Effect of Lenient Steam Injection (LSI) heat treatment of bovine milk on the activities of some enzymes,the milk fat globule and pH

This study investigated the effects of Lenient Steam Injection (LSI) treatment at temperatures 70–150 °C on the enzymatic activities of the indigenous milk enzymes alkaline phosphatase, lactoperoxidase (LPO), xanthine oxidase (XO), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and plasmin in comparison with two reference heat treatments of 63 °C for 30 s and of 72 °C for 15 s by indirect heating. Milk fat globule (MFG) size distributions and pH were also monitored. Alkaline phosphatase, LPO, XO and LPL activities decreased with increasing LSI temperature. Plasmin activity was increased at temperatures <80 °C and decreased at temperatures above 90 °C. Milk fat globule homogenisation was observed at temperatures above 110–130 °C.     

Reversibility of the Hard-to-Cook Defect in Dry Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and Cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata)

The hard-to-cook defect, assumed to be a permanent condition in legume seeds, can be reversed. Dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) which had developed the hard-to-cook defect when stored at 29°C, 65% RH had progressively shorter cooking times after additional storage at 6.5°C, 71% RH. This would suggest that the mechanism(s) leading to development of the defect should be easily reversed. The ability to reverse the hard-to-cook defect in legume seeds would provide several economic and nutritional benefits.     

Low Frequency Ultrasonics for Texture Measurements in Cooked Carrots (Daucus carota L.)

The use of low frequency ultrasound for texture evaluation of carrots cooked at 100°C for 0 to 15 min was examined. Uniaxial compression, microscopy and analyses of density and dry matter were used to provide comparative results for evaluating relationships between texture and ultrasonic parameters. During the first minutes of cooking the sound velocity (v) decreased and a positive correlation was found between compressive Young's modulus (E_cy) and sound velocity (v). During extended heating, sound velocity (v) increased and attenuation (α) decreased as a result of changes in mechanical properties and air and water content of the tissue.     

A REVIEW OF SENSORY AND INSTRUMENTAL METHODS USED TO EVALUATE THE TEXTURE OF FISH MUSCLE

The texture of fish muscle is an important quality attribute that depends on several parameters, both intrinsic and extrinsic. Its evaluation by sensory means is the result of a combination of several parameters that cover every impression from when the fish first comes into contact with a surface in the mouth, until it is completely masticated. This makes texture difficult to describe and evaluate. In addition the muscle structure of fish is not homogenous, and this has important implications on texture measurements by instrumental means. Numerous instrumental and sensory methods have been used to evaluate the texture of fish and fish fillets, with varying results and there exists no universal recommended method.     

COMPARISON OF WET-CHEMICAL METHODS FOR DETERMINATION OF LIPID HYDROPEROXIDES

Five methods for determination of lipid hydroperoxides were evaluated, including two iodometric procedures involving a titration and a spectrophotometric micro method, and three other spectrophotometric methods namely the ferro, International Dairy Federation (IDF) and FOX2 (ferrous oxidation in xylenol orange). Peroxide values determined in a range of food products by these five methods gave different results. The ferro method required large amounts of solvent (50 mL/sample); the FOX2 method had a low range (0.005–0.04 μmol hydroperoxide); the end point detection of the titration method was subjective and required a large amount of sample (1 g); and the micro method was sensitive to interruptions during execution. Therefore, only the modified IDF method was chosen for further testing and validation. Stability tests of the standard curve showed a variation coefficient of 4% and within runs the highest variation was 5.9% (for blank) and a maximum of 9.6% between runs variation for the lowest concentration. Among the antioxidants tested, only ethylenedi-aminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) affected the peroxide determinations.     

Water Re-use in Processing of Pacific Shrimp

A Pacific shrimp (Pandalus jordani) processing plant was instrumented to measure water usage. A water balance was completed which identified fluming as a main user of water and subject to design improvements. Re-use of water in fluming was investigated in pilot plant simulation to evaluate alternatives to fresh flow usage. A counter current flow system was designed to reduce water usage from 264 gpm to 156 gpm with acceptable microbiological quality.     

EFFECT OF SOYBEAN STORAGE ON TOFU AND SOYMILK PRODUCTION1

Century 84 and Century -L₂L₃ (lacking lipoxygenase isozymes 2 and 3) near isogenic soybean varieties were stored at five temperature and relative humidity conditions for up to three months. At one-month intervals, soybeans were retrieved from storage and processed into soymilk and tofu. Chemical and physical characteristics of the soybeans, soymilk, and tofu were analyzed. In general, soybean storage above 25C and 50% relative humidity adversely affected the characteristics of the soymilk (reduced pH and solids content) and tofu (decreased yield and moisture content, and darker color) produced. Century -L₂L₃ soybeans were more resistant to changes during adverse storage than were Century 84 soybeans.