Emma Mani-López

Probiotic viability and storage stability of yogurts and fermented milks prepared with several mixtures of lactic acid bacteria

Currently, the food industry wants to expand the range of probiotic yogurts but each probiotic bacteria offers different and specific health benefits. Little information exists on the influence of probiotic strains on physicochemical properties and sensory characteristics of yogurts and fermented milks. Six probiotic yogurts or fermented milks and 1 control yogurt were prepared, and we evaluated several physicochemical properties (pH, titratable acidity, texture, color, and syneresis), microbial viability of starter cultures (Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus) and probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, and Lactobacillus reuteri) during fermentation and storage (35 d at 5°C), as well as sensory preference among them. Decreases in pH (0.17 to 0.50 units) and increases in titratable acidity (0.09 to 0.29%) were observed during storage. Only the yogurt with S. thermophilus, L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, and L. reuteri differed in firmness. No differences in adhesiveness were determined among the tested yogurts, fermented milks, and the control. Syneresis was in the range of 45 to 58%. No changes in color during storage were observed and no color differences were detected among the evaluated fermented milk products. Counts of S. thermophilus decreased from 1.8 to 3.5 log during storage. Counts of L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus also decreased in probiotic yogurts and varied from 30 to 50% of initial population. Probiotic bacteria also lost viability throughout storage, although the 3 probiotic fermented milks maintained counts ≥ 10(7)cfu/mL for 3 wk. Probiotic bacteria had variable viability in yogurts, maintaining counts of L. acidophilus ≥ 10(7) cfu/mL for 35 d, of L. casei for 7d, and of L. reuteri for 14 d. We found no significant sensory preference among the 6 probiotic yogurts and fermented milks or the control. However, the yogurt and fermented milk made with L. casei were better accepted. This study presents relevant information on physicochemical, sensory, and microbial properties of probiotic yogurts and fermented milks, which could guide the dairy industry in developing new probiotic products.

Description of Aspergillus flavus growth under the influence of different factors (water activity, incubation temperature, protein and fat concentration, pH, and cinnamon essential oil concentration) by kinetic, probability of growth, and time-to-detection models

A Box-Behnken design was used to determine the effect of protein concentration (0, 5, or 10g of casein/100g), fat (0, 3, or 6g of corn oil/100g), aw (0.900, 0.945, or 0.990), pH (3.5, 5.0, or 6.5), concentration of cinnamon essential oil (CEO, 0, 200, or 400μL/kg) and incubation temperature (15, 25, or 35°C) on the growth of Aspergillus flavus during 50days of incubation. Mold response under the evaluated conditions was modeled by the modified Gompertz equation, logistic regression, and time-to-detection model. The obtained polynomial regression models allow the significant coefficients (p<0.05) for linear, quadratic and interaction effects for the Gompertz equations parameters to be identified, which adequately described (R2>0.967) the studied mold responses. After 50days of incubation, every tested model system was classified according to the observed response as 1 (growth) or 0 (no growth), then a binary logistic regression was utilized to model A. flavus growth interface, allowing to predict the probability of mold growth under selected combinations of tested factors. The time-to-detection model was utilized to estimate the time at which A. flavus visible growth begins. Water activity, temperature, and CEO concentration were the most important factors affecting fungal growth. It was observed that there is a range of possible combinations that may induce growth, such that incubation conditions and the amount of essential oil necessary for fungal growth inhibition strongly depend on protein and fat concentrations as well as on the pH of studied model systems. The probabilistic model and the time-to-detection models constitute another option to determine appropriate storage/processing conditions and accurately predict the probability and/or the time at which A. flavus growth occurs.

Biopreservatives as Agents to Prevent Food Spoilage

Abstract Current consumer demands include reducing overprocessing of foods and limiting foods added with conventional antimicrobials, such as potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate. However, the food industry needs to ensure food safety and extend shelf life of these minimally processed foods demanded by consumers. An interesting alternative is the use of “naturally derived” antimicrobials called biopreservatives. A wide range of natural products from plants, animals, and microorganisms exhibit antimicrobial activity against food-borne bacteria, yeasts, and molds. Among the most studied biopreservatives are essential oils, bacteriocins, enzymes, and selected microorganisms. Depending on the specific biopreservative, it can be compatible with selected fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and/or meat and poultry; additionally, it can be used for edible coating applications. However, several biopreservatives have limited use due to the high concentrations required for effective antimicrobial activity, which impact food sensory acceptability, legal status, and commercial availability. New antimicrobial delivery systems for food products and combination with other preservation factors or technologies are being proposed in order to ensure food safety and overall quality of products. This chapter discusses the most utilized biopreservatives for foods, as well as some with potential to be applied in the near future, as well as their advantages, limitations, and legal status.

Preservatives: Classifications and Analysis

Chemical preservatives in foods are mainly utilized to control biological deterioration. A wide variety of compounds that may accomplish this are commercially available, but only a portion of them is approved by regulatory agencies for use in foods. These preservatives can be classified based on their inhibition spectrum, origin, and chemical structure; the most commonly used are benzoates, sorbates, parabens, organic acids, nisin, nitrites, and sulfites, among others. Because preservatives are intentionally added to food, it is necessary to carefully observe the maximum limits established, and it is also necessary to know the methods of analysis for determining its presence and quantity in foods.