Effect of high hydrostatic pressure treatment on physical parameters, ultrastructure and shelf life of pre- and post-rigor mortis palm ruff (Seriolella violacea) under chilled storage

Effects of different electrostatic field intensities assisted controlled freezing point storage on water holding capacity of fresh meat during the early postmortem period

In this study, the effect of different intensity electrostatic fields on the water holding capacity (WHC) of fresh meat during the early postmortem period in controlled freezing point storage (CFPS) were investigated. Significantly lower cooking loss were found in low voltage electrostatic field (LVEF) and high voltage electrostatic field (HVEF) compared to the control group (CK) (p < 0.05). The myofibril fragmentation index and microstructure results suggested that the sample under HVEF treatment remained relatively intact. It has been revealed that the changes in actomyosin properties under electrostatic field treatment groups were due to the combination and dissociation of actomyosin binding into myofilament concentration, which consequently affects the muscle WHC. The study further demonstrated that the electrostatic field, especially HVEF, might increase the WHC of fresh meat by affecting the distribution of water molecules and physiochemical properties of actomyosin during the early postmortem period.

Degradation and evaluation of myofibril proteins induced by endogenous protease in aquatic products during storage: a review

Myofibril proteins degradation constitutes an important factor in quality deterioration, procedural activation or inhibition of endogenous protease potential regulates autolytic proteolysis-induced softening of post mortem fish muscle. Based on the brief introduction of myofibril proteins degradation in fish skeletal muscle, a detailed description of the main myofibril degradation properties and the distinct role played by endogenous proteases were proposed, which reflects the limitations and challenges of the current research on myofibril hydrolysis mechanisms based on the varied surrounding conditions. In addition, the latest researches on the evaluation method of myofibril proteins degradation were comprehensively reviewed. The potential use of label-free proteomics combined with bioinformatics was also emphasized and has become an important means to in-depth understand protein degradation mechanism.

Application of Plant Proteases in Meat Tenderization: Recent Trends and Future Prospects

Papain, bromelain, and ficin are commonly used plant proteases used for meat tenderization. Other plant proteases explored for meat tenderization are actinidin, zingibain, and cucumin. The application of plant crude extracts or powders containing higher levels of compounds exerting tenderizing effects is also gaining popularity due to lower cost, improved sensory attributes of meat, and the presence of bioactive compounds exerting additional benefits in addition to tenderization, such as antioxidants and antimicrobial effects. The uncontrolled plant protease action could cause excessive tenderization (mushy texture) and poor quality due to an indiscriminate breakdown of proteins. The higher cost of separation and the purification of enzymes, unstable structure, and poor stability of these enzymes due to autolysis are some major challenges faced by the food industry. The meat industry is targeting the recycling of enzymes and improving their stability and shelf-life by immobilization, encapsulation, protein engineering, medium engineering, and stabilization during tenderization. The present review critically analyzed recent trends and the prospects of the application of plant proteases in meat tenderization.

Effect of Rigor Stage and Pressurisation on Lipid Damage, Total Volatile Amine Formation and Autolysis Development in Palm Ruff Stored on Ice

The effect of the rigor stage (pre or post) and previous high-pressure processing (HPP; 450 and 550 MPa for 3 min) was checked during the storage on ice of farmed palm ruff (Seriolella violacea). Fish processed in pre-rigor conditions led to higher and lower levels (p < 0.05) of moisture and lipid contents in chilled fish, respectively, when compared to their counterpart samples processed in the post-rigor stage. Pre-rigor fish showed a higher (p < 0.05) quality level than post-rigor samples according to the assessment of the K value (59.0-92.1 and 70.3-96.3 ranges, respectively), fluorescent compounds (0.29-1.11 and 0.37-1.90 ranges, respectively), free fatty acids (FFA) (15.1-188.0 and 33.8-232.5 g·kg^-1 lipids ranges, respectively), and total volatile amines (216.3-387.6 and 217.7-412.2 g·kg^-1 muscle ranges, respectively). Pressure-treated fish showed higher (p < 0.05) quality retention than non-treated samples according to the formation of fluorescent compounds (0.29-0.86 and 0.85-1.90 ranges, respectively), FFA (15.1-50.6 and 58.9-223.5 g·kg^-1 lipids ranges, respectively), and total volatile amines (216.3-250.3 and 351.1-412.2 g·kg^-1 muscle ranges, respectively) and the evolution of the K value (59.0-77.2 and 86.9-96.3 ranges, respectively). The use of pre-rigor fish and previous HPP is recommended for the commercialisation of the current species as a fresh product.

Origin of static magnetic field induced quality improvement in sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus) during cold storage: Microbial growth inhibition and protein structure stabilization

To explore the potential application of static magnetic field (SMF) treatment in marine fish preservation, the sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus) was exposed to SMF (5 mT) and its quality changes during cold storage were evaluated by total viable counts, water holding capacity, pH, color, and textural properties. Characteristics of the protein in the presence of SMF were investigated by measuring total sulfhydryl (SH) content, Ca2+-ATPase activity, secondary structure, and muscle microstructure. SMF treatment exhibited positive effects on fish quality, showing favorable performance on the most quality indicators, especially a significant reduction in the Microbial Counts. Furthermore, higher total SH content and Ca2+-ATPase activity were observed in SMF-treated samples, demonstrating that the oxidation and denaturation of myofibrillar protein (MP) were delayed due to SMF treatment. The transformation of α-helix to random coil was prevented in SMF-treated samples, indicating that the secondary structure of MP was stabilized by SMF treatment. The above changes in protein structures were accompanied by changes in muscle microstructure. More intact and compact structures were observed in SMF-treated samples, characterized by well-defined boundaries between myofibers. Therefore, our findings suggest that under the conditions of this article, SMF treatment could maintain the quality of fish mainly by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms and enhancing the stability of protein structures, and could be a promising auxiliary technology for preservation of aquatic products.

Effect of Active Coatings Containing Lippa citriodora Kunth. Essential Oil on Bacterial Diversity and Myofibrillar Proteins Degradation in Refrigerated Large Yellow Croaker

The research evaluated the effects of locust bean gum (LBG) and sodium alginate (SA) active coatings containing 0.15, 0.30 or 0.60% lemon verbena (Lippa citriodora Kunth.) essential oil (LVEO) on the bacterial diversity and myofibrillar proteins (MPs) of large yellow croaker during refrigerated storage at 4 °C for 18 days. Variability in the dominant bacterial community in different samples on the 0, 9th and 18th day was observed. Pseudomonas and Shewanella were the two major genera identified during refrigerated storage. At the beginning, the richness of Pseudomonas was about 37.31% and increased for control (CK) samples during refrigerated storage, however, the LVEO-treated samples increased sharply from day 0 to the 9th day and then decreased. LBG-SA coatings containing LVEO treatments significantly delayed MPs oxidation by retarding the formation of free carbonyl compounds and maintaining higher sulfhydryl content, higher Ca²⁺-ATPase activity, better organized secondary (higher contents of α-helix and β-sheet) and tertiary structures during refrigerated storage. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) images showed that the integrity of the sarcomere was damaged; the boundaries of the H-, A-, and I-bands, Z-disk, and M-line were fuzzy in the CK samples at the end of storage. However, the LVEO-treated samples were still regular in appearance with distinct dark A-bands, light I-bands, and Z-disk. In brief, LBG-SA active coatings containing LVEO treatments suggested a feasible method for protecting the MPs of large yellow croaker during refrigerated storage.

Quality changes in high pressure processed tan mutton during storage

The current study investigated the effects of high pressure (HP) treatment at 200 MPa and 500 MPa on quality characteristics of post-rigor tan mutton stored for 7 days at 4 °C, and textural changes were monitored during storage by means of the stress relaxation test. Application of 500 MPa high pressure significantly increased the elasticity and stiffness of meat after 7 days of storage (P < 0.05), accompanied by a lighter and less red appearance and markedly enhanced centrifugal loss during storage campared to untreated (P < 0.05). High pressure treatment at 200 MPa also substantially increased the lightness of samples throughout storage (P < 0.05), and showed a significant increase in stiffness at the end of storage (P < 0.05). Immunoblotting and electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis of key structural proteins revealed that myosin heavy chain denaturation began at 200 MPa, while actin denaturation occurred at 500 MPa. Troponin-T was continuously degraded in different treatments as storage progressed, and 200 MPa treatment and untreated represented similar degradation patterns, while 500 MPa treatment displayed more intense intact troponin-T at 38 kDa degradation. Results suggest that HP induced changes in cytoskeleton proteins, thereby affecting texture, water holding properties and lightness.

Extraction of chitosan from squid pen waste by high hydrostatic pressure: Effects on physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of chitosan

Squid pen sample was treated by high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) prior to the extraction of chitosan. The physicochemical and antioxidant activities of the chitosan obtained with HHP (HHP-CS) were compared with chitosan of untreated squid pen sample (UT-CS). The chitosan extraction yield was optimized using response surface methodology, and the optimum condition was achieved at pressure of 500 MPa, extraction time of 10 min, and 1% (w/w) acetate concentration. The maximum yield of chitosan sample from the chitin of squid pens treated by HHP reached 81.9%. Among the process variables, the combined effects of pressure and acetate concentration significantly enhanced the extraction of chitosan from squid pens. The HHP-CS was found to be significantly effective in enhancing the fat binding capacity, water binding capacity, and water solubility index. SEM image analysis suggested that the HHP-CS had a rough surface with high porosity, while UT-CS exhibited a smooth surface. In vitro antioxidant assay suggested that HHP-CS had significantly higher DPPH radical scavenging activity, greater reducing power, and a stronger ferrous ion chelating effect than did UT-CS. Therefore, HHP can be an excellent alternative method for improving the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of chitosan from squid pens.

A non-invasive method for quantitative monitoring of quality changes and water migration in bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) during simulated cold chain logistics using low-field nuclear magnetic resonance coupled with PCA

Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) is an important fish species worldwide due to its desirable flavour and rich nutrition. Cold chain logistics is one of the most common methods to store and sell bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus). The purpose of this study was to investigate how bigeye tuna (T. obesus) deteriorate during simulated cold chain logistics with fluctuating temperatures by monitoring the quality changes and water distribution. The physical and chemical results showed that the sensory score, texture profile analysis (TPA), and water holding capacity (WHC) decreased, while total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), K value, aerobic plate counts (APC), and psychrotrophic bacterial counts increased with fluctuating temperatures during 132 h. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detection showed that the T₂₁ (trapped water) and proton density decreased, while T₂₂ (free water) decreased initially and then increased, indicating continuous water loss and water migration during storage. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that springiness, hardness, chewiness, T₂₁, and sensory score were correlated with each other (p < 0.05) and the linear combination of quality indicators and T₂transverse relaxation time was established. Besides, temperature fluctuation (batch 3) accelerated the deterioration of bigeye tuna according to the comprehensive score of PCA. Results were based on LF-NMR which can be used to monitor quality changes in a fast non-invasive manner.

Texture Modification Technologies and Their Opportunities for the Production of Dysphagia Foods: A Review

Dysphagia or swallowing difficulty is a common morbidity experienced by those who have suffered a stroke or those undergone such treatments as head and neck surgeries. Dysphagic patients require special foods that are easier to swallow. Various technologies, including high-pressure processing, high-hydrodynamic pressure processing, pulsed electric field treatment, plasma processing, ultrasound-assisted processing, and irradiation have been applied to modify food texture to make it more suitable for such patients. This review surveys the applications of these technologies for food texture modification of products made of meat, rice, starch, and carbohydrates, as well as fruits and vegetables. The review also attempts to categorize, via the use of such key characteristics as hardness and viscosity, texture-modified foods into various dysphagia diet levels. Current and future trends of dysphagia food production, including the use of three-dimensional food printing to reduce the design and fabrication time, to enhance the sensory characteristics, as well as to create visually attractive foods, are also mentioned.