Banu Ozen

Effects of emerging food processing techniques on the packaging materials

In recent years, new food processing techniques are attracting a lot of attention. Since some of these techniques might require the processing of foods inside their package, it is important to understand the interaction between the package and the process itself. The main objective of this article is to review the information in literature about the effects of different processing methods on: (i) the structural, mechanical and barrier properties of the materials commonly used in food packaging; and (ii) the migration behavior of additives mainly from plastic packaging films.

Authentication of pomegranate juice concentrate using FTIR spectroscopy and chemometrics

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and chemometric techniques were used to detect the adulteration of pomegranate juice concentrate (PJC) with grape juice concentrate (GJC). The main differences between PJC and GJC infrared spectra occurred in the 1780-1685cm(-1) region, which corresponds to CO stretching. Principal component analysis of the spectra was used to: (1) differentiate pure PJC and GJC samples and (2) classify adulterated (containing 2-14% vol/vol GJC) and pure PJC samples. Two principal components explained 99% of the variability in each of these applications. Partial least square analysis of the spectra resulted in prediction of the GJC adulterant concentration in PJC with a correlation coefficient, R(2), of 0.9751. Partial least square analysis of spectra could also predict % titratable acidity and total solids in PJC with correlation coefficients of 0.9114 and 0.9916, respectively. Therefore, FTIR and chemometrics provide a useful approach for authenticating pomegranate juice concentrate.

Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Turkish Extra Virgin Olive Oils

Turkish extra virgin olive oils (EVOO) from different varieties/geographical origins and their phenolic compounds were investigated in terms of their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties in comparison to refined olive, hazelnut, and canola oils. Antimicrobial activity was tested against three foodborne pathogenic bacteria, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes , and Salmonella Enteritidis. Although all EVOOs showed a bactericidal effect, the individual phenolic compounds demonstrated only slight antimicrobial activity. Moreover, refined oil samples did not show any antimicrobial activity. Among the phenolic compounds, cinnamic acid (2 mg/kg of oil) had the highest percent inhibition value with 0.25 log reduction against L. monocytogenes. The synergistic interactions of tyrosol, vanillin, vanillic, and cinnamic acids were also observed against Salmonella Enteritidis. The antioxidant activities of oils were tested by beta-carotene-linoleate model system and ABTS method. In both methods, EVOOs showed higher antioxidant activities, whereas refined oils had lower activity. The ABTS method provided a higher correlation (0.89) with total phenol content.

Application of Mid-infrared Spectroscopy for the Measurement of Several Quality Parameters of Alcoholic Beverages, Wine and Raki

Mid-infrared (IR) spectroscopy, which is a rapid and relatively small amount of waste producing technique, was used to predict several quality parameters of two types of alcoholic beverages, wine and raki. Mid-infrared spectra of red, rose and white wines and a traditional aniseed alcoholic beverage, raki were collected and relations were established between measured chemical parameters (pH, brix, total phenol content, anthocyanin content, titratable acidity, sugar content, electrical conductivity and some colour parameters) of these beverages and their infrared spectra using chemometric techniques. Partial least square regression provided excellent prediction of total phenol (R2 = 0.97) and anthocyanin contents (R2 = 0.98) of wine samples and a good prediction of pH (R2 = 0.9), brix (R2 = 0.92) and colour intensity (R2 = 0.93) values were obtained. Brix, total phenol and sugar content of raki samples were also estimated very successfully (R2 = 0.99) for raki and good prediction was obtained with pH value. Mid-IR spectroscopy in combination with chemometrics could be a promising technique for determination of several quality parameters of alcoholic beverages simultaneously and rapidly.

Authentication of a Turkish traditional aniseed flavoured distilled spirit, raki.

Consumption of traditional aniseed alcoholic beverage, raki, adulterated with methanol results in deaths, therefore, its detection is an important issue. In this study, mid-infrared spectra of pure and methanol adulterated (0.5-10% (vol/vol)) raki samples were collected with an attenuated total reflectance attachment of a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer. Principal component analysis was used to discriminate pure and adulterated raki samples, then, a partial least square model was constructed to determine the adulterant methanol content in raki using mid-IR spectral data. A minimum threshold level of 0.5% methanol in raki samples was successfully detected. A good prediction model for determination of methanol adulteration ratio in raki samples was also constructed (R(2)=0.98 and RPD=8.35).

Effects of malaxation temperature and harvest time on the chemical characteristics of olive oils

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of harvest time and malaxation temperature on chemical composition of olive oils produced from economically important olive varieties with a full factorial experimental design. The oils of Ayvalik and Memecik olives were extracted in an industrial two-phase continuous system. The quality parameters, phenolic and fatty acid profiles were determined. Harvest time, olive variety and their interaction were the most significant factors. Malaxation temperature was significant for hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, p-coumaric acid, pinoresinol and peroxide value. Early and mid-harvest oils had high hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol (maximum 20.7mg/kg) and pigment concentrations (maximum chlorophyll and carotenoids as 4.6mg/kg and 2.86mg/kg, respectively). Late harvest oils were characterized with high peroxide values (9.2-25meqO2/kg), stearic (2.4-3.1%) and linoleic acids (9.3-10.4%). Multivariate regression analysis showed that oxidative stability was affected positively by hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol and oleic acid and negatively by polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Measurement of plasminogen concentration and differentiation of plasmin and plasminogen using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy

Abstract Methods using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy in combination with multivariate statistical analysis were developed to determine the plasminogen concentration in various protein solutions and to differentiate between plasmin and plasminogen. FT-IR spectra of plasminogen and plasmin in water and solutions containing sodium caseinate, whey protein concentrate, and a mixture of β -lactoglobulin and sodium caseinate were obtained using attenuated total reflectance (ATR) FT-IR. Discriminant analysis and partial least-squares analysis were used to analyze data. Standard curves to determine plasminogen and plasmin concentrations in water and protein solutions were constructed successfully using PLS ( R 2 >0.9). FT-IR combined with discriminant analysis was also able to differentiate between plasminogen and plasmin. Developed methods will allow further study of the factors that influence plasminogen and plasmin in the presence of casein and whey proteins.

Comparison of some chemical parameters of a naturally debittered olive (Olea europaea L.) type with regular olive varieties

Some olives grown in Karaburun peninsula in the west part of Turkey and mostly coming from Erkence variety lose their bitterness while still on the tree and are called Hurma among locals. This olive type does not require further processing to remove the bitter compounds. In this study, sugar, organic acid and fatty acid profiles of Hurma, Erkence (not naturally debittered) and Gemlik (commonly consumed as table olive) olives were determined throughout 8weeks of maturation period for two consecutive harvest seasons, and the results were analysed by principal component analysis (PCA). PCA of sugar and organic acid data revealed a differentiation in terms of harvest year but not on variety. Hurma olive is separated from others due to its fatty acid profile, and it has higher linoleic acid content compared to others. This might be an indication of increased desaturase enzyme activity for Hurma olives during natural debittering phase.

Geographical differentiation of a monovarietal olive oil using various chemical parameters and mid-infrared spectroscopy

Increased demand for monovarietal olive oils from local olive varieties with unique characteristics as well as regulations such as ‘Protected Designation of Origin’ makes it necessary to identify methods for geographical classification of this product. Geographical differentiation of olive oils from a local olive variety from nine distinct locations of a peninsula in the west part of Turkey is investigated by using mid-infrared spectroscopic data and several chemical parameters (total phenol content, fatty acid and phenol profile, total carotene and chlorophyll content and oxidative stability). The best differentiation with respect to geographical origin was obtained with partial least square-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) of a combination of various chemical parameters. The fatty acid profile also provided good separation of geographic locations and was slightly better than mid-infrared analysis. The best separation was achieved with respect to palmitic, oleic and linoleic acid contents of olive oils. However, mid-infrared spectroscopy with the advantages of being environmentally friendly, cost effective and a fast method could also be used to differentiate monovarietal olive oils with respect to their growing locations by factors such as micro-climates, proximity of regions and position to the sea.

Phenolics profile of a naturally debittering olive in comparison to regular olive varieties

BACKGROUND Hurma, an olive variety that grows in a specific area in Turkey, loses its bitterness before harvesting, and therefore does not need further processing steps for the production of table olives. The total phenol content and phenolic profiles of (1) this naturally debittered olive type, Hurma; (2) the same olive variety, but not a naturally debittered type, Erkence; and (3) another variety, Gemlik, which is commonly consumed as table olive, were determined during their maturation period for two harvest years. RESULTS The total phenol content of Hurma is the lowest compared to the other types regardless of harvest year, which has a significant effect on the phenolic content and composition of individual components for all olive types. All three olive types can be differentiated from each other especially during the late phase of maturation using the phenolics profile in combination with principal component analysis. CONCLUSION The natural debittering phenomenon of Hurma olive on the tree involves a decrease in phenol content and a change in phenol composition. The differentiation in phenol composition especially becomes very significant in the late of period of maturation.