Gauri S. Mittal

Combining nonthermal technologies to control foodborne microorganisms

Novel nonthermal processes, such as high hydrostatic pressure (HHP), pulsed electric fields (PEFs), ionizing radiation and ultrasonication, are able to inactivate microorganisms at ambient or sublethal temperatures. Many of these processes require very high treatment intensities, however, to achieve adequate microbial destruction in low-acid foods. Combining nonthermal processes with conventional preservation methods enhances their antimicrobial effect so that lower process intensities can be used. Combining two or more nonthermal processes can also enhance microbial inactivation and allow the use of lower individual treatment intensities. For conventional preservation treatments, optimal microbial control is achieved through the hurdle concept, with synergistic effects resulting from different components of the microbial cell being targeted simultaneously. The mechanisms of inactivation by nonthermal processes are still unclear; thus, the bases of synergistic combinations remain speculative. This paper reviews literature on the antimicrobial efficiencies of nonthermal processes combined with conventional and novel nonthermal technologies. Where possible, the proposed mechanisms of synergy is mentioned.

Effects of high field electric pulses on the activity of selected enzymes

Abstract A compact and low cost bench-top, pulsed electric field treatment system was designed and developed. The unit consisted of a high-voltage pulse generator (≤ 30 kV) and a treatment chamber with ≤ 148 ml capacity. Over the set-up voltage range of 4–26 kV, 30 pulses (with instant charge reversal) were applied to eight different enzyme solutions using a 0.3-cm electrode distance, a 13–87 kV/cm field, 0.5-Hz pulse frequency, 2-μs pulse width and 20 °C process temperature. For some enzymes, activities were reduced after the pulse treatments: lipase, glucose oxidase and heat-stable α-amylase exhibited a vast reduction of 70–85%; peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase showed a moderate 30–40% reduction whereas alkaline phosphatase only displayed a slight 5% reduction under the conditions employed. On the other hand, the enzyme activities of lysozyme and pepsin were increased under a certain range of voltages. Electric pulse profile (instant charge reversal) played a very important role in reducing the activities of various enzymes.

Saponins from edible legumes: chemistry, processing, and health benefits.

Demand for bean products is growing because of the presence of several health-promoting components in edible bean products such as saponins. Saponins are naturally occurring compounds that are widely distributed in all cells of legume plants. Saponins, which derive their name from their ability to form stable, soaplike foams in aqueous solutions, constitute a complex and chemically diverse group of compounds. In chemical terms, saponins contain a carbohydrate moiety attached to a triterpenoid or steroids. Saponins are attracting considerable interest as a result of their diverse properties, both deleterious and beneficial. Clinical studies have suggested that these health-promoting components, saponins, affect the immune system in ways that help to protect the human body against cancers, and also lower cholesterol levels. Saponins decrease blood lipids, lower cancer risks, and lower blood glucose response. A high saponin diet can be used in the inhibition of dental caries and platelet aggregation, in the treatment of hypercalciuria in humans, and as an antidote against acute lead poisoning. In epidemiological studies, saponins have been shown to have an inverse relationship with the incidence of renal stones. Thermal processing such as canning is the typical method to process beans. This study reviews the effect of thermal processing on the characteristics and stability of saponins in canned bean products. Saponins are thermal sensitive. During soaking and blanching, portions of saponins are dissolved in water and lost in the soaking, washing, and blanching liquors. An optimum thermal process can increase the stability and maintain the saponins in canned bean products, which is useful for assisting the food industry to improve thermal processing technology and enhance bean product quality.

Extraction of Polyphenolics from Plant Material for Functional Foods—Engineering and Technology

Polyphenolic substances or polyphenols include many classes of compounds ranging from phenolic acids, colored anthocyanins, simple flavonoids, and complex flavonoids. Polyphenolics contribute to the bitterness and astringency of fruits and fruit juices due to the interaction between polyphenolics, mainly procyanidins, and the glycoproteins in saliva. Polyphenols contribute largely to cellular processes within the body. In terms of pharmacological activity, they act against the oxidation of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs). Hence, they help the body retain important HDL while helping it get rid of problematic low-density lipoproteins (LDLs). In addition, polyphenols have also been found to have antiulcer, anticarcinogenic, and antimutagenic activities. The reason behind these activities is polyphenols strong antioxidant power because they are able to quench free radicals. Green tea and grape seed extracts provide a superior source of monomers that are relatively inexpensive to extract. Comparatively, pine bark and other fruits extracts have low levels of monomers. Therefore, the nutraceutical industry has focused on optimizing extraction processes for green tea leaves and grape pomace, skins, and seeds. During extraction, a solvent is mixed with the plant material (grape seeds, grape skins, pine bark, or tea leaves). Extraction can be either completed by the addition of a solvent to the sample in a container and then removed by drying, or the solvent can be removed by concentration by ultrafiltration (UF). After any one of these processes, the extract must be dried to obtain a powder form. Alternatively, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) can also be used, which produces the final product as a powder without any use of final drying. Organic solvent extraction is efficient and simple, yet costly. Large amounts of organic solvents are needed. This, in turn, is also detrimental to human use because traces of the organic solvent are present in the polyphenol extract. Polyphenol separation and concentration by membrane separation is even more efficient than organic solvent extraction. Organic solvents are still used but in lower quantities, and UF ensures the purity of the polyphenol extract. The drawback is membrane fouling, which can disrupt the process, and the time it takes to complete the process. The separation process has to be repeated several times. Supercritical fluid extraction is the extraction process of the future. CO2 is low cost, nontoxic, nonflammable, and noncorrosive, making it the perfect solvent for natural products. In the U.S. market, where

Comparative evaluation of edible coatings to reduce fat uptake in a deep-fried cereal product

141 million was spent on grape seed products in 1999, it is imperative that safe and efficient extraction procedures are delivered that guarantee a pure polyphenol product.

Inactivation of Salmonella Typhimurium in orange juice containing antimicrobial agents by pulsed electric field.

Abstract Eleven hydrocolloid materials including gelatine, gellan gum, κ-carrageenan-konjac-blend, locust bean gum, methyl cellulose (MC), microcrystalline cellulose, pectin (three types), sodium caseinate, soy protein isolate (SPI), vital wheat gluten and whey protein isolate (WPI) were compared for their film forming ability, suitability for fried foods, and water and fat transfer properties. Various selected formulations and preparation methods were investigated for their effectiveness, and for their heat stability on a product made from a pastry-mix. Gelatine, wheat gluten and sodium caseinate were not suitable in single material coating. The SPI, WPI and MC were the best materials for coating to reduce fat uptake during frying. Composite films of two to three materials in multiple coatings or a single coating with mixed materials were also evaluated. Multiple coatings provided large film thicknesses. SPI/MC and SPI/WPI mixed coatings provided the highest index value (reduction in fat uptake/decrease of water loss), and reduced the fat uptake up to 99.8%.

Reduction in Levels of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Apple Cider by Pulsed Electric Fields

Combinations of different hurdles, including moderately high temperatures (<60 degrees C), antimicrobial compounds, and pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment, to reduce Salmonella in pasteurized and freshly squeezed orange juices (with and without pulp) were explored. Populations of Salmonella Typhimurium were found to decrease with an increase in pulse number and treatment temperature. At a field strength of 90 kV/cm, a pulse number of 20, and a temperature of 45 degrees C, PEF treatment did not have a notable effect on cell viability or injury. At and above 46 degrees C, however, cell death and injury were greatly increased. Salmonella numbers were reduced by 5.9 log cycles in freshly squeezed orange juice (without pulp) treated at 90 kV/cm, 50 pulses, and 55 degrees C. When PEF treatment was carried out in the presence of nisin (100 U/ml of orange juice), lysozyme (2,400 U/ml), or a mixture of nisin (27.5 U/ml) and lysozyme (690 U/ml), cell viability loss was increased by an additional 0.04 to 2.75 log cycles. The combination of nisin and lysozyme had a more pronounced bactericidal effect than did either nisin or lysozyme alone. An additional Salmonella count reduction of at least 1.37 log cycles was achieved when the two antimicrobial agents were used in combination. No significant difference (P > 0.05) in cell death was attained by lowering the pH value; only cell injury increased. Inactivation by PEF was significantly more extensive (P < 0.05) in pasteurized orange juice than in freshly squeezed orange juice under the same treatment conditions. This increase might be due to the effect of the chemical composition of the juices.

High voltage pulsed electrical field for liquid food pasteurization.

Many studies have demonstrated that high voltage pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment has lethal effects on microorganisms including Escherichia coli O157:H7; however, the survival of this pathogen through the PEF treatment is not fully understood. Fresh apple cider samples inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 strain EC920026 were treated with 10, 20, and 30 instant charge reversal pulses at electric field strengths of 60, 70, and 80 kV/cm, at 20, 30, and 42 degrees C. To accurately evaluate the lethality of apple cider processing steps, counts were determined on tryptic soy agar (TSA) and sorbitol MacConkey agar (SMA) to estimate the number of injured and uninjured E. coli O157:H7 cells after PEF treatment. Cell death increased significantly with increased temperatures and electric field strengths. A maximum of 5.35-log10 CFU/ml (P < 0.05) reduction in cell population was achieved in samples treated with 30 pulses and 80 kV/cm at 42 degrees C. Cell injury measured by the difference between TSA and SMA counts was found to be insignificant (P > 0.05). Under extreme conditions, a 5.91-log10 CFU/ml reduction in cell population was accomplished when treating samples with 10 pulses and 90 kV/cm at 42 degrees C. PEF treatment, when combined with the addition of cinnamon or nisin, triggered cell death, resulting in a reduction in E. coli O157:H7 count of 6 to 8 log10 CFU/ml. Overall, the combination of PEF and heat treatment was demonstrated to be an effective pasteurization technique by sufficiently reducing the number of viable E. coli O157:H7 cells in fresh apple cider to meet U.S. Federal Drug Administration recommendations.

Effects of fat reduction on frankfurters' physical and sensory characteristics

A novel technique to pasteurize liquid foods using high voltage electric pulses is reviewed. The process has been reviewed by various researchers, and recently great interest has been shown by researchers and the food industry in North America, Japan, and Europe. This paper provides a review of the process in terms of equipment development, modeling and experimental results, and research work needed to make this process commercially feasible. Patents issued on this process and the dielectric breakdown of foods are also included. Enzyme and spore inactivation are also discussed. Due to its nonthermal and chemically free nature, this process has a bright future. However, more systematic research work is needed to make the process commercially feasible.

Meatball cooking — modeling and simulation

Abstract The composition of commercial Canadian frankfurters and the composition, texture, viscoelastic, hydration, colour, and sensory attributes of experimental reduced fat pork/beef frankfurters were investigated. In the commercial products, the fat content varied from 21 to 26%. Frankfurters were prepared with fat varying from 23 to 10% by replacing the fat with water. Lower values of water holding capacity were observed in the high fat products which were related to a lower initial moisture content. The expressed free water depended on the fat and moisture contents of the product. Medium fat products were harder than the low and high fat products. The viscoelastic properties (relaxation time, elastic moduli) were not significantly affected by the changes in fat level. Sensory analysis results indicated that the low fat products were more tender and less juicy. The overall acceptability results indicated high preference for the low fat products.