Marination and Physicochemical Characteristics of Vacuum-aged Duck Breast Meat

The Effect of Gelatin Coating and Sonication on the Quality Properties of Wet-Aging Pork Loins

In this study, we evaluate the effect of gelatin coating and sonication of wet-aged pork loin on quality. The moisture content of wet-aged pork loin with sonication and gelatin coating was the highest in the G5S sample (5% gelatin coating and sonication), while the moisture content of wet-aged pork loin with sonication was higher than that without sonication. The pH of wet-aged pork loin with sonication was lower than that without sonication. The aging loss of 5% gelatin coating with sonication was significantly lower than that of G0 (control), while the cooking loss was the lowest in G0 wet-aged pork loin. The water holding capacity of the wet-aged pork loin was the highest in G1. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances value of wet-aged pork loin was significantly decreased with coating and not affected by sonication. The gelatin coating and sonication treatment significantly increased the myofibrillar fragmentation index of the samples. Shear force of wet-aged pork loin significantly decreased as the samples were gelatin-coated and sonicated. The myofibrillar and total protein solubilities were not significantly different between samples. In conclusion, the 1% gelatin coating with sonication can enhance the quality of wet-aged pork loin.

Oxidative Stability of Vacuum-Packed Chicken Wings Marinated with Fruit Juices during Frozen Storage

Antioxidants present in fruits and vegetables have a potential to reduce disease risk, and increase the shelf life of food products by reducing lipid oxidation. The effect of marination with antioxidants-rich fruit juices on quality characteristics of vacuum-packed chicken wings were examined during frozen storage. Chicken wings were mixed separately with marinades containing pineapple juice, June plum juice, and mango juice and kept for 12 h and 24 h. Three best marination conditions were selected based on a sensory evaluation. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of fruit juices, and marinade uptake, and marinade loss of marinated chicken wings were determined. In addition, vacuum packed marinated chicken wings were tested for pH, water holding capacity (WHC), 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value and antioxidant activity over a 4-wk frozen storage. The best sensory properties were reported from chicken wings marinated with pineapple juice for 24 h, mango juice for 24 h, and June plum juice for 12 h (p<0.05) compared to other marinade-time combinations. Mango juice showed the highest antioxidant activity (92.2%) and total phenolic content (38.45 μg/mL; p<0.05) compared to other fruit juices. The pH and WHC of vacuum-packed chicken wings were slightly decreased over the frozen storage (p<0.05). Moreover, chicken wings marinated with mango juice had the lowest TBARS values and the highest 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate free radical scavenging activity. In conclusion, mango juice was selected among tested as the most effective marinade for enhancing the oxidative stability of lipid while maintaining the other meat quality traits of vacuum-packed chicken wings.

Influence of Horse Age, Marinating Substances, and Frozen Storage on Horse Meat Quality

Simple Summary

The age of horses can influence several properties of the obtained raw material. As the age of horses increases, the meat retains less water, and more fat (p < 0.05) and minerals. In general, horse meat from older animals exhibits undesirable stringiness and hardness, due to a large proportion of connective tissue (collagen). Currently, many methods are applied to improve the tenderness of meat. Of these, the most popular is marinating the meat with various substances, which enhances the functional and sensory properties of the meat. Freezing is a widely accepted method for extending the shelf life of meat. Both the technique used for freezing and further storage at negative temperatures have an impact on some of the properties of meat. Most importantly, the pH value, color, and water absorption of meat tend to change with freezing. In addition, the dry matter content and tenderness of meat increase. This study aimed to analyze the impact of horse age, marinating substances, and frozen storage on the quality of horse meat. As horses age, the values of meat cutting force increase (p < 0.05). For example, the cutting force increases by 4.57 N/cm² during the first period of freezer storage, and by 3.28 N/cm² after 3 months of freezer storage (p < 0.05).

Abstract

The present study analyzed the influence of horse age, substances used for marinating, and frozen storage on the quality of horse meat. It was conducted on the samples of the longest thoracic muscle, obtained from 12 carcasses of horses (aged 4–7 and 8–12 years). Among the analyzed samples, a higher fat content (p < 0.05) was found in the meat obtained from the carcasses of older horses. The pH value of the meat samples was influenced by the treatment applied (p < 0.05). Of the substances used for marinating, malic acid caused a decrease in the pH of the meat obtained from young horses (p < 0.05). A similar effect was observed with the addition of phosphates to malic acid-marinated meat. On the other hand, the use of phosphates for marinating resulted in an increase in the pH of the meat obtained from older horses (p < 0.05). The substances used for marinating the horse meat did not significantly affect the reduction in cutting force values. Furthermore, the values of shear force, hardness, stiffness, gumminess, and chewiness of the meat increased with horse age (p < 0.05). An influence on the color parameters a* and b* of the meat was found for the interaction between age, storage period, and the type of treatment (p < 0.05). The use of lactic acid and malic acid for marinating the meat of young horses caused a decrease in the proportion of red color (4.67 and 3.43) and an increase in the proportion of yellow color (3.81 and 1.71), especially after 3 months of freezer storage. All the substances used for marinating (except for phosphates) were associated with higher (p < 0.05) thermal and forced drips of meat from the carcasses of both young and older horses during each storage period, in comparison to the control. The interaction between age and the type of treatment had an influence on the tenderness and juiciness of the horse meat (p < 0.05). In sensory evaluation, it was noted that the interaction between age and the treatment procedure influenced the tenderness and juiciness of the meat samples (p < 0.05). There is still a need for further research to increase knowledge regarding how to improve the quality of horse meat, and ultimately increase the demand from consumers and meat processing plants.

Effect of marinating ingredients on temperature-induced denaturation of hemoglobin and its relation to red blood spot formation in cooked chicken breast

Red blood spot (RBS) commonly found in cooked chicken breast has caused severe economic loss as it is perceived as a sign of undercooked product. The objectives of this study were to investigate the cause of RBS as related to common ingredients used in marination, based on both chicken breast and isolated chicken hemoglobin (Hb) models. The effect of sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), and glucose on thermal denaturation of Hb was investigated along with the extent of RBS formation in cooked marinated chicken breast. After vacuum tumbling for 65 min and subsequent storage at 4 °C for 20 hr, STPP and glucose were not absorbed into the center of chicken breast. However, Na⁺ was absorbed after 12 hr storage. The denaturation temperature (T_d ) of isolated chicken Hb decreased to 65.8 °C in the presence of 1.5 M NaCl, while that of the control was 69.4 °C. STPP at pH 9 decreased T_d of Hb to 61.4 °C. The alkaline pH induced by STPP destabilized the Hb structure. RBSs were observed at 100% incidence when cooked to core temperatures of 50 and 70 °C for 1 min. RBSs were completely eliminated at core temperature of 85 °C. The ingredients used during marination appeared to have a minimal effect on RBS formation due to their limited absorption into the chicken breast. The cooking temperature is a major factor governing RBSs, as it directly affects the denaturation of Hb.

The alternative approach of low temperature-long time cooking on bovine semitendinosus meat quality

Objective

This study aimed to elucidate whether innovative sous vide treatment has a significant influence on the beef semitendinosus muscle as compared to common sous vide treatment and traditional cooking.

Methods

The innovative sous vide treatments were cooked at 45°C and 65°C for 6 h (SV45–65), common sous vide treatment at 45°C and 65°C for 3 h (SV45 and SV65) and traditional cooking at 75°C for 30 min (CON75). Water loss and cooking loss, as well as the physical properties (color and shear force) and chemical properties (protein and collagen solubility) of the treated meat, were investigated.

Results

The results obtained indicated that the innovative sous vide with double thermal treatment (SV45–65) and cooked with air presence (CON75) resulted to lower a* and higher b* values, respectively. The water loss and cooking loss increased when temperature increased from 45°C to 65°C, and lower water loss was recorded in SV45 and CON75. These samples presented higher water content and revealed strong correlation to protein solubility. Warner-Bratzler shear force (SF) analysis showed the marked interaction between cooking temperature and time. Sample cooked at a high temperature (CON75) and a long period (SV45–65) showed a significantly lower value of SF than sample SV65 (p<0.05). Interestingly, there was no difference in SF values between SV45–65 and CON75.

Conclusion

The innovative sous vide treatment with double thermal effect appears an attractive cooking method as compared to common sous vide and traditional cooking method, as it has a potential for improving tenderness values of cooked beef semitendinosus muscle.

Effects of Different Marination Conditions on Quality, Microbiological Properties, and Sensory Characteristics of Pork Ham Cooked by the Sous-vide Method

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of marinade under different conditions (temperature and vacuum) on pork ham cooked by the sous-vide method (61°C and 98.81% vacuum for 45 min). Control group was non-marinade pork ham. The samples were marinated under 1 of 4 conditions: 4°C, 98.81% vacuum (treatment group T1); 4°C, atmospheric pressure (T2); 20°C, 98.81% vacuum (T3); and 20°C, atmospheric pressure (T4). The pH value was higher in the control (6.02) than in the treatment groups (4.30-4.42, p<0.001). Shear force was the lowest in the control: 18.14 N. Lightness and redness values were higher in the control (p<0.001). The chroma value significantly decreased from 12.74 to 7.55 with marinade (p<0.001). Total viable and coliform counts of raw meat were 84.6 and 3.67 Log CFU/g, respectively. After the marinade, the total viable count decreased to 3.00-14.67 Log CFU/g (p<0.001). Coliforms were not detected. After sous-vide cooking, no viable microorganisms were detected in any group. Treatment groups generally showed high scores on consumer preference. The marinade and sous-vide cooking had a positive effect on sensory characteristics. They provided safe conditions for sanitary evaluation. As a result, it appears that marinade at refrigeration temperature is better than that at room temperature.

Improved Oxidative Stability of Enhanced Pork Loins Using Red Perilla Extract

Enhanced meat is defined as fresh meat that has been minimally processed to improve quality and consistency. The present work investigated the quality of enhanced pork loins manufactured with the extract of red perilla leaves (ERP). ERP was prepared by the aqueous extraction of red perilla leaves followed by lyophilization. Enhanced pork loins were produced by injecting brine (15% v/w). The treatments consisted of a control (brine containing no ERP), ERP 0.2 (brine containing ERP at a concentration of 2 g/kg of pork loin), and ERP 0.4 (brine containing ERP at a concentration of 4 g/kg of pork loin). The enhanced pork loins were stored at 4℃ for 7 d, and its quality parameters were investigated. Addition of ERP decreased the L*-value and increased the a*- and b*-values of enhanced pork loins compared to those of the control group at all storage intervals (p<0.05). A significantly lower pH than that of the control was found in ERP 0.4 after 7 d of storage. The malondialdehyde contents of the cooked pork loins were significantly lower in ERP 0.2 and ERP 0.4 than in those of the control after 4 and 7 d of storage (p<0.05). While ERP 0.4 received relatively low scores in taste, flavor, and overall acceptability of the cooked pork loins (p<0.05), no significant differences were found between the control and ERP 0.2. Enhanced pork loins can be produced using ERP to improve their oxidative stability.

Microbial, Physicochemical, and Sensory Characteristics of Quality Grade 2 Beef Enhanced by Injection of Pineapple Concentrate and Honey

This study investigated the effect of injecting pineapple concentrate and honey into low marbled beef in order to enhance its sensory qualities, particularly tenderness and flavor, without compromising its fresh appearance. Beef loin was injected with a solution of 6.0% pineapple concentrate, 2.5% honey, 0.5% monosodium L-glutamate, 0.5% phosphate, and 0.3% salt (w/w) to 120% (w/w) of initial meat weight and stored for 14 d. Non-injected beef loin served as a control. Total aerobic bacterial counts, surface meat color, shear force, reducing sugar content, and sensory evaluation of the beef were analyzed at 0.5, 7, and 14 d of storage. Injection did not affect the total aerobic bacterial counts or color of the beef. However, injection increased the stability of meat color, compared with that of the control, during storage. The shear force value was significantly lower in the injected beef than that in the control. The injected beef had a significantly higher reducing sugar content compared with that of the control. In sensory evaluation, tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and overall acceptance of the injected beef were significantly higher than those of the control at 0.5 d. In conclusion, injection of pineapple concentrate and honey can improve the sensory qualities of low marbled beef, during short storage periods, without changing the fresh appearance of the beef.