Characterization of lipid oxidation process of beef during repeated freeze-thaw by electron spin resonance technology and Raman spectroscopy

Flavour enhancement of dry fermented sausages by nitrite-degrading Levilactobacillus brevis CHOL1: Combining flavouromics and lipidomics to elucidate the mechanism of aroma formation

Levilactobacillus brevis CHOL1, exhibiting a nitrite degradation rate of 99.03 %, was added to dry fermented sausages to evaluate its effects on product quality, sensory and aroma properties. Lipidomics analysis was performed to explore the mechanism of aroma formation after inoculation. Results showed that Lev. brevis CHOL1 reduced the sausages' pH, water activity, and nitrite residues. Inoculation also imparted desirable texture and sensory characteristics to the sausages. Furthermore, significant increases in alcohol, acid and ester contents were observed, which enhanced the aroma of the sausages. Correlation analysis revealed that Lev. brevis CHOL1 promoted the hydrolysis of PC 36:2 and PC 35:2, thereby facilitating the production of key aroma compounds such as heptanol, hexanol and octanol. These components improved the aroma profile of the sausages. These findings indicate that Lev. brevis CHOL1 inoculation is a promising method to reduce the content of nitrite residues and improve the flavour of dry fermented sausages.

Simultaneous monitoring of two comprehensive quality evaluation indexes of frozen-thawed beef meatballs using hyperspectral imaging and multi-task convolutional neural network

The quality of beef meatballs during repeated freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles was assessed by multiple indicators. This study introduced a novel quality evaluation method using hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and multi-task learning. Seventeen quality indicators were analyzed to assess the impact of F-T cycles. Subsequently, a comprehensive quality index (CQI) and a comprehensive weight index (CWI) were constructed from 11 key indicators via factor analysis. By integrating HSI data from 150 samples with multi-task convolutional neural network (MT-CNN), the feasibility of simultaneous monitoring of CQI and CWI of the beef meatballs was explored. The results demonstrated that MT-CNN achieved superior predictions for CQI (RMSEp = 1.24, R2 = 0.94) and CWI (RMSEp = 20.436, R2 = 0.94) compared to traditional machine learning and single-task CNN approaches. Furthermore, the deterioration trends of beef meatballs during multiple F-T cycles were effectively visualized. Thus, the integration of HSI and MT-CNN enabled efficient prediction of comprehensive evaluation indexes for beef meatballs, contributing to their quality control.

Overview and trends in electrochemical sensors, biosensors and cellular antioxidant assays for oxidant and antioxidant determination in food

Screening and quantifying antioxidants from food samples, their antioxidant activity, as well as the assessment of food oxidation is critical, not only for ensuring food quality and safety, but also to understand and relate these parameters to the shelf life, sensory attributes, and health aspects of food products. For this purpose, several methods have been developed and used for decades, which regardless of their effectiveness, present a certain number of drawbacks mainly related to extensive sample preparation and technical complexity, time requirements, and the use of hazardous chemicals. Electrochemical sensors and biosensors are gaining popularity in food analysis due to their high sensitivity, specificity, rapid response times, and potential for miniaturisation and portability. Furthermore, other modern methods using whole living cells such as the cellular antioxidant activity assay, the antioxidant power 1 assay, and the catalase-like assays, may interpret more realistic antioxidant results rather than just reporting the ability to scavenge free radicals in isolated systems with extrapolation to reality. This paper provides an overview of electrochemical sensors, biosensors, and cellular antioxidant assays, and reviews the latest advancements and emerging trends in these techniques for determining oxidants and antioxidants in complex food matrices. The performances of different strategies are described for each of these approaches to provide insights into the extent to which these methods can be exploited in the field and inspire new research to fill the current gaps.

The influence mechanism of phospholipids structure and composition changes caused by oxidation on the formation of flavor substances in sturgeon caviar

The oxidation-induced phospholipids (PLs) underwent structural and compositional analysis, alongside the establishment of a simulation system to verify the link between phospholipid oxidation and flavor substances formation in sturgeon caviar. Structural alterations of PLs were tracked using 31P and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR), and Raman spectroscopy. The findings revealed a reduction in phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) from 82.3% and 10.4% to 58.2% and 5.8% respectively. Free radical signals exhibited an initial increase followed by a decrease. The diminished intensity in Raman spectra at 970 and 1080 cm-1 indicated reduced fat unsaturation attributable to PLs oxidation. Correlation analysis highlighted a significant association between PC and PE containing C22:6, C20:5, C20:4, and C18:2 with flavor substances, suggesting their role as key precursors for flavor development. This study established a theoretical basis for understanding the change of flavor quality in sturgeon caviar during storage.

Fluctuation of flavor quality in roasted duck: The consequences of raw duck preform's repetitive freeze-thawing

This study aimed to investigate the changes in flavor quality of roasted duck during repetitive freeze-thawing (FT, -20 ℃ for 24 h, then at 4 ℃ for 24 h for five cycles) of raw duck preforms. HS-SPME/GC-MS analysis showed that more than thirty volatile flavor compounds identified in roasted ducks fluctuated with freeze-thawing of raw duck preforms, while hexanal, nonanal, 1-octen-3-ol, and acetone could as potential flavor markers. Compared with the unfrozen raw duck preforms (FT-0), repetitive freeze-thawing increased the protein/lipid oxidation and cross-linking of raw duck preforms by maintaining the higher carbonyl contents (1.40 ∼ 3.30 nmol/mg), 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (0.25 ∼ 0.51 mg/kg), schiff bases and disulfide bond (19.65 ∼ 30.65 μmol/g), but lower total sulfhydryl (73.37 ∼ 88.94 μmol/g) and tryptophan fluorescence intensity. Moreover, A lower protein band intensity and a transformation from α-helixes to β-sheets and random coils were observed in FT-3 ∼ FT-5. The obtained results indicated that multiple freeze-thawing (more than two cycles) of raw duck preforms could be detrimental to the flavor quality of the roasted duck due to excessive oxidation and degradation.

Effect of tea polyphenols on the quality of Mackerel puree (Scomber scombrus) during refrigerated storage: Color, oxidative stability and microstructure

This study investigated the impact of adding tea polyphenols (TP) on the quality of mackerel puree during refrigerated storage. The study used whole mackerel fish and analyzed the sensory characteristics, physicochemical properties, and microstructure of the puree. As storage time increased, significant changes occurred in the puree, including increased levels of thiobarbituric acid value, protein carbonyl, and free radicals. The water holding capacity, whiteness, and pH value of the puree decreased. However, the addition of TP helped to preserve the quality of the mackerel puree, particularly in the later stages of storage. This was evidenced by reduced oxidation of lipids and proteins, minimal color change, and a more compact microstructure. The study also revealed that TP contributes to the development of a gel network within the mackerel puree, enhancing water retention and sensory qualities. These findings suggested that TP treatment has potential for preserving mackerel puree during refrigeration.

Evaluation of the Improvement Effect of Whey Protein Poly-Peptides on Quality Characteristics of Repeated Freeze-Thawed Spanish Mackerel Surimi Balls

This investigation aimed to assess the effects of whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) on the oxidative stability of protein and the ability of Scomberomorus niphoniu surimi balls to retain water after repeated freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles. Ten percent natural whey peptides (NWP), 5% WPH, 10% WPH, 15% WPH, 0.02% butyl hydroxyl anisole (BHA), and a control group that did not receive any treatment were the six groups that were employed in the experiment. The cooking loss, water retention, total sulfhydryl content, and carbonyl content of each group were all measured. Notably, it was found that the surimi balls' capacity to hold onto water and fend off oxidation was enhanced in a dose-dependent manner by the addition of WPH. Furthermore, the results showed that the 15% WPH added to the surimi balls effectively decreased protein oxidation in the F-T cycles and ameliorated the texture deterioration of surimi balls induced by repeated F-T, laying a theoretical foundation for the industrial application of WPH in surimi products.

Effect of Freeze-Thaw Cycles on the Freshness of Prepackaged Penaeus vannamei

The effect of temperature fluctuations on the freshness of shrimp in simulated trays was investigated by setting a freeze-thaw (F-T) cycle of 12 h after freezing at -20 °C and thawing at 1 °C under refrigeration. The results showed that the shrimp's physicochemical properties deteriorated to different extents with the increase in F-T cycles. The total colony count of shrimp was 6.07 lg CFU/g after 21 cycles, and the volatile saline nitrogen content reached 30.36 mg/100 g, which exceeded the edible standard. In addition, the sensory quality and textural properties (hardness, elasticity, chewiness, and adhesion) declined to different degrees with increased F-T cycles. LF-NMR and protein property measurements showed that F-T cycles resulted in reduced water holding capacity and protein denaturation, which were the main factors leading to the deterioration of shrimp quality. Furthermore, flavor changes were analyzed using an electronic nose sensor to establish a freshness model. The W1W, W1S, W2S, and W5S sensors were correlated with the quality changes in shrimp and used as the main sensors for detecting the freshness of Penaeus vannamei. As a result, to better maintain the overall freshness, temperature fluctuations should be minimized in sales and storage, and fewer than 8 F-T cycles should be performed.

Changes of lipid oxidation, volatile and taste-active compounds during pan-heating of pork belly

This study investigated the mechanisms underlying the evolution and formation of aroma and taste-active compounds of pork belly in representative traditional pork cuisines during pan-heating. The results revealed that as the temperature increased to 110 ℃, the unsaturation of fatty acids decreased from 60.25 % to 58.71 %, while the content of free radicals and secondary oxidation products increased. At the later heating stages, the addition of spices and increased heating temperature (150 ℃) led to continuous increments in the contents (from 958.20 μg/kg to 1511.88 μg/kg) and diversity of volatile compounds in pork belly, imparting the unique aroma. Additionally, the accumulation of low-molecular-weight peptides, free amino acids, and nucleotides not only provided the substrate for thermal reactions and their synergistic effects, but also contributed to the desired taste quality. These findings offered insights into the flavor formation mechanisms of traditional pork cuisines and provided direction for further research.

Whey Protein Hydrolysate Improved the Structure and Function of Myofibrillar Protein in Ground Pork during Repeated Freeze-Thaw Cycles

Whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) has made a breakthrough in inhibiting oxidative deterioration and improving the quality of meat products during storage. Based on our previous study of extracting the most antioxidant active fraction I (FI, the molecular weight < 1 kDa) from whey protein hydrolysates of different molecular weights, the present study continued to delve into the effects of WPH with fraction I on the structure and function of myofibrillar proteins (MP) in ground pork during the freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles. With the number of F-T cycles raised, the total sulfhydryl content, the relative contents of α-helix, Ca2+-ATPase activity, K+-ATPase activity, solubility, emulsion activity index (EAI), and emulsion stability index (ESI) of MP gradually decreased. Conversely, the carbonyl content and the relative content of random curl showed an increasing trend. In particular, the damage to the structure and the function of MP became more pronounced after three F-T cycles. But, during F-T cycles, FI stabilized the structure of MP. Compared to the control group, the 10% FI group showed a remarkable improvement (p < 0.05) in the total sulfhydryl content, Ca2+-ATPase activity, K+-ATPase activity, solubility, EAI and ESI after multiple F-T cycles, suggesting that 10% FI could effectively inhibit protein oxidation and had the influence of preserving MP function properties. In conclusion, WPH with fraction I can be used as a potential natural antioxidant peptide for maintaining the quality of frozen processed meat products.

Preparation technology and preservation mechanism of γ-CD-MOFs biaological packaging film loaded with curcumin

To prevent food spoilage caused by microbial infection, the development of an environmentally friendly antimicrobial preservation material is crucial. Here, the microporous γ-CD-MOFs was utilized to encapsulate the hydrophobic active substance curcumin, resulting in the preparation of a non-toxic antimicrobial material (Cur-CD-MOFs). The results revealed that curcumin encapsulation in Cur-CD-MOFs occurred primarily in the carbonyl group, benzene ring, and enolic side ring of curcumin. The Cur-CD-MOFs had a 100% bactericidal effect on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at 4 h and 8 h, and a strong inhibitory effect on aerial mycelium of Penicillium expansum and Botrytis cinerea. Furthermore, the incorporation of Cur-CD-MOFs improved the Pul/Tre film barrier and mechanical properties. The effectiveness of Cur-CD-MOFs-Pul/Tre in retaining fruit freshness was validated using Centennial Seedless grapes. This study confirmed that Cur-CD-MOFs is a promising antibacterial material, and Cur-CD-MOFs-Pul/Tre will be a potent candidate for food preservation.

Effect of multiple freeze-thaw cycles on water migration, protein conformation and quality attributes of beef longissimus dorsi muscle by real-time low field nuclear magnetic resonance and Raman spectroscopy

Repeated freezing and thawing (F-T) happens during long-term storage and transportation due to the temperature variation, causing quality deterioration of beef products and influencing consumer acceptance. This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between quality attributes, protein structural changes and water real-time migration of beef with different F-T cycles. The results showed that multiply F-T cycles damaged the muscle microstructure and protein structure tended to denature and unfold, led lower population of water reabsorbed, thus triggering the decrease of water capacity, especially a decrease of T₂₁ and A₂₁ of completely thawed beef samples, finally affected the quality, such as tenderness, color and lipid oxidation of beef muscle. Beef should not be abused by F-T cycles >3 times, the quality extremely degraded when subjected to 5 or more F-T cycles, and real-time LF-NMR provided a new aspect to help us control the thawing process of beef.

Formation of free radicals in Chi-aroma Baijiu during aging process with fat pork

Soaking aged fat pork is a special aging process in the production of Chi-aroma Baijiu considered to involve the formation of free radicals. This study aimed to investigate the free radicals' formation pathway in Chi-aroma Baijiu during aged fat pork soaking by using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and spin trapping with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrrolin-n-oxide (DMPO). The alkyl radical adducts (DMPO-R) and hydroxyl radical adducts (DMPO-OH) were detected in Baijiu after soaking the fat pork for aging. During the preparation process of aged fat pork, alkoxy radicals adduct (DMPO-RO) were mainly detected since lipid oxidation. Oleic acid and linoleic acid, the two main unsaturated fatty acids in fat pork, produced alkoxy radicals in the oxidation process. The total amounts of spins in linoleic acid and oleic acid after 4-month oxidation treatment increased by 248.07 ± 26.65% and 34.17 ± 0.72% than 0-month. It indicated that the free radicals in aged Chi-aroma Baijiu were mainly derived from the two main unsaturated fatty acids in aged fat pork and linoleic acid had a stronger ability to produce free radicals than oleic acid. Alkoxy radicals (RO·) from fat pork reacted with ethanol in Baijiu to form alkyl radicals (R·). The peroxide bond of hydroperoxides from the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acid was cleaved to form hydroxyl radicals (·OH) that were transferred to Baijiu. The results provide theoretical guidance for the subsequent work of free radicals scavenging.

Effect of Heating under Different Vacuum Levels on Physicochemical and Oxidative Properties of Beef Sirloin

The physicochemical and oxidative properties of beef sirloin slices heated under atmospheric (101.33 kPa, a vacuum percent of 0%, control) and vacuum (50.8 kPa, 50% and 7.2 Pa, 99.99%) conditions by using an airtight vacuum container were compared. Heating at a higher vacuum level resulted in the lowest pH and cooking loss compared with the other conditions (p < 0.05). The beef in vacuum groups was less hard, chewy, and gummy than the control group, without any significant differences between the vacuum groups. More structural shrinkage and lower browning were observed in the meat heated at higher vacuum levels. Similarly, higher vacuum levels suppressed increases in the lightness (L*), redness (a*), and total color difference (E*) of the surface after heating. The thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values, a sensitive indicator of meat oxidation due to heating, were only influenced by the vacuum conditions. Consequently, applying a vacuum effectively prevents the degradation in the meat’s physicochemical and oxidative properties during heating. The findings are useful for the sous-vide industry because they scientifically demonstrate how vacuum pressure affects the physicochemical and oxidative properties of the meat by using a specially designed airtight vacuum container.

Antioxidative properties of fish roe peptides combined with polyphenol on the fish oil oleogel

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the effects of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) roe protein hydrolysate (LYCPH)-polyphenol (catechin (CA), gallic acid (GA), and tannic acid (TA)) conjugates on the oxidative stability of fish oil in an oleogel system.

RESULTS

Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggested that the LYCPH-polyphenol conjugates were nearly spherical and non-covalent and that covalent effects could coexist between LYCPH and polyphenols. LYCPH-TA exhibited the highest ABTS scavenging, reducing capacities, and emulsifying stability. Raman spectra and chemometrics revealed that LYCPH-TA loaded with oleogels had the best oxidative stability. Additionally, 32 volatile compounds were identified in fish oil by headspace gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry.

CONCLUSION

Overall, this study demonstrated that fish oil oleogels loaded with LYCPH-polyphenol conjugates could inhibit fish oil oxidation. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Changes in the lipid profiles of hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) muscle during air-drying via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis

Chemical and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS)-based lipidomics analyses were performed to explore the alterations in lipid profiles in the hairtail muscle during air-drying. The peroxide value (POV) and carbonyl group value (CGV) in the air-dried hairtail (ADH) significantly increased with air-drying time. Lipidomics results revealed 1,326 lipids, which were grouped into 33 lipid categories, including 422 triglycerides (TGs), 170 phosphatidylcholines (PCs), 110 phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), among others. In addition, ADH contained 131 and 201 differentially abundant lipids (DALs) at high and low levels, respectively. Among them, DALs, TGs, PCs, LPCs, and LPEs could be used to distinguish between ADH and FH samples. The apparent alterations in ADH and FH samples were attributed to lipid decomposition, side-chain modifications during oxidation, or oxygen- and salt-promoted lipid oxidation. Thus, this study provides a more comprehensive understanding of hairtail lipid profiles before and after air-drying which can be used as a guide for hairtail products.

Impact of different kernel grades on volatile compounds profile, fatty acids and oxidative quality of cashew nut oil

In this study, the impact of kernel grade on the physicochemical quality, fatty acids, and volatile compounds of cashew nut oil was assessed. The oil samples were obtained from different classifications of nuts and analyzed for acid and peroxide values, color, fatty acids and volatile compounds. The broken kernel oils showed similar or superior quality to the whole kernel oil (LW3), especially samples B3 (batoque) and P3 (large piece), with acid, peroxide and color values equal to the one in LW3. The oils from less intact nuts showed high proportions of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), with acid ratios higher than the ones in LW3 (64.47 to 65.28 %, while the latter displayed 63.33 %). Sample P3 showed higher proportions of volatile compounds not derived from oxidation. This study expands the possibility of valorizing lower commercial value cashew nuts by producing oil with adequate quality for consumption.

Ultrasound-assisted development and characterization of novel polyphenol-loaded pullulan/trehalose composite films for fruit preservation

A novel food packaging film was developed by incorporating a tea polyphenols-loaded pullulan/trehalose (TP@Pul/Tre) into a composite film with ultrasound-assisted treatment of dual-frequency (20/35 kHz, 40 W/L) for 15 min to assess the physicochemical and mechanical properties of a composite film. The optimized ultrasound-assisted significantly increases elongation at break, tensile strength, and improves the composite film's UV/water/oxygen barrier properties. Structure analysis using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction and thermal stability revealed that these improvements were achieved through ultrasound-enhanced H-bonds, more ordered molecular arrangements, and good intermolecular compatibility. Besides, the ultrasound-assisted TP@Pul/Tre film has proven to have good antibacterial performance against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with approximately 100 % lethality at 4 h and 8 h, respectively. Moreover, the ultrasound-assisted TP@Pul/Tre film effectively delayed moisture loss, oxidative browning, decay, and deterioration in fresh-cut apples and pears, thereby extending their shelf life. Thus, ultrasound has proved to be an effective tool for improving the quality of food packaging films, with a wide range of applications.

Nondestructive detection and visualization of protein oxidation degree of frozen-thawed pork using fluorescence hyperspectral imaging

This study evaluated the feasibility of non-destructive detection of carbonyl and total sulfhydryl contents by fluorescence hyperspectral imaging (F-HSI) to visualize the protein oxidation degree of pork during freezing-thawing process. Fluorescence hyperspectral image acquisition and chemical analysis were carried out on pork samples treated with different freeze-thaw cycles. Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) was used to preprocess the raw spectrum, and Mutual Information-Variance Inflation Factor (MI-VIF) was applied to select the feature wavelengths. The Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models based on selected 19 wavelengths obtained good performance in predicting carbonyl content with R2p of 0.9275 and RMSEP of 0.0812 nmol/mg, and sulfhydryl content with R2p of 0.9512 and RMSEP of 1.2979 nmol/mg. The distribution maps of carbonyl and total sulfhydryl content were established based on the optimal prediction models. The results confirmed that the contents of carbonyl and total sulfhydryl in pork could be successfully predicted by F-HSI, so as to monitor the protein oxidation degree of pork during freezing-thawing.

Monitoring the lipid oxidation and flavor of Russian sturgeon fillets treated with low temperature vacuum heating: formation and relationship

BACKGROUND

Sturgeon is one of the most precious fish resources worldwide. Low temperature vacuum heating (LTVH) has been confirmed as a good way of maintaining food quality. However, there is a lack of in-depth studies assessing the impact of LTVH on lipid oxidation and flavor formation.

RESULTS

The present study compared the effect of LTVH and traditional cooking on lipid oxidation and flavor of sturgeon fillets. In total, 13 fatty acids were detected, of which polyunsaturated fatty acids content was the highest (P < 0.05). LTVH prevented the formation of conjugated diene and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (P < 0.05), as manifested by an increased signal intensity of free radicals of electron spin resonance. The characteristic peaks intensity of lipid by Raman at 970 cm^-1 , 1080 cm^-1 and 1655 cm^-1 were reduced, whereas peaks at 1068 cm^-1 and 1125 cm^-1 displayed the opposite trend. Confocal fluorescence microscopy showed that the lipids particles were reduced and distributed more evenly with an increase in heating temperature. Principal component analysis of electronic nose cannot effectively separate all groups; however, gas chromatography-ion migration spectrometry showed that the volatile flavor compounds were relatively stable during LTVH. Correlation analysis of all the above lipid oxidation indices and characteristic flavor substances showed that each treatment group was located in different quadrants and demonstrated great differentiation.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the results of the present study support the view that LTVH is a healthier way of cooking. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

LC/MS analysis of storage-induced plasmalogen loss in ready-to-eat fish

Plasmalogens are functional and oxidation-sensitive phospholipids abundant in fish. Chilling and freezing are common storage methods for maintaining the quality of fish, but their effect on plasmalogen preservation has not been studied. Therefore, plasmalogen loss in ready-to-eat tuna meat during storage under different conditions was investigated. LC/MS was used to analyze the time- and temperature-dependent changes of plasmalogens, which was the most evident for the species with an ethanolamine headgroup and polyunsaturated fatty acyl chains. Moreover, a series of oxidized plasmalogen molecules were identified, and their storage-induced accumulation was observed. Plasmalogen loss was strongly correlated with total lipid oxidation and phospholipid degradation. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles were found to accelerate the loss of plasmalogens, whereas the different thawing methods did not. The present study provides a deeper understanding of changes in lipid nutrients from fish meat during storage and demonstrates the importance of using advanced strategies to maintain food quality.

The Effect of Application of Chicken Gelatin on Reducing the Weight Loss of Beef Sirloin after Thawing

Freezing is one of the oldest and most-often-used traditional methods to prolong the shelf life of meat. However, the negative phenomenon of this process is the weight loss of water that occurs after the meat is thawed. Together with the water that escapes from the meat during thawing, there are large weight losses in this valuable raw material. Another negative aspect is that mineral and extractive substances, vitamins, etc. also leave the meat, resulting in irreversible nutritional losses of nutrients in the meat, which are subsequently missing for use by the consumer of the meat. The main goal of this work is to reduce these losses by using gelatin coatings. Gelatin was prepared from chicken paws according to a patented biotechnological procedure, which uses the very gentle principle of obtaining gelatin with the usage of enzymes. This unique method is friendly to the environment and innocuous for the product itself. At the same time, it ensures that the required principles achieve a circular economy with the use of the so far very-little-used slaughter byproducts, which in most parts of the world end up in uneconomic disposal by burning or landfilling without using this unique potential source of nutrients. Gelatin coatings on the surface of the beef steak were created by immersing the meat in a solution based on gelatin of different composition. A coating containing 3%, 5% or 8% gelatin with 10% or 20% glycerol (by weight of gelatin) and 1% glutaraldehyde crosslinker (by weight of gelatin) has proved to be effective. The amount of glutaraldehyde added to the coating is guaranteed not to exceed the permitted EU/U.S. legislative limits. In addition to weight loss, meat pH, color and texture were also measured. Freezing was done in two ways; some samples were frozen at a normal freezing temperature of −18 °C and the other part of the experiment at deep (shock) freezing at −80 °C. Defrosting took place in two ways, in the refrigerator and in the microwave oven, in order to use the common defrosting methods used in gastronomy. A positive effect of this coating on weight loss was observed for each group of samples. The most pronounced effect of coating was found for the least gentle method of freezing (−18 °C) and thawing (microwave), with the average weight loss of the coated samples differing by more than 2% from that of the uncoated sample. No negative effect of the coating was observed for other meat properties tested, such as pH, Warner-Bratzler Shear Force (WBSF) or color. Gelatin-based coating has a positive effect on reducing the weight loss of meat after thawing. Chicken gelatin prepared by a biotechnological process has a new application in improving the quality of meat due to the retention of water and nutrients in frozen and subsequently thawed beef, which can contribute to the better quality of the subsequently gastronomically prepared dish, while maintaining the weight and nutritional quality. This also results in economic savings in the preparation of highly-valued parts of beef.

Whey Protein Hydrolysates Improved the Oxidative Stability and Water-Holding Capacity of Pork Patties by Reducing Protein Aggregation during Repeated Freeze-Thaw Cycles

The effects of whey protein hydrolysates (WPH) on myofibrillar protein (MP) oxidative stability and the aggregation behavior and the water-holding capacity of pork patties during freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles were investigated. During F-T cycles, the total sulfhydryl content and zeta potential of MP decreased, while peroxide value, surface hydrophobicity, particle size, pressure loss and transverse relaxation times increase. The oxidative stability and the water-holding capacity of pork patties were enhanced by the addition of WPH in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the MP aggregation decreased. The addition of 15% WPH had the most obvious effects on the pork patties, which was similar to that of the 0.02% BHA. After nine F-T cycles, the POV, surface hydrophobicity, particle size and pressure loss of the pork patties with 15% WPH were reduced by 17.20%, 30.56%, 34.67% and 13.96%, respectively, while total sulfhydryl content and absolute value of zeta potential increased by 69.62% and 146.14%, respectively. The results showed that adding 15% WPH to pork patties can be an effective method to inhibit lipid and protein oxidation, reducing protein aggregation and improving the water-holding capacity of pork patties during F-T cycles.

Interaction between secondary lipid oxidation products and hemoglobin with multi-spectroscopic techniques and docking studies

This study aimed to explore the effect of secondary lipid oxidation products (SLOPs) on hemoglobin (Hb) in chicken model. The fluorescence quenching technique and molecular docking were employed, and the apparent binding constants K_sv and the binding site numbers of SLOPs with Hb were calculated. The results revealed that three SLOPs (hexanal, benzaldehyde, and 2-pentanone) obviously promoted the oxidation of Hb, which is consistent with the change of Hb hydrophobicity, particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential. The SLOPs strongly quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of Hb and triggered the alterations in the Hb structure. Hydrophobic interaction was the main force between SLOPs and Hb. Among the three SLOPs, hexanal demonstrated more stronger oxidation on Hb, which is closely related to its hydrophobic ability and structure characteristic, especially 10 μM hexanal is more prone to form an obvious unfolded structure and caused molecular aggregation than lower concentrations.

Freeze-Thaw Pretreatment Can Improve Efficiency of Bacterial DNA Extraction From Meconium

Although the presence of live microbes in utero remains under debate, newborn gastrointestinal bacteria are undoubtedly important to infant health. Measuring bacteria in meconium is an ideal strategy to understand this issue; however, the low efficiency of bacterial DNA extraction from meconium has limited its utilization. This study aims to improve the efficiency of bacterial DNA extraction from meconium, which generally has low levels of microflora but high levels of PCR inhibitors in the viscous matrix. The research was approved by the ethical committee of the Xiamen Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Xiamen, China. All the mothers delivered naturally, and their newborns were healthy. Meconium samples passed by the newborns within 24 h were collected. Each sample was scraped off of a sterile diaper, transferred to a 5-ml sterile tube, and stored at −80°C. For the assay, a freeze-thawing sample preparation protocol was designed, in which a meconium-InhibitEX buffer mixture was intentionally frozen 1–3 times at −20°C, −80°C, and (or) in liquid nitrogen. Then, DNA was extracted using a commercial kit and sequenced by 16S rDNA to verify the enhanced bacterial DNA extraction efficiency. Ultimately, we observed the following: (1) About 30 mg lyophilized meconium was the optimal amount for DNA extraction. (2) Freezing treatment for 6 h improved DNA extraction at −20°C. (3) DNA extraction efficiency was significantly higher with the immediate thaw strategy than with gradient thawing at −20°C, −80°C, and in liquid nitrogen. (4) Among the conditions of −20°C, −80°C, and liquid nitrogen, −20°C was the best freezing condition for both improving DNA extraction efficiency and preserving microbial species diversity in meconium, while liquid nitrogen was the worst condition. (5) Three freeze-thaw cycles could markedly enhance DNA extraction efficiency and preserve the species diversity of meconium microflora. We developed a feasible freeze-thaw pretreatment protocol to improve the extraction of microbial DNA from meconium, which may be beneficial for newborn bacterial colonization studies.

The role of trifunctional cryoprotectants in the frozen storage of aquatic foods: Recent developments and future recommendations

Freeze-induced changes including protein denaturation, ice crystals formation and lipid oxidation are mainly responsible for the quality deterioration persistent in aquatic foods. Here, for the first time, the cryoprotectants with trifunctional properties have been suggested for aquatic food cryopreservation and have exhibited exceptional cryoprotective abilities. In this study, in-depth discussion of protein denaturation, ice crystal formation and lipid oxidation is added in order to understand their mechanism, emphasizing on the necessity and use of trifunctional cryoprotectants in aquatic foods during frozen storage. Trifunctional cryoprotectants have strong abilities to prevent the formation of malondihaldehyde and aldehydes resulting from lipid oxidation, which further interact with proteins, subsequently lead to protein denaturation. Besides these all cryoprotective properties, ice crystal binding abilities distinguish trifunctional cryoprotectants from conventional cryoprotectants. Moreover, this study added with recent advances in cryoprotectants including antifreeze proteins and protein hydrolysates with their role in retarded freeze-induced changes. This study concluded that trifunctional cryoprotectants are effective owing to their hydrophilic amino acid chains, radical scavenging, water entrapping abilities, as well as the hydroxyl groups, which interact at the functional sites of protein molecules. Furthermore, polysaccharides and protein hydrolysates are the potential ingredients with trifunctional cryoproperties. However, more scientific research is required for material optimization to attain the desired level of cryoprotection.

Technological innovations or advancement in detecting frozen and thawed meat quality: A review

Frozen storage is one of the main storage methods for meat products. Freezing and thawing processes are important factors affecting the quality of stored foods. Deterioration of texture, denaturation of protein, decline of water holding capacity etc. are among the major quality issues during freezing that must be addressed. A number of advanced technologies are now available to detect the quality changes that can occur during freezing and/or thawing. This paper presents an overview of the techniques commonly used for the detection of meat product quality; these include: advanced microscopy, molecular sensory science and technology, nuclear magnetic resonance, hyperspectral technology, near infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy etc. These direct and indirect measurement techniques can characterize the quality of meat product from many different angles. The objective of this review is to provide an in-depth understanding of possible quality changes in meat products during freezing and thawing cycle so as to improve the quality of frozen and thawed meat products in industrial practice.

Enhanced flavor strength of broth prepared from chicken following short-term frozen storage

This study investigated the effect of frozen storage periods (0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks) of raw meat and stewing on the flavor of chicken broth. With the increased storage duration of frozen raw material, the contents of the free amino acids, nucleotides and mineral elements in the broth decreased significantly, especially within the first 4 weeks, and then increased significantly. Meanwhile, the volatile compounds showed the reverse trend. The results from the E-nose, E-tongue and sensory evaluation indicated a progressive difference in overall flavor profiles between the samples. The sensory scores of the meaty and fatty traits reached a maximum as raw chicken meat was stored for 4 weeks at -18 °C, which should be related to the increased contents of aldehydes and 2-pentyl furan. Overall, the limited storage duration of frozen raw meat can enhance the flavor of chicken broth.

Evaluation of Lipid Oxidation, Volatile Compounds and Vibrational Spectroscopy of Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) During Ice Storage as Related to the Quality of Its Washed Mince

Changes in the lipid oxidation of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) stored in ice for 14 days and that of its respective washed mince were evaluated. Total lipid, phospholipid, polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) contents of the skin, belly flap and mince decreased as the storage time in ice increased. The washing process decreased the lipid contents but concentrated their phospholipid counterparts. The fish belly flap exhibited the highest thio-barbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value, while the mince had the lowest. 1-Hexanol, 1-octen-3-ol, and 1-hexanal were key volatile compounds detected in the belly flaps of fish stored for 7–14 days. Hexanal was the only major volatile compound found in washed mince prepared from fish stored for an extended period in ice, but in a much lower amount compared with that in the belly flap. FTIR (Fourier transform infra-red) spectra revealed a decrease in the number of cis double bonds, methylene groups and phosphate groups in lipids extracted from fish stored in ice for 7–14 days as compared with those extracted from fresh fish. Principle component analysis (PCA) revealed that the FT-Raman band at 1747 cm⁻¹ could be a potential marker for tracking the degree of lipid oxidation in the belly flap of silver carp stored in ice. In addition, IR bands indicating phosphate group (925, 825 cm⁻¹) in oil extracted from washed mince were correlated with the extent of the lipid oxidation of the raw material.

A preliminary study on the quality of street vended foods around a university in Kunming, China

The street vended foods (SVF) are very popular in China, particularly in highly adolescents populated regions such as schools. Food quality is a critical global issue, but there are few studies describe the quality assessment of SVF. In this study, the quality of SVF around a university in Kunming was evaluated, including the microbial quality, proximate composition, oil quality, and heavy metal content. Microbial results showed that the aerobic plate count (APC) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) counts ranged from 1.94 to 7.43 log CFU/g or ml, and 0.53 to 1.48 log CFU/g or ml, respectively. A portion of fried snack samples exceed the standard limit of acid value (AV) and peroxide value (POV), and the same result was observed in carbonyl group value (CGV), thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value, viscosity, and conductivity. The proximate composition of the fried snack samples varied widely, while the fat content was generally higher. The heavy metal analysis showed most samples met the safety standards, with the content of 12-51, 1-19, 12-73, and 11-88 μg/kg for As, Hg, Cd, and Pb, respectively. In conclusion, although the overall results of this study were satisfying, more attention should be given to the quality of SVF. Consequently, there is a need for additional measures to protect consumers, particularly young adults in college, from foodborne disease.

Diversity and succession of the microbial community and its correlation with lipid oxidation in dry-cured black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) during storage

This study aimed to achieve deeper insights into the microbiota composition and dynamic succession of the dry-cured black carp during storage using a high-throughput sequencing technique (HTS). The effect of lipid oxidation on microorganisms was also evaluated. Over 651 bacterial genera belonging to 37 phyla were identified. Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were the main bacterial phylum, some are highly associated with meat spoilage. Staphylococcus, Macrococcus and Acinetobacter were the most three microbial genera throughout the entire storage period (30 days). Between two different storage temperature, refrigeration at 4 °C could facilitate maintaining the microbial diversity, while 25 °C storage led to the formation of dominant microflora and the reduction of community diversity. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that acid value (AV), malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxy-2-hexenal (HHE) contents were three key environmental factors (oxidation products) affecting the profile of the microbiota. Staphylococcus presented a positive correlation with HHE content, while Macrococcus and Acinetobacter were negatively correlated with HHE content. These results could expand our knowledge on the effect of lipid oxidation on change of microbial distribution, it could also present an guideline to develop advanced storage methods for the vacuum packed dry-cured fish products.

Effect of freeze-thaw cycles on the quality of quick-frozen pork patty with different fat content by consumer assessment and instrument-based detection

The change in quality of quick-frozen patties containing different amounts of added fat (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) under different freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles (a F-T cycle was performed by freezing at -18 °C and thawing at 4 °C) was evaluated. The results showed that the a*-values of samples were significantly decreased, while L*-values, b*-values, thawing loss, and cooking loss were notably increased after 3 F-T cycles. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) results showed that the water mobility of patties was enhanced. Textural properties (hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, and chewiness) of patties were significantly decreased after 5 F-T cycles (P < 0.05). Lipid and protein oxidation were aggravated with increasing fat content and number of F-T cycles, as confirmed by the increase in lipid peroxides, TBARS, and carbonyl content. Therefore, the results from instrument-based detection and consumer scores indicated that repeated F-T cycles accelerated the quality deterioration of quick-frozen pork patties, and rendered them unacceptable after 3 F-T cycles.

Mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics approach for differentiation of beef of different geographic origins

Beef is a common staple food in many countries, and there is a growing concern over misinformation of beef products, such as false claims of origin, species and production methods. In this study, we used a mass spectrometry-based metabolomics approach to study the metabolite profiles of beef samples purchased from local retailers in Hong Kong. Using multivariate analysis, beef samples from different a) geographical origins, namely the United States (US), Japan and Australia, and b) feeding regimes could be differentiated. We identified twenty-four metabolites to distinguish beef samples from different countries, ten metabolites to identify Angus beef samples from others and seven metabolites to discriminate Australian beef produced by the organic farming from that produced using other farming modes. Based on results of this study, it is concluded that metabolomics provides an efficient strategy for tracing and authenticating beef products to ensure their quality and to protect consumer rights.