Effect of pulsed electric field treatment on water distribution of freeze-dried apple tissue evaluated with DSC and TD-NMR techniques

This work aimed to study pulsed electric fields (PEF) effect on the water distribution of freeze-dried apple. Apple (var. Cripps Pink) was treated in 15% trehalose and 1% ascorbic acid solution (388 μS/cm) at 3 Hz and various electric field strengths 0.3; 0.6; 0.9 and 1.2 kV cm^− 1 for 5, 10 or 15 pulses. The samples were frozen at − 45 °C and freeze-dried. The analyses were performed after rehydration. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance in the domain of time (TD-NMR) were performed to assess thermal properties of freezable water and water distribution in apple tissue, respectively. PEF changed the integrity and continuity of the cell structure shown by the water redistribution between different compartments. The water in vacuoles and extracellular spaces had higher TD-NMR relaxation times as water molecules can diffuse in larger volumes before relaxing, even if the overall solutes concentration in the tissue increases.     

Analysis of trans fatty acids in deep frying oils by three different approaches

Simulated frying experiments were performed on three different types of oils with French fries as the fried food. Comparison of frying oil samples was then made with their control counterparts (i.e. oil samples heated without food). Three different methods, gas chromatography (GC), attenuated total reflection (ATR) AOCS method Cd 14d-99 and attenuated total reflection negative second derivative absorbance (−2D ATR), were applied to quantify total trans fats. The total trans fats were found to be higher in the frying oil samples as compared to the control samples, which might be due to the presence of a high amount of trans fats in the pre-fried and frozen French fries. In general, the ATR AOCS method Cd 14d-99 produced lower amounts of trans fatty acids and the −2D ATR absorbance method produced higher amounts when compared with those obtained by gas chromatography.     

Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose surface activity at equilibrium and adsorption dynamics at the air–water and oil–water interfaces

The surface behaviour of hydroxypropylmethylcelluloses (HPMC) was studied at the air–water (A/W) and oil–water (O/W) interfaces. At the A/W interface, the π-C isotherms were sigmoidal and presented inflexions as the HPMC bulk concentration increases, related with different structural patterns adopted by the biopolymer segments. The behaviour of these biopolymers at the O/W interface resulted different. No inflections in the adsorption isotherm were observed, denoting the absence of any change in the structure of the adsorbed monolayer. The order in the interfacial activity was different at the two interfaces.The dynamics of adsorption showed that the surface pressure (π) values and the rate of adsorption/penetration were lower at the O/W interface.Analogously to π values, the surface dilatational modulus was smallest at the O/W interface, however at long-term adsorption strong viscoelastic films are formed at the O/W interface.     

Profiles and concentrations of heterocyclic aromatic amines formed in beef during various heat treatments depend on the time of ripening and muscle type

Heterocyclic Aromatic Amine (HAA) profiles and concentrations depended on several factors. The largest changes in the HAA profile were observed in meat ripened (chill stored) for 5–10 days. Amines whos concentration varied most prominently included: Phe-P 1, harmane, AαC, IQ, IQx, PhIP, MeAαC, and MeIQx. HAA concentrations were strongly correlated with concentrations of the above compounds. Time of storage significantly affected the HAA profile and concentration. The profile changed dynamically for storage times up to 10 days. For longer times the profile stabilized, only the HAA content increased.A novel, highly precise and accurate HAA analytical method was developed for this study. Results may help to optimize meat processing technology from the point of view of reducing concentration of HAA formed during heat treatment, including the most carcinogenic; IQ, IQx, MeIQx and PhIP amines.     

Comparative study of the structural and physicochemical properties of two food derived antihypertensive tri-peptides,Isoleucine-Proline-Proline and Leucine-Lysine-Proline encapsulated into a chitosan based nanoparticle system

Food derived tri-peptides; Leucine-Lysine-Proline (LKP) and Isoleucine-Proline-Proline (IPP) are angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and may have potential to alleviate hypertension. The aim of this work was to understand the interactions of IPP and LKP when formulated into a chitosan nanoparticle (NP) to help improve permeation. Our findings indicate different mean inhibitory concentrations (LKP: 0.36 ± 0.01 μM and IPP: 3.1 ± 0.6 μM) and encapsulation efficiencies at different ratios of chitosan: tripolyphosphate (LKP NPs: 65% at 6:1 and IPP NPs: 43% at 4:1). Molecular modelling and circular dichroism showed different stable amino side-chain-specific conformations for each peptide. IPP showed more steric hindrances to intra-chain rotations, resulting in an unordered peptide structure, whereas LKP showed more flexibility associated with a (disordered) β-strand-like conformer. In-vitro release kinetics showed a slower release for LKP NPs in acidic pH compared to IPP NPs. In conclusion, LKP NPs were found to have better binding compatibility with chitosan.     

Use of immunological techniques for detecting species substitution in raw and smoked fish

 Immunological techniques based on double immunodiffusion and immunodotting have been designed to detect the substitution of halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) for sole (Solea solea) fillets. An immunodotting technique has been also developed to differentiate between smoked cod (Gadus morhua) and smoked eel (Anguilla anguilla) fillets. Antisera raised against water-soluble extracts of raw halibut and smoked cod were employed. Antiserum to cod proteins did not show cross-reaction with eel proteins, whereas antiserum to halibut proteins cross-reacted with sole proteins. Species-specific antiserum to halibut proteins was achieved by adsorption on a polymer of sole proteins. These methods are very easy to perform and provide the basis for the development of rapid tests for detecting species substitution in fish products. Received: 18 April 1996/Revised version: 5 July 1996     

Endotoxin and biogenic amine levels in Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and Mediterranean hake (Merluccius merluccius) stored at 22 °C

Whole Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and Mediterranean hake (Merluccius merluccius) from the Croatian Adriatic were stored at 22 °C and changes in histamine, putrescine, tyramine and cadaverine levels were monitored in relation to bacterial endotoxin. After 12 h, histamine levels in sardine were above the legal limit of 50 mg kg^?1, set by the US Food and Drug Administration, and an increase in putrescine content preceded the increase in histamine. After 24 h, histamine contents in mackerel and sardine reached 1090 ± 101 and 577 ± 275 mg kg^?1, respectively, which exceeded the toxic threshold of 500 mg kg^?1. At the same time, the putrescine content was also high in both fish (353–420 mg kg^?1). The time-course of endotoxin production was similar in all fish species stored at 22 °C. A high correlation was found between endotoxin and histamine, and between endotoxin and putrescine in mackerel and sardine. On the other hand, high endotoxin levels in hake, after 24 h, were associated with the low histamine and putrescine content (40–60 mg kg^?1).     

Quantitation of aflatoxins in walnut kernels by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A total of 85 walnut samples collected between October 2012 and April 2013 in different provinces of Turkey were analysed for the presence of aflatoxins (AFs). The method involved methanol–water extraction, clean-up with immunoaffinity columns and a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection after post-column derivatisation. The method was validated for selectivity, linearity, trueness, precision, limit of detection and limit of quantification (LOQ), which met the performance criteria as set by EC regulation No. 401/2006. LOQs were 0.07, 0.04, 0.09 and 0.05 µg kg^–1 for AFB₁, AFB₂, AFG₁ and AFG₂, respectively. AFs were present in 9.4% of walnut samples (8/85) at total AFs levels ranging from 0.09 to 15.4 µg kg^–1. Only one of eight walnut samples exceeded the European Union limit of 2 and 4 µg kg^–1 for AFB₁ and total AFs, respectively.