Modelling the effect of temperature on the hydration kinetic of adzuki beans (Vigna angularis)

The Aw reduction is a widely used technique to preserve grains, which hydration kinetics needs to be studied in order to obtain optimized processes. This work evaluated the hydration kinetic of Adzuki beans, a widely consumed grain by the oriental culture, modelling its behaviour as function of temperature. The grains were soaked in water and the moisture over the time was evaluated at temperatures of 25–70 °C. The grain behaviour during water uptake showed an initial lag phase, with a low water absorption rate. Therefore, the hydration kinetic was evaluated using a sigmoidal model (R² > 0.99). When soaking temperature was increased the hydration rate increased and both the lag phase and the moisture at the equilibrium decreased. These behaviour were, then, modelled as function of the soaking temperature (R² > 0.99). The obtained results are potentially useful for future studies on product development, food properties and process design.     

Spoilage characteristics of Brochothrix thermosphacta and campestris in chilled vacuum packaged lamb,and their detection and identification by real time PCR

The spoilage potential of Brochothrix campestris and Brochothrix thermosphacta was investigated in vacuum-packed lamb. Striploins (n = 338) were inoculated and stored for twelve weeks at temperatures − 1.5, 0, 2 and 7 °C. Growth around 5–6 log₁₀ CFU/cm² was recorded after six weeks at 0, 2 and 7 °C, and ~ 3 log₁₀ CFU/cm² after nine weeks at − 1.5 °C. B. campestris was shown to cause spoilage by nine weeks at temperatures above 0 °C by the presence of green drip and unacceptable odours. Molecular based assays for the detection and differentiation of B. thermosphacta and B. campestris were developed and validated. A TaqMan assay was designed to target a unique single-nucleotide polymorphism in the Brochothrix 16 s rRNA gene with a sensitivity of < 7 CFU per reaction. Secondly a specific PCR was designed for B. campestris targeting the structural genes, brcA and brcB. These testing regimes offer a rapid and cost effective method for the detection and screening of Brochothrix species in meat products and processing environments.     

Condensed Calculations for Evolutionary Operation Programs

Evolutionary Operation is a method for operating plant processes. Since the method is applied by plant personnel themselves as a continuing normal part of process operation it is desirable to reduce the calculations to a simple routine matter. This paper describes calculation procedures which have been found useful in these circumstances.