Assessment of donkey milk chemical,microbiological and sensory attributes in Greece and Cyprus

This study aimed to assess the nutritional, hygienic and sensory characteristics of donkey milk produced in Greece and Cyprus. The average values for pH, fat, protein and lactose were 7.14, 0.52 g/100 mL, 1.22 g/100 mL and 7.01 g/100 mL, respectively, whereas aflatoxin M1 and beta‐lactam residues were not detected in any sample. The microbiological analysis revealed very low somatic cell counts and total microbial counts, while Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected in any sample. The sensory evaluation classified the milk as white, thin, with a slightly sweet pleasant taste, pleasant milky aroma, sweet flavour and no persistent aftertaste.     

Synthesis and biodegradation of copolyesterether of copoly(succinic anhydride/ethylene oxide) with triblock copolymer of poly(oxyethylene)-poly(oxypropylene)-poly(oxyethylene)

The thermal properties and biodegradability of the block copolyesterethers with copoly[succinic anhydride (SA)/ethylene oxide (EO)], synthesized by ring-opening copolymerization as a hard segment and the triblock copolyethers of poly(oxyethylene)-poly(oxypropylene)-poly(oxyethylene) (PN) as a soft segment, were studied. The block copolyesterethers synthesized from higher than 8000 number-average molecular weight (M_n) of copoly(SA/EO)s showed a microphase separation structure as determined by the thermal properties [melting point (T_m) and glass transition (T_g)], at any polymer composition [EO/propylene oxide (PO)] or the determination of M_n of PN. A decrease in the M_n of copoly(SA/EO) or an increase in PO content in PN resulted in depression of heats of fusion (ΔH) of these block copolyesterethers. The enzymatic degradation of the block copolyesterethers by the lipase from Rhizopus arrhizus showed a substantial increase with a decrease in their ΔH, whereas it was depressed with an increase in the M_n of polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene segment in the block copolyesterethers. The block copolyesterethers were degraded by microorganisms in activated sludge. The biodegradability of the block copolyesterethers showed a pronounced drop, with an increase in the polyoxyethylene chain length or polyoxypropylene content in PN. The polycondensation was also conducted without a catalyst at 190°C, similarly, to the reaction catalyzed with Ti[OCH(CH₃)₂]₄ at 170°C. The effect of the residual titanium on the biodegradability of the block copolyesterethers was negligible. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 69: 303–313, 1998     

A comparative presentation of implementation of ISO 22000 versus HACCP and FMEA in a small size Greek factory producing smoked trout: a case study

ISO 22000 is the new standard bound to replace HACCP on issues related to food safety. Although several companies, especially the big ones, have either implemented or are on the point of implementing ISO 22000, there are many others which are rather timid and/or reluctant to implement it. The main reason behind that is the lack of information and the fear that the new standard is too demanding in terms of bureaucratic work. This paper aims at making a comparative presentation of how the two systems can be applied to a small smoked salmon producing company thereby facilitating the emergence of the differences. The main difference is that in ISO 22000 systems like Good Manufacturing Practice and Good Hygiene Practice are prerequisites thus leading to lower number of CCPs. In this case study for example, the number of CCPs dropped from eight (8) in HACCP to four (4) in ISO 22000. Furthermore, the Failure Mode and Effect Analysis was applied to the smoked trout manufacturing process in an attempt to calculate quantitatively the Risk Priority Number (RPN) and to find out whether it can be effectively correlated to ISO 22000 and/or HACCP. RPN was found to be higher than 130 for eight steps, in close agreement with HACCP, thereby indicating that corrective actions will have to be undertaken.     

Study of biodegradability of poly(δ-valerolactone-co-L-lactide)s

The biodegradability of poly(δ-valerolactone-co-L -lactide)s was studied both with enzymatic (lipase from Rhizopus arrhizus) and nonenzymatic hydrolyses. The hydrolyzability was evaluated by recording the amount of the hydrolyzed water-soluble products. The enzymatic hydrolysis was considerably affected by copolymer composition. The copolyester, the most susceptible to enzymatic hydrolysis, was the one containing a 90 mol % δ-valerolactone unit. The copolymers were also nonenzymatically hydrolyzed at 70°C. The results were similar to those of enzymatic hydrolysis, confirming the influence of copolymer composition on the hydrolyzability. However, the L -lactide rich copolymers were more susceptible to hydrolysis. These results suggest that poly(δ-valerolactone) is easily degraded by lipase, whereas poly(L -lactide) is degraded through simple hydrolysis. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 66: 741–748, 1997     

Study of the effect of annealing,draw ratio,and moisture upon the crystallinity of native and commercial gutta percha (transpolyisoprene) with DSC,DMTA, and X-rays: Determination of the activation energies at Tg

The transitions occurring in gutta-percha (transpolyisoprene) below the melting point were determined with DMTA and DSC. A comparison of the results obtained with these two methods showed satisfactory agreement. The thermal properties of native and commercial gutta-percha samples (T_g = 38 ± 2°C and T_m = 69 ± 3°C) were investigated, both before and after annealing (at different times and temperatures), and at environments of different relative humidities. An increase in the draw ratio also proved to enhance the percentage crystallinity (% K) and improve the thermal stability (higher T_gs and T_ms) of gutta-percha. Finally, the activation energies ΔE (33.9–40.2 kj/mol × K) at glass transition temperature were determined and correlated to the percentage content (%) of the commercial gutta-percha samples in native gutta-percha. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

An empirical examination of the determinants of honey consumption in Romania

While not much attention has been paid in the international literature to the consumption of premium food products with enhanced quality properties in Central‐Eastern European Countries (CEECs), the present survey aims to investigate consumer behaviour in Romania as regards ‘honey’ as an example of such a product. The research concludes that, despite the changes in eating habits induced by changes in the retail environment, honey remains a popular product, the purchase of which in bulk from producers and in open markets is still the dominant trend. The survey further identifies four main dimensions of honey‐purchasing motivation: medical benefits of its consumption, dietary quality, ethical character of honey and suitability with food consumption lifestyle. Using these dimensions validated by factor analysis, three clusters of honey consumers in Romania emerged through cluster analysis: the common consumers, the younger consumers indifferent towards honey and the enthusiastic consumers, who are also more willing to pay premium prices for the organic type of honey. If the first segment may be the keenest on competitive prices, quality differentiation strategies can target the enthusiastic honey consumers. The distinctive features of Romanian consumers also include a low attention paid to labels, related in a low awareness of the energy content of honey. Quality cues are defined by search attributes of the bulk product (colour, taste, aroma, thickness), rather than credence attributes (warranties, brand name, country‐of‐origin). Marketers targeting this market should be aware of this scepticism towards label information, which necessitates more communication effort to built consumer trust.     

The effect of modified atmosphere packaging on the microbiological,physical, chemical and sensory characteristics of broadtail squid (Illex coindetii)

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of various atmosphere compositions (20% CO₂/80% N₂ for modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) 1, 50% CO₂/50% N₂ for MAP 2, 70% CO₂/30% N₂ for MAP 3 and vacuum packaging) on the microbial (mesophiles, psychrophiles, Pseudomonas spp., Brochothrix thermosphacta and Enterobacteriaceae), physical, chemical [trimethylamine (TMA) and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN)] and sensorial characteristics of broadtail squid (Illex coindetii) stored for 10 days at 2 ± 1 °C. All microbial populations were severely restrained by MAP 3 with the exception of Enterobacteriaceae, which seemed to take advantage of the lack of competitive microflora and had enhanced microbial counts on MAP samples (P < 0.05). Colour attributes were better maintained on MAP‐stored samples. Drip loss was less on vacuum‐packaged squids. MAP 2 was the best atmosphere for the preservation of tissue consistency. TMA and TVBN formation was limited by high CO₂ atmospheres, even though both elevated in all studied conditions. Shelf life based on sensory characteristics was determined to be 10, 8, 6, 6 and 4 days for MAP 3, MAP 2, MAP 1, vacuum and control samples, respectively.     

Application of ISO22000 and comparison to HACCP for processing of ready to eat vegetables: Part I

Preliminary Hazard Analysis was used to analyse and predict the occurring failure modes in a food chain system (ready to eat vegetables processing plant), in conjunction with ISO22000, the new Food Safety Management System, based on the functions, characteristics and/or interactions of the ingredients or the processes, upon which the system depends. Critical control points (CCPs) have been identified and implemented in the Hazard Analysis Critical Point Control plan. The decision table for CCP determination during processing of ready to eat vegetables is shown and compared with the ISO22000 Analysis Worksheet for determination of the prerequisite programmes. The prerequisite programmes are the main difference between the two systems. The incorporation of PrPs in the ISO22000 made the system more flexible as a smaller number of CCPs was introduced.