Piotr Skałecki

A comparison of the physicochemical characteristics of the regional cheese Oscypek and the traditional cheese Gazdowski from the Polish Podhale

The quality of two types of traditional cheese manufactured in Podhale (southernmost region of Poland), that is, Oscypek (regional PDO) and Gazdowski (native traditional product - NTP), was compared. The appearance, sensory qualities, proximate composition and intrinsic traits were evaluated. Oscypek manufactured from mixed (sheep and cow) milk received higher sensory scores for texture, taste and aroma than the traditional Gazdowski cheese made from cows milk. Furthermore, the Oscypek cheese contained significantly more total solids and protein, but less salt. Composition could be responsible for its more cohesive texture which was defined by significantly greater cohesiveness, greater hardness, springiness, shear force and shear energy.

Slaughter value and meat quality of suckler calves: A review

Veal is widely prized by consumers for its excellent nutritional value. Calf meat is generally obtained from young (immature) bovine animals up to 8months of age, or in some cases from older animals, but no older than 12months. Classification of calf carcasses and specification of cuts are quite well regulated in the European market, in contrast with feeding systems and meat characteristics. There are several calf production systems, but in terms of consumer health the most beneficial meat is obtained from animals reared on pasture with natural suckling. In view of the above, this review is limited in scope to Member States of the European Union and focuses on the main factors influencing the carcass quality, proximate composition, intrinsic properties, cholesterol content, fatty acid composition and mineral composition of veal from calves reared on pasture with their mothers.

Proximate composition and physicochemical properties of European beaver (Castor fiber L.) meat.

The proximate composition of meat from young and mature European beaver and physicochemical properties during storage were investigated. The young beaver meat contains 20.52g of protein and 1.86g of fat in 100g, while mature animals 22.16g and 0.73g. Index of nutritional quality for protein ranged from 2.03 to 2.24. Storage had a greater impact on the physicochemical properties of beaver meat than animal age and muscle type. The meat of mature beavers was significantly (P<0.05) darker (L*=28.51) in comparison with young animals (L*=30.79) and contained significantly (P<0.01) more total pigments. However, the negative b* values (between -2.05 and -2.19) indicated a bluish tint on the surface of beaver meat. The significantly (P<0.05) lower drip loss and cooking loss showed semimembranosus (0.65% and 17.89%) compared to longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle (0.84% and 19.58%). Significantly (P<0.01) lower values of TBARS, drip loss and cooking loss were determined in meat at 24h (0.15mgMDAkg-1, 0.59% and 15.99%) in comparison with stored for 7days (0.46mgMDAkg-1, 0.90% and 21.49%). Generally, storage for 7days improved meat water holding capacity and tenderness. W-B shear force and shear energy of beaver meat decreased from 51.4N and 0.21J at 24h to 33.2N and 0.11J at 7days.

21. Effect of Vacuum Ageing on Instrumental and Sensory Textural Properties of Meat from Uhruska Lambs

Abstract The objective of the present research was to assess the instrumental and sensory textural attributes of lamb meat depending on the cold storage ageing under vacuum. The research material included two skeletal muscles, i.e. semimembranosus (SM) and rectus femoris (RF) from carcasses of Uhruska lambs. The age of animals ranged from 120 to 135 days. The ageing and muscle influenced significantly shear force and shear energy. However, significantly lower shear force and higher score of tenderness were observed on 7 vs. 2 days of ageing only for SM. The evaluated factors (ageing and muscle) affected slightly and not significantly the parameters of texture profile analysis. The muscle samples after the 7-day ageing showed higher hardness and chewiness. Significant correlation of sensory tenderness with instrumental shear and energy force and springiness was confirmed. The obtained results indicated that vacuum-packed lamb meat during cold storage for 7 days following slaughter develops the sensory attributes, especially tenderness.

Longissimus lumborum quality of Limousin suckler beef in relation to age and postmortem vacuum ageing

Abstract The aim of the research was to evaluate the influence of calf age on proximate composition, fatty acid composition and mineral contents, as well as postmortem ageing under vacuum on the inherent properties of musculus longissimus lumborum of Limousin suckler beef aged to 6, 7 or 8 months. The moisture, protein, fat, and ash content, fatty acid composition, mineral concentrations and intrinsic properties (pH, electrical conductivity, drip and cooking loss, shear force, and CIE colour parameters) were determined. The calf age significantly (P≤0.05) correlated with an increased protein content and energy value of meat and decreased water:protein proportion. Moreover, increased age correlated with higher concentrations of Mg (P≤0.01), Zn and Fe (P≤0.05) and reduced concentrations of Cu (P≤0.05). The fatty acid composition was similar irrespective of calf age, with the exception of CLA content, which was significantly (P≤0.01) reduced in older animals. Muscles of calves aged 6 months were significantly lighter, less red, and showed the most significant drip loss compared to the muscles of older animals. There was no significant (P>0.05) interaction between calf age and postmortem ageing for the intrinsic properties analysed. Postmortem ageing under vacuum resulted in a significant decrease (P≤0.05) in the shear force of meat (irrespective of the age of the calves). The lack of significant differences, especially with regard to the meat pH, shear force, fatty acid composition, and with the significantly higher content of protein and major elements (Fe, Mg and Zn) in relation to the slaughter age, indicates the validity of increasing the duration of fattening of the Limousin calves reared with their mothers on the pasture until the age of 8 months, which is a maximum in this category.

Comparison of Physicochemical Properties, Fatty Acid Composition and Mineral Contents in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) Fillet and the Native Traditional Product Carp Ham

Abstract Based on the analysis of the proximate composition, mineral contents and fatty acid profiles, the objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional value of the traditional product Carp Ham produced from common carp raw fillets. Significant differences were found in the proximate composition and mineral contents between the raw fillets and the final product. The contents of protein, fat and ash in 100 g of the traditional product (21.94, 8.63 and 6.58 g) were higher (P<0.01) than in fillets (19.28, 1.53 and 1.22 g), with an exception of the moisture content (63.60 vs. 77.79 g). Significantly higher energetic value showed Carp Ham (692 kJ/100 g) as compared to fillets (384 kJ/100 g). Carp fillet and Ham showed high values of the index of nutritive quality (INQ) for protein (8.43 and 5.44). Processing had a significant influence (P<0.05) on the decrease of K, Mg and Ca contents in Carp Ham (3107.8, 236.2 and 107.7 mg/kg), and the increase of Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu concentrations (2.10, 3.10, 0.50 and 0.16 mg/kg). Among the fatty acids, the only significant differences were stated for C20:1n-9 (2.22 vs. 1.76%) and C22:6n-3 (1.34 vs. 0.83%), with the higher values determined for fillets. The traditional product, Carp Ham, preserved positive nutritional features, which were better highlighted by the fatty acid composition, health-related indices and oxidative stability. The study indicated that the traditional manufacturing method retains the most part of the nutritional constituents present in the carp fillets.

Effect of fishing season on value in use, intrinsic properties, proximate composition and fatty acid profile of perch (Perca fluviatilis) muscle tissue

Abstract The aim of study was to assess the effect of fishing season on value in use, intrinsic properties, chemical composition, and the fatty acid profile of the muscle tissue of free-living perch Perca fluviatilis L. caught in the Bystrzyca River. The research material comprised forty specimens of both sexes aged over 4 years. The fish were caught during two seasons in 2011, i.e. 20 specimens in spring (March/April), and 20 specimens in fall (October/November). No significant differences in the weight, length and condition, or in the value in use of the fish from the spring and fall seasons were noted. Fishing season had no significant effect on pH or the electrical conductivity value of perch muscle tissue. However, the color of the muscle tissue of fish from the spring season was redder and more intense. Significantly higher levels of fat and ash were noted in the muscle tissue of perch from the fall season, and this contributed to its higher nutritional value in comparison to fish caught in the spring. Furthermore, the muscle tissue of fish caught in the fall season was of greater preventive health value for consumers because of the significantly lower share of saturated fatty acids and higher concentration of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic.