Marcin Andrzej Kurek

Profiles and concentrations of heterocyclic aromatic amines formed in beef during various heat treatments depend on the time of ripening and muscle type.

Heterocyclic Aromatic Amine (HAA) profiles and concentrations depended on several factors. The largest changes in the HAA profile were observed in meat ripened (chill stored) for 5-10 days. Amines whos concentration varied most prominently included: Phe-P 1, harmane, AαC, IQ, IQx, PhIP, MeAαC, and MeIQx. HAA concentrations were strongly correlated with concentrations of the above compounds. Time of storage significantly affected the HAA profile and concentration. The profile changed dynamically for storage times up to 10 days. For longer times the profile stabilized, only the HAA content increased. A novel, highly precise and accurate HAA analytical method was developed for this study. Results may help to optimize meat processing technology from the point of view of reducing concentration of HAA formed during heat treatment, including the most carcinogenic; IQ, IQx, MeIQx and PhIP amines.

Influence of 21 days of vacuum-aging on color, bloom development, and WBSF of beef semimembranosus

Changes of color, proportions of myoglobin forms, pH, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) of beef m. semimembranosus (SM) were examined during 21days of vacuum-aging. Significant changes in lightness, redness, yellowness, chroma, and hue angle (p≤0.05) of SM during aging were found. Proportions of myoglobin forms changed on the 7th day of aging. Aging decreased WBSF in general, but a significant decrease (p≤0.05) from 67.86N to 55.3N was observed after day 14 of aging. The color parameters (L*, a*, C, ΔE) and O2Mb in 21-day aged SM were stabilized faster during blooming. Beef SM that had faster stabilization of bright red color during blooming were more tender (correlation of O2Mb with WBSF r=-0.87; p≤0.001). This could be important information for the producers, since the best quality traits could be achieved after sufficient blooming and aging time.

Influence of the wheat flour extraction degree in the quality of bread made with high proportions of β-glucan

β-glucan is currently one of the most important bioactive substances. Hence, there is a growing interest in the production of various foods containing β-glucan. The study examines the influence of the degree of wheat flour extraction in the quality of breads with high β-glucan content. Rheological tests were conducted on dough. Volume, mass, color and texture of bread were measured after baking. We observed that increasing the degree of extraction caused an increase in the storage and loss modulus. All of the bread made from the different flours were smaller in volume after the addition of β-glucan, although the yield increased. The crumb color of β-glucan-added breads was darker than the control samples. Control samples were higher in textural parameters (firmness, gumminess and chewiness). β-glucan-added samples had decreased porosity. The results revealed that using very strong flour with a high protein content results in a high quality β-glucan bread with a higher nutritional value due to the high total dietary fiber and β-glucan content.

Combined use of cocoa dietary fibre and steviol glycosides in low-calorie muffins production

Summary Today, consumers are more conscious about nutrition and food products with health benefits. In this study, partial sucrose replacement (20%) with steviol glycosides derived from Stevia Rebaudiana and total replacement of cocoa powder with cocoa fibre preparation in muffins were conducted. There were three levels of dietary fibre addition – 3%, 6% and 12%. Physical analysis of texture, colour, cooking yield and porosity was conducted. Moreover, chemical analysis of total dietary fibre and total phenol content was made as well. Sensory evaluation in two parts was also carried out. The experiment revealed the increase in firmness, porosity, TDF and TCP and the decrease in springiness, cohesiveness and lightness. The best-ranked sample in sensory evaluation was muffin with 6% of TDF sweetened with mixture of sugar and stevia. Stevia addition enhanced cocoa and sweet taste in tested muffins.

Effect of β-glucan particle size on the properties of fortified wheat rolls

The effects of β-glucan particle size and the ratios of β-glucan to flour on the physicochemical properties of wheat rolls were examined. A total of 100, 195 and 280 µm particles were analyzed with flour replacement from 0% to 20%. Wheat rolls made with the various particles and flour replacement levels were measured for rheology, yield and volume, texture, color, porosity, total dietary fiber (TDF) content and β-glucan content. All products had a smaller volume compared to the control, whereas the lightness was not significantly affected. Texture analysis indicated that the most favorable textural values were observed for the formulation involving the 195 μm β-glucan particles. Rolls with the same flour replacement level using the smaller particles had a higher share of TDF due to the greater surface of water evaporation. The main finding from the research was that the best results in most measured parameters were observed using 195 µm dietary fiber preparation. Thus, particle size reduction might be used to improve product properties but only to a certain extent because the load of micronized fiber weakens the structure, resulting in decreased product quality.

Effect of oat β-glucan fiber powder and vacuum-drying on cooking quality and physical properties of pasta

Oat β-glucan fiber powder was added to pasta dough at levels of 40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 g/kg. Pasta was dried at very high temperature and in a vacuum dryer. The cooking quality was evaluated based on the swelling index, water uptake, and cooking loss measurement. Further tests were carried out to determine the color, hardness, adhesiveness, total dietary fiber (TDF), and β-glucan content in pasta. The results showed that vacuum-drying had a significant impact on the cooking quality and physical properties of pasta. Water uptake and swelling index were higher and the cooking loss was lower in vacuum-dried pasta than in pasta dried using very high temperature (VHT) technology. The swelling index, water uptake, and cooking loss were significantly higher in samples with oat β-glucan fiber powder compared to control. Pasta with oat powder was darker, softer, and less sticky than semolina pasta. Lightness of vacuum-dried samples was higher while redness was lower than in conventionally dried samples.

The Application of Dietary Fiber in Bread Products

The process involved in the manufacture of bread is highly complex to ensure production of high quality bread, and a number of ingredients are incorporated in the process. Increased consumer health awareness has triggered interest in adding functional ingredients, such as dietary fiber (DF), in popular foods like bread. The article reviews the in the function of DF in human diet and most important sources of DF used in the bread productions. The impact was put on the effect of DF incorporation in bread on rheology of dough and properties of final product. The review revealed the dependence of DF usage in bread production in terms of changing the physical parameters of bread, shelf-life and sensory characteristics of bread.

Effect of natural flocculants on purity and properties of β-glucan extracted from barley and oat

In this study, β-glucan was extracted from wholegrain oat and barley flours by a novel extraction and purification method employing natural flocculants (chitosan, guar gum and gelatin). The use of flocculants decreased the total amount of extracted gum, which was highest in control samples (9.07 and 7.9% for oat and barley, respectively). The β-glucan specific yield, however, increased with the use of chitosan and guar gum, which were able to remove protein and ash impurities resulting in gums with a higher purity.The highest concentration of chitosan (0.6 %) resulted in gums with the highest β-glucan content (82.0 ± 0.23 and 79.0 ± 0.19 for barley and oat, respectively) and highest β-glucan specific yield (96.9 and 93.3 % for oat and barley, respectively). Explanation is in R&D section. The use of gelatin was not successful. All gum samples had a high content of total dietary fiber (>74%) and a high water holding capacity (4.6-7.4 g/g), but differed in apparent viscosity, which was highest for the oat sample extracted with 0.6% chitosan. This sample also showed the highest β-glucan molecular weight among the oat samples, which were in general 10-fold higher than for the barley samples. Among the barley samples, β-glucan molecular weight was highest for the control.

Physical properties of muffins sweetened with steviol glycosides as the sucrose replacement

Overconsumption of sweets contributes to increasing obesity among children and adults. Functional food brings an opportunity to improve nutritional value of commonly eaten products, e.g., pastry products. New trends in the food industry tend to produce low-calorie products by replacing sugar or fat with additives having pro-health benefits. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of replacing sucrose with steviol glycosides (natural non-caloric sweetener) on the quality properties of bakery products. The analysis of muffin’s texture, color, cooking yield, browning index, and sensory analysis were performed. The study showed that a 25% addition of steviol sweetener (as a sucrose replacement) was the most appropriate modification of the basic formula. The resulting muffins gained sensory attractiveness and health-promoting qualities. Moreover, the study showed that a reduction of sucrose in excess of 50% had a negative impact on the quality of muffins and their sensory profiles.

Effect of drying methods on the physical properties of durum wheat pasta

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of drying methods on the physical properties of pasta. Pasta was processed from durum wheat semolina and dried at low temperature in a drying oven, at very high temperature in a convection-air oven, and under reduced pressure in a vacuum-drier. Pasta after extrusion without drying was referred to as control. Cooking properties, color, and textural properties of the pasta were evaluated. The results show that drying method had a significant impact on the physical properties of pasta. Vacuum-drying resulted in bright yellow pasta characterized by high hardness, low adhesiveness, high water uptake, and low cooking losses. The study results demonstrate the beneficial effects of vacuum-drying on the physical properties of pasta.