Hamparsun Hampikyan

The effect of nisin on L. monocytogenes in Turkish fermented sausages (sucuks)

Turkish fermented sausage (sucuk) is a traditional, well-known meat product in Turkey. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different nisin concentrations on Listeria monocytogenes in experimentally contaminated sucuk. Analyses were performed on at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30days for L. monocytogenes and other microbiological parameters (Total mesophilic aerobic bacteria and lactic acid bacteria) and physico-chemical parameters (pH, a(w) and moisture content).The sucuk dough was contaminated with L. monocytogenes ATCC 7644 at a concentration of 10(6)cfu/g, and the dough was divided into six equal groups. Each group was treated separately with different nisin concentrations (0, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100μg/g). No L. monocytogenes surviving cells were detected in groups which contained 100μg/g and 50μg/g nisin at day 20 and 25, respectively (p<0.001). In conclusion, the inhibition of L. monocytogenes in sucuk increases with the increasing concentrations of nisin.

Effects of Electrical Stimulation on Meat Quality of Lamb and Goat Meat

Effect of various voltage of electrical stimulation (ES) on meat quality of lamb and goat was investigated by using a total of 36 animals at 3–5 years old. Constant 50 Hz frequency and 50, 100, and 250 V, 90 sec of ES were administered to 1/2 carcasses and were examined according their textural, physicochemical, and sensorial characteristics. ES decreased the pH values of lamb and goat meat, and accelerated the rigor mortis (P < 0.05). Additionally, ES enhanced the water activity, water-holding capacity, and drip loss of both animals. Shear force varied between lamb and goat meat, and tenderness was improved depending on voltage range used (P < 0.001). ES caused difference in instrumental colour (CIE L ∗, a ∗, b ∗) values of lamb and goat meat compared with the control groups (P < 0.05) during aging period at 4°C. Sensorial characteristics were also improved with various levels of ES treatments. In conclusion, ES had positive effects on meat quality of lamb and goat, in contrast to undesirable consumer preferences.

Determination of Mould and Aflatoxin Contamination in Tarhana, a Turkish Fermented Food

Tarhana is a popular traditional Turkish cereal-based fermented food product mainly produced at home or at home-scale level. Some certain mould species can grow even at low moisture and pH values and produce aflatoxins in food. This study was conducted to determine aflatoksin levels in tarhana. For this purpose, a total of 138 tarhana powder samples were collected from bazaars in Istanbul and analyzed for aflatoxins, mould contamination, and some physco-chemical parameters. As a result, 32 out of 138 tarhana samples (23.2%) were found to be contaminated with aflatoxins in the range of 0.7–16.8 μg/kg, whereas 29 samples contained Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) ranging from 0.2–13.2 μg/kg. All samples (100%) contaminated with moulds in the range of 1.4 × 101 –5.8 × 107cfu/g. The average pH, moisture and aw results were detected as 3.82, 12.71%, and 0.695, respectively.

DETERMINATION OF OCHRATOXIN A IN BABY FOODS BY ELISA AND HPLC

Ochratoxin A, is a well-known nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic and carcinogenic mycotoxin, produced by some species of mould genera such as Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. under various environmental conditions, such as moisture and temperature. The main sources of Ochratoxin A intake for humans are cereals and cereal derived products, when they are consumed in large quantities, as in the case of breakfast cereals and cereal based baby foods principally consumed by babies. In this study, a total of 150 samples (50 infant formulas, 50 follow-on formulas, and 50 cereal based supplementary foods for infants and children) were obtained randomly from various supermarkets and pharmacies in Istanbul, and 52 out of 150 (34.7%) analysed samples were contaminated with Ochratoxin A. None of the examined baby food samples were above the Turkish Food Codex maximum limit of Ochratoxin A in baby, infant, and young children foods (0.5 μg kg−1). These results reinforce the idea of strict and routine quality controls and goo...