Identification of 3,5-Diisobutyl-1,2,4-trithiolane and 2-lsobutyl-3,5-diisopropylpyridine in Fried Chicken Flavor

3,5-Diisobutyl-1,2,4-trithiolane and 2-isobutyl-3,5 -diisopropylpyridine were identified in the volatiles isolated from fried chicken. The identifications were confirmed by organic synthesis. Mechanisms for the formation of these two compounds in fried chicken flavor are discussed.     

Storage Stability of Vacuum Packaged Frozen Pork Sausage Containing Soy Protein Concentrate, Carrageenan or Antioxidants

Fresh pork sausage patties containing carrageenan, without or with soy protein and an antioxidant were packaged with or without vacuum. They were evaluated for sensory properties, visual color, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and Hunter color ‘L’, ‘a’, ‘b’ values at 4-wk intervals during 16 wk frozen storage. Rosemary extract was as effective as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)/propyl gallate (PG)/citric acid (CA) in antioxidant properties, but patties with BHT/PG/CA showed less surface discoloration (P < 0.05). In fat-control (FC) products, antioxidants combined with vacuum packaging provided optimum protection against rancidity. With vacuum packaging (VP), reduced-fat products maintained acceptable quality (TBARS and sensory properties) during 16 wks frozen storage.     

PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF CHUNGKOOKJANG (KOREAN TRADITIONAL SOYBEAN PASTE) PILL AS A FUNCTIONAL FOOD

Chungkookjang, Chungkookjang pill and mushroom (Lentinus edodes) had fibrinolytic activities. The mushroom had a higher level of fibrinolytic activity (15.1 unit/mg) than Chungkookjang pill (10.0 unit/mg) and Chungkookjang (0.6 unit/mg) in spite of heat treatment. Hot‐water extracts of Chungkookjang and Chungkookjang pill showed slightly higher macrophage‐stimulating activities than the positive control, lipopolysaccharide. Also, Chungkookjang pill (3.58 µg/g) had lower cyclo‐His‐Pro content than Chungkookjang (26.5 µg/g). In addition, Chungkookjang pill had less content of flavor components than Chungkookjang and, especially, the 2,5‐dimethylpyrazine content of Chungkookjang pill was less than that of Chungkookjang. When comparing with Chungkookjang, Chungkookjang pill had similar physiological activities and more palatable flavor.     

Short communication: Comparison of 2 methods of assessing calf birth weights in dairy calves

The collection of calf birth weight on US dairies is not a common practice. Calf birth weight was collected on 3 dairies (2 Holstein herds and 1 Jersey herd) over a 6-wk period. All calf birth weights were collected less than 2 h after birth. A total of 872 calves were weighed by a spring scale and their weight was also estimated using a hoof circumference tape, with both weights and sex recorded. The general linear models procedure (PROC GLM; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) was used to estimate least squares means for spring scale birth weight along with sex of the calf and dairy. Calf spring scale versus hoof circumference-estimated birth weight was compared using the regression procedure (PROC REG; SAS Institute Inc.). Calf birth weight was also broken down into increments, and spring scale versus hoof circumference-estimated birth weight was compared by t-test. Bull calves had a heavier birth weight compared with heifer calves [36.7 ± 0.4 kg (n = 450) vs. 34.6 ± 0.4 kg (n = 422), respectively]. The dairy on which calves were born had a significant effect on calf birth weight [dairy 1: 36.8 ± 0.4 kg (n = 204); dairy 2: 39.5 ± 0.2 kg (n = 463); dairy 3: 25.9 ± 0.4 kg (n = 205)]. When the spring scale calf birth weight was linearly regressed by hoof circumference-estimated birth weight, a significant relationship was observed, with an R² value of 0.91. For calves weighing less than 31.3 kg, the hoof circumference tape overestimated calf birth weight compared with the spring scale. However, for calves that weighed between 31.3 and 44.9 kg, no significant difference was observed between spring scale and hoof circumference tape-estimated birth weight. For calves weighing greater than 44.9 kg, the hoof circumference tape underestimated birth weight compared with the spring scale. Collection of calf BW by spring scale or estimated by hoof circumference tape appeared to be comparable for most calves because most calves weighed between 31 and 45 kg, but caution should be used for calves with a light or heavy birth weight.     

Separation of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer from polypropylene composites

This work is concerned with determining how to effectively recycle wholly thermoplastic composites comprised of a polypropylene (PP) matrix reinforced with a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP). A novel reclamation process was developed in which the TLCP could be recovered from the PP matrix. Reactive extrusion was used to reduce the molecular weight of the PP (Montell 6523) and to facilitate phase separation. The melt was then extruded into a heated mineral oil bath, which separated the TLCP (DuPont HX8000) from the matrix by dissolving the PP. It was found that greater than 70 wt% of the TLCP could be reclaimed from the PP matrix at a purity of greater than 96 wt%. In order to determine the ability to reuse the reclaimed HX8000, injection molded in situ composites were generated and their mechanical properties were determined. When the neat HX8000 component was partially replaced with reclaimed HX8000, the injection molded TLCP/PP composites showed no discernible difference in mechanical properties.