Pedro Díaz

Ascorbate, green tea and grape seed extracts increase the shelf life of low sulphite beef patties.

Green tea (GTE) and grape seed (GSE) extracts are proposed as preservatives for increasing the shelf life of low sulphite raw beef patties. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of both extracts were compared with ascorbate. Five groups were established for the patties: Control (with no additives), S (100 SO(2)), SA (100 SO(2)+400 sodium ascorbate), ST (100 SO(2)+300 GTE) and SG (100 SO(2)+300 GSE) (mg per kg of meat). Patties were stored at 4°C in aerobic packaging for 0, 3, 6 or 9 days under retail display conditions. Meat spoilage (total viable and coliform counts, pH, lightness, chroma, hue angle, metmyoglobin and TBARS) was determined. The sensory contribution of the extracts to cooked patties was evaluated (colour, odour, flavour and texture). The results pointed to the possibility of using low SO(2)-vegetable extract combinations to preserve raw meat products. ST, SG and SA delayed microbial spoilage, redness loss and lipid oxidation, thus increasing the shelf life of the raw sulphite beef patties by 3 days. ST, SG and SA also delayed the onset of rancid flavours in cooked patties. No anomalous sensory traits were caused by either extract. Ascorbate, GTE and GSE improved the preservative effects of SO(2) on beef patties, especially against meat oxidation. This suggested that the quantity of SO(2) added can be reduced to obtain healthier raw meat products.

Dietary administration of ewe diets with a distillate from rosemary leaves (Rosmarinus officinalis L.): Influence on lamb meat quality

The effect of including distilled rosemary leaf in the diet of pregnant ewes on subsequent lamb meat quality was studied. Thirty-six Segureña ewes were randomly assigned to three homogeneous groups. One group was fed a basal diet (BD) as control while the diet of the other two groups was modified by substituting 10% (R(1)) and 20% (R(2)) of the BD with a pellet made from 50% barley and 50% of distilled rosemary leaves (DRL). Meat spoilage (TVC, PSY and MYC), TBARS, CIELab coordinates and the sensory characteristics contribution of fresh lamb meat packed in MAP (70% O(2):30% CO(2)) were analyzed on days 0, 7, 14 and 21. In general, R(1) and R(2) had higher a* values, better scores for meat and fat colour (P<0.05) and lower TBARS and rancid odour (P<0.05), than the control samples. The total viable count was lower in meat DRL. No statistically significant differences were detected between the two treatments (10-20% DRL).

Effect on lamb meat quality of including thyme (Thymus zygis ssp. gracilis) leaves in ewes' diet.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of including thyme leaves (TL) in the diet of pregnant sheep on the sensorial characteristics, bacterial spoilage and oxidative stability of lamb meat stored in modified atmosphere (70% O(2):30% CO(2)). For this, thirty-six sheep were randomly assigned to three groups: control (basal diet), T(1) (3.7% thyme leaves), T(2) (7.5% thyme leaves). Meat spoilage (TV, PSY, MY, ENT, and LA), TBARS, CIELAB coordinates, metmyoglobin and the sensory characteristics of fresh lamb meat were analyzed on days 0, 7, 14 and 21. The presence of antioxidant compounds in the diet containing TL delayed (P<0.05) colour deterioration, lipid oxidation and bacterial counts, while at the same time imparting a better appearance to the fresh lamb meat. In general, this effect was more pronounced at the higher level of TL (7.5%). High Pearsons correlation coefficients were found between the sensory attributes, CIELAB coordinates and TBARS.

Microbial, physical–chemical and sensory spoilage during the refrigerated storage of cooked pork loin processed by the sous vide method

The aim was to study spoilage during the refrigerated storage of cooked pork loin processed by the sous vide method. Samples were packaged under vacuum into polyamide-polypropylene pouches, cooked at an oven temperature/time of 70°C/12h, chilled at 3°C and stored at 2°C for 0, 5 or 10 weeks. Microbial (psychrotrophs, lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, moulds and yeasts), physical-chemical (pH, water activity, TBARS, acidity, L(∗)a(∗)b(∗) colour, texture profile analysis and shear force) and sensory (appearance, odour, flavour, texture and acceptance) parameters were determined. The results showed that sensory spoilage preceded microbiological spoilage of sous vide pork loin. Counts bellow 1logcfu/g of psychrotrophs, anaerobic psychrotrophs, Enterobacteriaceae and lactic acid bacteria were detected in any control week, while moderate counts (2-3logcfu/g) of moulds and yeasts were found. Minor changes in water activity, lipid oxidation, CIELab colour, hardness, cohesiveness or gumminess were associated with spoilage of pork loin, only decreases of lactic acid, springiness and shear force were observed. The pork loin was unacceptable after 10 weeks. This loss of acceptance was mainly due to the deterioration of meaty flavour and odour, although the loss of appearance, juiciness and firmness also contributed. Moderate warmed-over and rancidity were detected. The sensory analysis was the most effective method for determining the shelf life of the sous vide pork-based dishes.

Natural extracts versus sodium ascorbate to extend the shelf life of meat-based ready-to-eat meals

The effect of grape seed and green tea extracts was compared with effect of sodium ascorbate on bacterial spoilage, lipid stability and sensory quality in cooked pork meatballs during refrigerated storage. Meatballs were stored at 4 ℃ in aerobic packaging for 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 days under retail display conditions. Lipid oxidation was evaluated as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, volatile compounds and cholesterol oxidation products. Colour stability was assessed through CIELab parameters. Microbiological spoilage was determined through total viable, mould and yeast and coliform counts. The samples containing green tea and grape seed extracts showed lower levels of thiobarbituric acid reacting substances, major volatile compounds and microbiological counts than the samples with sodium ascorbate. Formation of cholesterol oxidation products was also inhibited to a greater extent. Colour of meatballs and pork meatballs was not affected by refrigerated storage; however, the addition of extracts provided brown shades. The addition of antioxidants did not modify the sensory attributes except for the colour. Green tea and grape seed extracts were more effective than sodium ascorbate at preventing lipid oxidation.

Modelling the yield and texture of comminuted pork products using color and temperature. Effect of fat/lean ratio and starch

Practices to control the processing of finely comminuted meat products are proposed. The objective was to test the practical value of both temperature and light reflection measurements made during emulsification as potential indicators of cooking losses and resulting gel texture in pork sausages emulsified within a wide range of temperatures and starch and fat levels. Prior to cooking, pork batters were chopped for different times to ensure final emulsion temperatures ranging from 5 to 50°C. The effects of the fat/lean ratio (0.25 and 0.67) and starch addition (0.8 and 3.2% w:w) on temperature and optical reflection were also investigated. The chopping increased the temperature and decreased the light reflection of fresh meat emulsion. There was no relevant loss of emulsifying capacity at emulsion temperature below 30°C and lightness values over 70 CIE units. The losses and textural parameters of cooked emulsions could be predicted by means of non-linear regression equations based on the temperature and color of the raw emulsion. The determination coefficients obtained ranged from 0.89 to 0.99. The prediction models needed to be fitted to each batter formulation, especially in the presence of reduced levels of gelation agents (meat protein and starch). Lightness was a better predictor than chromaticity, since it decreased constantly with chopping in the range of final emulsion temperatures studied (5-50°C). This confirms previous studies that lightness could be used for monitoring emulsion stability in meat batters.

Determination of Shelf Life of Sous Vide Salmon (Salmo Salard) Based on Sensory Attributes

Sous vide technology permits precooked dishes of high sensory and nutritional quality to be obtained with a longer shelf life than is possible using other cooking-cooling methods. Salmon portions (200 g; 0.5, w:w; greased with olive oil) were par-roasted (300 degrees C/3 min), cooked using sous vide technology (80 degrees C/43 min), and maintained in anaerobic conditions at 2 degrees C for 0, 4, 8, 12, 15, 18, 22, and 25 d. At each control day, Enterobacteriaceae counts were made and the attributes of sensory spoilage were determined (3 visual, 2 odor, 2 flavor, and 3 texture attributes) by a panel of trained judges. A loss of smell, taste, color, and juiciness was detected during storage, along with the appearance of off-odors and off-flavors. The shelf life of the sous vide salmon based on sensory analysis was established at 18 d.

Spoilage of sous vide cooked salmon (Salmo salar) stored under refrigeration.

The spoilage of Sous Vide ‘SV’ cooked salmon stored under refrigeration was studied. Samples were packaged under vacuum in polyamide—polypropylene pouches, cooked at an oven temperature/time of 80 °C/45 min, quickly chilled at 3 °C and stored at 2 °C for 0, 5 or 10 weeks for catering use. Microbial (aerobic and anaerobic psychrotrophs, lactic acid bacteria, molds and yeasts and Enterobacteriaceae), physical—chemical (pH, water activity, TBARS, acidity, L*a*b* color, texture profile analysis and shear force) and sensory (appearance, odor, flavor, texture and overall quality) parameters were determined. SV processing prevented the growth of aerobic and anaerobic psychrotrophs, lactic acid bacteria, molds and yeasts and Enterobacteriaceae. There were no relevant changes in pH, water activity, TBARS, CIELab color associated with cooked salmon spoilage. Instrumental texture data were contradictory. Slight decrease in lactic acid levels was found. In contrast, the SV cooked salmon suffered considerable sensory deterioration during its refrigerated storage, consisting of severe losses of cooked salmon odor and flavor, slight rancidity, discoloration associated with white precipitation, and moderates softness, and loss of chewiness and juiciness. No acidification, putrefaction or relevant rancidity was detected. The sensory spoilage preceded microbiological and physical—chemical spoilage, suggesting that microbiological quality alone may overestimate the shelf life of SV cooked salmon.

TBARs distillation method: Revision to minimize the interference from yellow pigments in meat products

The aim was to study the effect of the incubation method and TBA reagent (concentration/solvent) on yellow pigment interference in meat products. Distillates from red sausage, sucrose, malondialdehyde and a mixture of sucrose-malondialdehyde were reacted with four different TBA solutions at five different temperature/time relations. Two TBA solutions were prepared at 20mM using 90% glacial acetic acid or 3.86% perchloric acid. In addition, an 80mM TBA solution was prepared using distilled water adjusted to pH4 and another using 0.8% TBA in distilled water. The temperature/time relations were: (1) 35min in a boiling water bath; (2) 70°C/30min; (3) 40°C/90min; (4) room temperature (r.t.) (24°C) in dark conditions for 20h; and (5) 60min in a boiling water bath. The results showed that aqueous or diluted acid solutions of TBA reagent and the application of 100°C for less than 1h provided the best conditions to minimize the presence of yellow pigments and maximize pink pigment formation in meat products.

Development of a convenience and safety chilled sous vide fish dish: Diversification of aquacultural products

The dynamic expansion of the ready-to-eat seabream sector in its adaptation to new lifestyles has led to the search for new presentation formats in seabream (Sparus aurata). Green sauce (olive oil, wine vinegar, garlic, fresh parsley, black pepper, basil and salt) and 60 ℃ of cooking temperature were chosen by the panellists for the sous vide cooking process. Seabream fillet and sauce were packaged in polypropylene trays, cooked, chilled and stored at 2 ℃. Microbiological (total viable counts, Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria, anaerobic psychrotrophic, moulds and yeasts, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes), chemical (pH and TBARs) and sensory parameters were determined at 0, 7, 17, 34, 48 and 62 days. In the conditions used, the microbiological counts remained stable, and Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes were absent. The acidic sauce had a positive effect on the pH of the product, and low TBARs were obtained throughout storage. The processing conditions used in the present study allowed a chilled ready-to-eat seabream product of consistently high quality up to 62 days of storage to be obtained, representing an expansion of the products offered by the aquacultural industry.