Extruded meat alternatives made from Maillard-reacted beef bone hydrolysate and plant proteins: part I – Effect of moisture content

This study investigated the effects of moisture content (MC) on the physicochemical properties of extruded meat alternatives made from Maillard-reacted beef bone hydrolysate and plant proteins. Samples were extruded at 170 °C (maximum barrel temperature), at 3.6 kg h⁻¹ (liquid feed rate) and at 1.8, 2.2, 2.6 and 3.0 kg h⁻¹ (dry feed rates) to obtain MC of 60%MC, 56%MC, 52%MC and 49%MC, respectively. Meat alternatives at 52%MC showed the greatest degree of texturisation. However, meat alternatives at 49%MC were the closest in terms of both textural and microstructural properties to reference sample, boiled chicken breast. Results from protein solubility suggested that a large amount of aggregated proteins were associated with hydrogen bonds, while disulphide bonds were the main contributor in the formation of fibrous structure in meat alternatives. Results showed that the change in MC as process parameter played an important role in the formation of fibrous structure in extruded meat alternatives.     

Improvement of tenderness and water holding capacity of spiced beef by the application of ultrasound during cooking

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of power ultrasound‐assisted (0, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 W, frequency of 20 kHz) cooking (80, 100, 120 min) on spiced beef. The results showed that power ultrasound could significantly increase the salt content (P < 0.05). For water holding capacity, the ultrasonic treatment could significantly reduce the pressure loss and free water content while improving the immobilised water content (P < 0.05). And ultrasonic treatment improved hardness compared with control (P < 0.05). However, the effects on the springiness, the chewiness and the resilience of the spiced beef were not significant (P > 0.05). As for microstructure, the myofibrils of beef were ruptured by ultrasonic treatment along with the Z‐lines leading to the muscle swelling. The results indicated that the application of ultrasound during cooking could effectively promote the penetration of salt, improve the water holding capacity and ameliorate the tenderness of spiced beef.     

脂质氧化对肉制品中4 类有害物质形成影响的研究进展

肉制品加工过程中往往伴随着脂质氧化的发生，现有研究表明，脂质氧化能影响肉制品中杂环胺、N-亚硝基化合物、晚期糖基化终末产物及多环芳烃等有害物质的生成，这些物质的积累会降低肉制品的食用安全性并危害人体健康。本文综述了肉制品中脂质氧化的机制及氧化产物的反应活性、脂质氧化对肉制品中上述4 类有害物质形成的影响及相关控制措施，以期从控制脂质氧化的角度出发为肉制品安全性生产工艺提供参考。     

Making things clear: Science-based reasons that chickens are not fed growth hormones

BackgroundGlobal public concerns about “industrial agriculture” have widely disseminated amongst consumers the myth that chickens are fed growth hormones to produce meat more efficiently. This misleading information regarding the use of hormones in chickens is now a growing health concern among consumer groups.Scope and ApproachWorldwide, the poultry industry relies on science and technology to define new strategies to improve the health, welfare and performance of animals in production. In this report, we performed a detailed analysis of the poultry science literature and provide the scientific bases explaining why chickens are not feed hormones.Key Findings and ConclusionsThe use of growth hormones in poultry meat production does not occur because: i) they are too expensive to be used in chickens, ii) they do not promote growth in poultry and iii) their use is illegal in many countries. Therefore, health providers, policy makers, food professionals, consumer advocates, food producers and veterinarians can use this information to educate consumers and eliminate negative concerns related to hormone use in the poultry industry.     

牛肉、牛奶中可的松和氢化可的松含量分析

采用液相色谱-串联质谱技术分析我国部分地区市售牛肉、牛奶中可的松和氢化可的松的含量水平。均质的牛肉或牛奶样品在乙酸-乙酸钠缓冲液中酶解后用甲醇提取，提取液用石墨化碳黑固相萃取小柱和氨基固相萃取小柱净化，洗脱液氮吹至干并用甲醇溶液定容，液相色谱-串联质谱测定。采用SPSS?21.0软件进行数据分析。对采自我国9?省市的346?份牛肉和牛奶样品进行检测，分析牛肉和牛奶中可的松和氢化可的松的存在水平。牛肉和牛奶中均检出可的松和氢化可的松，检出率在86.1%～100.0%之间，检出含量范围为0.02～74.88?μg/kg。牛肉中可的松和氢化可的松的含量平均值（中位数）分别为1.69（1.14）?μg/kg和12.16（8.14）?μg/kg，牛奶中可的松和氢化可的松的含量平均值（中位数）分别为0.23（0.23）?μg/kg和0.72（0.72）?μg/kg。牛肉和牛奶中氢化可的松与可的松的含量均呈显著正相关。     

Development of a long‐life vacuum‐packaged ready‐to‐eat meat product based on a traditional Portuguese seasoned meat

Carne do alguidar is a Portuguese traditional pork fried meat, usually manufactured for self‐consumption purposes. This study developed a ready‐to‐eat (RTE) meat product, to meet today's consumers’ convenience, manufactured at the industrial scale evaluating its quality and shelf life, assessing the effect of vacuum packaging and the use of an antioxidant (50 ppm BHT) to enhance oxidative stability. Physicochemical and microbiological parameters were assessed, and a sensory analysis was performed. Interestingly, no significant differences were recorded between control (non‐BHT) and antioxidant (BHT) samples. Microbiological counts remained at low levels throughout the storage period, ensuring the product's required microbiological quality. At later storage stages, higher values of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances arose and off flavours and aromas were perceived. Still, overall appreciation was not affected until 12 months of storage and a significant depreciation was perceived only after 15 months. Fibrousness and rising of off flavours were negatively correlated with overall appreciation.     

Risk-based approach to developing a national residue sampling plan for testing under European Union regulation for veterinary medicinal products and coccidiostat feed additives in domestic animal production

A ranking system for veterinary medicinal products and coccidiostat feed additives has been developed as a tool to be applied in a risk-based approach to the residue testing programme for foods of animal origin in the Irish National Residue Control Plan (NRCP). Three characteristics of substances that may occur as residues in food are included in the developed risk ranking system: Potency, as measured by the acceptable daily intake assigned by the European Medicines Agency Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use, to each substance; Usage, as measured by the three factors of Number of Doses, use on Individual animals or for Group treatment, and Withdrawal Period; and Residue Occurrence, as measured by the number of Non-Compliant Samples in the NRCP. For both Number of Doses and Non-Compliant Samples, data for the 5-year period 2008–12 have been used. The risk ranking system for substances was developed for beef cattle, sheep and goats, pigs, chickens and dairy cattle using a scoring system applied to the various parameters described above to give an overall score based on the following equation: Potency × Usage (Number of Doses + Individual/Group Use + Withdrawal Period) × Residue Occurrence. Applying this risk ranking system, the following substances are ranked very highly: antimicrobials such as amoxicillin (for all species except pigs), marbofloxacillin (for beef cattle), oxytetracycline (for all species except chickens), sulfadiazine with trimethoprim (for pigs and chickens) and tilmicosin (for chickens); antiparasitic drugs, such as the benzimidazoles triclabendazole (for beef and dairy cattle), fenbendazole/oxfendazole (for sheep/goats and dairy cattle) and albendazole (for dairy cattle), the avermectin ivermectin (for beef cattle), and anti-fluke drugs closantel and rafoxanide (for sheep/goats); the anticoccidials monensin, narasin, nicarbazin and toltrazuril (for chickens). The risk ranking system described is a relatively simple system designed to provide a reliable basis for selecting the veterinary medicinal products and coccidiostat feed additives that might be prioritised for residue testing.     

Partial replacement of sodium chloride with potassium chloride in marinated rabbit meat

This study was aimed at evaluating the consequences of sodium chloride reduction by potassium chloride up to 50% on technological, sensorial and microbiological traits of marinated rabbit meat. In total, 226 rabbit loin meat samples were obtained and subjected to vacuum tumbling using solutions with different NaCl/KCl ratios. Replacing of sodium chloride up to 30% by potassium chloride did not change microbiological traits (total aerobic mesophilic and lactic acid bacteria maximum cell loads), sensorial acceptability (perceived saltiness and overall liking) and technological traits (pH, colour, texture, cooking loss and yield). Otherwise, reduction in sodium chloride to 50% significantly decreased perceived saltiness (4.15 vs. 4.73; P < 0.05) and reduced microbial shelf life by 1 day when compared to control, even if there was still no effect on technological traits. In conclusion, it is feasible imparting an added value for processed rabbit meat products by reduction in sodium content that could increase market interest.