Sancho Bañón

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).

A comparative study of boar taint in cooked and dry-cured meat.

A comparative study of boar taint in cooked and dry-cured pig meat products was performed. Forty-eight cooked loins and 48 dry-cured hams from entire males and castrates were studied. The samples were classified according to the androstenone (AN) and skatole (SK) fat content determined using HPLC. A trained sensory panel evaluated taste, aroma, boar odour, boar flavour, juiciness, tenderness and fatness in cooked and dry-cured samples. Threshold levels of AN and SK to separate (P<0.05) entire and castrate samples according to their boar odour and flavour were determined. The effects of castration and processing on the eating quality were studied. Finally, the relationships among boar taint and other sensory attributes in cooked and dry-cured meat were compared. Results from these studies show that the eating quality of processed meat was affected negatively by boar taint. Threshold values were higher in dry-cured ham (2 μg g(-1) AN and 0.12 SK) than cooked loin (0.5 AN and 0.1 SK). AN and SK had a synergistic effect on boar odour and flavour in both products. AN had a greater influence than SK on the aroma and taste, especially in cooked meat. Boar odour was perceived more intensely than boar flavour in both of the products studied. Castration favoured fatness and improved the aroma and taste of cooked and dry-cured meat. The loss of aroma and taste due to boar taint was more noticeable in cooking than drying and curing. In dry-cured meat boar taint was associated with less aroma, taste, juiciness and tenderness. However, in cooked meat, boar taint affected the aroma and taste more strongly, but was not related with juiciness and tenderness, probably because these attributes are influenced by cooking.

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.

Pre-cure freezing affects proteolysis in dry-cured hams

Several parameters (sodium chloride, moisture, intramuscular fat, total nitrogen, non-protein nitrogen, white precipitates, free tyrosine, L* a* b* values and acceptability) related with proteolysis during the curing were compared in dry-cured hams manufactured from refrigerated and frozen/thawed raw material. Pre-cure freezing increased the proteolysis levels significantly (p<0.05) in the zones of the ham where water losses and absorption of salt is slowest. Frozen hams present a high incidence of white precipitates, formed mainly by tyrosine crystals. The colour and acceptability scores are similar in frozen and refrigerated hams. The previous freezing and thawing process accentuates the water losses, salt absorption and proteolysis of the cured meat, although it does not significantly affect the sensory quality of the dry-cured ham.

Fresh and eating pork quality from entire versus castrate heavy males

Abstract Pork quality from entire (EM) and castrated (CM) male pigs slaughtered at 105 kg live weight was compared. Two commercial pig crossbreeds were studied: Cross D (Large White×Duroc females and Landrace×Duroc males) and Cross L (Landrace×Large White females and Large White males). Androstenone (AN), skatole (SK) and indole (IN) backfat levels, fresh meat quality (moisture, protein, intramuscular fat, drip and cooking losses, pH and colour) and eating quality by a trained panel (boar odour and flavour, juiciness, tenderness, aroma and taste of freshly cooked loin) and untrained consumers (preference and acceptance) were determined. Results from these studies show that 35% (25%: Cross D; 45%: Cross L) and 10% (5% and 15%) of EM had over 0.5 μg AN and 0.25 μg SK g −1 fat, respectively, the cut-off values to detect boar taint in meat. Castration increased meat fatness and reduced boar taint, the aroma and taste of freshly cooked meat was more appreciable, while its effects on juiciness and tenderness were less clear. Pork acceptance was better in CM than in EM. CM was preferred by 75% of consumers.

Effects of dietary rosemary extract on lamb spoilage under retail display conditions.

A dietary rosemary extract (RE) was tested to extend the shelf life of raw lamb meat. Lambs were supplemented with 0.6mgkg(-1) RE during fattening (from 13 to 25kg live weight). Meat spoilage (total viable counts, psycrophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, molds and yeasts), TBARS, CIE L*a*b* color and the sensory traits of lamb cuts were analyzed on days 0, 7, 14 or 21 under retail display conditions (70/30 O(2)/CO(2) atmosphere, 2°C temperature and 1600lx lighting). Supplementation of the lamb diet with RE was effective (P<0.05) in prolonging the time chilled-packed lamb cuts could be kept under retail display conditions. Dietary rosemary clearly inhibited lipid oxidation and rancidity, and was moderately efficient in preventing sensory deterioration and microbial spoilage. Although the results concerning meat preservation were limited, the dietary use of rosemary extracts in lambs seems to be promising as a nutritional strategy for improving meat quality.

Evaluation of different starter cultures (Staphylococci plus Lactic Acid Bacteria) in semi-ripened Salami stuffed in swine gut

The ripening properties were evaluated in semi-ripened pork Salami started by different cultures: CXP (Pediococcus pentosaceus, Staphylococcus xylosus and Staphylococcus carnosus); RAP (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus sakei, S. xylosus and S. carnosus); and GY2 (L. sakei, S. xylosus and S. carnosus). These starters were chosen by their technological activities: CXP (rapid acidifying); RAP (medium acidifying); and GY2 (slow acidifying plus intense reddening-flavouring). Salami was enhanced with Ponceau 4R red and sodium glutamate, stuffed in pig gut and aged for 12 days at 15 °C/65-85%RH. Dehydration, reddening, proteolysis, fat acidity and lipid oxidation were hardly affected by the starters. Acidification by LAB strongly influenced the flavour. L. sakei plus L. plantarum provided a better flavouring than a low dose of L. sakei, and, especially, than over-acidifying P. pentosaceus. A final pH of 5 seems to be suitable for preventing aroma and taste defects in semi-ripened Salami. Spontaneous lactic microflora showed great acidifying potential.

The effects of castration on the eating quality of dry-cured ham.

The influence of the castration of entire male pigs on the eating quality of dry-cured ham was evaluated. Forty-eight dry-cured hams (435-day aged) were studied from entire and castrated males of two different crossbreeds. The proximate composition of the meat and the androstenone, indole and skatole fat content were determined. The entire hams were classified according to the androstenone and skatole content. Sensory analysis was carried out by a trained panel, evaluating marbling, juiciness, saltiness, graininess, toughness, overall flavour, boar odour and boar flavour. Also carried out was a preference and acceptability paired test by consumers. Castration increased meat fattening and reduced the androstenone and skatole levels of the fat. Significant differences (P<0.05) were found between entires and castrates for the average values given in all the sensory attributes studied. The dry-cured ham from castrates was scored as more flavoured, more marbled and softer. It was also perceived as less grainy, less salty and having less boar odour and flavour. The sensory perception of boar odour was more intense than that of flavour in dry-cured ham and appears to be related to the level of androstenone and skatole in fat. Dry-cured ham from castrated males was also more accepted and more preferred by consumers, especially women and habitual consumers. Castration of male pigs contributes to improve the quality of dry-cured ham. The rejection caused by boar odour and flavour is reduced, improving the overall flavour, texture and juiciness. In addition, the saltiness is less pronounced in ham from castrates. For this reason, the production of high quality dry-cured ham will have to shoulder the extra costs associated with processing castrated pigs.