Karen Galvin

COMPARISON OF EFFECTS OF DIETARY OLIVE OIL, TALLOW AND VITAMIN E ON THE QUALITY OF BROILER MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS

1. The effect of dietary fat and vitamin E supplementation on quality attributes (drip loss, oxidative stability, sensory quality) in chicken meat and meat products was investigated. Broiler chicks were fed on diets containing tallow (60 g/kg) or olive oil (60 g/kg) at a basal (30 mg/kg diet) or supplemental (200 mg/kg diet) concentration of alpha-tocopheryl acetate for 8 weeks. The alpha-tocopherol content and fatty acid composition of breast and thigh meat was determined. Drip loss was determined in breast fillets. Lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances/TBARS) and sensory quality (warmed-over flavour development/WOF) were assessed in minced thigh meat during storage. 2. Dietary olive oil increased the ratio of monounsaturated to saturated fatty acids (MUFA/SFA) in the diets. In breast and thigh, this resulted in approximately a two-fold increase in the MUFA/SFA ratio. Supplemental alpha-tocopherol increased the alpha-tocopherol content of muscles. 3. Dietary fat not influence drip loss in thawed breast fillets during refrigerated storage, but supplemental alpha-tocopherol reduced drip loss. 4. TBARS and WOF development in minced thigh meat patties were also reduced by supplemental alpha-tocopherol following frozen storage, or cooking and refrigerated storage. Storage stability was not adversely affected by dietary fat. 5. Overall, the results showed that increasing the monounsaturated profile of chicken meat lipids did not adversely affect quality characteristics. Dietary alpha-tocopherol supplementation was a more important factor in the determination of broiler meat quality.

Effect of carnosine, salt and dietary vitamin E on the oxidative stability of chicken meat

The effect of carnosine on lipid and cholesterol oxidation in salted chicken thigh meat and its relationship to dietary α-tocopherol supplementation was examined. Broilers (Cobb 500) were fed diets with a basal (30 mg kg(-1)) or supplemental (200 mg kg(-1)) level of α-tocopheryl acetate for 6 weeks. Thigh meat patties were prepared with carnosine (1.5%), salt (1%) or salt plus carnosine. Salt accelerated lipid and cholesterol oxidation following cooking and refrigerated storage. However, carnosine inhibited lipid and cholesterol oxidation in salted patties. Dietary α-tocopherol supplementation also reduced the extent of lipid and cholesterol oxidation in salted patties. The combination of carnosine and dietary α-tocopherol resulted in the greatest lipid and cholesterol stability in salted meat.

Significance of Serum 24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D in the Assessment of Vitamin D Status: A Double-edged Sword?

BACKGROUND 24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D [24,25(OH)2D] in serum may be both a nuisance and nutritionally valuable. METHODS We investigated the impact of 24,25(OH)2D3 on the performance of commercially available immunoassays for serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] using (a) serum from a nationally representative sample of adults, (b) serum from a spiking experiment, and (c) data from the UK Vitamin D External Quality Assurance Scheme (DEQAS). We also investigated the utility of the serum ratio of 24,25(OH)2D3 to 25(OH)D as an index of inactivation and of response to vitamin D supplementation using randomized controlled trial (RCT) data. Measurement of 24,25(OH)2D in sera by a LC-MS/MS method allowed for an investigation of its impact on immunoassay-derived serum 25(OH)D values as well as its clinical utility. We report data from a nationally representative sample of adults, a recent vitamin D RCT in older adults, and DEQAS. RESULTS 24,25(OH)2D3 contributed to the positive bias observed in some immunoassays relative to LC-MS/MS-derived estimates for total 25(OH)D. A spiking experiment showed that the degree of cross-reactivity with 24,25(OH)2D was high and may underpin this positive bias. Adjustment for 24,25(OH)2D3 concentration brought estimates closer to true values. Data from the vitamin D RCT showed that the ratio of 24,25(OH)2D3 to 25(OH)D was associated with serum 25(OH)D3 and with response of serum 25(OH)D to vitamin D supplementation. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight that the effect of 24,25(OH)2D3 in serum is a double-edged sword-an interferent for some immunoassays, yet potentially informative of nutritional status.

Effect of dietary α-tocopherol supplementation and gamma-irradiation on α-tocopherol retention and lipid oxidation in cooked minced chicken

Abstract The effects of dietary α-tocopherol supplementation and gamma-irradiation on α-tocopherol retention and lipid oxidation in cooked minced chicken during refrigerated storage were studied. Minced breast and thigh meat from broilers fed diets supplemented with 100, 200 or 400 mg α-tocopheryl acetate/kg feed was irradiated at 2.5 or 4.0kGy. Cooked irradiated and unirradiated meat was stored at 4 °C for 5 days. α-Tocopherol concentrations increased with increasing dietary supplementation. Concentrations decreased during storage, but retention was not affected by irradiation. Lipid stability was determined by measuring the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS) and cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) during storage. TBARS and COPs increased during storage and were reduced by increasing levels of dietary α-tocopheryl acetate supplementation. Irradiation accelerated TBARS formation during storage, but this was prevented by supplementation with 200 mg α-tocopheryl acetate/kg feed. Irradiation tended to increase COPs during storage, although no consistent effects were observed. In general supplementation with over 400 mg α-tocopheryl acetate/kg feed may be required to control cholesterol oxidation in minced chicken. The results suggest that, overall, irradiation had little effect on lipid stability in α-tocopherol-supplemented meat following cooking and storage.

Cholesterol oxides in processed chicken muscle as influenced by dietary α-tocopherol supplementation

The effect of dietary α-tocopheryl acetate supplementation on the formation of cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) in chicken muscle during storage was investigated. Broiler chicks (Cobb 500 strain) were fed diets supplemented with 20, 200 or 800 mg α-tocopheryl acetate kg(-1) feed. Cooked breast and thigh muscle patties were prepared and stored at 4 °C for up to 12 days. Dietary supplementation significantly (p < 0.05) increased α-tocophenol concentrations in cooked muscle and decreased thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS) during storage. COPs increased during storage. Total COPs ranged from 0.17-3.48 and 2.49-5.79 μg g(-1) in breast and thigh meat, respectively. TBARS and total COPs were linearly correlated in breast (r = 0.68, p < 0.001,) and thigh patties (r = 0.75, p < 0.05). Dietary α-tocopheryl acetate supplementation significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the formation of COPs during storage. Total COPs formed after 12 days were reduced by 42 and 75% in breast, and 50 and 72% in thigh, at supplementation levels of 200 and 800 mg kg(-1) feed, respectively.

Influence of dietary vitamin E and oxidised sunflower oil on the storage stability of cooked chicken muscle

1. The effects of oxidised dietary sunflower oil and dietary alpha-tocopheryl acetate supplementation on alpha-tocopherol concentrations in broiler muscle and on the storage stability of refrigerated, cooked, minced muscle were determined. Broiler chicks were fed on diets containing fresh sunflower oil and 30 (FS30) or 200 (FS200) mg alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg, or oxidised sunflower oil and 0 (OS0), 30 (OS30) or 200 (OS200) mg alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg. 2. Inclusion of oxidised sunflower oil significantly reduced dietary and hence, muscle alpha-tocopherol concentrations. 3. Oxidised oil increased oxidation in raw and cooked muscle, and reduced the oxidative stability of muscle during refrigerated and frozen storage. 4. Supplementation with alpha-tocopheryl acetate improved the stability of muscle, with stability increasing as muscle alpha-tocopherol concentrations increased, when fresh or oxidised oil was fed. Supplementation with 200 mg alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg offset the effects of oxidised oil in breast, but not in thigh. 5. The results show that the prooxidising effects of oxidised oils in muscle foods can be overcome, but alpha-tocopherol content needs to be adequately adjusted to compensate for increased oxidative stress. Supplementation with 200 to 400 mg alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg may be necessary to achieve an optimum muscle alpha-tocopherol concentration.

Effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation on cholesterol oxidation in vacuum packaged cooked beef steaks.

The effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation on cholesterol oxidation in vacuum packaged, cooked, refrigerated and frozen beef steaks, was investigated. Steers (Friesian×Charolais×Black Hereford) were fed diets providing 20 or 3000 mg α-tocopheryl acetate/head/day for 135 days prior to slaughter. α-Tocopherol concentrations in M. psoas major (PM) and M. longissimus dorsi (LD) were significantly (p<0.05) increased by supplementation and were significantly (p<0.05) higher in PM than LD. Cholesterol oxidation (monitored by measuring 7-ketocholesterol formation) increased during refrigerated and frozen storage in some, but not all, groups, and tended to be higher in PM than LD. Dietary vitamin E did not affect 7-ketocholesterol formation in LD, but significantly (p<0.05) reduced concentrations in PM during refrigerated and frozen storage. Supplementation significantly (p<0.05) reduced TBARS in PM and LD, indicating that vitamin E improved oxidative stability in both muscles. The results show that dietary vitamin E supplementation inhibits cholesterol oxidation in vacuum packaged, cooked beef during refrigerated and frozen storage, but may be influenced by muscle type.

The effect of domestic processing on the content and bioaccessibility of carotenoids from chili peppers (Capsicum species)

The content and bioaccessibility of carotenoids from different chili peppers were analysed and the effects of typical domestic processing were investigated. Peppers were analysed before and after cooking by conventional boiling (10 min in 100 °C water) and also following a freezing period of four months in a domestic freezer (-20 °C). The content and bioaccessibility of the eight carotenoids quantified varied, depending on cultivar, species, colour and processing. Provitamin A carotenoids (β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin) and capsanthin were present at highest concentrations in the samples before and after processing. In general, yellow and orange peppers were the best sources of lutein, zeaxanthin and neoxanthin. Xanthophyll carotenoids were more efficiently transferred to the micelles and, therefore, were also more bioavailable. Processing decreased the carotenoid content in certain samples; however, the micellar content was generally not lower for processed peppers; therefore the bioaccessibility of carotenoids from processed peppers is enhanced relative to unprocessed peppers.

Inhibition of Lipid Oxidation in Chicken by Carnosine and Dietary α-Tocopherol Supplementation and its Determination by Derivative Spectrophotometry

The antioxidant activity of carnosine in chicken meat, and its relationship to dietary α-tocopherol supplementation, was examined. Broiler chickens were fed diets containing 30 (basal) or 200 (supplemental) mg α-tocopherol acetate kg(-1) feed for 6 weeks. Raw and cooked thigh meat patties containing carnosine (0-1·5%) were prepared. Lipid oxidation, during refrigerated storage under fluorescent light, was assessed by monitoring malonaldehyde formation, using the TBA assay and single wavelength (conventional) or first derivative spectrophotometry. In raw patties, added carnosine improved oxidative stability for up to 10 days of refrigerated storage. In cooked patties, the 1·5% carnosine level provided the best antioxidant protection during 7 days of storage. Carnosine (1·5%) was at least as effective as supplemental α-tocopherol in improving the oxidative stability of raw and cooked patties. The presence of both antioxidants had an additive effect on oxidative stability. Overall, the use of derivative spectrophotometry improved the specificity of the TBA assay for monitoring MDA formation in refrigerated meats.

Changes in Total and Individual Crocetin Esters upon in Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion of Saffron Aqueous Extracts

Changes that may be expected in crocetin esters (crocins) upon digestion were examined in saffron aqueous extracts for the first time. Chemical characterization of total and individual crocins and other bioactive compounds was achieved by UV-vis spectrophotometry, RP-HPLC-DAD, and LC-ESI-MS. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using in vitro assays and the comet assay. The observed loss for both total and trans-crocins was higher in saffron (∼50%) than in gardenia extracts (∼30%), which were also examined for comparison. Loss was lower than that reported for hydrophobic carotenoids. cis-Isomers were less affected, leading to the hypothesis that trans/cis isomerization may occur in parallel to degradation reactions. Monitoring changes in the extracts at oral, gastric, or intestinal phases, separately, verified this view pointing out the critical effect of pH, temperature, and duration of process but not of digestive enzymes. No isomerization and less degradation (<20% loss) was evidenced when pure trans-crocetin (di-β-D-gentiobiosyl) ester was subjected to gastric or intestinal conditions.