Andrea M. Liceaga

Effects of stepwise dry/wet-aging and freezing on meat quality of beef loins

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of stepwise dry/wet-aging and freezing method on quality attributes of beef loins. Paired loins (M. Longissimus lumborum) from eight carcasses were assigned to either stepwise dry/wet-aging (carcass dry-aging for 10days then further wet-aging for 7days in vacuum bags) or carcass dry-aging only for 17days. Then, each loin was divided into three sections for freezing (never-frozen, blast or cryogenic freezing). Stepwise dry/wet-aged loin had lower purge/drip loss and shear force than conventionally dry-aged loin (P<0.05), but similar color and sensory characteristics (P>0.05). The cryogenic freezing resulted in a significant decrease in shear force values and a significant improvement in water-holding capacity (WHC). These findings indicate that the stepwise dry/wet-aging coupled with cryogenic freezing could provide beneficial impacts to the local meat industry by providing equivalent quality attributes as conventional dry-aging and improving WHC of frozen/thawed meat, while reducing the time needed for dry-aging.

Invited review: Bioactive compounds produced during cheese ripening and health effects associated with aged cheese consumption

Traditionally, cheese is manufactured by converting fluid milk to a semisolid mass through the use of a coagulating agent, such as rennet, acid, heat plus acid, or a combination thereof. Cheese can vary widely in its characteristics, including color, aroma, texture, flavor, and firmness, which can generally be attributed to the production technology, source of the milk, moisture content, and length of aging, in addition to the presence of specific molds, yeast, and bacteria. Among the most important bacteria, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) play a critical role during the cheese-making process. In general, LAB contain cell-envelope proteinases that contribute to the proteolysis of cheese proteins, breaking them down into oligopeptides that can be subsequently taken up by cells via specific peptide transport systems or further degraded into shorter peptides and amino acids through the collaborative action of various intracellular peptidases. Such peptides, amino acids, and their derivatives contribute to the development of texture and flavor in the final cheese. In vitro and in vivo assays have demonstrated that specific sequences of released peptides exhibit biological properties including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and analgesic/opioid activity, in addition to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition and antiproliferative activity. Some LAB also produce functional lipids (e.g., conjugated linoleic acid) with anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic activity, synthesize vitamins and antimicrobial peptides (bacteriocins), or release γ-aminobutyric acid, a nonprotein amino acid that participates in physiological functions, such as neurotransmission and hypotension induction, with diuretic effects. This review provides an overview of the main bioactive components present or released during the ripening process of different types of cheese.

Characterization and Cryoprotection of Invasive Silver Carp (Hypophthalmicthys molitrix) Protein Hydrolysates

ABSTRACT Silver carp (Hypophthalmicthys molitrix) is regarded as an invasive, underutilized freshwater fish causing environmental and economic complications along the U.S. Mississippi River System. In this study, silver carp protein hydrolysates (FPH) were obtained from 30, 60, 90, 120, and 240 min hydrolysis with Protamex®. Amino acid composition showed polar amino acids, including Asp and Glu, and freed hydrophobic residues in FPH-90 and FPH-240. Protein surface hydrophobicity of FPH increased with increasing degree of hydrolysis. Cryoprotection was evaluated using a muscle (mince) food system with 6% FPH (w/w) from each hydrolysis time condition, an untreated mince (CTRL), and 8% (w/w) 1:1 sucrose-sorbitol (SUSO), respectively. After six freeze-thaw cycles (D7), all FPH treatments had lower (p < 0.05) expressible moisture, indicating strong water-holding capacity by the FPH. FPH formulations also imparted antifreeze activity equal to or better than SUSO, with the FPH-90 exhibiting higher (p < 0.05) proportion (43.9%) of unfrozen water at D7. Results from this study provide preliminary evidence for development of effective cryoprotectants using an underutilized, invasive fish species that can be exploited for environmental and economic gain in the form of value-added ingredients and further provide opportunities to understand the fundamental physicochemical properties governing cryoprotection of FPH in a frozen mince system.

Effect of enzymatic hydrolysis on bioactive properties and allergenicity of cricket ( Gryllodes sigillatus) protein

Food-derived bioactive peptides have gained attention for their role in preventing chronic diseases. Edible insects are viable sources of bioactive peptides owing to their high protein content and sustainable production. In this study, whole crickets (Gryllodes sigillatus) were alcalase-hydrolyzed to a degree of hydrolysis (DH) ranging from 15 to 85%. Antioxidant activity, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-IV)- inhibition of the cricket protein hydrolysates (CPH) were evaluated before and after simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGD). Antioxidant activity was similar among CPH, whereas ACE and DPP-IV inhibition was greater (p < 0.05) in CPH with 60-85% DH. Bioactivity improved after SGD. CPH allergenicity was evaluated using human shrimp-allergic sera. All sera positively reacted to tropomyosin in the unhydrolyzed cricket and CPH with 15-50% DH, whereas 60-85% DH showed no reactivity. In conclusion, CPH (60-85% DH) had the greatest bioactive potential and lowest reactivity to tropomyosin, compared with other CPH and the unhydrolyzed control.

Isolation and Characteristics of Anti-Inflammatory Peptides from Enzymatic Hydrolysates of Sandfish (Arctoscopus japonicus) Protein

ABSTRACT In the present study, a peptide showing anti-inflammatory activity was isolated from Arctoscopus (A.) japonicus sandfish protein hydrolysate by hydrolysis and analyzed using ultrafiltration (UF), prep-high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Effects of heat, pH, salt, and intestinal proteases on stability of the isolated anti-inflammatory peptide were determined. The nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activities of the peptide from meat and roe hydrolysates were 18.43 ± 3.21% and 52.35 ± 8.85%, respectively, at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL. The anti-inflammatory peptide maintained a similar level of NO scavenging activity to the control in the presence of salt, whereas it showed no resistance to heat, pH, and intestinal proteases. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory peptide derived from A. japonicus could be used for producing functional foods, protein supplements, and pharmaceutical agents. However, it is necessary to find methods for protection against heat, pH, and proteolysis.

Changes on antioxidant activity of microwave-treated protein hydrolysates after simulated gastrointestinal digestion: Purification and identification

Two samples of trout frame protein hydrolysates were prepared by Microwave Pretreatment followed by Conventional Enzymatic hydrolysis (MPCE) and Non-Pretreated followed by Microwave-assisted Enzymatic hydrolysis (NPME), respectively, were subjected to simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Changes on degree of hydrolysis, antioxidant activity, molecular weight, and amino acid composition between undigested and after gastrointestinal digestion of peptides were investigated. Comparing to undigested peptides, a breakdown of MPCE and NPME into smaller molecules was observed. Degree of hydrolysis, ABTS+ radical scavenging activity and reducing power increased (P < 0.05) for both samples after gastrointestinal digestion. A purified peptide from GI-MPCE had two possible sequences, NGRLGYSEGVM or GNRLGYSWDD (1182.65 Da). Whereas GI-NPME had two peptides IRGPEEHMHR or RVAPEEHMHR (1261.77 Da) and SAGVPRHK or SARPRHK (962.63 Da). These results indicate that digested hydrolysates can be a rich source of antioxidants. Isolated peptides extracted from trout frame by-products could be new food ingredients used as natural antioxidants.

Increasing Content Knowledge and Self‐Efficacy of High School Educators through an Online Course in Food Science

Purdue Univ.s College of Agriculture developed an Advanced Life Sciences (ALS) program in partnership with several high schools across Indiana. As part of ALS, secondary educators take an introductory food science (FS) course (ALS-Foods) and teach it at their high school. High school students taking the ALS-Foods receive dual credit for an introductory course required for all FS majors at Purdue. The goal of this project was to develop an online course to improve content knowledge and self-efficacy of secondary educators in the field of FS. The course was offered over a 3-wk period and consisted of 3 learning modules focused on food chemistry, food microbiology, and food processing. Modules included class activities, videos, study questions, and teaching tools. Participants were assessed on content knowledge through written assignments, quizzes, and a final examination. Twenty secondary educators from several states were enrolled. Overall, content knowledge increased significantly (P 80%) of participants felt they had “no-confidence” to “little-confidence” in teaching FS concepts related to the 3 modules. Upon completing the course, the confidence level of all participants increased to “some-confidence” or “complete confidence.” By strengthening the knowledge level of secondary educators, they will be better prepared to teach FS and subsequently, more high school students could be exposed to FS and consider it as a career.