Effects of γ-irradiation on antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and color of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ecklonia cava</Emphasis>

Ecklonia cava (EC) was irradiated with γ-rays at doses of 3, 7, and 20 kGy. The extraction yields, total polyphenol content (TPC), DPPH radical scavenging activity, antimicrobial activity, and color of the EC extracts were assessed. The results showed that irradiation caused an increase in the extraction yields of ethanol and water. TPC was found to be significantly increased when EC powder was subjected to irradiation, followed by ethanol and water extraction. However, DPPH radical scavenging and antimicrobial activities were stable under all irradiation conditions. In the heat and pH stability tests, the DPPH radical scavenging activities of EC ethanol extracts were not influenced by irradiation. Irradiation caused an increase in the lightness and redness of EC extracts and decreased the yellowness. In conclusion, γ-irradiation increased the extraction yield and TPC and brightened the color, while maintaining the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.     

Effects of <Superscript>60</Superscript>Co-γ and Electron Beam Irradiation on Storage Quality of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Panax ginseng</Emphasis>

Fresh ginseng was irradiated with ⁶⁰Co-γ or an electron beam at the dose of 2 and 4 kGy and stored at 2 °C. The quality of ginseng was evaluated after 60 and 120 days. Results suggest that when the storage time was 120 days, 2 kGy EI-treated ginseng had the lowest decay rate. During the 2 storage periods, the amounts of most of 9 ginsenosides decreased with an increase in the irradiation dose. The total saponin content of both ⁶⁰Co-γ-irradiated and EI-treated samples decreased with an increase in the irradiation dose. Significant (P <?0.05) upregulation of total polysaccharide content was observed in the 4 kGy EI samples after storage. Samples irradiated at 2 or 4 kGy by electron beam irradiation had the highest concentration of total saponin and ginseng polysaccharides, respectively. Levels of most of 17 amino acids decreased with the increasing irradiation dose. Exposure to irradiation doses up to 4 kGy affected the amino acid content of fresh ginseng. Ginseng irradiated at 4 kGy by ⁶⁰Co-γ irradiation and stored for 120 days had a significantly higher activity of superoxide dismutase (P <?0.05). A significant difference was observed in the total concentration of nucleosides and nucleobases between irradiated and un-irradiated ginseng samples (P <?0.05). These data suggest that the combination of a lower irradiation dose and low temperature is an optimal condition for extending the shelf-life of fresh ginseng without detriment to its ingredients.     

Effects of coenzyme Q10, α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid on oxidation of cholesterol in chicken liver pâté

The aim of this study was to determine whether supplemental addition of coenzyme Q₁₀ and ascorbic acid or α-tocopherol, either alone or together, can prevent oxidative damage in chicken liver pâté, as reflected by reduced formation of cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) and by preservation of sensorial quality. Separate groups of chicken liver pâtés had no supplements (control) or were supplemented with coenzyme Q₁₀ (0.2 g/kg) and either ascorbic acid (2 g/kg) or α-tocopherol (0.2 g/kg), or both. All products were pasteurised (82 °C) or sterilised (121 °C). Four COPs were found: 7α-, 7β-, 20α- and 25-hydroxycholesterol. The COP radical scavenger function of coenzyme Q₁₀ (control, 5.16 mg/kg; plus Q₁₀, 3.94 mg/kg) and the synchronous actions of coenzyme Q₁₀ and α-tocopherol (2.6 mg/kg) were confirmed in sterilised pâtés. Generally, in pasteurised and sterilised pâtés, the most efficient scavenger function was with ascorbic acid either alone or together with α-tocopherol, where the formation of COPs was below the limit of detection. An increase of 1.9 mg/kg in COP production during heating was also seen in samples without added antioxidants. There was a weak interdependence between the content of COPs and the sensory parameters of the pâté. For addition of antioxidants, in the pasteurised pâté, colour and smell were slightly improved, but flavour deteriorated; in the sterilised pâté, colour was slightly worse, with a more tender texture. Overall, instrumentally measured colour and sensory properties (except texture) showed no significant differences between pasteurisation and sterilisation.     

Influence of edible coating on quality of plum (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus salicina</Emphasis> Lindl. cv. ‘Sapphire’)

Edible coating may enhance the boundary layer resistance resulting in enhanced shelf life of fruits. Plums (Prunus salicina Lindl. cv. ‘Sapphire’) were treated with coating material based on carbohydrate (Versasheen) with sorbitol as plasticizer and stored at 20 °C and 85% RH. The influence of coating on the gas transmission rates was estimated using a carrier of 100% cellulose paper. Coating treatment reduced the transmission rate of CO₂, O₂, and H₂O. Changes in fruit weight, fruit flesh firmness, color parameters (L*, a*, and hue angle), soluble solids content, pH, titratable acidity, ethylene, CO₂, malondialdehyde (MDA), and VIS/NIR fruit reflectance spectrum were recorded in 2-day interval. Edible coating was effective in delaying the increase of pH and the loss of firmness, titratable acidity, L*, hue angle, and MDA. The incorporation of sorbitol showed beneficial effects on decreasing the weight loss, CO₂, and ethylene exchange. In the room temperature storage period, not only fruit ripening was measurable in the VIS (350–750 nm) and NIR (750–1,400 nm) wavelength ranges due to the decrease in the fruit chlorophyll absorption but also water loss, respectively. After 5-day room temperature storage the chlorophyll absorption peak in the spectra was already beyond the detection limit in all treatments, while after 3-day storage, the coating effect on the spectral intensities was feasible to separate control from coated plums.     

Batch drying of banana pieces — effect of stepwise change in drying air temperature on drying kinetics and product colour

Slices of banana were dried in a two-stage heat pump dryer capable of producing stepwise control of the inlet drying air temperature while keeping absolute humidity constant. Two stepwise air temperature profiles were tested. The incremental temperature step change in temperature of the drying air about the mean air temperature of 30°C was 5°C. The total drying time for each temperature-time profile was 240 min. The drying kinetics and temporal colour change of the products dried under these stepwise variation of the inlet air temperature were measured and compared with constant air temperature drying. The effects of the profile starting temperature and cycle time on both drying kinetics and product quality were also studied. It was observed that by employing stepwise-varying drying air temperature with appropriate starting temperature and cycle time, it was possible to reduce significantly the drying time to reach the desired moisture content with improved product colour.     

Stability of carotenoid extracts of g?c (Momordica cochinchinensis) towards cooxidation — Protective effect of lycopene on ��-carotene

Momordica cochinchinensis, so-called g?c in Vietnam, is considered as a fruit with high nutritional potential. Its antioxidant property, due to a high concentration of carotenes (??-carotene and lycopene), is particularly estimated. In this study, we have investigated the degradation of carotene extracts obtained from g?c aril. These extracts were dispersed in the aqueous phase in Tween 80 micelles or were encapsulated into polylactic acid (PLA) particles. In both cases, carotenes were far less degraded than synthetic ??-carotene. However, the degradation of lycopene was still rapid (around 1 mM lycopene degraded per hour), whereas ??-carotene was almost not bleached. Moreover, in g?c, the cleavage of the ??-carotene's molecule was situated nearer the extremity of the cycle than for pure ??-carotene. It gave rise essentially to ??-cyclocitral. For encapsulated ??-carotene, the presence of PLA modified this site to the C9-10 bond which is the favoured cleavage site of pure ??-carotene.We conclude that the presence of lycopene in g?c has a protective role on the molecule of ??-carotene and modifies the cleavage site. However, the supramolecular structure is still very important in the orientation of cleavage as the encapsulation in PLA particles increases degradation and modifies the cleavage site.     

A Meta‐Analysis of Enriched Pasta: What Are the Effects of Enrichment and Process Specifications on the Quality Attributes of Pasta?

Pasta products enriched with ingredients to improve their nutritional value or functionality have become increasingly popular, and substantial research efforts have been directed towards the development of new enriched pasta products. In this work, a meta‐analysis was conducted to quantify the impact of enrichment and process specifications on the quality attributes of pasta. A literature search revealed 66 studies on enriched pasta. Process specifications and quality attributes, namely proximate composition, dough, drying, cooking, and mechanical properties, color, and sensory attributes, were extracted from the studies and compiled in a data set. Analysis of the data set revealed significant differences between pasta enriched with high‐fiber ingredients and pasta enriched with pulse flour. High‐fiber ingredients generally preserved the quality attributes of pasta more effectively than pulse flour. Comparisons based on the drying temperature showed that high drying temperatures generally improve the cooking properties of enriched pasta. Sensory evaluations indicated that enrichment levels below 10% generally do not affect consumer acceptance, but higher enrichment levels significantly decrease it. Pearson correlation coefficients showed that the gelatinization temperature and Farinograph properties are useful indicators of the mechanical properties and sensory attributes of pasta. The meta‐analysis revealed the need to better understand the impact of the processing history of the enrichment ingredient on the quality attributes and the health benefits of enriched pasta.     

Effects of selenate supplemented fertilisation on the selenium level of cereals — identification and quantification of selenium compounds by HPLC–ICP–MS

Laboratory experiments were carried out to investigate whether the selenium content of different kinds of cereals grown on Austrian soil could be raised by the application of compound fertilisers containing selenium as selenate. An anion exchange chromatographic system coupled to an HP 4500 inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP–MS) was used for the identification and quantification of selenium compounds in cereal samples. The HPLC–ICP–MS system was optimized for the separation of selenite, selenate, selenocystine, and selenomethionine using a Hamilton PRP-X100 column. Separation was obtained, with a 10 mM citrate buffer (pH 5), 2% methanol as mobile phase and a flow rate of 1.5 ml min⁻¹. Four baseline separated chromatographic peaks were obtained within 6 min. The retention behavior of a further five selenium [selenohomocystine (Sehcys), selenocystathionine (Secysta), selenoethionine (Seet), trimethylselenonium iodide (TmSe), and dimethyl(3-amino-3-carboxy-1-propyl)selenonium iodide (DmpSe)] compounds was investigated. Aqueous extraction and enzymatic hydrolysis of the biological materials were also compared with respect to the amount of selenium extracted. In the aqueous extracts only 3–9% of the total concentration of selenium was found. When the cereal samples were exposed to an enzymatic hydrolysis, recovery rates ranging from 80 to 95% were obtained. A major part of the selenate, which had been taken up by the cereals was converted to selenomethionine.     

Effect of Chitosan Gallate Coating on the Quality Maintenance of Refrigerated (4 °C) Silver Pomfret (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pampus argentus</Emphasis>)

The effect of chitosan (CS)-gallic acid (GA) conjugate (chitosan gallate, CS-g-GA) coating on the quality of silvery pomfret (Pampus argenteus) during refrigerated storage at 4 °C for 15 days was investigated. The total mesophilic and psychrotrophic microbes in control and coated fish samples were counted periodically; physicochemical analyses to determine pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), peroxide value (POV), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), K-value, and water-holding capacity (WHC) were carried out; and sensory attributes were evaluated. The results indicated that both CS + GA and CS-g-GA coatings effectively preserved the silvery pomfret quality during refrigerated storage. However, CS-g-GA had higher antimicrobial activity and a better ability to inhibit the formation of volatile bases (TVB-N) and lipid oxidation products (POV and TBARS) as well as the degradation of ATP and its breakdown products (K value) than CS + GA during the storage period. Furthermore, the CS-g-GA coating also helped to maintain a higher WHC and had better sensory properties for a longer period of time compared to the other treated samples, thus extending the shelf life and delaying the deterioration of fresh silvery pomfret by 3–6 days during refrigerated storage. These results suggest that a CS-g-GA coating could be employed as an active packaging material in the fish preservation industry.     

Effect of a Polyphenol–Vacuum Packaging on Lipid Deterioration During an 18-Month Frozen Storage of Coho Salmon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus kisutch</Emphasis>)

A packaging system combining a polyphenol-rich film and vacuum (PPRF–VP) was applied to farmed coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) muscle for an 18-month storage (−18 °C). For it, two different concentrations of polyphenol compounds (namely, p-coumaric and ferulic acids) obtained from a barley husk extract were applied (PPRF–VP conditions) and compared to vacuum packaging without polyphenol presence (vacuum control; VP condition) and to packaging in the absence of vacuum and polyphenols (control; CP condition). The study was addressed to lipid hydrolysis and oxidation development and to lipid changes related to nutritional value. Both PPRF–VP conditions provided an inhibitory effect (p < 0.05) on conjugated diene and fluorescent compound formation in frozen salmon. Compared to CP condition, vacuum packaging (PPRF–VP and VP conditions) led to lower (p < 0.05) peroxide and anisidine values and to an inhibitory effect (p < 0.05) on α- and γ-tocopherol losses. No effect (p > 0.05) of polyphenol presence and vacuum packaging could be inferred on free fatty acid formation (hydrolysis development) and on polyunsaturated fatty acid retention (polyene index assessment). A low rancid odour development was observed in all kinds of fish samples, this being lower (p < 0.05) in fish kept under vacuum (PPRF–VP and VP) conditions.     

Effect of alginate coating on the physico-chemical and microbial quality of pansies (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Viola</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">wittrockiana</Emphasis>) during storage

Edible flowers, such as pansies, are becoming more popular, but they are highly perishable. So, postharvest technologies are needed, being edible coatings a good alternative. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of alginate coating on physico-chemical and microbiological quality of pansies during cold storage (4 °C for 0, 7, 14, 21 days). Coated pansies maintained good appearance until 14 days of storage, 7 days more than uncoated ones. Flavonoids, hydrolysable tannins and monomeric anthocyanins, as well antioxidant activity, were higher in coated pansies when compared to uncoated ones, on all assayed storage times. Furthermore, after 14 days of storage, uncoated pansies presented microorganism counts higher than coated, namely yeasts and moulds, suggesting an effective barrier protection of the alginate coating treatment. In summary, alginate coating has potential for extending shelf-life and improving physico-chemical and microbiological quality of pansies.     

Effect of polymer‐binding on the specificity of lipases

Abstract

The flavour of a food system is strongly related to the production of free fatty acids (FFA). The controlled lipolysis and liberation of desired fatty acids are therefore of special interest in the food industry. Lipases that meet the food safety regulations, often do not necessarily possess the desired specificity. It was observed that the profile of FFA can be altered by a pre‐treatment of the lipase with synthetic, as well as natural, polymers. The profile of fatty acids released during incubation in milk was strongly correlated to the polarity of polymer used. The higher the polarity of the polymer, the more unsaturated fatty acids were liberated. After an incubation of the untreated lipase in milk, the oleic‐ versus stearic acid was found to be 3:1. However, using a lipase modified with a dimethyl polysiloxane (Mc Reynolds constant is 44), the ratio was found to be 1.5:1 and a modification with cyanoallyl polysiloxane (Mc Reynolds constant: 844) increased the ratio to 5:1. When applied for lipolysis in food systems, a modification with pectin A was found to be most effective. In this case no covalent bonds between the polymer and the lipase were formed, and therefore, its safety status does not change.     

Effect of high-pressure treatment on in-vitro digestibility of β-lactoglobulin

The effect of high-pressure (HP)-treatment on β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) was investigated using in-vitro pepsin digestion under simulated gastric conditions. HP-treatment of β-Lg at 400 MPa for 10 min only slightly increased its subsequent hydrolysis by pepsin. However, higher pressure treatments (600 and 800 MPa) resulted in rapid digestion of β-Lg. After these higher pressure treatments, β-Lg disappeared in less than 1 min of pepsin incubation as determined by SDS-PAGE analysis. Mass spectrometry analysis of the digestion products at corresponding incubation times revealed rapid and progressive degradation of β-Lg. Most (> 90%) of the peptide products following pepsin digestion of HP-treated β-Lg were less than 1500 Da in size. Peptide products from pepsin digestion were identified and mapped to β-strand regions (Leu₃₂–Leu₅₄ and Phe₈₂–Leu₁₀₄) and to the N- and C-terminals regions (Leu₁–Leu₁₀ and Ser₁₅₀–Leu₁₅₆) of β-Lg. While these regions corresponded to known IgE epitopes of β-Lg, the predominant peptides resulting from 60 s of incubation were short (7–10 residues) in length. These results demonstrate that HP-treatment increased the digestibility of β-Lg and represents a promising processing technology for reducing the allergenicity of known allergens in a wide variety of food materials.Industrial relevanceHigh-pressure treatment is widely used to enhance the functional attributes of food proteins. The potential for enhanced nutritional value of β-Lg was also demonstrated here by its increased digestibility. High-pressure treatment followed by incubation with proteases may represent a method for the commercial production of bioactive peptides such as inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme. More importantly, high-pressure-induced unfolding of milk proteins may reduce their allergenicity. Unfolded proteins are less likely to become agents of immunological sensitization because they are more readily hydrolyzed. Thus high-pressure treatment applied to food ingredients such as whey protein isolate may contribute to the development of hypoallergenic foods.     

Influence of α-tocopherol on physicochemical properties of chitosan-based films

Chitosan has been exploited as a material for the development of edible films, and additionally can be used as a carrier of functional compounds such as α-tocopherol. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of the incorporation of α-tocopherol in chitosan-based films. FTIR and thermal analyses were performed and showed that the incorporation of α-tocopherol affects the chemical structure of chitosan-based films with the establishment of new chemical bonds and the decrease of crystallinity. Results also showed that the increase of α-tocopherol concentration promotes a decrease of water content (from 12.6 to 11.4%) of the films. The addition of α-tocopherol to chitosan films leads to a significant reduction (p < 0.05) of tensile strength from 34.06 to 16.24 MPa, and elongation-at-break from 53.84 to 23.12%. Film opacity values (ranging from 4.74 to 7.83%) increased when α-tocopherol was incorporated into the film. Antioxidant capacity of chitosan-based films was evaluated and was enhanced when α-tocopherol was present in the film matrix. Results showed that α-tocopherol can be successfully added to the chitosan films enhancing the final quality and shelf-life extension of food products.     

Gamma-irradiation as a method of microbiological control,and its impact on the oxidative labile lipid component of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cannabis sativa</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus annus</Emphasis>

The effect of irradiation (0–20 kGy) on hemp and sunflower seeds was assessed, with specific reference to the oxidatively labile lipid component (unsaturated fatty acids and tocochromanols). Total protein, lipid, and solids content of the seeds did not vary with irradiation dose. Lipid hydroperoxide concentration increased significantly in the sunflower seeds (48 mmol kg⁻¹ lipid) and a significant increase in volatile secondary oxidation products was measured in both seeds (e.g. hexanal, heptanal, 1-penten-3-ol) with increasing irradiation dose. Irradiation at 5 kGy sterilised the seeds of all microbial contamination and irradiation doses of 20 kGy prevented germination. A loss of the antioxidant tocopherol was shown with increasing irradiation doses, although this was selective for specific tocopherol isoforms (α-tocopherol, β-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol).     

Effects of ε-Polylysine on Physicochemical Characteristics of Chilled Pork

The aim of this paper was to research effects of ε-polylysine (ε-PL) on physicochemical characteristics of chilled pork during storage. Chilled pork was treated with different concentrations of ε-PL. Sensory properties, total bacterial counts (TBC), pH, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N), metmyoglobin (MetMb) content, and α-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) of treated and control samples were analyzed periodically during refrigerated storage. Compared to control, significant reductions (p?<?0.05) for TBC, pH, TVB-N, and MetMb content of chilled pork treated with ε-PL during storage were found in this study. However, there were significant increments in sensory scores, and TBA almost did not change. TVB-N, pH, and log₁₀CFU/g showed a positive linear relationship among them. These results indicated that 1.25 % ε-PL could effectively inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria and enhance preservative effects of chilled pork. Thus, ε-PL has good potential to be a preservative and extends shelf life of chilled pork.     

Effects of high-temperature treatment (⩾100 °C) on Alaska Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) surimi gels

Surimi gels from Alaska Pollock were obtained by heating and maintaining their central temperature at 100 ± 1 °C, 105 ± 1 °C, 110 ± 1 °C, 115 ± 1 °C and 120 ± 1 °C for 10 min respectively under a certain pressure (0.12 MPa). With temperature increasing, both the breaking force and gel strength decreased significantly (P < 0.05) while the deformation decreased with a much smaller gradient. The ionic bonds and the hydrophobic interactions declined with a drastic rate while the hydrogen bonds and the disulfide bonds took on an increasing trend on the whole. NMR spin–spin relaxation (T₂) measurements showed that most of the water in the gels is movable water, the peak of T₂₂ became lower and the relaxation time of T₂₂ became longer with treating temperature increasing. SDS–PAGE showed that high-temperature treatment decreased the content of myosin heavy chain (MHC) entirely and significantly decreased the content of actin. SEM showed that the gel treated with 100 ± 1 °C showed a uniform network structure with strong frames.     

Study on Application of Soybean Expansion Extraction

The soybean expanding and exacting have obvious superiority in the oil process compared with soybean extracting directly.Production capacity improves by 40%,the power consumption reduces by 30%,the steam consumption reduces by 15%,refinery rate by 0.5%,the urea enzyme activity of soybean meal is steady.Oil and soybean quality can be improved.The market latent capacity is hopeful.     

Action of plasmin on equine β-casein

Equine β-casein and, in a lesser extent, α_s1- and κ-caseins were good substrates for plasmin in solution. The Lys⁴⁷–Ile⁴⁸ bond of β-casein was readily hydrolysed leading to the production of γ-like caseins of 23 kDa. These γ-like caseins were degraded by plasmin in solution subsequently to their formation. The presence of PP5-like peptides of 20 kDa associated to caseins seemed to arise from endogenous plasmin activity in equine milk. Their formation was, however, not obvious in solution, as the amino-terminal region of β-casein seemed to be readily hydrolysed by plasmin. γ-caseins were generated when a sodium caseinate solution was incubated at 37°C and pH 8.0 for 24 h or when caseinate was stored in a freeze-dried form at 7°C for 2 years. This might be due to the presence of low amount of endogenous plasmin associated to equine caseinate as evidenced by assays with a specific synthetic substrate.