Yunhee Jo

Optimization of microwave-assisted extraction of total extract, stevioside and rebaudioside-A from Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) leaves, using response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) modelling.

Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) consists of stevioside and rebaudioside-A (Reb-A). We compared response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) modelling for their estimation and predictive capabilities in building effective models with maximum responses. A 5-level 3-factor central composite design was used to optimize microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) to obtain maximum yield of target responses as a function of extraction time (X1: 1-5min), ethanol concentration, (X2: 0-100%) and microwave power (X3: 40-200W). Maximum values of the three output parameters: 7.67% total extract yield, 19.58mg/g stevioside yield, and 15.3mg/g Reb-A yield, were obtained under optimum extraction conditions of 4min X1, 75% X2, and 160W X3. The ANN model demonstrated higher efficiency than did the RSM model. Hence, RSM can demonstrate interaction effects of inherent MAE parameters on target responses, whereas ANN can reliably model the MAE process with better predictive and estimation capabilities.

E-Beam Irradiation for Improving the Microbiological Quality of Smoked Duck Meat with Minimum Effects on Physicochemical Properties During Storage: E-beam irradiation for improving…

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of different doses (0, 1.5, 3, and 4.5 kGy) of e-beam irradiation on the quality parameters (pH, Hunters parameter, and heme pigment) and stability qualifiers (peroxide value [POV], thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARSs], and total volatile basic nitrogen [TVBN]) of smoked duck meat during 40 d of storage under vacuum packaging at 4 °C. The initial populations of total bacteria (7.81 log CFU/g) and coliforms (5.68 log CFU/g) were reduced by approximately 2 to 5 log cycles with respect to irradiation doses. The results showed that pH, myoglobin, met-myoglobin, L* , a* , and b* showed significant differences with respect to different doses and storage intervals; a* and b* did not vary significantly because of storage. Higher pH was found in samples treated with 4.5 kGy at 40 d, while the minimum was observed in nonirradiated samples at day 0 of storage. Higher POV (2.31 ± 0.03 meq peroxide/kg) and TBARS (5.24 ± 0.03 mg MDA/kg) values were found in 4.5 kGy-treated smoked meat at 40 d and the lowest was reported in 0 kGy-treated meat at initiation of storage (0 d). However, irradiation suppressed TVBN during storage and higher TVBN (7.09 ± 0.32 mg/100 mL) was found in duck meat treated with 0 kGy at 40 d. The electronic nose (e-nose) effectively distinguished flavor profiles during the different storage intervals. The results showed that different sensory attributes did not vary significantly with respect to the dose of irradiation. We conclude that low dose of e-beam irradiation and vacuum packaging is beneficial for safety and shelf life extension without affecting the sensory characteristics of smoked duck meat.

Optimization and modeling for heat reflux extraction of total yield, stevioside and rebaudioside-A from Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) leaves

ABSTRACT Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) leaves consist of stevioside and rebaudioside-A (Reb-A). This research sought to improve extraction of target steviol glycosides from stevia leaf powder using response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networking (ANN) under these independent variables: ethanol concentration, X1 (0–100%), extraction temperature, X2 (55–75°C), and extraction time, X3 (45–75 min). ANN outperformed as potential alternative to RSM in predicting optimum conditions. Maximum responses were obtained at 100% X1, 55°C X2, and 60 min X3. Heat reflux extraction proved superior to maceration extraction in terms of higher extraction yields with reduced energy consumption and CO2 emission.

Comparative analysis of sensory profiles of commercial cider vinegars from Korea, China, Japan, and US by SPME/GC-MS, E-nose, and E-tongue

Solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME/GC-MS), electronic nose, and electronic tongue were used to characterize the sensory profiles of cider vinegars from Korea (K1-2), China (C1-2), Japan (J1-2), and US (U1-2). SPME-GC/MS detected acetic acid as the common volatile compound in all vinegars, in addition to isovaleric acid, octanoic acid, and phenethyl acetate. Acids and acetic esters were the major components of Korean and US vinegar samples, respectively. Chinese vinegars had high ethyl acetate content, while Japanese samples were characterized by a low content of acetic acid. Principal component analysis (PCA) pattern provided a clear categorical discrimination of Chinese vinegars by E-nose and E-tongue analyses. The instrumental sensory scores and the taste attributes for flavor (r=0.9431), sourness (r=0.9515), and sweetness (r=0.8325) were highly correlated. Therefore, SPME/ GC-MS, E-nose, and E-tongue analyses may be useful tools to discriminate the sensory profiles of cider vinegars of different origins.

Determination of Quality Index Components in High-Acidity Cider Vinegar Produced by Two-Stage Fermentation

In this study, high-acidity cider vinegar (HACV) was produced by alcoholic and acetic acid fermentation of apple concentrate without any nutrients and then the optimum alcohol concentration was determined through a qualitative study. HACV was fermented with different initial alcohol concentrations (6-9%) during the process of acetic acid fermentation. The highest content of reducing sugar, organic acids, and free amino acids was observed at 6% of initial alcohol concentration. Approximately 20 types of volatile compounds were identified by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and GC-MS. The total volatile content was the highest at 6% of initial alcohol concentration, and the acid content was the lowest at 9% of the initial alcohol concentration. The HACV produced by a two-stage fermentation process was qualitatively better than commercial HACV presenting the highest value at 6% of initial alcohol concentration. Malic acid, aspartic acid, and hexyl acetate were selected as quality index components of HACV production by two-stage fermentation on the basis of correlation between their physicochemical properties and the sensory attributes of HACV.

Assessment of microbial contaminations in commercial frozen duck meats and the application of electron beam irradiation to improve their hygienic quality: Assessment of microbial contaminations in commercial frozen duck meats

BACKGROUND High microbial load is a serious concern in terms of the health-related safety of products of animal origin. In this study, the microbial loads of commercial frozen duck-meat products, including bone-in whole raw, boneless sliced raw, and boneless whole smoked, were investigated for pathogenic contamination. The application of electron beam irradiation was also investigated. RESULTS The samples revealed a serious microbial threat (102 -105  CFU g-1 for total aerobic bacteria and positive for foodborne pathogens), which required effective decontamination technology. Electron-beam irradiation (0, 1, 3, and 7 kGy) could potentially improve the hygienic quality of duck-meat samples. The D10 values for Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhi were 0.47 and 0.51 kGy, respectively. A direct epifluorescent filter technique and aerobic plate count (DEFT/APC) method was used for screening, while electron-spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry were effective as confirmatory techniques to identify radiation-induced markers in frozen duck meat. CONCLUSION Electron-beam irradiation has the potential to ensure the microbial safety and hygienic quality of commercial duck meats. Identification of the samples for their irradiation history was also possible using radiation-induced detection markers, including the DEFT/APC, hydroxyapatite ESR radicals, and hydrocarbons.

Assessment of Microbial and Radioactive Contaminations in Korean Cold Duck Meats and Electron-Beam Application for Quality Improvement

Animal-origin food products pose serious threat to public food safety due to high microbial loads. The microbial and radioactive contaminations in commercial cold duck meat products were evaluated. Ten different lots of commercial samples (C1-C10) were classified based on type and smoking process. All samples were highly contaminated (< 4-7 Log CFU/g) with total aerobic bacteria (TAB), yeasts and molds (Y&M), and 7 samples (C1-C7) were positive for coliforms. Furthermore, three samples were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (C4-C6) and one with Salmonella typhimurium (C6). No radionuclides (131I, 137Cs, and 134Cs) were detected in any sample. The results of DEFT (direct epifluorescent filter technique)/APC (aerobic plate count), employed to screen pre-pasteurization treatments of products, indicated that smoked samples were positive showing DEFT/APC ratios higher than 4. Notably, the samples showed a serious threat to microbial safety, thus were irradiated with electron-beam (e-beam). The D10 values for S. typhimurium and L. monocytogenes were 0.65 and 0.42 kGy, respectively. E-beam application at 3 and 7 kGy resulted in reduction of initial TAB, Y&M, and coliform populations by 3 and 6 log cycles, respectively. Thus, e-beam was proven to be a good decontamination approach to improve the hygiene of cold duck meat.

Physicochemical Qualities and Flavor Patterns of Traditional Chinese Vinegars Manufactured by Different Fermentation Methods and Aging Periods

Physicochemical properties of Fujian Yongchun aged vinegar (FYAV) and Shanxi mature vinegar (SMV) were compared in terms of the fermentation methods applied and aging periods (3, 5, 8, and 10 years), and combined E-nose/E-tongue analyses were performed to assess their flavors. Compared with submerged fermentation-derived FYAV, solid-state fermentation-derived SMV showed higher values of pH, brix, soluble solids, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity, but not total acidity or total organic acids. Aging period resulted in an increase in pH, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity. Principal component analysis based on E-tongue/E-nose analyses was performed to distinguish between the vinegars produced by different fermentation methods and under aging periods. Solid-state fermentation and an aging process were considered good techniques for vinegar brewing, considering the various organic acids and high levels of total phenolics and antioxidant activity.

Cold Pasteurization of Frozen Crushed Garlics using Electron Beam Irradiation and the Stability of Bioactive Components

Recently, the market for ready-to-use vegetables has increased largely due to consumer demands, which led to the production of minimally-processed frozen crushed garlic products. This study was designed to determine the effect of electron beam irradiation (0-7 kGy) on microbial decontamination, bioactive compounds, and antimicrobial activities of frozen crushed garlic obtained from Korea and China. The microbial counts (total bacteria, yeasts & molds) were reduced from log 3-4 CFU/g to non-detectable levels as a result of irradiation at 4 kGy. Irradiation treatment at 4 kGy did not affect the amount of alliin, allicin, total pyruvate, and total thiosulfinate of crushed garlic, however, this dose induced insignificant changes in antibacterial activities against pathogenic bacteria including Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteritidis, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Yersinia enterocolitica. Therefore, electron beam irradiation less than 4 kGy can be considered suitable to improve the microbial decontamination without altering the biological activity of frozen garlics.

Application of E-tongue, E-nose, and MS-E-nose for discriminating aged vinegars based on taste and aroma profiles

The combined approach of E-senses was undertaken to discriminate the taste and aroma profiles of aged vinegars, including Chinese Shanxi extra aged vinegar (EX, 5-8 years), Japanese black vinegar (BL, 1-5 years), and Italian balsamic vinegar (BA, 8-25 years). The principal component analysis plot for E-tongue revealed that EX, BL, and BA formed individual groups with clear distinctions. The volatile compounds detected in E-nose based on Kovats indices represented that a major component in all vinegars was matched to acetic acid, which showed a strong relationship with the aging period (R=0.8186−0.9998). The discriminant function analysis plot accompanied by the MS-E-nose indicated that more volatiles were produced during prolonged aging in cereal vinegar, whereas the aging process degraded volatile constituents in fruit vinegar. Categorization with respect to aging years was possible using both E-noses. The approach using E-senses indicated a better discrimination for distinguishing the complex sensory information in aged vinegars.