Effect of low dose gamma irradiation on beef quality and fatty acid composition of beef intramuscular lipid

The Effect of Irradiation on Meat Products

The effects of irradiation on meat constituents including water, proteins, and lipids are multifaceted. Irradiation leads to the decomposition of water molecules, resulting in the formation of free radicals that can have both positive and negative effects on meat quality and storage. Although irradiation reduces the number of microorganisms and extends the shelf life of meat by damaging microbial DNA and cell membranes, it can also accelerate the oxidation of lipids and proteins, particularly sulfur-containing amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids. With regard to proteins, irradiation affects both myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic proteins. Myofibrillar proteins, such as actin and myosin, can undergo depolymerization and fragmentation, thereby altering protein solubility and structure. Sarcoplasmic proteins, including myoglobin, undergo structural changes that can alter meat color. Collagen, which is crucial for meat toughness, can undergo an increase in solubility owing to irradiation-induced degradation. The lipid content and composition are also influenced by irradiation, with unsaturated fatty acids being particularly vulnerable to oxidation. This process can lead to changes in the lipid quality and the production of off-odors. However, the effects of irradiation on lipid oxidation may vary depending on factors such as irradiation dose and packaging method. In summary, while irradiation can have beneficial effects, such as microbial reduction and shelf-life extension, it can also lead to changes in meat properties that need to be carefully managed to maintain quality and consumer acceptability.

Lipidomics reveals alterations of lipid composition and molecular nutrition in irradiated marble beef

Electron beam irradiation can effectively inhibit microbial growth, but the changes of lipid during irradiation have not been comprehensively analyzed in marble beef. Here, UHPLC-MS/MS was used to detect lipids changes of irradiated marble beef. A total of 1032 lipids were identified and classified into 3 lipid classes and 8 subclasses in irradiated marble beef. 9 lipid biomarkers were screened with increasing irradiation dose. 122 differential lipids were generated and involved in 4 metabolic pathways included Glycerophospholipid metabolism, Linoleic acid metabolism, alpha-Linolenic acid metabolism and Arachidonic acid metabolism though PC(18:0/14:0), PE(16:0/16:0) and PE(18:0/16:0) in irradiated. Our results showed that irradiation had effect on the lipid of marbled beef, but the increase of irradiation dose from 2.5 kGy to 4.5 kGy had little effect on lipids. These results help us to understand the dynamic changes of irradiated meat lipids and lay a foundation for the application of irradiation in meat preservation.

Application of gamma radiation in the beef texture development during accelerated aging

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of gamma radiation (3 kGy) on the quality of post-rigor beef (M. longissimus lumborum) aged for up to 21 days at different temperatures (1, 7, and 15°C). Irradiation reduced the mesophilic and lactic acid bacteria counts, which were higher in the non-irradiated samples aged at 7 and 15°C. The water retention capacity was lower in the irradiated beef, resulting in higher values of exudation and cooking losses. High aging temperatures increased the exudation loss and myofibrillar proteolysis (lower fragmentation index; FI) and reduced the total and insoluble collagen contents and the beef Warner-Bratzler square Shear Force (WBsSF). However, irradiated beef had higher FI and SF than non-irradiated ones, increasing the time required for the beef tenderizing. Gamma irradiation (3 kGy) can be used to ensure the microbiological safety during short storage at high temperatures (up to 15°C) in order to accelerate the process of beef tenderizing.

Effect of different sweeteners on the quality, fatty acid and volatile flavor compounds of braised pork

This study aimed to assess how several sweeteners (white sugar, Siraitia grosvenorii fruit, mogrosides, and stevia glycoside) affected the flavor, fatty acid composition, and quality of braised pork. The findings indicated that braised meat prepared with sweeteners differed from typical braised pork. When simmered for 60 min, the typical braised pork with white granulated sugar exhibited a significant cooking loss (CL) and little water content. Significantly more than in the group containing Siraitia grosvenorii, mogroside, and stevia glycoside, the Thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) value increased by 14.39% (P < 0.05). The sample in the group that included mogroside had a low CL rate. After 40 min of stewing, the lean pork has the highest L* value, but the 60-min stew sample is nicely colored and stretchy. Mogroside can prevent protein, and lipid oxidation, is thermally stable and reduces CL during stewing. Additionally, Siraitia grosvenorii and stevia glycosides help prevent oxidation from intensifying during stewing. When Siraitia grosvenorii is added, lipid oxidation is significantly inhibited, and stevia glycosides are more beneficial for enhancing meat color. With an increase in heating time, the fatty acids in braised pork reduced; the unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) of the Siraitia grosvenorii fruit (SF) and mg group also fell somewhat, and the UFA: SFA ratio was higher than that of the white sugar (WS) group. The SFA content of the braised meat in the stevia glycoside group was higher than that of the WS group. In all, 75 volatile flavor elements in braised pork were discovered by Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS). The sweetener increased alcohols, esters, and acids in the braised pork. As stewing time increased, ketones decreased, but aldehydes and esters increased. The pork formed antioxidant peptides with great nutritional value after cooking. Braised pork with mogroside and stevia glycoside additions primarily have some protein color protection and antioxidant effects. This study may offer fresh perspectives on applying natural sweeteners and enhancing braised pork’s flavor.

Long term food stability for extended space missions: a review

At present, human spaceflight is confined to low Earth orbit but, in future, will again go to the Moon and, beyond, to Mars. The provision of food during these extended missions will need to meet the special nutritional and psychosocial needs of the crew. Terrestrially grown and processed food products, currently provided for consumption by astronauts/cosmonauts, have not yet been systematically optimised to maintain their nutritional integrity and reach the shelf-life necessary for extended space voyages. Notably, space food provisions for Mars exploration will be subject to extended exposure to galactic cosmic radiation and solar particle events, the impact of which is not fully understood. In this review, we provide a summary of the existing knowledge about current space food products, the impact of radiation and storage on food composition, the identification of radiolytic biomarkers and identify gaps in our knowledge that are specific in relation to the effect of the cosmic radiation on food in space.

LC-MS-based metabolomics reveals metabolite dynamic changes during irradiation of goat meat

The current study applied an untargeted metabolomics approach by ultra high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole-orbitaltrap high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Oritrap-MS) to identify the chemical composition of irradiated goat meat and investigate the effect of irradiation on its metabolic profile and meat quality. A total of 103 metabolites were identified as differential metabolites responsible for metabolic changes in irradiated goat meat, which were involved in phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism and purine metabolism. Differential metabolites comprising amino acids, nucleotides and their derivatives were determined as the discriminating factors responsible for the meat quality during irradiation. Specifically, the levels of L-phenylalanine, L-isoleucine, L-histidine, guanosine, guanine, creatinine, glutathione and nicotinic acid were increased while inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP) and guanosine 5'-monophosphate (GMP) were decreased. Overall, except for L-phenylalanine and guanine, other related metabolites significantly decreased with storage. This study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the effect of irradiation doses and storage time on goat meat metabolism at the molecular level, so as to assess the quality of irradiated goat meat. Satisfactory results with linearity (R² > 0.995), precision (RSD less than 8.9%) and recovery (83%-106%) were obtained, demonstrating that the untargeted mebabolomics approach was appropriate for monitoring the changes of small molecular metabolites in irradiated goat meat and irradiation is a feasible method for goat meat preservation.

Lipidomics profile of irradiated ground meat to support food safety

Meat irradiation is considered as an effective treatment that expose the advantageous effects on meat preservation. This research, based on untargeted LC-HR orbitrap MS-based lipidomics strategy was meant to estimate the alterations in lipid profile of irradiated chicken, turkey and mixed (chicken, turkey and pork) ground meat in order to evaluate if exists any food safety issue concerning the lipidome alteration. Special attention was paid on oxidation triggered by irradiation. All three matrices exhibited a characteristic lipidome profile which was affected differently by five levels of irradiation intensity. Overall, 345 lipids categorized into 14 subclasses were identified. Remarkably, the oxidized glycerophosphoethanolamines and oxidized glycerophosphoserines were identified in irradiated turkey meat, while for all three categories a characteristic diacylglycerols profile was recognised. Our analytical approach highlighted that the estimation of qualitative variations in lipid portion might be valuable in food inspection purposes, especially when the samples from animal origin are suspected on irradiation treatment.

Influence of induction cooking on the flavor of fat cover of braised pork belly

Fat has a great impact on texture and flavor of meat products, which is influenced by cooking methods. In this study, the profiles of fatty acids, volatile compounds, and texture of fat cover of braised pork belly were investigated after plane and concave induction cooking. The results showed that cooking time showed a great impact on fat content, textural properties, fatty acids composition, lipid oxidation, and volatile compounds of fat cover (p < 0.05). When cooking time was fixed, concave induction cooking caused lower hardness, chewiness, and saturated fatty acids but higher polyunsaturated fatty acids at 60 min than plane induction cooking. Electronic nose and GC-MS analyses showed that concave induction cooking had a greater impact on flavor of pork belly fat and produced a comparable flavor to plane induction cooked samples in a shorter time. Sensory evaluation showed that concave induction cooking had higher scores at 60 min. Thus, concave induction cooking could be a more efficient method for meat processing. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Electromagnetic induction heating is an effective cooking technique. It is characterized by uniformity, efficiency, and safety of heating. The application of electromagnetic induction heating technology to the cooking of braised pork was studied, which provides information for further optimizing the cooking technology of braised pork and improving the quality of braised pork.

Effect of irradiation treatment on the lipid composition and nutritional quality of goat meat

The knowledge of the changes in the lipid species in irradiated goat meat is expected to clarify the beneficial effects of irradiation on meat preservation. This study explored the characteristic lipid composition and the changes in irradiated goat meat based on quantitative lipidomics strategy by LC-MS. Totally, 12 subclasses of 174 lipids were identified with significant differences (p < 0.05, VIP > 1), and the absolute quantitative analysis of characteristic lipids was achieved. Significant lipid variables were involved in the major pathways of glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism. Moreover, significant increases during irradiation were found in total TG, PC, PE, LPE, Cer, LPC and SPH, while the total DG, PS, PG, PI and SM decreased after irradiation. Noteworthily, DHA-enriched PC (18:4/22:6) + H, a core nutrient for human health, exhibited an increase in the irradiated group. These results provide a basis for lipid quantitative alterations in irradiated goat meat and application of irradiation in meat preservation.

Effect of edible composite film based on chitosan and cumin essential oil-loaded nanoemulsion combined with low-dose gamma irradiation on microbiological safety and quality of beef loins during refrigerated storage

This research was conducted to assess the combined effect of chitosan (Ch) film containing cumin essential oil nanoemulsion (CNE) and low-dose gamma irradiation (GI) at 2.5 kGy on microbiological safety and quality of beef loins during 21 days of chilled storage. The growth of mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and lactic acid bacteria were retarded in all treated groups (Ch, GI, Ch + CNE, Ch + GI, and Ch + CNE + GI groups) compared to control group during storage time. The treatments also slowed down the increasing level of total volatile basic nitrogen and pH during storage, while irradiation increased the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and protein carbonyls in beef loins. All treatments except Ch were effective to control the growth of inoculated pathogenic bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Salmonella typhimurium, in loin samples. The combination of Ch + CNE + GI was the most effective treatment to control the population of microbial flora and inoculated pathogens, slow down some physicochemical changes, and enhance the storage life of beef loins. As a result, the combination of active chitosan film and low-dose gamma irradiation can ensure microbiological safety and is suggested for long time preservation of beef during chilled storage.

Moisture content, fatty acid profile and oxidative traits of aged beef subjected to different temperature-time combinations

Temperature-time combinations (TTC) effects on beef fatty acid (FA) composition, moisture content and oxidative traits were investigated. TTC were designed so temperatures were constant over each time period, and there was at most one variation in temperature within a sample's combined (total) time period. Therefore, three temperatures (~ 3, 5 and 7 °C) and five time periods (6, 8, 10 and 12 d) resulted in 72 different TTC, which were compared to control samples held for 14 d at ~ 1 °C. It was found that moisture losses increased as TTC temperature and time periods increased. There were negligible effects of TTC on FA composition. Sample TBARS and vitamin E content did not respond to TTC. A positive relationship between beef vitamin E and long chain polyunsaturated FA contents was observed. We concluded that TTC could be applied to accelerate the rate of ageing for beef and achieve comparable yield, oxidative and FA characteristics compared to conventional ageing approaches.

Point of purchase fatty acid profile, oxidative status and quality of vacuum-packaged grass fed Australian beef held chilled for up to 12 weeks

We investigated the fatty acid (FA) composition, oxidative biomarkers and quality traits of chilled beef. Specifically, striploin portions were held in vacuo and chilled (~ 1.5 °C) for up to 12 weeks, and analysed dependent on their assigned chilled storage period (0, 2, 5, 8, 10 and 12 weeks). There were no practical effects observed on beef FA composition as a result of chilled storage - including several polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Intramuscular fat content was found to have a covariate effect, but only for saturated FA and monounsaturated FA. Vitamin E and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were unchanged. Furthermore, improvements to shear force and particle size were evident at 2 weeks and thereafter, no further variation was evident. These findings suggest that beef produced to be healthier based on the EPA, DHA and PUFA content will remain so, for up to 12 weeks. Likewise, beef quality will be preserved across this same period.

Effect of different irradiation dose treatment on the lipid oxidation, instrumental color and volatiles of fresh pork and their changes during storage

This study mainly investigated the effect of different doses irradiation (0, 3, 5 or 7kGy) on the quality changes of pork during 4°C storage by determining the irradiation off-odor intensity, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs), fatty acid composition, volatiles and color of the samples during whole storage. The results showed that ≥7kGy irradiation could make the samples produce obvious irradiation off-odor. However, after 7days storage irradiation off-odor was reduced. Lipid oxidation was also promoted by irradiation. Benzyl methyl sulfide was produced newly and significantly increased (P<0.05) by irradiation. Fatty acids in pork samples decreased significantly with irradiation dose increase within the range of <7kGy, but significantly increased (P<0.05) in samples of 7kGy. Irradiation significantly increased the a* values regardless of storage time but had little effects on b* and L* values, and the increase of a* values was dose-dependent.

Effect of γ irradiation on the fatty acid composition of soybean and soybean oil

Food irradiation is a form of food processing to extend the shelf life and reduce spoilage of food. We examined the effects of γ radiation on the fatty acid composition, lipid peroxidation level, and antioxidative activity of soybean and soybean oil which both contain a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids. Irradiation at 10 to 80 kGy under aerobic conditions did not markedly change the fatty acid composition of soybean. While 10-kGy irradiation did not markedly affect the fatty acid composition of soybean oil under either aerobic or anaerobic conditions, 40-kGy irradiation considerably altered the fatty acid composition of soybean oil under aerobic conditions, but not under anaerobic conditions. Moreover, 40-kGy irradiation produced a significant amount of trans fatty acids under aerobic conditions, but not under anaerobic conditions. Irradiating soybean oil induced lipid peroxidation and reduced the radical scavenging activity under aerobic conditions, but had no effect under anaerobic conditions. These results indicate that the fatty acid composition of soybean was not markedly affected by radiation at 10 kGy, and that anaerobic conditions reduced the degradation of soybean oil that occurred with high doses of γ radiation.

Changes in some physicochemical properties and fatty acid composition of irradiated meatballs during storage

Meatball samples were irradiated using a (60)Co irradiation source (with the dose of 1, 3, 5 and 7 kGy) and stored (1, 2 and 3 weeks at 4°C) to appraise some physicochemical properties and the fatty acid composition. The physicochemical results showed no significant differences in moisture, protein, fat and ash content of meatballs because of irradiation. However, total acidity, peroxide and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values increased significantly as a result of irradiation doses and storage period. The fatty acid profile in meatball samples changed with irradiation. While saturated fatty acids (C16:0, C17:0, C18:0, and C20:0) increased with irradiation, monounsaturated (C14:1, C15:1, C18:1, and C20:1) and polyunsaturated (C18:2, C18:3, and C22:2) fatty acids decreased with irradiation. Trans fatty acids (C16:1trans, C18:1trans, C18:2trans, C18:3trans) increased with increasing irradiation doses. Meatball samples irradiated at 7 kGy had the highest total trans fatty acid content. This research shows that some physicochemical properties and fatty acid composition of meatballs can be changed by gamma irradiation.

Effects of irradiation on hamburgers enriched with folic acid

Hamburgers enriched with different amounts of folic acid (0.6, 1.2 and 2.4 mg/100g) were manufactured. They were then treated with doses of 2-4 kGy of ionizing radiation in order to increase their safety. The effects of these treatments on the colour, texture parameters, and sensory quality of the meat, as well as on the stability of folic acid, were studied in both raw and cooked hamburgers. The presence of folic acid negligibly influenced the quality of these meat products, with irradiation treatments causing most of the loss of sensory quality and so, the treatment with 4 kGy was not adequate. Folic acid levels decreased 20-30% following irradiation with 2 kGy, and no additional decrease was observed at higher doses of radiation. This new functional meat product may help consumers achieve the RDA for this vitamin in a normal diet.

Effects of gamma radiation on microbiological status, fatty acid composition, and color of vacuum-packaged cold-stored fresh pork meat

Pork meat samples were inoculated with high or low levels (10(6) or 10(3) CFU/g) of Salmonella Enteritidis, vacuum packaged, exposed to gamma radiation (1.0, 2.5, and 4.7 kGy), and stored for 1 month at 4 +/- 1 degrees C. In highly contaminated samples, the target strain was completely eliminated only by the 4.7 kGy radiation dose, whereas in samples at the lower contamination level, 2.5 kGy was sufficient to eliminate Salmonella Enteritidis. The highest of the applied radiation doses reduced the aerobic microflora and extended the sample's refrigeration shelf life by at least 2 weeks. The fatty acid profile of pork meat was not significantly affected by any of the applied radiation doses. Irradiation increased the proportion of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and decreased the content of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.05). Irradiation also affected negatively the proportions of the nutritional indexes omega-6/omega-3, SFA/monounsaturated fatty acids, and SFA/polyunsaturated fatty acids. The proportion of the trans fatty acids C18:1omega-9 t9 and C18:2 t9,t12 in the total fatty acids was nearly doubled (90 and 86%, respectively) in the samples that had been exposed to 4.7 kGy. None of the applied radiation doses changed the lightness (L* value) of the meat, but redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) increased, particularly for the samples treated with 4.7 kGy.

A rapid and reliable direct method for quantifying meat acylglycerides with monomode microwave irradiation

A rapid methodology for direct analysis of meat acylglycerides is proposed. A transesterification is carried out in a microwave reactor consisting of a monomode oven using chlorotrimethylsilane (CTMS) and methanol. High-temperature gas chromatography was used to check the absence of underivatized acylglycerides. Whereas transesterification is complete after 30s at 90 degrees C in the microwave method, the reference method needs 2h to complete this process. Moreover, the CTMS-microwave method shows higher recoveries of individual saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. No influence of microwave irradiation on the composition of the fatty acids was observed.