后分别对貂绒混纺针织物的外观性能、基本物理性能和风格特征等服用性能进行分析和研究。结果表明:貂绒纤维混纺针织产品手感丰满,保暖性能优良,具有较好的服用性能。     

Evaluation of magnetic resonance for detection of bacterial contamination in low-acid, shelf-stable packaged soymilk

This study evaluated magnetic resonance (MR) as a nondestructive method for detection of bacterial contamination in shelf-stable soymilk and cheese sauce. To accomplish this, individual 355-ml polymeric trays filled with soymilk and inoculated with Bacillus stearothermophilus and Bacillus subtilis (10(3) CFU) were incubated for up to 28 h at 55 degrees C and 62 h at 37 degrees C, respectively. MR relaxation times (T2) of these samples were then correlated with the bacterial growth as well as viscosity and pH changes caused by the bacteria in the packaged soymilk. In addition, this study investigated the ability of MR to differentiate between regularly processed cheese sauce and cheese sauce that was modified with alpha-amylase as a spoilage simulation. Results showed increased MR T2 relaxation times after the bacterial populations reached 10(8) CFU/ml (after 18 h) and 10(7) CFU/ml (after 44 h) for B. stearothermophilus and B. subtilis, respectively. B. subtilis had an undetectable influence on viscosity but a profound influence on pH. B. stearothermophilus, in comparison, significantly lowered the pH and increased the viscosity of the soymilk. MR was able to distinguish between regularly processed 85-g pouches of cheese sauce and other pouches with sauce that were modified with 0.5 ml of 1% alpha-amylase solution. These results showed that MR has the potential to be used for nondestructive detection of physical changes insoymilk and cheese sauce induced by bacterial growth and enzymatic activities, respectively.     

Effect of formulation on protein breakdown, in vitro digestibility, rheological properties and acceptability of tarhana, a traditional Turkish cereal food

Three formulations of tarhana, a traditional Turkish fermented yogurt-wheat mixture used in soups, were prepared in the laboratory. The effects of white or wholemeal wheat flours and amount of yogurt on the protein breakdown, rheology and acceptability of the samples were measured and the samples were compared with single samples of homemade and commercial tarhana from Turkey.
Replacement of white wheat flour with wholemeal flour and increasing the yogurt had little effect on protein breakdown, but the true- to crude-protein ratio fell slightly during fermentation. Tarhana soups behaved as pseudoplastics (ñ < 1) at 80°C, and those with ñ values (>0.8) closer to Newtonian flow (ñ= 1) were most liked in mouth feel; however high apparent viscosity and samples with less liked mouth feel were not less liked in overall acceptability than the commercial sample. In vitro digestibility of commercial tarhana was lower than the laboratory prepared tarhana.     

The effect of meal situation, social interaction, physical environment and choice on food acceptability

Consumer acceptance of food and beverage was measured after modifying four key factors or ‘context effects' in five consumer central location tests: its function as a meal component, social interaction during consumption, the physical environment in which the food is selected and consumed, and food choice. One of two flavor variations each of salad, pizza and iced tea were served. Acceptance ratings and self-reported food intake were obtained from consumers. In Tests 1–5, context effects were added sequentially, so that by Test 5 all context effects were present. Sixth test served as a comparison to ‘real life' and took place at a local restaurant. Our hypothesis was that product acceptability would increase with the addition of the various context effects. Meal context had the strongest positive effect on tea; social context had a strong negative effect on pizza; environment had a weak but positive effect on pizza and tea and a negative effect on salad; and choice had a positive effect on salad. These results suggest that context variables do affect product acceptance, but that the relationship between context effect and consumer acceptance may not be consistent within and across meal components.     

Microbiological and fermentation characteristics of togwa,a Tanzanian fermented food

Selected microbiological and metabolic characteristics of sorghum, maize, millet and maize-sorghum togwa were investigated during natural fermentation for 24 h. The process was predominated by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts. The mesophiles, lactic acid bacteria, and yeasts increased and the Enterobacteriaceae decreased to undetectable levels within 24 h. The isolated microorganisms were tentatively identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus cellobiosus, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Weissella confusa, Issatchenkia orientalis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida pelliculosa and Candida tropicalis. The pH decreased from 5.24-5.52 to 3.10-3.34. Maltose increased initially and then decreased, fructose decreased and glucose levels increased during the first 12 h of fermentation. The organic acids detected during fermentation included DL-lactic, succinic, formic, pyruvic, citric, pyroglutamic and uric acid. Lactate was the predominant acid and increased significantly with time. The volatile organic compounds (VOC) detected included acetaldehyde, 2-methyl-propanal, 2-methyl-butanal, 3-methyl-butanal, ethanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, diacetyl and acetoin. Ethanol was the predominant VOC and it increased significantly with time.     

Structure,sensory and nutritional aspects of soluble-fibre inclusion in processed food products

The food industry relies increasingly on soluble fibre to formulate products with superior structural properties, mouthfeel and potential health benefits. In this paper, we have compiled experimental data from a wide range of high-solid foodstuffs in order to demonstrate the utility of fibre inclusion in such preparations. Recent studies have mapped out the structural properties of soluble-fibre polysaccharides (e.g., κ-carrageenan, agarose and deacylated gellan) in the presence of increasing levels of co-solute with application to the confectionery and ice cream industries. One of the incentives to understand the behaviour of such systems is the prospect of providing an alternative to gelatin since the protein is increasingly falling “out of fashion” with consumers and producers alike. This rather underresearched area has other applications, for example, flavor encapsulation and preservation of bioactive molecules in glassy polysaccharide matrices.