Snežana Škaljac

Sensory, physical and chemical characteristics of cooked ham manufactured from rapidly chilled and earlier deboned M. semimembranosus

Effects of rapid chilling of carcasses (at -31°C in the first 3h of chilling, and then at 2-4°C) and earlier deboning (8h post-mortem), compared to rapid (till 24h post-mortem) and conventional chilling (at 2-4°C, till 24h post-mortem), on quality characteristics of pork M. semimebranosus and cooked ham were investigated. Quality measurements included pH value, colour (CIEL a b values) and total aerobic count of M. semimebranosus, as well as sensory (colour, juiciness, texture, and flavour), physical (pH value, colour - CIEL a b values and texture - Warner-Bratzler shear and penetration forces) and chemical (protein, total fat, and moisture content) characteristics of cooked ham. The cooked ham was manufactured from pieces of M. semimebranosus with ultimate lightness (CIEL value) lower than 50. Rapid chilling and earlier deboning significantly increased quantity of M. semimebranosus desirable for cooked ham manufacturing. Earlier start of pork fabrication did not affect important quality characteristics of cooked ham.

Cadmium in meat and edible offal of free-range reared Swallow-belly Mangulica pigs from Vojvodina (northern Serbia)

The aim of this study was to determine the cadmium concentration in four muscles and 10 edible offal items of 15 free-range reared Swallow-belly Mangulica pigs from Vojvodina, by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after mineralisation by dry ashing. All individual concentrations in muscles and heart, tongue, spinal cord, back fat and leaf fat were below the limit of detection (LOD = 0.050 mg/kg). In lungs, spleen and brain, cadmium concentrations ranked from below LOD, 0.055 and 0.058 to 0.057, 0.065 and 0.074 mg/kg, respectively. The concentration of cadmium in liver and kidney ranged from 0.089 to 0.116 mg/kg and from 0.204 to 0.440 mg/kg, respectively. Cadmium concentrations in liver and kidney of free-range reared Swallow-belly Mangulica pigs slaughtered at about 20 months of age were lower than in liver and kidney of commercial pigs from Vojvodina, slaughtered at about 6 months of age.

Cadmium in liver and kidneys of domestic Balkan and Alpine dairy goat breeds from Montenegro and Serbia

ABSTRACT Concentrations of cadmium (Cd) were determined in the samples of 144 animals around 1 and of 144 animals around 4 years old. Cd was analysed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), after microwave digestion. Cd concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) in kidney than in liver and higher (p < 0.05) in older animals than in young ones. In domestic Balkan goat which was raised in a free-ranged system Cd accumulation was lower (p < 0.05) than in Alpine goat raised in an intensive production system. Geographic region did influence Cd accumulation only in older animals. Higher Cd levels (p < 0.05) were determined in goats from Serbia. The highest obtained Cd concentrations in both tissues were lower than maximum levels set by European and national legislation for ruminants (cattle and sheep).

Factors affecting elimination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from traditional smoked common carp meat

Smoking techniques have been progressively improved and different procedures have been developed in different regions for treating fish. In these times, the technology is mainly used for enrichment of fish with specific taste and odour, to extend the shelf-life of these perishable products and appearance required widely on the market. A lot of chemical contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are formed during the combustion of fuel in the smoking process. PAHs are a group of compounds that have been the subject of great concern in the recent years due to their toxic, mutagenic and/or carcinogenic potentials to humans. These fact can have a significant impact on the acceptance of these products by consumers. In this review article, the objective is to describe factors affecting elimination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from traditional smoked common carp meat.

Cadmium and lead in female cattle livers and kidneys from Vojvodina, northern Serbia

ABSTRACT Concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were determined in livers (n = 52) and kidneys (n = 52) of female cattle (345–2717 days old) from dairy farms in the region Vojvodina. Cd and Pb were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, after microwave digestion. Cd and Pb concentrations did not exceed the Serbian and European maximum set limits in any sample. The Cd concentrations in the livers and kidneys ranged from 0.033 to 0.151 mg kg−1 wet weight and from 0.055 to 0.510 mg kg−1 wet weight, respectively. The corresponding Pb concentrations were 0.015-0.159 mg kg−1 wet weight and 0.021-0.196 mg kg−1 wet weight, respectively. Mean Cd and Pb concentrations were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the liver (0.072 and 0.053 mg kg−1 wet weight) than in the kidney (0.190 and 0.075 mg kg−1 wet weight). There were good correlations between Cd in liver and Cd in kidney, Pb in liver and Pb in kidney, Cd level and age and Pb level and age in both tissues.

Effect of Starter Culture Addition and Processing Method on Proteolysis and Texture Profile of Traditional Dry-Fermented Sausage Petrovská klobása

Proteolysis and texture profile of Petrovská klobása, made with addition of starter culture, were investigated during the ripening in different conditions (traditional versus industrial). Due to intensive degradation of myofibrillar proteins, significant increases of non-protein nitrogen and free amino acids nitrogen contents were registered in all samples. Similar proteolytic changes were found in both starter and non-starter sausages, but were more pronounced in samples ripened in industrial room. In relation to ripening conditions hardness and chewiness differed significantly, while starter culture had significant effect only on hardness of sausages processed in industrial room.

Content of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Smoked Common Carp (Cyprinus Carpio) in Direct Conditions Using Different Filters vs Indirect Conditions

Abstract In this study, the common carp fish were smoked in direct and indirect smoke chambers. Direct smokings in craft chamber were conducted in four ways: smoked without filter (Fo), with zeolite filter (Fz), filter with granular activated carbon (Fc) and gravel filter (Fg). The content of 16 different PAHs in smoked common carp was analyzed using GCMS method. Addition of zeolite, activated carbon and gravel filters significantly reduced PAH levels (P < 0.05). Levels of naphthalene, acenaphthylene, fluorine, phenanthrene and fluoranthene were reduced using zeolite, activated carbon and gravel filters by 42.14, 40.64, 42.5 (Naph), 49.81, 48.96, 48.96 (Acy), 32.71, 30.79, 26.15 (Fln), 28.79, 31.68, 18.34 (Phe) and 4.14, 3.87 and 1.12 (Flt) µg/kg, respectively. The addition of zeolite and activated carbon filters reduced amount of anthracene by 15.28 and 11.89 µg/kg and amount of pyrene by 1.25 and 0.6 µg/kg, while addition of gravel filters did not influence significantly these PAHs (P > 0.05). However all filters decreased acenaphthene, benz[a]anthracene and chrysene below detection limits. Zeolite was the most effective adsorbent for PAHs. All samples were under maximum limit of BaP (2 μg/kg) and PAH4 (12 μg/kg) set by European Commission Regulation 835/2011. Based on results in the present study it can be stated that common carp smoked in both direct and indirect conditions can be considered to be safe for consumption.

Influence of collagen and natural casings on the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in traditional dry fermented sausage (Petrovská klobása) from Serbia

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons—PAHs (acenaphthylene, anthracene, fluorene, phenanthrene, pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, chrysene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, and benzo[ghi]perylene)—from Environmental Protection Agency list (United States Environmental Protection Agency) in traditional dry fermented sausage (Petrovská klobása) stuffed in collagen (C) and natural casings (N). Benzo[a]pyrene as well as PAH4 (benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, and chrysene) were not detected in all examined samples. Results obtained in this study indicated that at the end of drying, as well as at the end of storage period, total content of 13 US-EPA PAH was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in sausages with collagen casing (56.2 and 73.6 μg/kg, respectively) than in sausages with natural casing (137.1 and 206.2 μg/kg, respectively).

Reduction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in common carp meat smoked in traditional conditions

ABSTRACT Common carp meat was smoked in traditional conditions without filter and with zeolite, granular activated carbon, and gravel filters. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of using different filters in traditional smoking conditions on 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from the Environmental Protection Agency list (16 US-EPA PAHs). Determination and quantification of PAHs were performed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). According to the obtained results, all examined samples of common carp meat smoked in traditional conditions were safe for consumers regarding to the European Commission Regulation on PAH content. After statistical analysis, the zeolite filter appeared to be the best one based on food safety of traditional production of smoked common carp meat. Application of any of these filters to produce smoked common carp meat in traditional conditions resulted in a safer product, as lower levels of PAHs were obtained.

The Impact of Replacing Backfat With Microcrystalline Cellulose Gel on Physico-Chemical and Sensory Quality of Frankfurter

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of dietary fiber Vitacel MCG 0018 Gel (consisting of microcrystalline cellulose - MCC and two different qualities of carboxymethyl cellulose - CMC) as back fat substitute on the physico-chemical and sensory quality of frankfurter. Five production series were evaluated to examine the back fat replacement: the control group (C) - a sample with just the addition of back fat (100% fat - 0% Vitacel MCG 0018 Gel); 75% fat and 25% gel (E1); 50% fat and 50% gel (E2); 25% fat and 75% gel (E3); 0% fat and 100% gel (E4). In our research, the moisture content increased (59.69% - 71.07%) and the fat content decreased (23.48% - 9.99%) with increasing of back fat replacement by Vitacel MCG 0018 gel. The protein content was higher than 10% (10.18% - 10.35%) and relative content of connective tissue proteins was lower than 20% (6.33 – 17.43) in all examined samples which is in accordance with the criteria of the Serbian Regulation. Sensory evaluation of color, smell and taste and texture and juiciness are less assessed in frankfurters where the fat is replaced by the Vitacel MCG 0018 gel in the proportion of more than half. In general, it can be concluded that the replacement of up to 50% back fat with cellulose fiber gives sausages almost unchanged properties, while the addition of larger fiber amount leads to decrease of sausage quality.