Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Microbial Counts (microbial + count)
Selected AbstractsSAFETY and QUALITY EVALUATION of A YOGURT-BASED DRINK PROCESSED BY A PILOT PLANT PEF SYSTEMJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2004G.A. EVRENDILEK ABSTRACT Yogurt-based drink samples were prepared by mixing plain yogurt, water, sugar, and strawberry flavored fruit syrup. the samples were treated by both the mild heat (60C for 30 s) combined with a pilot plant pulsed electric field (PEF) system and the mild heat only in order to determine changes in the product safety and quality. Changes in the product safety were measured as microbial count, and changes in the product quality as L, a, b, oBrix and pH values. the treated and control samples were stored at 4 and 22C for microbial, physical and sensory evaluations. Since the 60C-treated samples exploded after 14-day storage, the safety and quality evaluations for 91 days were performed for the 60C? and control samples, only. Microbial count of the 60C? samples was significantly lower than that of the control samples at the two temperatures for the 91-day storage (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the L, a, b values, oBrix and pH between the control and 60C? samples (P < 0.05). the control and 60C? samples revealed no significant difference in the selected sensory attributes (P < 0.05). [source] Chemical composition and microbial evaluation of Argentinean Corrientes cheeseINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DAIRY TECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2008OLGA M VASEK The chemical and microbial composition of an artisanal cheese made from raw cow's milk produced and consumed in the province of Corrientes (north-eastern Argentina) was evaluated using standard methods. Corrientes cheese has high moisture content (50,60%), normal protein and fat contents (21,27 and 22,26% respectively), and is low in salt (0.5,2.0% w/w). Microbial counts also varied significantly between samples (colony-forming units per gram ranges covering logs of 5,11), probably due to environmental contamination in the raw material. These results will help produce higher quality Corrientes cheeses with well-defined characteristics. [source] COMPARISON AMONG GLUTEN, MALTODEXTRIN, AND SOYBEAN OIL COATINGS AS FLAVOR CARRIERS ON PITA CHIPS,JOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY, Issue 5 2000H.A. MANSOUBI ABSTRACT Dietary health concerns of consumers have prompted manufacturers to produce snacks with lower fat content. Reduced fat products need additional ingredients to compensate for flavor loss. Gluten and maltodextrin coatings were compared with soybean oil as a carrier of cheese powder on pita chips. Coated pita chips were packaged with or without nitrogen and stored at 33C and 50% humidity for 60 days. Physical, chemical, microbiological, and sensory properties of the chips were evaluated. Saturation index and hue angle were significantly different at 30 and 60 days for all treatments. Instrumental texture analysis was inconclusive due to high standard deviations. Peroxide value for oil-coated chips increased significantly over time. Consumer acceptance testing indicated a stronger cheese flavor for maltodextrin and gluten treatments compared with oil. No off-flavors were detected from any chips. Microbial counts were low and did not differ significantly among treatments. Gluten and maltodextrin coatings may be alternative flavor carriers to oil for reduced fat content in snack foods. [source] Recovery of,Salmonella enterica,Serovars Typhimurium and Tennessee in Peanut Butter after Electron Beam ExposureJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 7 2010Kristen E. Matak Abstract:, The effect of electron beam (e-beam) radiation on the recovery of,Salmonella,serotypes Tennessee (ATCC 10722) and Typhimurium (ATCC 14028) in creamy peanut butter over a 14-d storage period at 22 °C was studied. Each,Salmonella,type was independently inoculated into peanut butter and subjected to e-beam doses that ranged from 0 to 3.1 kGy, confirmed by film dosimetry. After 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, and 14-d of storage, microbial analyses were conducted. Survivors were recovered on growth and selective media using standard spread-plating methods. Microbial counts (CFU/g) were log-converted and differences were determined by ANOVA and Tukey's Honestly Significant Differences test. When samples were not e-beam-treated, there were no significant changes (P,> 0.05) in microbial numbers over time. In e-beamed samples, microbial numbers decreased over time; however, reductions were not always significant. Initial recovery rates (R-rates) 2 d after e-beam treatment were significantly different for the 2 strains of,Salmonella,and between recovery media (P,< 0.05); however, these differences did not persist for the remainder of the storage period (P,> 0.05) indicating that injured cells were not able to survive in the high-fat, low-water activity peanut butter environment. R-rates for both strains of,Salmonella,were maintained until day 14 when there were significant reductions in,Salmonella,Typhimurium (P,< 0.05). These results indicate that,Salmonella,Tennessee and,Salmonella,Typhimurium will survive in peanut butter when exposed to nonlethal doses of e-beam irradiation. Practical Application: Electron beam (e-beam) irradiation is an alternative to thermal processing; this technique inactivates microorganisms and insects that might be present in a food by generating radiation by accelerated electrons that inactivate organisms directly because of interaction with cell components and indirectly by producing free radicals that disrupt integrity of the cell membrane. E-beam radiation will reduce the number of probable microbiological hazards that could be present while the food remains generally unaffected in texture, taste, and nutritional value. A recent study showed e-beam irradiation to be effective at reducing both,Salmonella,Tennessee and Typhimurium in peanut butter by one log after exposure to less than 1 kGy, highlighting the need to explore this process further. [source] SAFETY and QUALITY EVALUATION of A YOGURT-BASED DRINK PROCESSED BY A PILOT PLANT PEF SYSTEMJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2004G.A. EVRENDILEK ABSTRACT Yogurt-based drink samples were prepared by mixing plain yogurt, water, sugar, and strawberry flavored fruit syrup. the samples were treated by both the mild heat (60C for 30 s) combined with a pilot plant pulsed electric field (PEF) system and the mild heat only in order to determine changes in the product safety and quality. Changes in the product safety were measured as microbial count, and changes in the product quality as L, a, b, oBrix and pH values. the treated and control samples were stored at 4 and 22C for microbial, physical and sensory evaluations. Since the 60C-treated samples exploded after 14-day storage, the safety and quality evaluations for 91 days were performed for the 60C? and control samples, only. Microbial count of the 60C? samples was significantly lower than that of the control samples at the two temperatures for the 91-day storage (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the L, a, b values, oBrix and pH between the control and 60C? samples (P < 0.05). the control and 60C? samples revealed no significant difference in the selected sensory attributes (P < 0.05). [source] Pasteurization of Fruit Juices by Means of a Pulsed High Pressure ProcessJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 3 2010Giorgio Donsì ABSTRACT:, The use of pulsed high hydrostatic pressure was investigated as a possible approach to stabilize foodstuffs. The objective of this article was to investigate the effect of the main processing variables (pressure [150 to 300 MPa], temperature levels [25 to 50 °C], and pulse number [1 to 10]) on the sanitation of nonpasteurized clear Annurca apple juice as well as freshly-squeezed clear orange juice. The aim of the article was the optimization of the process parameters in step-wise pressure treatment (pressure holding time of each pulse: 60 s, compression rate: 10.5 MPa/s, decompression time: 2 to 5s). The shelf life of the samples, processed at optimized conditions, was evaluated in terms of microbiological stability and quality retention. According to our experimental results, the efficiency of pulsed high pressure processes depends on the combination of pulse holding time and number of pulses. The pulsed high pressure cycles have no additive or synergetic effect on microbial count. The efficacy of the single pulses decreases with the increase of the pulse number and pressure level. Therefore the first pulse cycle is more effective than the following ones. By coupling moderate heating to high pressure, the lethality of the process increases but thermal degradation of the products can be detected. The optimization of the process condition thus results in a compromise between the reduction of the pressure value, due to the synergetic temperature action, and the achievement of quality of the final production. The juices processed under optimal processing conditions show a minimum shelf life of 21 d at a storage temperature of 4 °C. [source] Aseptic Processing of Sweetpotato Purees Using a Continuous Flow Microwave SystemJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 9 2005Pablo Coronel ABSTRACT: Sweetpotato purees (SPP) were aseptically processed using a continuous flow microwave system to obtain a shelf-stable product. The dielectric properties of SPP were measured, and the dielectric constant and loss factor were within the range of the published values for fruits and vegetables. Small-scale tests were conducted in a 5-kW microwave unit to determine changes in color and viscosity with different thermal treatments. The results of these tests showed that color values (L*, a*) and viscosity did not change significantly compared with the untreated control. Pilot-scale tests were then conducted in a 60-kW microwave unit where the product was heated to 135 °C and held at that temperature for 30 s. The pilot-scale test produced a shelf-stable product with no detectable microbial count during a 90-d storage period at room temperature. This is the 1st report of aseptically packaged vegetable puree processed by a continuous flow microwave heating system. [source] EFFECT OF VARIETAL DIFFERENCES AND POLISHING OF RICE ON QUALITY PARAMETERS OF IDLIJOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 5 2005CHANDINI S. KUMAR ABSTRACT The effect of varietal differences and polishing of rice on quality parameters of "idli," an Indian fermented product, were studied. In addition, the functional properties of decorticated (whole and split) black gram (Phaseolus mungo Roxb.), were also determined. Two varieties of raw rice, "Jaya" and "Minilong," and one variety of parboiled rice "Ponni" with two degrees of polishing (high and low) were selected. Idlis were prepared following standard procedures. Variations were observed in water and fat absorption capacities of two black gram samples. Emulsification capacity ranged from 102 to 110 mL/100 g. Foam capacities at different pH range were similar, but foam stability differed as a function of time. The pH of the fermented batter was between 4.1 and 4.8. Rice with a lesser degree of polishing fermented better with higher batter volume and microbial count, lesser shear value and gave softer idlis. However, sensory analysis revealed that idlis prepared with low-polish rice scored significantly lower for appearance and color quality compared with products prepared with high-polish rice. Significant differences were observed in the quality of flavor of all products. It can be concluded that the quality characteristics of Idli were influenced by the variety of rice and the degree of polishing, but the two types of black gram used, whole and split, had no effect. [source] The effect of gamma irradiation on the microbial load, mineral concentration and sensory characteristics of liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L)JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 1 2003Mahfouz Al-Bachir Abstract Ground liquorice roots were exposed to various doses (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20,kGy) of gamma radiation from a 60Co source. Irradiated and non-irradiated samples were stored at room temperature. Microbial population, viscosity, concentrations of some minerals and the sensory properties of the extracts were evaluated after 0 and 12 months of storage. Tests carried out immediately after irradiation showed that the microbial count had been reduced and that the dose required to reduce the count by 1 log cycle (D10) was about 2,kGy. No effect was observed on the total dissolved solids in extracts of liquorice roots. Glycyrrhizinic acid concentration in the extracts and the viscosities of suspensions produced from irradiated roots were lower than those from non-irradiated ones. Sensory evaluation indicated that there were no significant differences (P,<,0.05) in colour, taste or flavour between extracts produced from irradiated and non-irradiated roots. However, after 12 months of storage, some mineral ion (Na+, Ca2+ and K+) concentrations in extracts produced from irradiated roots were lower than in those from non-irradiated ones; no significant differences (P,<,0.05) in viscosity were found between suspensions of irradiated and non-irradiated roots. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Sterilization of ginseng using a high pressure CO2 at moderate temperaturesBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 2 2009Fariba Dehghani Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of using high pressure CO2 for sterilization of Ginseng powder, as an alternative method to conventional techniques such as ,-irradiation and ethylene oxide. The Ginseng sample used in this study was originally contaminated with fungi and 5,×,107 bacteria/g that was not suitable for oral use. This is the first time that high pressure CO2 has been used for the sterilization of herbal medicine to decrease the total aerobic microbial count (TAMC) and fungi. The effect of the process duration, operating pressure, temperature, and amount of additives on the sterilization efficiency of high pressure CO2 were investigated. The process duration was varied over 15 h; the pressure between 100 and 200 bar and the temperature between 25 and 75°C. A 2.67-log reduction of bacteria in the Ginseng sample was achieved after long treatment time of 15 h at 60°C and 100 bar, when using neat carbon dioxide. However, the addition of a small quantity of water/ethanol/H2O2 mixture, as low as 0.02 mL of each additive/g Ginseng powder, was sufficient for complete inactivation of fungi within 6 h at 60°C and 100 bar. At these conditions the bacterial count was decreased from 5,×,107 to 2.0,×,103 TAMC/g complying with the TGA standard for orally ingested products. A 4.3 log reduction in bacteria was achieved at 150 bar and 30°C, decreasing the TAMC in Ginseng sample to 2,000, below the allowable limit. However, fungi still remained in the sample. The complete inactivation of both bacteria and fungi was achieved within 2 h at 30°C and 170 bar using 0.1 mL of each additive/g Ginseng. Microbial inactivation at this low temperature opens an avenue for the sterilization of many thermally labile pharmaceutical and food products that may involve sensitive compounds to ,-radiation and chemically reactive antiseptic agents. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 569,576. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Anti-microbial hand washes for domestic use , their effectiveness in vitro and in normal useINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES, Issue 3 2001Kay Sharp Abstract The killing or removal of microbes from the hands is a critical factor in food safety as many studies have shown the hands to be both an important source of microbes and powerful agents of cross-contamination in hospital and domestic situations. In response to this concern, a number of novel hand-washing products have appeared on the market. These products contain anti-microbial agents and claim to be more effective at removing bacteria than soap bars and conventional liquid soaps. This study attempts to test these claims by comparing the effectiveness of a conventional soap bar, a conventional liquid soap and an anti-microbial liquid soap containing triclosan. In vitro tests demonstrate that the anti-microbial liquid soap is more effective than conventional liquid soaps in reducing the viability of six bacterial species and that this effect is both time and dose dependent. However, when the three soaps were compared for their ability to reduce microbial counts on the hands no differences were observed between the three products. For all three soaps, counts after washing sometimes went up and sometimes down when compared with pre-wash counts. This was the case both when the soaps were used ,normally', that is, with great variation in the time taken, water and soap volumes used and method of washing and after a standardized, rigorous wash recommended in clinical situations. Furthermore, reduction in microbial counts from hands contaminated by handling raw meat was no greater for the anti-microbial than for the conventional liquid soap. [source] Effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG addition in ice creamINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DAIRY TECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2005CRISTINA ALAMPRESE A 24 full factorial experimental design was applied to verify the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) addition in retail-manufactured ice cream stored at two different freezing temperatures (,16°C and ,28°C) and containing two different levels of sugar (15,22%) and fat (5,10%). In addition to microbial counts, the pH, acidity, viscosity of the mixes and functional properties of the ice creams were evaluated. Both fresh and frozen-thawed LGG cells underwent preliminary resistance tests to bile, antibiotics and acidity. The LGG strain proved to be highly resistant to most of the stress factors. When the micro-organism was added to ice cream mixes in a quantity of 108 cfu/g, it did not change the overrun, firmness or melting behaviour of the finished product. Regardless of formulation, no count decay of LGG cells was observed in ice cream stored for up to 1 year. [source] Judgement of hygienic quality of roughage in horse stables in SwitzerlandJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 4 2008B. Wichert Summary In 46 horse farms all over Switzerland, the hygienic quality of the roughage (including silages) was investigated. Therefore, a macroscopic examination as well as the microbial counts (bacteria, yeasts and moulds) was carried out. Further, the contents of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and the contamination with deoxynivalenol (DON) were determined. In all roughages, the dry matter (DM) content was measured and in silages additionally the pH was measured. Predominantly, the straw showed a lower hygienic quality than hay and silages. The LPS contents were significantly higher in straw than those in hay samples. The macroscopic examination and the microbial counts showed a tendency in the same direction. Eight straw samples and one hay sample with DON contamination were found. The silages showed a DM content with a median of 65.8%. The pH of those silages was between 4.3 and 5.9. Despite the high values of DM and pH, the silages showed mainly a high hygienic quality. In total, the hygienic standard of straw was worse than that of hay. This should be taken into account also in straw used as bedding as much as the hygienic quality of hay. [source] PROPOSED NEW COLOR RETENTION METHOD FOR TILAPIA FILLETS (O. NILOTICUS, × O. AUREUS,) BY EUTHANATIZING WITH REDUCED CARBON MONOXIDEJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION, Issue 5 2008LAIHAO LI ABSTRACT The conditions of color retention for tilapia fillets (O. niloticus, × O. aureus,) treated by euthanatizing with reduced carbon monoxide (CO) were investigated. Live tilapias were first exposed to water saturated with CO. After a certain amount of CO-saturated water had been pumped through the gills, the tilapias were timely picked out and killed following the industry guidelines. The color value of fillets was measured by colorimeter to evaluate the color retention. The results showed that (1) temperature did not have a significant effect on the color of the fillets; (2) the optimal conditions were a ratio of 3:1, v/w between water and fish, a CO flow rate of 80 mL/min and 10 min CO injection followed by 5 min air exposure. Under these conditions, a higher a*value (redness 19.44) and a better sensory evaluation value (4.8) were obtained; and (3) the proposed method shortened processing time by 30,35 min, reduced the frequency of sterilization to only once, significantly lowered microbial counts from 82.33 × 102 to 56.33 × 102 and reduced the CO requirement 25-fold, which has significant occupation, health, safety, and environmental implications. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Color retention for tilapias is conventionally accomplished by treating fillets with CO. Recently, euthanatizing tilapias with CO has been assumed to be an effective way to shorten processing time and to lessen product handling process. Many factories have been searching for a way to solve the problem of color retention for tilapias or other red muscle treatment, but there has been a lack of information on how euthanasia affects fish quality, especially red muscle color. The objective of this experiment was to explore the application of the new method. [source] STORAGE QUALITY OF PASTEURIZED AND UV TREATED APPLE CIDERJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION, Issue 1 2003KAWALJIT TANDON Two studies were conducted to assess the effect of hot-fill pasteurization at 63C and UV irradiation at 14 mJ/cm2 on the quality and shelf-life of apple cider packaged under controlled conditions with minimal packaging contamination, and under pilot plant conditions resembling commercial operations. The processed cider was stored at 7C for up to 14 weeks in the first study and 4 weeks in the second. Microbiological, chemical and sensory tests were conducted weekly on cider samples. There were no significant differences among the fresh processed ciders with regard to taste and preference. All treatments achieved a reasonable reduction in microbial counts, although hot-fill pasteurization provided longer shelf-life. There were significant changes in pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids and turbidity of samples during storage. Hot-fill at 63C is a comparable alternative to flash pasteurization at 71C for 6 s for the production of safe quality cider at small cider mills. [source] RING CHARACTERIZATION OF QUALITY INDICES IN BUTTERHEAD LETTUCE CULTIVATED UNDER MULCH AND BARE SOILJOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY, Issue 4 2010MARÍA G. GOÑI ABSTRACT Butterhead lettuce was characterized by physical, microbiological and nutritional quality indices as a function of plant zoning and soil management (bare soil and mulch). Quality indices were measured in all the rings from the external toward the internal ratio. Assayed indices were: relative water content, water content, free and bound water, and the ratio between free water and total water, leaf area and color, total microbial counts (TMC) and ascorbic acid content (AA). The lettuce characterization by rings showed a remarkable plant zoning as a function of leaf age and development; also, some initial indices were affected by the soil management employed. Plastic mulches affect the microclimate around the plant, resulting in better plant water status. However, the use of black plastic covers could absorb sunlight therefore increasing soil temperature and causing lower AA and higher TMC in lettuce tissue. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS During lettuce development, each leaf had a different level of exposure to environmental conditions, such as light, humidity, nutrients absorption and temperature affecting the quality indices of the raw material and introducing a source of variability in the physico-chemical, biochemical, nutritional and microbiological indices within the plant. In this way, the location of the leaf within the whole plant is an important factor to be considered. Moreover, during lettuce heads trading, it is a common practice to remove the external leaves as storage advances. These leaves are more perishable than middle and internal ones because of their direct exposure to environmental conditions. Understanding the way in which physical, microbiological and nutritional indices were distributed in the whole lettuce plant could be of interest, to know the value of the losses of regular green grocers' practices, from a nutritional and a safety point of view. [source] FECAL COLIFORM CONTAMINATION OF BEEF CARCASSES DURING THE SLAUGHTERING PROCESSJOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 4 2001SUZAN YALÇIN ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to determine the fecal coliform counts of beef carcasses during different stages in the slaughter process. A total of nine carcasses were selected at random in the abattoir. The samples were taken by excision from three different sites; rump, brisket and shoulder. The samples were collected from the same carcasses at four different stages of processing; after dressing, after evisceration, after washing and after chilling for 24 h in a chilling room. The processing steps did not increase the fecal coliform counts on the rump samples. There were no significant differences in the samples of rump and shoulder among different processing steps. The contamination level of the brisket after washing was significantly higher than other processing steps. Brisket and shoulder parts are critical points for microbiological sampling as these sites showed higher microbial counts after chilling steps. The data obtained have relevance for the planning of washing methods for the production of clean and safe carcasses. [source] Effect of Storage Temperature and Duration on the Behavior of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on Packaged Fresh-Cut Salad Containing Romaine and Iceberg LettuceJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 7 2010Yaguang Luo Abstract:, This study investigated the impact of storage temperature and duration on the fate of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on commercially packaged lettuce salads, and on product quality. Fresh-cut Romaine and Iceberg lettuce salads of different commercial brands were obtained from both retail and wholesale stores. The packages were cut open at one end, the lettuce salad inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 via a fine mist spray, and resealed with or without an initial N2 flush to match the original package atmospheric levels. The products were stored at 5 and 12 °C until their labeled "Best If Used By" dates, and the microbial counts and product quality were monitored periodically. The results indicate that storage at 5 °C allowed E. coli O157:H7 to survive, but limited its growth, whereas storage at 12 °C facilitated the proliferation of E. coli O157:H7. There was more than 2.0 log CFU/g increase in E. coli O157:H7 populations on lettuce when held at 12 °C for 3 d, followed by additional growth during the remainder of the storage period. Although there was eventually a significant decline in visual quality of lettuce held at 12 °C, the quality of this lettuce was still fully acceptable when E. coli O157:H7 growth reached a statistically significant level. Therefore, maintaining fresh-cut products at 5 °C or below is critical for reducing the food safety risks as E. coli O157:H7 grows at a rapid, temperature-dependent rate prior to significant quality deterioration. Practical Application:, Specific information regarding the effect of temperature on pathogen growth on leafy greens is needed to develop science-based food safety guidelines and practices by the regulatory agencies and produce industry. Temperature control is commonly thought to promote quality of leafy greens, not safety, based at least partially on a theory that product quality deterioration precedes pathogen growth at elevated temperatures. This prevalent attitude results in temperature abuse incidents being frequently overlooked in the supply chain. This study demonstrates that human pathogens, such as E. coli O157:H7, can grow significantly on commercially packaged lettuce salads while the product's visual quality is fully acceptable. Packaged fresh-cut salads are marketed as "ready-to-eat" while lacking an effective pathogen kill step during their preparation. Thus, maintaining storage temperature at 5 °C or below is critical to prevent pathogen proliferation and mitigate food safety risks should pathogen contamination inadvertently occur during crop growth or postharvest fresh-cut processing. [source] Characterization by Volatile Compounds of Microbial Deep Spoilage in Iberian Dry-Cured HamJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 6 2010Alberto Martín Abstract:, In the present study, volatile compounds of spoiled dry-cured Iberian ham with deep spoilage or "bone taint" were analyzed and correlated with level of spoilage and the microorganisms detected. Volatile compounds extracted by a solid phase micro-extraction technique were assayed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The spoiled hams were evaluated sensorially, and the correlations among volatile compounds, spoilage level, and microbial counts were studied. The spoiled hams had higher concentrations of hydrocarbons, alcohols, acids, esters, pyrazines, sulfur compounds, and other minor volatile compounds than unspoiled hams. The sensorial analysis showed that the spoilage level of hams correlated with several volatile compounds, most of them associated with Gram-positive catalase positive cocci and,Enterobacteriaceae,counts. Cyclic compounds such as cyclohexanone, some ethers, and pyrazines should be considered as indicators to monitor incipient microbial deep spoilage in the elaboration of this meat product. [source] Quality and Microbial Population of Cornish Game Hen Carcasses as Affected by Electron Beam IrradiationJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 7 2006C. Gomes ABSTRACT:, We evaluated the chemical and microbiological quality of Cornish game hen carcasses irradiated up to 7 kGy with a 10 MeV linear accelerator (dual beam configuration). Eighty frozen and vacuum packaged (approximately 0.45 kg) Cornish game hens (Gallus domesticus) were irradiated and stored in low-density polyethylene bags at 4 ± 1 °C for 21 d; nonirradiated chickens served as controls. Fat oxidation (in terms of malonaldehyde content) increased with storage time and dose for all chicken parts analyzed (breast, thigh, and skin). As expected, the skin had the highest level of fat oxidation while the breast samples had the lowest. Oxidation level in all samples exposed to 2 kGy reached a maximum on day 14. Sensory evaluation showed that irradiation caused significant textural toughening, and increased the redness of raw chicken meat. In terms of overall quality and aroma, lipid oxidation was not a major problem since it was not detected by the panelists. Irradiation significantly reduced the total viable microbial counts (TVC) in the breast and thigh samples. Exposure to 3-kGy dose decreased the TVC by 0.3-log cycles on the surface of the skin. In less than 14 d, the nonirradiated chicken carcasses had counts greater than 6 log CFU/50 cm2, while the 2 and 3 kGy irradiated samples reached these numbers only after 21 d of storage. Samples irradiated at 7 kGy had consistently the lowest counts (2.5 log CFU/50 cm2) throughout storage time. This study shows that irradiation up to 7 kGy and refrigerated storage (4 °C) inhibits microbial growth and extends shelf life of Cornish game hens without affecting consumers' acceptability. [source] Prediction of Microbial and Sensory Quality of Cold Smoked Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) by Electronic NoseJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 9 2005Gudrun Olafsdottir ABSTRACT: Quality changes of cold smoked salmon from 4 different smokehouses in Europe were monitored by a prototype gas-sensor array system, the FishNose. Samples were stored in different packaging (vacuum and Modified Atmosphere Packaging [MAP]) for up to 4 wk under controlled storage conditions at 5 °C and 10 °C. Quality criteria based on sensory attributes (sweet/sour, off, and rancid odor), and total viable counts and lactic acid bacteria counts were established and used for classification of samples based on the responses of the FishNose. The responses of the gas-sensors correlated well with sensory analysis of spoilage odor and microbial counts suggesting that they can detect volatile microbially produced compounds causing spoilage odors in cold-smoked salmon during storage. The system is therefore ideal for fast quality control related to freshness evaluation of smoked salmon products. Partial least squares (PLS) regression models based on samples from single producer showed better performance than a global model based on products from different producers to classify samples of different quality. [source] Shelf Life of Leafy Vegetables Treated with Natural Essential OilsJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 2 2004A.G. Ponce ABSTRACT: Essential oils as natural sanitizing agents were sprayed on Swiss chard leaves produced by organic methods. Samples were stored at 0 and 5°C and 97% to 98% relative humidity. Microbial populations, peroxidase activity, and sensory attributes were monitored during storage. No significant differences were observed between treated and control samples stored at 0°C. However, samples treated with the essential oils of eucalyptus, tea tree, and clove and stored at 5°C presented microbial counts significantly lower than those of control samples. The essential oils of eucalyptus, tea tree, lemon, rosemary, and clove presented peroxidase activity inhibition that, in the case of eucalyptus, increased to 65% during storage. Although some of the essential oils did appear to reduce microbial counts and peroxidase activity compared with controls, they were not effective in extending the shelflife of the Swiss chard leaves from a sensory point of view. [source] Microbial and Sensory Assessment of Milk with an Electronic NoseJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 2 2002F. Korel ABSTRACT: An electronic nose (e-nose) was used to assess milk odor inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescens or Bacillus coagulans, and odors were correlated with microbial loads and sensory scores. Sterile whole, reduced-fat, and fat-free milk were inoculated, stored at 1.7, 7.2, and 12.8 °C, and evaluated at d 0, 3, 5, 7, and 10 by e-nose and sensory panel. Aerobic plate counts were performed. E-nose readings, microbial counts, and sensory data were analyzed using discriminant function analysis. The e-nose discriminated differences in odor due to microbial load and sensory data. This may lead to a rapid method for determining sensory evaluation and microbial loads of milk. [source] Mathematical Modeling of Microbial Growth in Packaged Refrigerated Orange Juice Treated with Chemical PreservativesJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 5 2001S.C. Andrés ABSTRACT Microbial flora of refrigerated orange juice was analyzed during storage at 10 °C and the effects of the following factors were discussed: 1) the previous washing process of the orange peel, 2) the different levels of the added preservatives (citric acid, ascorbic acid, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate), 3) the gaseous permeabilities of the packaging film. Gompertz equation was applied to model molds and yeasts growth for the different treatments and packaging conditions. The washing procedure with sodium hypochlorite extend 2,3 d the storage life of the juice (time to reach microbial counts of 106 CFU/ml) in both packaging films. The use of organic acids and potassium sorbate or sodium benzoate (1.66,6.94 mM) led to storage life values > 11 d in polyethylene and > 20 d in the low gaseous permeability film, maintaining good sanitary conditions. [source] Effects of Low-dose Gamma Irradiation and Conventional Treatments on Shelf Life and Quality Characteristics of Diced CeleryJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 6 2000A. Prakash ABSTRACT: The effects of 0.5 and 1.0 kGy gamma irradiation on microbial and sensory characteristics of diced celery were compared to conventional treatments such as acidification, blanching, and chlorination. Aerobic plate counts for the irradiated celery did not exceed 107 CFU/g, in contrast, the acidified, blanched, chlorinated, and control samples surpassed aerobic microbial counts of 108 CFU/g in 22, 19, 12, and 8 d, respectively. Importantly, the 1.0-kGy treatment eliminated inoculated Listeria monocytogenes and E. coli. While the acidified and blanched samples had significantly different sensory profiles compared to the other treatments, the irradiated samples maintained their color, texture, and aroma longer and were preferred in the sensory tests. The sensory shelf life of the 1.0-kGy-treated celery was 29 d compared to 22 d for the control, chlorinated, and 0.5 kGy, and 15 d for the acidified and blanched celery. [source] Effect of chitosan coating and vacuum packaging on the quality of refrigerated grilled porkPACKAGING TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Issue 3 2006Songchai Yingyuad Abstract The effects of chitosan coating and vacuum packaging on the quality and shelf-life of retail packaged grilled pork in a PVDC/nylon pouch during refrigerated storage at 2 ± 1°C were investigated. Grilled pork without chitosan coating and packaged in 100% air was used as the control sample. Firmness, pH, colour, peroxide values, microbial population and shelf-life (as determined by sensory characteristics) of the samples were determined during the storage. The results showed that colour, peroxide values and microbial population coincided with sensory characteristics. The delayed growth of microbes in vacuum packaging can be attributed to inhibition by low levels of O2. Chitosan coating was shown to minimize oxidation, as reflected by the peroxide values, colour changes and microbial counts of the samples. Vacuum-packaged chitosan-coated grilled pork showed negligible microbial growth and was found to be organoleptically acceptable throughout the storage period. Chitosan coating along with vacuum packaging provided a type of active packaging to maintain quality and extend the shelf-life of grilled pork. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Multilayered antimicrobial polyethylene films applied to the packaging of ground beefPACKAGING TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Issue 2 2001Jung-Uk Ha Abstract A natural antimicrobial agent, grapefruit seed extract (GFSE), was incorporated in a 0.5% or 1.0% concentration on the food-contact surface of multilayered polyethylene (PE) film by a co-extrusion or solution-coating process. The fabricated films were tested in their antimicrobial activity against several food spoilage microorganisms, and then applied to the packaging of ground beef. During the storage of the packaged beef at 3°C, changes in microbial counts, pH, TBA value and meat colour were monitored in order to see the effect of the packaging film on meat quality changes. Coating the PE film with GFSE with the aid of a polyamide binder resulted in a more effective level of antimicrobial activity on the agar plate medium than did its incorporation by a co-extrusion process. The film co-extruded with a 1.0% GFSE layer showed antimicrobial activity only against Micrococcus flavus ATCC 10240, while the film coated with 1.0% GFSE showed activity against several microorganisms, such as Escherichia coli IFO 3301, Staphylococcus aureus IFO 3060 and Bacillus subtilis IFO 12113. Both types of GFSE-incorporated multilayer PE films contributed to a reduction of the growth rates of aerobic and coliform bacteria on the ground beef, when compared to plain PE film. The film coated with a higher concentration (1.0%) of GFSE had a more pronounced effect than did the other films in inhibiting spoilage bacterial growth. They could also slow down chemical changes of the packaged beef. The GFSE-coated film was more effective in preserving beef quality, but the level of GFSE addition did not affect the quality changes of the beef. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Assessing the potential of using phytoremediation for pyrene-contaminated soilsREMEDIATION, Issue 3 2004Tesema Chekol Forage crop species representing two biologically distinct families (legumes and grasses) were evaluated on soil spiked with 100 mg/kg of pyrene to determine the potential effectiveness of the rhizospheres of these plants for phytoremediation. In this experiment, pyrene dissipation could not be attributed to the presence of plants. Pyrene dissipation was also not related to rhizosphere biological activity, such as microbial counts and enzyme activity. Planting with reed canarygrass and switchgrass significantly increased the microbial counts in soil; however, the differences in the microbial counts were not correlated to the levels of pyrene dissipation. Reed canarygrass rhizosphere had significantly higher dehydrogenase activity compared to the switchgrass rhizosphere, but this difference in soil dehydrogenase activity was not related to pyrene dissipation. In general, the use of plants was not effective in causing pyrene transformation; however, the presence of vegetation on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon,contaminated soils could play a significant role in limiting the spread of contaminants (erosion, leaching) and enhancing ecosystem restoration. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Quality of farmed Atlantic cod: effects of season and storageAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 8 2010Hilde Herland Abstract Farming of Atlantic cod makes it possible to supply cod throughout the year. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of season and postmortem ice storage on the quality parameters of farmed cod. Farmed Atlantic cod were sampled from the same pen in the period February 2006,March 2007. Cod whole body and somatic weight, condition factors and hepatosomatic index were all affected by season, all decreasing during maturation and spawning in the winter. Muscle pH and water were influenced by season, increasing during maturation and spawning and then decreasing after spawning. Season also affected the colour of the fillet. There was a significant increase in whiteness post-spawning and a decrease during the second maturation. Water-holding capacity (WHC), levels of trimethylamine oxide and trimethylamine, as well as microbiological data, did not vary due to season. Muscle pH, water content, WHC and microbial counts increased during storage for all samplings. [source] | ||||||||||||||||