Technological demands of meat processing-An Asian perspective

Using ultrasonic-assisted sodium bicarbonate treatment to improve the gel and rheological properties of reduced-salt pork myofibrillar protein

To study the impact of ultrasonic duration (0, 30, and 60 min) and sodium bicarbonate concentration (0% and 0.2%) on the gel properties of reduced-salt pork myofibrillar protein, the changes in cooking yield, colour, water retention, texture properties, and dynamic rheology were investigated. The findings revealed that added sodium bicarbonate significantly increased (P < 0.05) cooking yield, hardness, springiness, and strength of myofibrillar protein while reducing centrifugal loss. Furthermore, the incorporation of sodium bicarbonate led to a significant decrease in L⁎, a⁎, b⁎, and white values of cooked myofibrillar protein; these effects were further amplified with increasing ultrasonic duration (P < 0.05). Additionally, storage modulus (G') significantly increased for myofibrillar protein treated with ultrasonic-assisted sodium bicarbonate treatment resulting in a more compact gel structure post-cooking. In summary, the results demonstrated that ultrasonic-assisted sodium bicarbonate treatment could enhance the tightness of reduced-salt myofibrillar protein gel structure while improving the water retention and texture properties.

Authentication of traditional meat products (Haleem) sold in India: a first report confirming species mislabelling

Traditional meat products like Haleem play a pivotal role in the culinary landscapes of Indian consumers, along with high economic value and business potential. Due to anticipated gains associated with adulterating 'Haleem' and constant evasion from regulatory oversight, the susceptibility to adulteration has substantially increased. Furthermore, no reports/surveillance regarding their labelling compliance has been reported. Hence, we conducted a 2-year surveillance using 100 samples collected from Hyderabad, India, using the Chipron™ DNA macroarray analysis technique. The method was validated for sensitivity (1%), specificity, and with proficiency test samples. Following this, the surveillance samples (beef, chicken, and mutton Haleem) were tested. The surveillance revealed an alarming adulteration of 46% of the samples, with different proportions of adulterant species. Adulteration of unconventional meat like camel meat was also found. These concerning results necessitate the requirement of stricter and constant regulatory surveillance to safeguard consumer trust and preserve the authenticity of traditional meat products.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-024-05947-9.

Comparison of the Fatty Acid Composition and Small Molecular Metabolites between Yanjin Blackbone Chicken and Piao Chicken Meat

The fatty acid composition and small molecular metabolites in breast and leg meat of Yanjin blackbone chickens (YBC) and Piao chickens (PC) were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-quadrupole static field orbital trap mass spectrometry. Thirty-two fatty acids were detected, and the total fatty acid content of PC was significantly higher than that of YBC (p<0.05). Oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and arachidonic acid were the main fatty acids in the two chicken varieties, and the composition of fatty acids in the two varieties were mainly unsaturated fatty acids, being more than 61.10% of the total fatty acids. Meanwhile, 12 and 16 compounds were screened out from chicken legs and chicken breasts of YBC and PC, respectively, which had important contributions to the differences between groups.

A Comparison of the Meat Quality, Nutritional Composition, Carcass Traits, and Fiber Characteristics of Different Muscular Tissues between Aged Indigenous Chickens and Commercial Laying Hens

The aim of this study is to assess the differences in the meat quality, nutritional composition, carcass traits, and myofiber characteristics between Hy-Line grey chickens (HLG, commercial breed) and Guangyuan grey chickens (GYG, indigenous breed). A total of 20 55-week-old chickens were selected for slaughter. The HLG exhibited a larger carcass weight, breast muscle weight, and abdominal fat weight (p < 0.05). The GYG exhibited a higher crude protein content, lower shear force, and smaller fiber size in the thigh muscles, whereas the HLG presented higher pH values and lower inosine-5'-monophosphate content in the breast muscles (p < 0.05). Darker meat based on higher redness and yellowness values was observed in the GYG instead of the HLG (p < 0.05). The research results also revealed parameter differences between different muscle types. Simultaneously, a correlation analysis showed significant correlations between the meat quality traits and myofiber characteristics (p < 0.05). In conclusion, aged indigenous chickens perform better in terms of tenderness and nutritional value in the thigh muscles, and may exhibit a better flavor in the breast muscles, but have a smaller breast muscle weight. Therefore, the current investigation provides a theoretical basis for the different needs of consumers and the processing of meat from old laying hens.

Effects of Shear Stress Waves on Meat Tenderness: Ultrasonoporation

Meat is an important part of the food pyramid in Mexico, to such an extent that it is included in the basic food basket. In recent years, there has been great interest in the application of so-called emerging technologies, such as high-intensity ultrasound (HIU), to modify the characteristics of meat and meat products. The advantages of the HIU in meat such as pH, increased water-holding capacity, and antimicrobial activity are well documented and conclusive. However, in terms of meat tenderization, the results are confusing and contradictory, mainly when they focus on three HIU parameters: acoustic intensity, frequency, and application time. This study explores via a texturometer the effect of HIU-generated acoustic cavitation and ultrasonoporation in beef (m. Longissimus dorsi). Loin-steak was ultrasonicated with the following parameters: time t_HIU = 30 min/each side; frequency f_HIU = 37 kHz; acoustic intensity I_HIU = ~6, 7, 16, 28, and 90 W/cm². The results showed that acoustic cavitation has a chaotic effect on the loin-steak surface and thickness of the rib-eye due to Bjerknes force, generating shear stress waves, and acoustic radiation transmittance via the internal structure of the meat and the modification of the myofibrils, in addition to the collateral effect in which the collagen and pH generated ultrasonoporation. This means that HIU can be beneficial for the tenderization of meat.

Biogenic amines and volatile N-nitrosamines in Chinese smoked-cured bacon (Larou) from industrial and artisanal origins

This study aimed to compare biogenic amines (BAs), volatile N-nitrosamines (VNAs) and chemical properties of Chinese smoked-cured bacon (Larou) from industrial and artisanal sources. The results indicated that nitrite residues were low in artisanal Larou, whereas the salt content was relatively high in all samples. The family-made Larou accumulated high levels of BAs and probably present a health risk. Additionally, phenylethylamine exceeded 30 mg/kg in 4 out of 5 industrial Larou samples, whereas, 9 VNAs concentrations were low and unlikely to induce adverse health effects on consumers. Principal component analysis revealed that the industrial Larou products had similar safety properties in terms of BAs and VNAs content when compared to the family-made samples. Correlation analysis indicated that BAs and VNAs were significantly correlated with free amino acids, a_w, pH and NaCl, respectively. This study suggests that the quality of Larou needs to be further improved by reducing salt and BAs content.

Insight into Antioxidant Activity and Peptide Profile of Jinhua Ham Broth Peptides at Different Cooking Times

This present study aimed to investigate the effects of various cooking times (1 h, 1.5 h, 2 h, 2.5 h, named as JHBP-1, JHBP-1.5, JHBP-2, JHBP-2.5) on the antioxidant activity and peptide profile of Jinhua ham broth peptides (JHBP). The peptides extracted from uncooked ham were used as an uncooked group with the name of JHBP-0. The results revealed that the antioxidant efficacy in the four cooked groups changed dramatically compared to JHBP-0. After cooking, the DPPH radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and superoxide anion radical scavenging activity decreased, except for the Fe2+ chelation and ABTS+ scavenging capacity which increased significantly. However, the cooked groups still showed a strong antioxidant capacity. In particular, the superoxide anion radical scavenging ability and the Fe2+ chelation action were significantly stronger compared to glutathione (GSH) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (p < 0.05). JHBP-1.5 also displayed stronger antioxidant capacity than the other three cooked groups, and its secondary structure and mass distribution changed significantly after cooking, specifically with an increased proportion of helix and <1 kDa peptides. Moreover, the constitution of free amino acids (FAAs) and the types of peptides released in the broth increased significantly with a longer cooking time. In total, 1306 (JHBP-0), 1352 (JHBP-1), 1431 (JHBP-1.5), 1500 (JHBP-2), and 1556 (JHBP-2.5) peptide sequences were detected using LC-MC/MC. The proportion of <1 kDa peptides also gradually increased as the cooking time extended, which is consistent with the molecular weight distribution measurements.

Dynamic alterations in protein, sensory, chemical, and oxidative properties occurring in meat during thermal and non-thermal processing techniques: A comprehensive review

Meat processing represents an inevitable part of meat and meat products preparation for human consumption. Both thermal and non-thermal processing techniques, both commercial and domestic, are able to induce chemical and muscle's proteins modification which can have implication on oxidative and sensory meat characteristics. Consumers' necessity for minimally processed foods has paved a successful way to unprecedented exploration into various novel non-thermal food processing techniques. Processing of meat can have serious implications on its nutritional profile and digestibility of meat proteins in the digestive system. A plethora of food processing techniques can potentially induce alterations in the protein structure, palatability, bioavailability and digestibility via various phenomena predominantly denaturation and Maillard reaction. Apart from these, sensory attributes such as color, crispness, hardness, and total acceptance get adversely affected during various thermal treatments in meat. A major incentive in the adoption of non-thermal food processing is its energy efficiency. Considering this, several non-thermal processing techniques have been developed for evading the effects of conventional thermal treatments on food materials with respect to Maillard reactions, color changes, and off-flavor development. Few significant non-thermal processing techniques, such as microwave heating, comminution, and enzyme addition can positively affect protein digestibility as well as enhance the value of the final product. Furthermore, ultrasound, irradiation, high-pressure processing, and pulsed electric fields are other pivotal non-thermal food processing technologies in meat and meat-related products. The present review examines how different thermal and non-thermal processing techniques, such as sous-vide, microwave, stewing, roasting, boiling, frying, grilling, and steam cooking, affect meat proteins, chemical composition, oxidation, and sensory profile.

Effects of different woods in barbecuing: Consumers' sensory perception and liking of grilled chicken meat

The sensory effects of grilling wood on consumers' response are poorly understood, despite their potentiality in diversifying dishes. This study investigated both the effects of six materials (beech tree wood, Turkey oak wood, Sangiovese grapevine wood, olive wood, strawberry tree wood, charcoal briquettes) used to grill chicken breast meat on liking and sensory perception and consumers' interest in using wood for grilling. A consumer test was conducted (n = 99 subjects, 45% males, aged from 18 to 65 years), applying a Rate-All-That-Apply test, a liking test, and a questionnaire exploring the interest, the perceived value and the sustainability of wood as part of the food processing. The type of wood clearly affected the consumers' sensory perception and acceptability of meat. Strawberry tree wood was the most connoted and divisive sample. Turkey oak, olive tree and Sangiovese grapevine woods were associated to milder sensory profile. Two clusters were found (respectively with 54% participants in Cl1 and 46% in Cl2), with opposite preferences: while Cl2 preferred meat grilled with the most connotating wood (Strawberry tree wood) characterized by bitterness while Cl1 on the opposite preferred meat grilled with the milder woods. Consumers showed a high interest for grilling material, wood origin and wood botanical species, independently from the cluster. Strawberry tree wood was the material that most strongly connotated grilled meat and thus the most divisive one in terms of liking. Different varieties of wood and certified sustainable wood can valorize the grilling process in food services.

Approaching to biogenic amines as quality markers in packaged chicken meat

Following the chicken meat quality decay remains a tricky procedure. On one hand, food companies need of fast and affordable methods to keep constant higher sensory and safety standards, on the other hand, food scientists and operators find difficult conjugating these exigencies by means of univocal parameters. Food quality definition itself is, in fact, a multi-layered and composite concept in which many features play a part. Thus, here we propose an index that relies on biogenic amines (BAs) evolution. These compounds may indirectly inform about microbial contamination and wrong management, production, and storage conditions of meat and meat products. In this study, three cuts of chicken meat (breast filets, drumsticks, and legs) packed under modified atmosphere, under vacuum, and in air-packaging, stored at +4°C (until to 15 days), were analyzed. Some BAs were combined in an index (BAI) and their evolution was followed. The Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Species assay (TBARS) was also used as a common reference method. Generally, BAI may better identify the beginning of quality impairment than lipid oxidation spreading. ANOVA statistical analysis has highlighted that the storage time is anyway the most detrimental factor for chicken decay when it is stored in refrigerated rooms (p > 0.01). Despite TBARS still remains a powerful tool for chicken goods, its exclusive use may not be enough to explain quality loss. On the contrary, BAI implementation in fresh meat can give a more complete information combining food safety exigencies with sensory attributes.

Exploring the dynamics of women consumer preference, attitude and behaviour towards meat and meat products consumption in India

Urbanisation and changing food habits in India have resulted in a shift in consumption from cereals to protein-based foods. Women play a major role in India in all activities related to food at household and therefore, the current paper reports the findings of the qualitative work conducted to understand women consumers' preference and perception towards meat and its attributes as a function of their awareness. The study collected the responses from 510 women residents of Metropolitan city of Bengaluru, India using questionnaires directly by face-to-face interviews and generated data on preference for fresh meat, purchase habits, value added meat products consumption, awareness about meat quality, and future expectations about meat sector. Findings from the current study indicate that, chicken is the most preferred meat (41.76%) while beef was least preferred (5.88%). The 40.59% of respondents preferred meat tenderness as an important eating quality followed by juiciness (37.06%) and flavor (12.94%). Consumers rated ritual slaughter, animal welfare and food safety as relevant issues in meat production, whereas regulations pertaining to meat production, processing of meat and food labelling were of minor significance. The study provide an insight into the significance of various consumer behaviour with respect to choice of meat, awareness on ritual slaughter, animal welfare and processing which is helpful in prioritizing future consumer research and policy decisions in India.

Relationship between Molecular Structure and Heat-Induced Gel Properties of Duck Myofibrillar Proteins Affected by the Addition of Pea Protein Isolate

This paper investigates the relationship between the molecular structure and thermally induced gel properties of duck myofibrillar protein isolate (DMPI) as influenced by the addition of pea protein isolate (PPI). The results showed that b* value of the gels increased; however, a* value decreased with the increase of PPI content (p < 0.05). The whiteness of the gels decreased significantly with the addition of pea protein compared with 0% vs. 0.5% addition. Nuclear magnetic resonance tests showed the area of immobilized water also increased with increasing PPI addition (0−2%), thus consistent with the increased water-holding capacity (p < 0.05). The penetration force of the gels increased with increasing PPI addition (p < 0.05), while the storage modulus and loss modulus of the gels were also found to increase, accompanied by the transformation of the α-helix structure into β-sheet, resulting in better dynamics of gel formation. These results indicated the gel-forming ability of DMPI, including water retention and textural properties, improves with increasing PPI addition. Principal component analysis verified these interrelationships. Thus, pea protein could improve the properties of duck myofibrillar protein gels to some extent and improve their microstructure, potentially facilitating the transition from a weak to a non-aggregated, rigid structure.

Effect of Addition of Fermented Soy Sauce on Quality Characteristics of Pork Patties during Refrigerated Storage

This study aimed to determine whether fermented soy sauce has a mutually synergistic effect on the quality and storage properties of pork patties, and to investigate the effects on the availability and physicochemical properties of various taste ingredients of soy sauce, a traditional Korean food ingredient. The experimental groups were as follows: Control (−): No additives; Control (+): 0.1% ascorbic acid; T1: 1% fermented soy sauce; T2: 3% fermented soy sauce; T3: 5% fermented soy sauce. No significant difference was detected in moisture, protein, and fat among the various treatment groups; however, ash content and water holding capacity increased and texture properties improved with the concentration of fermented soy sauce. The addition of fermented soy sauce during refrigerated storage for 10 days showed a positive effect on the storage properties. The peroxide value, content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and total phenolics, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity differed significantly in pork patties with different treatments and storage intervals. The effect of fermented soy sauce on the overall quality and storage properties of pork patties during refrigerated storage is relatively unknown. These findings demonstrate that the addition of fermented soy sauce improves the quality properties and antioxidant activity of pork patties.

Effect of pH on lipid oxidation mediated by hemoglobin in washed chicken muscle

To investigate the effect of pH on lipid oxidation of chicken muscle, chicken hemolysates were added to washed chicken muscles to analyze lipid oxidation at pH 5.7, 6.3, and 7.2. The results showed that with a blue shift of the Soret peak, oxyhemoglobin gradually transformed to methemoglobin during storage, the shape of porphyrin rings of heme in fluorescence electron microscopy changed from round to trail-like structure. These changes were more significant at low pH. Comparing hemoglobin (Hb) structure, the distance ofamino acids between the E10 of lysine and metHb-7-propionate groups is longer at pH 5.7 than other pHs, which makes solvent easily enter the heme cavity, leading tothe severe destruction of Hb. The linear correlation between color and lipid oxidation also further confirmed that the increased oxidation of chicken Hb causes more rapid lipid oxidation in pH 5.7 than the other 2 pHs (p < 0.05).

Distribution and safety assessment of heavy metals in fresh meat from Zhejiang, China

There are increasing concerns on heavy metals in animal derived foods. We analyzed the levels of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, and Pb in 1066 fresh meat samples including pork, beef, mutton, chicken and duck from Zhejiang province, southeast China. The average levels of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, and Pb were 0.018, 0.002, 0.061, 0.801, 0.0038, 0.055, and 0.029 mg/kg wet weight respectively. There are significant positive correlations among Cd, Hg and Pb (P < 0.05) and negative correlations for Cu–Pb or Cu–Cd (P < 0.05). The exposure assessment showed that the health risk to humans by consuming these meat products was relatively low. However, regular monitoring of heavy metals in meat products is still recommended considering their intensive industrial activities.

The Effect of Breed and Age on the Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and Metabolic Profile in Breast Muscle of Chinese Indigenous Chickens

Indigenous chickens possess desirable characteristics and account for considerable proportions of the total chicken production in China. The current study examined the growth performance, carcass characteristics and muscle metabolites among a crossbred broiler and two indigenous, yellow-feathered chickens (Mahuang and Tuer) with different ages (60 and 75 days). Results indicated that the crossbred broiler had better feed efficiency, higher breast and thigh muscle yield, as well as a lower abdominal fat percentage than Mahuang and Tuer chickens (p < 0.05). Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and multivariate analysis revealed sugars, amino acids and organic acids were the predominant metabolites that differed among the three chicken breeds. Growth performance and carcass traits of yellow-feathered chickens exhibited significant differences with the extension of the feeding period (p < 0.05). Moreover, differential metabolites reflected altered aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, ATP-binding cassette transporters, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, as well as glutathione metabolism in yellow-feathered chickens affected by age. Collectively, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the production efficiency and chemical composition of precursor flavor in Chinese indigenous, yellow-feathered chicken.

Evaluation of skin-on goat meat processing on processing efficiency, carcass yield, meat quality, and sensory attributes

The objective of this study was to evaluate the properties of skin-on and skin-off goat processing and carcasses for processing efficiency, fabrication time, biochemical factors, and sensory attributes for stewed goat meat. Thirty-one goats were harvested in 2 separate experiments, either skin-on (n = 16) or off (n = 15). The carcasses were fabricated into four primals and each primal was cut into cubes. Processing efficiency, carcasses yield, collagen content, moisture, lipid, ultimate pH, and sensory attributes were measured, and multivariate regression analysis were conducted. The skin-on group had greater overall yield compared to the skin-off group (P < 0.01). Consumers rated goat shoulder meat with the highest overall liking compared to the other primals (P < 0.01), regardless of skin present (P > 0.10). Finally, lipid % was found to be the most essential palatability trait to American Asian consumers.

Comparative analysis of meat quality and chemical composition among three weight groups of Chinese Ningdu yellow chicken: Implications for customer choice

The aim of this study was to compare the meat quality and evaluate the chemical composition of Chinese Ningdu yellow chicken of different weights once they have reached market age. Thirty hens at the day of age 118 were selected and divided into three groups according to their weight: light weight (1288.00 ± 69.78 g, n = 10), medium weight (1407.17 ± 39.40 g, n = 10), heavy weight (1581.6 ± 46.59 g, n = 10), and the differences in weight among these three groups are significant. Biochemical, histological, and metabonomic approaches were used to obtain index values of meat quality and chemical composition. Compared with meat from lighter chickens, muscle fiber density was significantly lower in heavier chickens, and meat pH was positively correlated with chicken weight. Though the amount of all measured amino acids were not different among three weight groups of chicken, the levels of several kinds of fatty acids exhibited significant differences or correlations, including linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, myristic acid, oleic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These results contribute to help customers choose the optimal chicken weight depending upon the food to be cooked.

Emerging nondestructive approaches for meat quality and safety evaluation-A review

Meat is one of the most consumed agro-products because it contains proteins, minerals, and essential vitamins, all of which play critical roles in the human diet and health. Meat is a perishable food product because of its high moisture content, and as such there are concerns about its quality, stability, and safety. There are two widely used methods for monitoring meat quality attributes: subjective sensory evaluation and chemical/instrumentation tests. However, these methods are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and destructive. To overcome the shortfalls of these conventional approaches, several researchers have developed fast and nondestructive techniques. Recently, electronic nose (e-nose), computer vision (CV), spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging (HSI), and multispectral imaging (MSI) technologies have been explored as nondestructive methods in meat quality and safety evaluation. However, most of the studies on the application of these novel technologies are still in the preliminary stages and are carried out in isolation, often without comprehensive information on the most suitable approach. This lack of cohesive information on the strength and shortcomings of each technique could impact their application and commercialization for the detection of important meat attributes such as pH, marbling, or microbial spoilage. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of recent nondestructive technologies (e-nose, CV, spectroscopy, HSI, and MSI), as well as their applications and limitations in the detection and evaluation of meat quality and safety issues, such as contamination, adulteration, and quality classification. A discussion is also included on the challenges and future outlooks of the respective technologies and their various applications.

Biochemical Factors Affecting East Asian Consumers’ Sensory Preferences of Six Beef Shank Cuts

The objective of this study was to evaluate biochemical factors affecting Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and East Asian consumers’ eating preferences of 6 different beef shank cuts cooked by moist heat. Six different beef shank muscles were collected from 12 USDA Choice beef carcasses (N = 72). Shank cuts from the left sides were cooked with moist heat and used for East Asian consumer sensory evaluation and WBSF, and shank cuts from the right sides were left uncooked and used for biochemical analysis and visual panels utilizing the same group of consumers. A correlation analysis was conducted to determine the driving factors that contributed to WBSF and East Asian consumers’ overall liking for beef shanks. Biceps brachii and flexor digitorum superficialis-pelvic received the greatest sensory overall liking, with deep digital flexor from the foreshank having the lowest scores (P &lt; 0.01). Deep digital flexor from the foreshank had the greatest WBSF value, most cooked collagen content, and greatest insoluble collagen percentage as well as the greatest raw and cooked pyridinoline (PYD) densities among all the beef shank cuts (P &lt; 0.05). For visual overall liking, shank cuts at approximately 700–750 g such as biceps brachii and extensor carpi radialis received the highest ratings (P &lt; 0.01), and consumers indicated that there was no visual difference in surface color among the shank cuts (P &gt; 0.10). Correlation analysis showed that cooked collagen content and insoluble collagen percentage as well as raw PYD densities had positive correlations with WBSF (P &lt; 0.05) and negative correlations with consumer overall liking (P &lt; 0.01). Surprisingly, collagen content from uncooked shank cuts did not have a direct relationship with consumers’ overall liking nor with WBSF. The results demonstrated that raw PYD density may be a great indicator for cooked beef tenderness in beef cuts with a high concentration of connective tissue prepared with moist heat cookery.

Cytotoxic and genotoxic assessment of tungsten oxide nanoparticles in Allium cepa cells by Allium ana-telophase and comet assays

Tungsten oxide nanoparticles or nanopowder (WO₃NPs) is commonly used in various industries and also in biomedical applications such as additives, pigments, and biomedical sensors. Non-judicious excessive use of these nanoparticles (NPs) could be a serious human health concern. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore the cytotoxic and genotoxic assessment of WO₃NPs through Allium cepa anaphase-telophase and comet assays. Nanoparticles were characterized through the scanning and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zetasizer, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The mean size and the average diameter of WO₃NPs were determined as 21.57 ± 2.48 nm and 349.42 ± 80.65 nm using TEM and a Zetasizer measurement system, respectively. Five concentrations (12.5 mg/L, 25 mg/L, 50 mg/L, 75 mg/L, and 100 mg/L) of WO₃NPs were employed on the Allium cepa (A. cepa) roots for 4 h. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease in mitotic index (MI) was shown by WO₃NPs at all concentrations. The increase of chromosomal aberrations (CAs) was also observed in a concentration-dependent manner due to the WO₃NPs exposure. There was a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in DNA damage at all concentrations of WO₃NPs on the A. cepa cells. It was concluded that WO₃NPs had cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on A. cepa meristematic cells. Moreover, further cytogenetic effects of WO₃NPs should be investigated at the molecular level to assess its safety margin.

Variations in growth performance, meat quality and consumer preferences influenced by difference of breed in buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis)

Context Breeds of buffalo (Nili-Ravi and Kundhi) show different growth-rate and meat characteristics. Consumer preferences vary for the selection of meat according to the taste and sensory attributes. Buffalo meat is widely consumed in Asia and multiple buffalo breeds are reared for meat production. Aims The current experiment was designed to compare growth rates, meat characteristics and consumer preference for meat from bulls of different buffalo breeds. Methods Thirty-five male Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls (NRBB) and 35 male Kundhi buffalo bulls (KBB) having an age of 18 ± 1.56 months and 18 ± 1.65 months with live bodyweight of 150 ± 1.98 kg and 149 ± 2.09 kg respectively, were purchased and reared for 90 days. All animals were slaughtered on the 91st day and samples from M. pectoralis descendance, M. latissimus dorsi and M. obliquus externus abdominis were collected. A consumer preference survey was also conducted to assess the preferences for meat from the buffalo breeds. Key results Results of the survey suggested that for buyers, meat colour was the primary selection criteria (P &lt; 0.05) at the time of purchase. Consumers preferred the lighter-coloured meat of KBB (P &lt; 0.05) than that of NRBB. Conclusions Findings of the study showed that meat from KBB had superior sensory attributes compared with NRBB, although the meat from NRBB was the more nutritious of the two buffalo breeds. Implications The results will provide a focussed view regarding selection of buffalo bulls for meat production.

Research progress on inosine monophosphate deposition mechanism in chicken muscle

With the continuous improvements in human diet, there is an ever-increasing demand for high-quality chicken, so it is particularly important for poultry breeders to carry out the breeding of high-quality broilers in a timely fashion. Inosine monophosphate (IMP) is a flavor-enhancing substance, which plays a critical role in the umami taste of the muscle, making the content of IMP an important umami taste indicator. Currently, research on the deposition mechanism of IMP in chicken is not only necessary for chicken breeders to promote the production of high-quality meat and poultry but also to meet the human demand for chicken meat. In this paper, the research history of IMP, its structure and taste mechanisms, the pathway and influencing factors of de novo IMP synthesis, and the key genes regulating IMP synthesis and metabolism are briefly summarized. Our aim was to lay a theoretical foundation and provide scientific background and research directions for further research on high-quality broiler breeding.

Characterisation of the flavour profile of dry fermented sausages with different NaCl substitutes using HS-SPME-GC-MS combined with electronic nose and electronic tongue

The effects of different sodium substitutes on the physical and bacterial properties, flavour profile and sensory evaluation of dry fermented sausage were investigated. There were three different salt formulations, including control (C: 100%NaCl), S1 (70%NaCl and 30%KCl) and S2 (70%NaCl, 20%KCl and 10% flavour enhancers). Higher moisture content and lactic acid bacteria count, and lower pH and Staphylococcus count were observed in NaCl substitution treatments compared to the control (P < 0.05). Sixty-two volatiles were detected in sausages, and 26 compounds were regarded as key volatile compounds based on the odour activity values. The electronic tongue result and sensory evaluation showed that the taste profile of S2 treatment was similar to control treatment; and the electronic nose, volatile compound results and hierarchical cluster analysis showed that the sodium substitutes had a more significant effect on the odour profile. Overall, S2 may be an ideal low-sodium substitute to achieve a 30% reduction in NaCl and provide a better flavour profile of fermented sausages.

The effects of sodium chloride on proteins aggregation, conformation and gel properties of pork myofibrillar protein Running Head: Relationship aggregation, conformation and gel properties

The objective of this study was to evaluate relationship with aggregation, secondary structures and gel properties of pork myofibrillar protein with different sodium chloride (1%, 2% and 3%). When the sodium chloride increased from 1 to 3%, the active sulfhydryl, surface hydrophobicity, hardness and cooking yield of myofibrillar protein were increased significantly (p < 0.05), the particle size, total sulfhydryl and Zeta potential were decreased significantly (p < 0.05), these meant the aggregations of pork myofibrillar protein were decreased. The changes of proteins aggregation induced the strongest intensity band of Amide I shifted up from 1660 cm^-1 to 1661 cm^-1, meanwhile, the β-sheet structure content was increased significantly (p < 0.05) with the sodium chloride increased. From the above, the lower proteins aggregation and higher β-sheet structure content could improve the water holding capacity and texture of pork myofibrillar protein gel.

Effect of bamboo shoot dietary fiber on gel properties, microstructure and water distribution of pork meat batters

OBJECTIVE

To develop healthier comminuted meat products to meet consumer demand, the gel properties, rheological properties, microstructure and water distribution of pork meat batters formulated with various amounts of bamboo shoot dietary fiber (BSDF) were investigated.

METHODS

Different levels of BSDF (0% to 4%) were added to pork batters, and the pH, color, water-holding capacity, texture and rheological properties of pork batters were determined. Then, pork batters were analyzed for their microstructure and water distribution using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR).

RESULTS

Compared with the control, BSDF addition into meat batters showed a significant reduction in L*-value and a significant increase in b*-value (p<0.05). BSDF addition of up to 4% reduced the pH value of pork batters by approximately 0.15 units; however, the cooking loss and expressible water loss decreased significantly (p<0.05) with the increased addition of BSDF. The hardness and gel strength were noticeably enhanced (p<0.05) as the content of BSDF increased. The rheological results showed that BSDF added into pork batters produced higher storage modulus (G') and loss modulus (G″) values. The SEM images suggested that the addition of BSDF could promote pork batters to form a more uniform and compact microstructure. The proportion of immobilized water increased significantly (p<0.05), while the population of free water was decreased (p<0.05), indicating that BSDF improved the water-holding capability of pork batters by decreasing the fraction of free water.

CONCLUSION

BSDF could improve the gel properties, rheological properties and water distribution of pork meat batters and decrease the proportion of free water, suggesting that BSDF has great potential as an effective binder in comminuted meat products.

SCREENING OF ASPERGILLUS FUNGI FOR EXTRA CELLULAR PROTEASE AND COLLAGENASE PRODUCTION

Protease and collagenase are the most important enzymes used for the processing of meat raw materials. In the meat industry, proteolytic enzymes are used to accelerate the maturation of meat and increase its yield. The use of enzyme preparations in meat processing makes it possible to rationally use meat raw materials, intensify technological processes, improve quality and expand the range of products. Collagenase, unlike protease, acts on those connective proteins of meat raw materials that determine its stiffness, breaking down hard-hydrolyzable and non-digestible collagen. The aim of this study was selection of strains of industrially valuable micromycetes from the collection of micromycetes that have the ability to synthesize extracellular protease and collagenase and create a fungal association. A comparative characterization of 7 strains of micromycetes of the genus Aspergillus and Penicillium - potential producers of protease and collagenase enzymes, was carried out. A. awamori 16 and A. awamori 22 showed the highest clearance zones and was used for further studies. The clearance zones of casein of A. awamori 16 on day 5 were 22.8 mm, and collagen 20.8 mm, while the clearance zones of casein of A. awamori 22 were 20.1 mm, and collagen - 19.1 mm.

Characteristics and incidence of broiler chicken wooden breast meat under commercial conditions in China

Wooden breast (WB) has emerged as a dramatically increasing myopathy in the poultry industry over the past few years. The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of WB in a Chinese commercial broiler processing plant, and the consequences on quality attributes, textural properties, and sensory traits. A total of 1,135 breast fillets were collected at the deboning line and assigned to normal, mild, moderate, and severe WB categories by tactile evaluation. The proportion affected by WB was approximately 61.9%. WB fillets appeared heavier and thicker than normal fillets. The degree of WB myopathy was highly correlated with fillet weight and thickness. The meat quality characteristics of cooking loss and purge loss increased along with increasing severity of WB myopathy. Compression tests of raw meat revealed higher cutting strength and shear values for WB. In cooked meat, only severe WB fillets exhibited elevated hardness and chewiness. Finally, moderate and severe WB fillets affected the sensory evaluation by consumers owing to their impaired general appearance, texture, and drip loss. The results suggested that a high proportion of WB broiler fillets would cause detrimental losses to the poultry meat retailing and processing industry.

Emerging trends of advanced sensor based instruments for meat, poultry and fish quality- a review

Meat and fish chemical composition and sensory attributes are markers of quality that require innovative assessment methods as existing ones are rather technical, laborious, and expensive. Emerging trends of advanced technology instruments have been lauded in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries for their high sensitivity, customizability, rapidness and affordability. Common among these, are the electronic tongue (e-tongue) and electronic nose (e-nose) but their use for meat and fish quality, remains scanty and scattered. This paper aims to systematically discuss the developing trends, principles and the recent use of e-tongue and e-nose for quality measurements in fish and meat. From over 90 research papers, it was observed that an arsenal of chemometric tools have been pivotal in applying these instruments for rapid quantitative, qualitative and predictive analysis of some physical properties, chemical properties, storability and the authentication of meat and fish. Both instruments require no reagent (waste free analytical procedure) and have been lauded for precision and*accuracy but e-nose may be better suited for meat and fish assessments. Unlike the e-tongue, e-nose requires no liquid sample preparation and portable versions are promising for rapid remote analysis of meat and fish samples that can save cost on transferring carcass to laboratories.

Thermal and functional characteristics of defatted bovine heart using supercritical CO2 and organic solvent

BACKGROUND

Consumer demand for low-fat foods has been increasing as a result of attempts to reduce obesity and chronic diseases. Bovine heart was defatted using supercritical CO₂ (SC-CO₂ ) at different pressures together with solvent extraction to produce a protein-based functional ingredient for low-fat food products. Thermal and functional characteristics of control and defatted samples were compared.

RESULTS

Supercritical CO₂ treatment at high pressure results in more removal of fat, producing a protein-rich defatted bovine heart (DBH). The differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) thermograms and SDS-PAGE bands for SC-CO₂ -treated DBHs were similar to those of the control sample, indicating high protein stability and better functionality. Hexane-treated DBH showed no major thermal peaks and very diffuse bands in SDS-PAGE, indicating denaturation of proteins during solvent extraction. No denaturation of proteins in SC-CO₂ -treated DBHs resulted in significantly higher water/oil absorption capacities (3320.00 and 2630.00 g kg^-1 , respectively), total soluble solids (822.20 and 208.71 g kg^-1 at pH 3.5 and 6.5, respectively), foaming capacities (149.37%), and emulsion activity (66.89%) than the hexane-treated DBH.

CONCLUSION

Supercritical CO₂ treatment of DBH led to higher thermal stability and functional properties than the control and hexane-treated DBH. Defatted bovine heart using SC-CO₂ can be a functional ingredient for various low-fat and high-protein food products for health-conscious consumers. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of gellan gum on functional properties of low-fat chicken meat batters

The effects of substituting pork back-fat with addition of gellan gum and water on gel characteristics, rheological property, water mobility, and distribution of chicken meat batters were studied. The addition of gellan gum significantly affected the cooking yield, color, texture, and rheological property of chicken meat batters (p < .05). The cooking yield and textural properties were not significantly different (p > .05) when gellan gum was added with 0, 0.2, and 0.4%. When the level of gellan gum reached 0.6%, the cooked chicken meat batters had significantly lower L* value, cooking yield, hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, and chewiness values (p < .05). The initial storage modulus (G') of chicken batters was significantly decreased (p < .05) with increasing gellan gum. During the heating, an increase in denaturation temperature of the myosin head and tail were observed in chicken batters with added gellan gum. The G' of chicken batters with 0, 0.2, and 0.4% gellan gum were not significant difference (p > .05) at 80C, but the G' of chicken batters with 0.6% gellan gum was significantly decreased (p < .05). LF-NMR revealed that T₂₁ and T₂₂ were significantly increased (p < .05) with increasing the water and gellan gum content while P₂₁ and P₂₂ were not significantly different (p > .05) in the chicken batters with 0, 0.2, and 0.4% gellan gum. A significant decrease was observed (p < .05) in the chicken batter with 0.6% gellan gum. Overall, added 0.2 and 0.4% gellan gum to chicken meat batters could reduce pork back-fat. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Emulsion-type meat products contain a high level of fat, saturated fatty acids, and cholesterol, which have a potential negative effect on consumers health. However, animal fat plays an important role in the textural properties and water-holding capacity of meat products. One of great challenges in meat processing is how to find a fat substitute to produce low-fat meat products which have overall acceptable quality. This study showed that the addition of gellan gum influenced the textural properties of chicken batters and changed the dynamic rheological behavior. The addition of 0.2 and 0.4% gellan gum kept a stable cooking yield and textural properties of cooked chicken batters and also reduced the pork back-fat. LF-NMR could reflect the cooking yield and gel properties of the chicken batters. Gellan gum may be used to replace pork back-fat to produce low-fat chicken meat batters having overall acceptability in meat industry for meeting consumer demand.

Utilization of the Crust from Dry-aged Beef to Enhance Flavor of Beef Patties

The crust that inevitably forms on dry-aged beef is usually trimmed and discarded before sale. The aim of this study was to explore methods for utilizing this crust in processed meat products. Four sirloins were dry-aged for 28 d at 4℃ (75% relative humidity). The crust obtained from the surface of the sirloins after completion of dry aging was lyophilized. Patties were prepared without added crust (control) or with 5% w/w crust, aerobically packaged, and stored at 4℃ for 7 d. Electronic nose analysis indicated that the volatile profile differed significantly between the patties with and without crust. Compared to the control patties, patties containing crust had higher flavor, tenderness, juiciness, and acceptability scores in a sensory panel evaluation (all p<0.05). In addition, patties with crust were less hard, gummy, and chewy than the control patties after 3 and 7 d of storage (all p<0.05). The number of total aerobic bacteria was higher in raw patties with crust than in the control patties during the storage (p<0.05). However, no pathogens were detected. 2-Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values of patties containing crust were significantly lower than those of control patties after 2 and 6 d of storage (both p<0.05). Thus, crust from dry-aged beef can enhance the flavor by providing beefy and palatable flavor without a long period of dry aging.

1H NMR-based metabolic characterization of Chinese Wuding chicken meat

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition of precursor flavor substance of Wuding chicken with the age of 110, 140, 170, 200 and 230 days. The metabolic composition of chicken meat was studied using ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Compared with 110 days, the total metabolite content was significantly higher in other four periods for the chicken breast and leg meat (P < 0.01). Organic acid and small peptides were the two most metabolites for the chicken breast and leg meat. Comprehensive multivariate data analysis showed significant differences about precursor substance between the chicken samples of 230 days and other four ages including lactate, creatine, IMP, glucose, carnosine, anserine, taurine and glutamine (P < 0.05). These results contribute to a further understanding of changes in chicken meat metabolism as chicken ages, which could be used to help assess the quality of chicken meat.

Effects of vacuum and high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging on physico-chemical and microbiological properties of minced water buffalo meat

OBJECTIVE

In this study, the effects of vacuum (VP) and high-oxygen modified atmosphere (80% O2+20% CO2) packaging (HiOx-MAP) on physico-chemical and microbiological properties of minced water buffalo meat were investigated.

METHODS

After minced meat preparation, samples were packaged under VP and HiOx-MAP and stored at 2°C±0.5°C for 14 days. Samples taken on certain days were subjected to total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, total aerobic psychrotrophic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, Pseudomonas, Enterobacteriaceae and yeast-mold counts as well as pH, color (L*, a*, and b*) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) analyses.

RESULTS

In minced water buffalo meat packaged under HiOx-MAP, TBARS value exceeded 1 mg malondialdehyde/kg on the 4th day of the storage. In VP samples, TBARS value remained close to initial TBARS value during storage. According to the findings, a* value was determined to be high in the HiOx-MAP samples within initial days of the storage. However, no significant changes in a* value were observed in VP samples during storage. In contrast, the mean value of L* was detected as higher in HiOx-MAP sample than VP samples. The count of psychrotrophic bacteria increased more than that of mesophilic bacteria during storage. The growth of Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas was delayed in both the packaging methods. However, lactic acid bacteria exhibited more growth in VP samples compared to MAP samples.

CONCLUSION

The lipid oxidation proceeded faster than expected in minced water buffalo meat packed with HiOx-MAP method. This situation adversely affected the a* value. On the other hand, similar microbiological results were obtained in both packing methods.