Ammar Olabi

The effect of substitution of sodium chloride with potassium chloride on the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory properties of Halloumi cheese.

This study investigated the effect of salt reduction and partial replacement with KCl on the microbiological and sensory characteristics of fresh and matured Halloumi cheese. Halloumi samples were matured for 8 wk and moisture, fat, protein, pH, lactic acid, sodium, and potassium contents determined. Instrumental textural characteristics of the samples were measured using a texture analyzer. Microbiological analyses included counts of total bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts and molds, total coliforms, and psychrophilic bacteria. Descriptive sensory analysis was carried out by a 9-member panel, and acceptability testing was conducted with 72 panelists. Salt treatment had a significant effect on the pH, sodium, and potassium contents of the cheeses, whereas age by salt treatment interaction had a significant effect on the pH, lactic acid, and potassium contents of the samples. No major trends could be discerned from the texture profile analysis. All tested microorganisms increased with storage but in general did not differ between treatments and were, in certain instances, lower than levels reported in the literature for other cheeses. Descriptive analysis revealed a significant difference between salt treatments for bitterness, crumbliness, and moistness, whereas age of cheese was significant for saltiness and squeakiness. Salt treatment had no significant effect on any of the acceptability variables for all Halloumi samples.

The characterization of the physicochemical and sensory properties of full-fat, reduced-fat, and low-fat ovine and bovine Halloumi

Halloumi cheese is a popular cheese in Lebanon and the Middle East. Today, health-conscious consumers are demanding lower fat foods with sensory properties that are comparable to their full-fat counterparts. The objectives of this work were to characterize the physicochemical and sensory properties of bovine and ovine Halloumi of different fat levels and to provide a baseline sensory profile for Halloumi cheese. Full-fat, reduced-fat, and low-fat samples were produced from ovine and bovine milks in 2 batches resulting in a total of 12 batches. The fat, protein, moisture, ash, pH, sodium, and calcium levels were determined and the instrumental textural characteristics of the samples were measured using a texture analyzer. Eleven trained panelists used quantitative descriptive analysis to profile the sensory attributes of the samples and an acceptability test was conducted with 84 panelists. The type of milk (ovine vs. bovine) significantly affected the moisture and protein contents, whereas fat level had a significant effect on moisture, fat, protein, and ash contents. Instrumental texture analysis revealed that the type of milk significantly affected adhesiveness, chewiness, and hardness, whereas the fat level affected chewiness, hardness, adhesiveness, and cohesiveness. The sensory results of the trained panelists revealed that the ovine cheese was more yellow and harder than bovine cheese, whereas bovine cheese was squeakier. Low-fat and reduced-fat cheeses were also more yellow and harder than full-fat cheese, and full-fat cheese was more moist with no significant differences between the low-fat and reduced-fat varieties. Type of milk and fat level did not have any significant effect on fermented flavor, whey flavor, or saltiness. Bovine cheese received significantly higher scores on overall acceptability, texture acceptability, and significantly lower scores on the food action rating scale. Full-fat cheese obtained the highest score on overall acceptability, and texture acceptability decreased significantly with decreasing fat levels.

Preference mapping of commercial Labneh (strained yogurt) products in the Lebanese market

Labneh or strained yogurt is a fermented milk product popular in Lebanon, the Middle East, and in the Balkan regions. With increased consumer awareness about the health benefits of consuming diets low in fat, reduced-fat Labneh products have emerged on the Lebanese market. The objectives of this study were to assess the physicochemical and sensory properties of commercial bovine Labneh products differing in fat content. Seven commercial bovine Labneh brands were chosen. Three brands were available in full-fat, reduced-fat, and zero-fat versions, 3 in full-fat and zero-fat versions, and 1 in full-fat and reduced-fat versions, resulting in a total of 17 tested samples. The moisture, fat, protein, ash, pH, and nitrogen-free extract contents were determined and instrumental texture characteristics measured using a texture analyzer. Nine trained panelists used quantitative descriptive analysis to profile the sensory attributes of the samples and an acceptability test was carried out with 73 panelists. Brand type had a significant effect on all chemical parameters, as did fat level, except for nitrogen-free extract. Instrumental texture analysis showed a significant effect of brand and fat levels, as well as their interaction, on all attributes, except for adhesiveness and fat level. Sensory analysis suggested that significant differences existed between brands for most attributes. Full-fat samples were significantly more yellow, less sweet, and possessed a stronger acidic aftertaste than did their reduced-fat and zero-fat counterparts. Acceptability clearly decreased as fat level decreased from full fat to zero fat, with full-fat Labneh samples rating highest on the acceptability of appearance, flavor, texture, and overall acceptability.

The characterization of the physicochemical and sensory properties of full-fat, reduced-fat and low-fat bovine, caprine, and ovine Greek yogurt (Labneh)

Concentrated/Greek yogurt or Labneh is a semisolid food produced from yogurt by eliminating part of its water and water-soluble compounds. Todays world is geared toward the production of lower fat foods without compromising the texture and flavor of these products. The objective of this study was to characterize the physicochemical and sensory properties of bovine, caprine, and ovine Labneh with different fat levels. Bovine, caprine, and ovine milks were used to produce two batches of full-fat (∼10%), reduced-fat (∼5%), and low-fat (<1%) concentrated yogurt samples. Chemical analyses of fat, moisture, protein, ash, syneresis, acidity, pH, sodium, magnesium, and calcium contents were conducted. Instrumental texture analysis using the back extrusion method was applied. Quantitative descriptive sensory analysis was used to profile samples by 11 trained panelists and the acceptability of samples was assessed by 47 panelists. Type of milk significantly affected (P < 0.001) all chemical attributes except moisture and nitrogen-free extract, and fat level significantly impacted moisture, fat, protein, ash, acidity, and magnesium contents of Labneh. Type of milk significantly affected apparent modulus, hardness, hardness work done, and adhesive force, whereas fat level significantly affected hardness. Type of milk significantly affected the sensory attributes of syneresis, compactness, goaty odor and flavor, rate of flow, color, shininess, bitter flavor, denseness, melting rate, and spreadability, whereas fat level affected only color, denseness, and melting rate. Type of milk had a significant effect on overall acceptability and acceptability of flavor and texture.

Developing a Carob‐Based Milk Beverage Using Different Varieties of Carob Pods and Two Roasting Treatments and Assessing Their Effect on Quality Characteristics

BACKGROUND This work aimed at formulating a carob-based milk beverage and assessing its chemical and sensory properties. Six varieties of carob pods, each processed into roasted and unroasted powders, were used to develop 12 prototypes of the beverage. Chemical and physico-chemical analyses (moisture, ash, fibre, protein, sugars, total-phenolics, total-antioxidants, water activity and colour) and sensory tests were conducted. RESULTS The variety of carob pod had a significant effect on all chemical variables in carob powders (P < 0.01), except for sugars, and when incorporated in the beverage, on moisture, total phenolics, total antioxidant activity and colour parameters (L, a, b; P-values < 0.001). Roasting treatment significantly increased fibre, total phenolics, total antioxidant activity (P-values < 0.001), fructose, glucose (P-values < 0.05), and a-value levels (P < 0.01), significantly lowered moisture (P < 0.05), water activity, L- and b-values (P-values < 0.001) in carob powders; and significantly increased the beverages total phenolics, a-value (P-values < 0.001) and total antioxidant activity (P < 0.01). Roasting treatment significantly increased the beverages acceptability ratings. Beverages formulated with roasted carob powder had higher ratings for level of residue, colour, caramel odour, mocha odour and flavour, roasted coffee odour and flavour, viscosity mouthfeel and bitter aftertaste. Principal component analysis was conducted; PC1 and PC2 separated attributes according to roasting treatment and variety of carob pods, respectively. CONCLUSION The use of Akkari roasted and Baladi Ikleem el Kharoob roasted to formulate a carob-based milk beverage is recommended.

Characterisation of the sensory properties of whey protein concentrates

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The effect of partial substitution of NaCl with KCl on the physicochemical, microbiological and sensory properties of Akkawi cheese

BACKGROUND Studies have shown a direct relationship between increased dietary sodium intake and chronic diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Potassium chloride is the most widely used salt substitute for sodium chloride in different processed foods. Akkawi cheese, commonly consumed as fresh cheese, has a semi-hard curd, chalky color, firm texture and salty flavor. The effect of partial replacement of NaCl with KCl on the chemical, textural, microbiological and sensory characteristics of fresh and mature Akkawi cheese was investigated. RESULTS Salt treatment (NaCl reduction) had a significant effect on pH, lactic acid, sodium and potassium contents of cheeses. Texture profile analysis revealed a significant effect of salt treatment on adhesiveness, chewiness and hardness of cheese. All tested microorganisms increased with storage but in general did not differ between salt treatments, specifically between control (100% NaCl) and (70% NaCl, 30% KCl) samples. Descriptive analysis showed that salt treatment had a significant effect on bitterness, crumbliness and hardness, whereas the age of cheese was significant for color and fermented flavor. Salt treatment had no effect on acceptability variables for all experimental 2-week Akkawi samples. CONCLUSION The above results suggest that a 30% substitution of NaCl by KCl (70% NaCl, 30% KCl brine) is acceptable.

Compositional and sensory differences of products of sweet-cream and whey buttermilk produced by microfiltration, diafiltration, and supercritical CO21

The objectives of this work were to assess the compositional properties and sensory characteristics of ingredients produced by treating sweet-cream and whey-cream buttermilks with microfiltration (MF), diafiltration (DF), and supercritical CO2 (SFE) extraction. Sweet-cream buttermilk (CBM) and buttermilk resulting from churning the residual fat from whey processing (whey buttermilk, WBM) were used. Using MF or microfiltration followed by diafiltration (MF-DF), we obtained resulting retentates that were dried and then were subjected to SFE treatment. Control buttermilks, SFE resulting products, and MF and MF-DF SFE and all treated retentates products totaled 16 samples (2 types×4 treatments×2 batches). Eleven trained panelists assessed samples using descriptive analysis. Sweet-cream buttermilk was higher in protein and lactose, whereas the WBM had similar total protein, mainly β-LG and α-LA but very low lactose. The resulting samples in order of concentration for fat and lactose were control samples>SFE treated>MF treated>DF=MF-SFE and DF-SFE. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE protein profiling showed negligible casein for WBM versus CBM and less whey proteins for CBM versus WBM, as expected. Whey buttermilk was more yellow, salty, sour, and rancid than CBM. Regarding the treatments, significant differences were obtained on homogeneity, opacity, rancid odor, cardboard and sour flavors, sweet and salty tastes, viscosity, and mouthcoating, where SFE-treated samples showed lowest rancid odor and cardboard flavor.

Sodium intake reduction efforts in Lebanon

Sodium intake reduction efforts in Lebanon are quite recent and have just started to take effect on the national level. Starting out from an academic institution, the Lebanese Action on Sodium and Health (LASH) campaign was established to counter the increasing prevalence of hypertension and associated adverse health effects. The campaigns strategy was based on four pillars: research, health communication, advocacy, and monitoring. The LASH group set out with determining: baseline sodium intake of the population, main sources of sodium intake, and the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KAB) of the population as a situation analysis that prompts for action. This gave LASH tangible evidence of the magnitude of the problem and the need for the government, the food industry, and the consumers, to be mobilized to take part in devising a solution. Currently, Lebanon is at a stage of technically working to reduce the sodium content in the major sources of sodium, namely local bread and bread-like products. The next steps will include implementation of a plan for monitoring industry compliance, while studying other food targets, including dairy products and processed meat. Meanwhile, the health communication plan is ongoing and the Salt Awareness Week is celebrated every year with media appearances of LASH researchers to raise the issue to the public eye.

Sensory characterization of bowel cleansing solutions

AIM To evaluate the sensory characteristics of commercial bowel cleansing preparations. METHODS Samples of 4 commercially available bowel cleansing preparations, namely polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (PEG), PEG + ascorbic acid (PEG-Asc), sodium picosulfate (SPS), and oral sodium sulfate (OSS) were prepared according to the manufacturers instructions. Descriptive analysis was conducted (n = 14) using a 15-cm line scale with the Compusense at-hand(®) sensory evaluation software. Acceptability testing (n = 80) was conducted using the 9-point hedonic scale. In addition, a Just-About-Right (JAR) scale was included for the four basic tastes to determine their intensity compatibility with acceptability levels in the products. RESULTS Samples were significantly different, in descriptive analysis, for all attributes (P < 0.05) except for sweetness. SPS received the highest ratings for turbidity, viscosity appearance, orange odor and orange flavor; PEG-Asc for citrus odor and citrus flavor; OSS for sweetener taste, sweet aftertaste, bitterness, astringency, mouthcoating, bitter aftertaste and throatburn, and along with PEG-Asc, the highest ratings for saltiness, sourness and adhesiveness. Acceptability results showed significant differences between the various samples (P < 0.05). SPS received significantly higher ratings for overall acceptability, acceptability of taste, odor and mouthfeel (P < 0.05). JAR ratings showed that PEG and PEG-Asc were perceived as slightly too salty; SPS and OSS were slightly too sweet, while SPS, PEG-Asc and OSS were slightly too sour and OSS slightly too bitter. While using small sample volumes was necessary to avoid unwanted purgative effects, acceptability ratings do not reflect the true effect of large volumes intake thus limiting the generalization of the results. CONCLUSION Further improvements are needed to enhance the sensory profile and to optimize the acceptability for better compliance with these bowel cleansing solutions.