Biogenic amines and their producers in Akawi white cheese

The aim of this work was to study the biogenic amine content of brine‐ripened cheeses after one year of storage and then to investigate possible contaminating micro‐organisms with decarboxylase activity. The biogenic amine production of isolates was tested in vitro. The most frequent biogenic amines were putrescine, histamine and tyramine. The biogenic amine content detected in one cheese sample was above 120 mg/kg; this can be considered toxicologically relevant. Decarboxylase activity was found for 33 contaminating micro‐organisms. Isolates belonging to Bacillus licheniformis, Debaryomyces hansenii, Staphylococcus equorum and Serratia marcescens produced significant amounts of putrescine and cadaverine.     

The Influence of the Rebaudioside A Content of Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) on the Determination of Sweetness Equivalence in Bittersweet Chocolates,Using the Time‐Intensity Analysis

The consumption of diet products has increased greatly in recent years. The objectives of the study were to develop a bittersweet chocolate added inulin and stevias with different rebaudioside A contents (60%, 80%, and 97%). Five chocolate samples were formulated with different sucrose concentrations to determine the ideal sucrose concentration for bittersweet chocolate. The use of just‐about‐right scale identified an ideal sucrose concentration of 47.5% (w/w). The sweetness equivalence in sugar‐free bittersweet chocolates was determined by the time–intensity method by 14 selected and trained judges. The data collected during each session of sensory evaluation furnished the following parameters in relation to the sweet stimulus: Imax (maximum intensity recorded), Timax (time at which the maximum intensity was recorded), Area (area of time × intensity curve), and Ttot (total duration time of the stimulus). The time–intensity analysis indicated that the percentages of rebaudioside A did not interfere with the sweetness intensity of the sweetener stevia in bittersweet chocolate and there was no significant difference in the concentrations tested (0.16%, 0.22%, 0.27%) of each stevia, in relation to the parameters evaluated. In addition, the reduction in fat content did not alter the perception of the sweetness intensity of the samples. These results showed important information to research and development of chocolate products. Therefore, the use of the lowest stevia concentration tested (0.16%) is the most indicated for use, since this quantity was sufficient to reach the ideal sweetness of the product, so there was no point in adding more.     

Effect of Aqueous Phase Composition on Stability of Sodium Caseinate/Sunflower oil Emulsions

The aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of aqueous phase composition on the stability of emulsions formulated with 10 wt% sunflower oil as fat phase. Aqueous phase was formulated with 0.5, 2, or 5 wt% sodium caseinate, or sodium caseinate with the addition of two different hydrocolloids, xanthan gum or locust bean gum, both at 0.3 or 0.5 wt% level or sodium caseinate or with addition of 20 wt% sucrose. Emulsions were processed by Ultra-Turrax and then further homogenized by ultrasound. Creaming and flocculation kinetics were quantified by analyzing the samples with a Turbiscan MA 2000. Emulsions were also analyzed for particle size distribution, microstructure, viscosity, and dynamic surface properties. The most stable systems of all selected in the present work were the 0.3 or 0.5 wt% XG or 0.5 wt% LBG/0.5 wt% NaCas coarse emulsion and the 20 wt% sucrose/5 wt% NaCas fine emulsion. Surprisingly, coarse emulsions with the lower concentration of NaCas, which had greater D _4,3, were more stable than fine emulsions when the aqueous phase contained XG or LBG. In these conditions, the overall effect was less negative bulk interactions between hydrocolloids and sodium caseinate, which led to stability. Sugar interacted in a positive way, both in bulk and at the interface sites, producing more stable systems for small-droplet high-protein-concentration emulsions. This study shows the relevance of components interactions in microstructure and stability of caseinate emulsions.     

A Comparative Study Between Labeling and Reality: The Case of Phytochemical Composition of Commercial Pomegranate‐Based Products

Manufacturers are deeply involved in the development of new pomegranate‐based products, which have acquired great prestige due to many studies proving their potential health benefits. Commercial pomegranate products including capsules and supplements and juices and nectars were assayed. The contents of the key phytochemical compounds (punicalagin, ellagic acid, and total polyphenolic content) and the associated antioxidant capacity (DPPH^?, ABTS^?+, and FRAP) were analyzed. The experimental ranges of punicalagin and ellagic acid contents were 0.96 to 308 mg/g and 0.09 to 13.1 mg/g, respectively. Punicalagin content was positively correlated (P < 0.001) with DPPH^? and total polyphenolic content values. No significant (P > 0.05) correlation was observed among ellagic acid with the antioxidant capacity. The labeling standardization of these products is necessary due to the wide variability among “theoretically” similar pomegranate‐based products.