Strategies for raw sheep milk storage in smallholdings: Effect of freezing or long-term refrigerated storage on microbial growth

We assessed the effects of freezing and refrigeration over long periods on the microbiological quality of sheep milk. The raw milk was frozen in 1-L plastic bags or 5-L milk buckets and, after 1 mo, thawed at 7 or 25°C. We evaluated these samples immediately after thawing (d 0) and after 1 d of storage at 7°C. Furthermore, we stored fresh raw milk at 7°C for 10 d in the same packages and in a bulk milk cooler at 4°C (adding 10% of fresh raw milk daily). The total bacterial, total psychrotolerant, and proteolytic psychrotolerant counts were evaluated before and after thawing (for previously frozen milk) and daily (for refrigerated milk). The frozen-thawed milks showed no significant increase in bacterial counts immediately after thawing for all samples (<0.7 log cfu/mL), but only the samples packaged in 1-L bags and thawed at 7°C remained microbiologically adequate after 1 d of storage. Findings of the refrigerated samples were modeled using a modified Gompertz equation, obtaining a lag phase of around 0.5 (5-L bucket), 2.6 (1-L bag), and 7.0 (bulk milk cooler) d for total bacterial and total psychrotolerant counts. Maximum growth rates (µ_max) were 1.0 and 1.0 (5-L bucket), 1.2 and 1.3 (1-L bag) and 3.0 and 1.5 (bulk milk cooler) ln(cfu/mL) per day for total bacteria and total psychrotolerant counts, respectively. Compared with total bacteria and total psychrotolerant bacteria, psychrotolerant proteolytic bacteria grew slowly, reaching unacceptable counts only after 9 to 10 d of storage. The studied methods are interesting alternatives for preserving raw sheep milk on smallholdings.     

Freezing/defrosting/frying of sardine fillets. Influence of slow and quick defrosting on protein quality

The effect of sequential freezing/defrosting/frying on protein quality is not well known. With this in mind, fillets of fresh sardine were stored frozen, then thawed, either conventionally at 4 °C in a refrigerator or with the use of a microwave oven, and subsequently deep‐fried. Proximate and amino acid compositions, protein solubility in sodium dodecyl sulphate/β‐mercaptoethanol (SDS/β‐ME), total ? SH group content and amino acid chemical score were determined. The lowest protein concentration was observed in frozen/4 °C‐thawed sardines (CR), whilst the lowest fat content was found in both fresh/fried sardines (F) and 4 °C‐thawed/fried sardines (CF). Every step of each process studied caused a decrease in cyst(e)ine; the most important loss was recorded in CF samples and in frozen sardines fried without defrosting (Fro‐F). The lowest solubility in SDS/β‐ME and the lowest total ? SH group content were observed for Fro‐F samples and microwave‐thawed/fried sardines (MF). On the other hand, the lowest chemical score was found for Fro‐F, CF and MF samples. Although weight loss and proximate composition seemed to change less when defrosting sardine fillets using a microwave oven rather than at 4 °C, the results for SDS/β‐ME solubility and total ? SH group content suggest that a slow defrosting process (refrigerator at 4 °C) is preferable to a much quicker process (microwave oven) for thawing frozen sardine fillets before frying. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Characteristics of Milk,Cheddar-Like and White Cheese Obtained from Three Goat Phenotypes during Three Lactation Periods

Goat's milk from three phenotypes: Shami, Local, and Mixed was collected during three lactation periods in 2002. The milk was analyzed for moisture, protein, fat, ash, and lactose content. Also milk was examined for yeast, mold and bacterial content. Cheddar and white cheese were manufactured from goat's bulk milk and examined for chemical composition and evaluated for color, taste and flavor, appearance, and texture and aroma. Results showed that the chemical composition of goat's milk varied significantly during the whole year and also among the three goat phenotypes. Local goats produced milk at the first lactation period with highest (44.6%) fat content: the lowest fat content was 29.8% for the Mixed color phenotype at the end of the year. Protein showed the same trend. Shami goat produced milk lower in lactose and ash content than the mixed color breed, whereas the Local (black) produced milk having intermediate content of lactose and ash. Cheddar and white cheese were highly acceptable. Their composition varied—cheddar cheese was higher in protein and NSF but slightly lower in fat content. White cheese retained more lactose. Goat's milk of Shami, Local (black) and Mixed color phenotypes were found to be highly contaminated with bacteria and mold due to lack of hygiene. Milk contained low number of pathogenic bacteria. Using a pasteurization temperature at 73°C for 16 seconds was found to eliminate them.     

Impact of extended refrigerated storage and freezing/thawing storage combination on physicochemical and microstructural characteristics of raw whole and skimmed sheep milk

The impact of freezing (1 month + thawing at 7 or 25 °C) and extended refrigeration (4 days, 7 °C) on physicochemical and microstructural characteristics of raw whole and skimmed sheep milk were assessed. Refrigerated storage resulted in higher sedimentation and creaming (whole milk), possibly due to proteases and agglutinins. Freezing/thawing processes in whole milk increased the particle size and creaming when samples were thawed at 7 °C. Skimmed milk showed an increase in buffering capacity and a reduction in soluble calcium immediately after thawing at 25 °C, suggesting that although the changes in fat are the main alterations caused by slow freezing of sheep milk, minor changes in saline balance can occur. An evaluation of the results showed that frozen and thawed milk in domestic equipment (commonly found in smallholdings) alter the milk microstructure, and it is therefore preferable to use extended refrigeration to accumulate the milk before dairy production.     

SDS-PAGE of Proteins in Goat Milk Cheeses Ripened under Different Conditions

Proteolytic characteristics of five varieties of commercial goat milk cheeses and a cow milk Cheddar aged under different conditions were evaluated by SDS-PAGE and an advanced densitometry system. All fresh goat cheeses had distinctively lower intensities of α_S1-casein (CN) bands than those of cow milk Cheddar, whereas intensities of β-CN were much greater in the goat cheeses. The PAGE patterns clearly displayed α_S2-CN in all goat cheese, but it was negligible in cow milk Cheddar. The greater protein degradation in hard goat cheeses than cow milk Cheddar at 4°C and 22°C strongly correlated with water-soluble nitrogen compound concentrations and densitometric values of corresponding cheeses.     

Image analysis of changes in surface color of chocolate

Blooming or the migration of fat to the surface of chocolate results in color changes and development of non-uniform color patterns. These phenomena were assessed during storage of milk chocolate tablets (cycling temp. between 16 and 28 °C for 52 days) by a computer vision system and image analysis. Eight features were extracted from images (L*, a* and b* values, whiteness index, chroma, hue, % bloom and energy of Fourier). Major changes occurred after day 36 of storage, coincidental with visual perception. Initially, white specks emerged on the brown background but were superseded by the development of a whitish color extending over most of the surface. L*, whiteness index, a* and chroma correlated well with values taken with a commercial colorimeter (R² > 0.70). Changes in image texture (energy of Fourier) followed a similar trend as color changes. The sequential forward selection strategy allowed correct classification of 97.8% of samples into four classes with only five features. The computer vision system has the capability to quantify overall changes as well as particular features over the whole chocolate surface thus enabling customization and standardization for quality assessment.     

Influence of different thawing methods on physicochemical changes and protein oxidation of porcine longissimus muscle

The objective of the present study was to elucidate the physicochemical changes and protein oxidation of porcine longissimus muscle as influenced by different thawing methods. Five kinds of thawing methods, comprising of refrigerator thawing (RT, 4 °C), ambient temperature thawing (AT, 20 °C), water immersion thawing (WT, 14 °C), lotic water thawing (LT, 9 °C), and microwave thawing (MT), were used. There were significant effects on the porcine meat quality due to different thawing methods. RT had the least quality loss and the physicochemical characteristics of pork were closer to fresh muscle than the other thawing methods. MT significantly increased thawing loss, cooking loss, cutting force, carbonyl content, and TBARS (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances) value, but decreased a* value and Ca-, K-ATPase activities (P < 0.05). Microstructural changes in experimental muscle showed that MT induced visibly larger gap between muscle fibers and tore more muscle fiber bundles compared to the other thawing methods. The reduction of Ca- and K-ATPase activities (P < 0.05) of myofibrillar protein was consistent with the increases in carbonyl content and TBARS value (P < 0.05). The results demonstrated all the thawing methods could cause porcine lipid and protein oxidation. Gel electrophoresis patterns of porcine muscle displayed that different thawing methods did not induce obvious protein aggregates and fragments.     

Effects of Polymerized Whey Proteins on Consistency and Water-holding Properties of Goat's Milk Yogurt

ABSTRACT The effects of polymerized whey proteins (PWP) on functional properties of goat's milk yogurt were investigated. PWP were prepared by heating whey protein isolate (WPI) dispersion (8.0% protein, pH 7.0) at 90 °C for 30 min. Three reconstituted goat milk (RGM) (12% total solids [TS] as control; RGM with 2.4% unheated WPI; and RGM with 2.4% PWP) and 1 RGM with 16.7% TS were prepared and inoculated with 0.04% yogurt starter culture. Inoculated milk was incubated at 43 °C for 5 h, cooled to 4 °C in an ice‐water bath, and then placed at refrigerator (4 °C) overnight before testing. Incorporation of PWP significantly (P < 0.001) increased the viscosity (by 80%) and decreased the syneresis (by 25%) of the yogurt samples, whereas addition of unheated WPI did not significantly affect the viscosity and syneresis compared with the control. There were no changes in pH, TS, ash, fat, protein, and lactose contents among yogurt samples except the solids fortified control. Yogurt with 16.7% TS had the lowest syneresis but did not improve in viscosity. Transmission electron microscopy micrographs demonstrated that the microstructure of the goat's milk yogurt gel with PWP was denser than the control. Results of this study indicate that polymerized whey proteins may be a novel protein‐based thickening agent for improving the functional properties of goat's milk yogurt and other similar products.     

Fluctuated Low Temperature Combined with High-Humidity Thawing to Reduce Physicochemical Quality Deterioration of Beef

The physicochemical quality of thawed beef inside cap off treated with fluctuated low temperature combined with high-humidity thawing (2 °C?→?6 °C?→?2 °C, RH 97?±?3 %, FT) was compared with what was treated with refrigerator thawing (4 °C, RT). Results showed that compared with that of RT, the thawing loss, protein content of thawing drip, cooking loss, shear force, and carbonyl content of FT-treated beef decreased by 47.27, 42.15, 4.58, 12.02, and 30.0 %, respectively, while the sulfhydryl content increased by 24.63 %. Results of scan electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that FT-treated beef had smaller destructive effect on microstructures of muscle. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation measurements showed that FT and RT induced 2.46 and 6.10 % of immobile water shifting to free water, respectively, indicating the possible explanation of reduction of thawing loss with FT. It is demonstrated that FT can reduce thawing loss and physicochemical quality deterioration of beef, suggesting a bright application potential of FT on the thawing of frozen meat.     

陕西生鲜羊奶及其加工羊奶粉品质调研分析及相关性研究

为调查陕西省生鲜羊奶及羊奶粉品质随月份的变化规律,明确生鲜羊奶和羊奶粉品质之间的相关关系,该研究以2020年4月至11月某乳品企业在陕西不同地区的奶站收购的生鲜羊奶及其加工羊奶粉为试验样品,对其感官、理化和安全指标进行分析。结果表明,生鲜羊奶和羊奶粉在感官指标方面均符合国家标准要求;在理化指标方面,生鲜羊奶脂肪含量为3.40%～3.68%,蛋白质含量为2.99%～3.19%,非脂乳固体含量为8.08%～8.48%,冰点为-0.509～-0.561℃,酸度为8.10～11.24°T;羊奶粉的脂肪含量为27.87%～29.87%,蛋白质含量为25.15%～27.65%,酸度为6.57～9.79°T,水分含量为1.62%～3.07%;在安全指标方面,生鲜羊奶和羊奶粉中的抗生素和β-内酰胺酶均为阴性,邻苯二甲酸二丁酯含量均低于0.3 mg/kg;聚类结果显示,相邻月份间生鲜羊奶与羊奶粉的质量相近;相关性分析结果显示,羊奶粉与生鲜羊奶的脂肪含量、蛋白含量、酸度间为极显著正相关(P<0.01),而羊奶粉水分含量与生鲜羊奶所有理化指标均呈负相关。综上,陕西不同区域的生鲜羊奶和羊奶粉的质量均符合...     

Effect of Thawing and Cold Storage on Frozen Chicken Thigh Meat Quality by High-Voltage Electrostatic Field

ABSTRACT: One of the most popular issues in electrostatic biology is the effects of a high-voltage electrostatic field (HVEF) on the thawing of chicken thigh meat. In this study, chicken thigh meat was treated with HVEF (E-group), and compared to samples stored in a common refrigerator (R-group), to investigate how HVEF affects chicken thigh meat quality after thawing at low temperature storage (−3 and 4 °C). The results showed that there were no significant differences in biochemical and microorganism indices at −3 °C. However, the HVEF can significantly shorten thawing time for frozen chicken thigh meat at −3 °C. After thawing chicken thigh meat and storing at 4 °C, the total viable counts reached the Intl. Commission on Microbiological Specification for Foods limit of 10⁷ CFU/g on the 6 and 8 d for the R- and E-group, respectively. On the 8th d, the volatile basic nitrogen had increased from 11.24 mg/100 g to 21.9 mg/100 g for the E-group and 39.9 mg/100 g for the R-group, respectively. The biochemical and microorganism indices also indicated that the E-group treatment yielded better results on thawing than the R-group treatment. The application of this model has the potential to keep products fresh.     

The influence of lactoperoxidase,heat and low pH on survival of acid-adapted and non-adapted Escherichia coli O157:H7 in goat milk

In hot climates where quality of milk is difficult to control, a lactoperoxidase (LP) system can be applied in combination with conventional preservation treatments at sub-lethal levels to inhibit pathogenic microbes. This study investigated the effect of combined heat treatments (55 °C, 60 °C and 72 °C) and milk acidification (pH 5.0) on survival of acid-adapted and non-adapted Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains UP10 and 1062 in activated LP goat milk. Heat treatment at 72 °C eliminated E. coli O157:H7. Acid-adapted strains UP10 and 1062 cells showed resistance to combined LP and heat at 60 °C in fresh milk. The inhibition of acid-adapted and non-adapted E. coli O157:H7 in milk following combined LP-activation, heat (60 °C) and milk acidification (pH 5.0) suggests that these treatments can be applied to reduce E. coli O157:H7 cells in milk when they occur at low numbers (<5 log₁₀ cfu mL^?1) but does not eliminate E. coli O157:H7 to produce a safe product.     

Quality of giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) during the storage at −18°C as affected by different methods of freezing

This study investigated the effects of liquid nitrogen quick-freezing, ?35°C air-blast freezing, and ?18°C refrigerator direct-freezing on quality retention of frozen giant freshwater prawns using various indicators: microscopic structure, physicochemical, texture, and color properties. The results showed that the shelf lives of prawns treated with liquid nitrogen quick-freezing, ?35°C air-blast freezing, and ?18°C refrigerator direct-freezing were about 20, 12, and 8 weeks, respectively, in terms of total volatile basic nitrogen content and K-value. Meanwhile, liquid nitrogen quick-freezing could effectively improve texture property of frozen giant freshwater prawn. These findings confirm that liquid nitrogen quick-freezing is a promising method to extend the shelf life of frozen prawns.     

Effects of critical fluctuations of storage temperature on the quality of dry dairy product

Whole milk powder (WMP) is a universal raw material component that can overcome the problem of seasonality of raw milk. It can be used to provide high-nutritional products to remote areas experiencing a raw milk shortage. Its long shelf life depends on the conditions of storage and transportation, which are recommended to be carried out in a range from 0 to 10°C. At higher temperatures, the quality of WMP deteriorates because of a substantial increase in the degradation of fat and protein fractions. A range of low negative temperatures for storage have not been systematically investigated. Previous studies have shown that freezing WMP results in protein denaturation, crystallization of lactose, and extraction of free fat, all of which reduce the quality characteristics of the product, including deterioration of solubility, quick rancidification, and microbiological changes. However, these previous studies did not simulate the possible situations of transportation and storage of milk powder at low negative temperatures that occur in practice. Given the volume of transportation, distances and climatic characteristics of transportation routes play an important role in WMP preservation. In this study, we simulated storage and transport of WMP at ?20°C. The samples were periodically thawed to 10 and 20°C and examined for physicochemical, functional-technological, thermodynamic, microbiological, and organoleptic parameters. Based on our results, storage of WMP at ?20°C for 40 d did not have a significant effect on its qualitative characteristics. We observed some compaction of product structure and clustering or clumping, which was reversible by slight mechanical impact. Artificial contamination of the packaging surface with yeast and molds, followed by thawing of the samples, indicated the absence of the contaminants, which was explained by possible redistribution of moisture in the system.     

Effect of salep as a hydrocolloid on storage stability of ‘İncir Uyutması’ dessert

Salep is a natural stabilizing agent used widely in Turkish-type Mara? ice cream and some milk desserts. The effect of salep addition on the storage stability of a representative ?ncir Uyutmas? dessert, prepared from whole cows’ milk, fig and sugar was studied. Dry matter, pH, viscosity, water-holding capacity (WHC), color properties (L*, a*, b* values), mineral matters (Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P and Zn), sensorial properties and microbial quality of desserts were affected by salep addition, sugar and fig concentrations. Salep addition caused an important increase in the viscosity and the WHC of dessert. Salep, sugar and fig improved the storage stability of the dessert.     

Characterisation of Urda whey cheese: Evolution of main biochemical and microbiological parameters during ripening and vacuum packaged cold storage

In this study, the main biochemical and microbiological characteristics of Urda, a traditional Greek whey cheese, were determined during ripening at 19 ± 2 °C for 25 days followed by vacuum packaging and storage at 5 °C until day 360. Few differences in pH, water activity, acid degree value, moisture, salt, protein and fat contents were observed between Urda cheeses produced from sheep or goat milk whey at all sampling days (1, 25, 90, 180 and 360). Cheese microbiota was dominated by mesophilic lactic acid bacteria, but high numbers of enterococci, aerobic gram-negative bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae were also present. Increases in all the soluble nitrogen fractions of cheeses occurred, primarily during cold storage. Ketones and terpenes were the most abundant volatile compounds in fresh (1-day) sheep and goat cheeses, respectively, whereas free fatty acids were the most abundant compounds in mature (180-day) cheeses, followed by ketones.     

Utilization of two plant polysaccharides to improve fresh goat milk cheese: Texture,rheological properties,and microstructure characterization

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of added jujube polysaccharide (JP) and Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) on the texture, rheological properties, and microstructure of goat milk cheese. Seven groups of fresh goat milk cheese were produced with 4 levels (0, 0.2, 0.6, and 1%, wt/wt) of JP and LBP. The goat milk cheese containing 1% JP showed the highest water-holding capacity, hardness, and the strongest rheological properties by creating a denser and more stable casein network structure. In addition, the yield of goat milk cheese was substantially improved as a result of JP incorporation. Cheeses containing LBP expressed lower fat content, higher moisture, and softer texture compared with the control cheese. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance analysis demonstrated that the addition of JP improved the stability of the secondary protein structure in cheese and significantly enhanced the binding capacity of the casein matrix to water molecules due to strengthened intermolecular interactions. The current research demonstrated the potential feasibility of modifying the texture of goat milk cheese by JP or LBP, available for developing tunable goat milk cheese to satisfy consumer preferences and production needs.     

Microbiological,chemical, textural and sensory characteristics of Hispánico cheese manufactured using frozen ovine milk curds scalded at different temperatures

Hispánico cheese is a semi-hard variety, manufactured in Spain from a mixture of pasteurized bovine and ovine milk. To study one strategy for overcoming a seasonal shortage of ovine milk in summer and autumn, curds made from ovine milk, scalded at 32, 35 or 38 °C, were pressed for 30 min and frozen at ?24 °C for 4 months. After thawing, they were added to fresh bovine milk curd for the manufacture of experimental Hispánico cheeses. Control cheese was made from a mixture of pasteurized bovine and ovine milk in the same (80:20) proportion. No significant effect of the addition of frozen ovine milk curd or scalding temperature was found for lactic acid bacteria counts, dry matter content, hydrophilic and hydrophobic peptides, 45 out of 65 volatile compounds, texture, and sensory characteristics throughout a 60-day ripening period. Differences between cheeses, of low magnitude and little practical significance, were found for pH value, aminopeptidase activity, proteolysis, free amino acids, free fatty acids, and the remaining 20 volatile compounds. Thus, the addition of frozen ovine milk curd to fresh bovine milk curd does not alter the main physicochemical and sensory characteristics of Hispánico cheese.     

Standardization of milk using cold ultrafiltration retentates for the manufacture of Swiss cheese: effect of altering coagulation conditions on yield and cheese quality

Fortification of cheesemilk with membrane retentates is often practiced by cheesemakers to increase yield. However, the higher casein (CN) content can alter coagulation characteristics, which may affect cheese yield and quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of using ultrafiltration (UF) retentates that were processed at low temperatures on the properties of Swiss cheese. Because of the faster clotting observed with fortified milks, we also investigated the effects of altering the coagulation conditions by reducing the renneting temperature (from 32.2 to 28.3°C) and allowing a longer renneting time before cutting (i.e., giving an extra 5 min). Milks with elevated total solids (TS; ∼13.4%) were made by blending whole milk retentates (26.5% TS, 7.7% CN, 11.5% fat) obtained by cold (<7°C) UF with part skim milk (11.4% TS, 2.5% CN, 2.6% fat) to obtain milk with CN:fat ratio of approximately 0.87. Control cheeses were made from part-skim milk (11.5% TS, 2.5% CN, 2.8% fat). Three types of UF fortified cheeses were manufactured by altering the renneting temperature and renneting time: high renneting temperature = 32.2°C (UFHT), low renneting temperature = 28.3°C (UFLT), and a low renneting temperature (28.3°C) plus longer cutting time (+5 min compared to UFLT; UFLTL). Cutting times, as selected by a Wisconsin licensed cheesemaker, were approximately 21, 31, 35, and 32 min for UFHT, UFLT, UFLTL, and control milks, respectively. Storage moduli of gels at cutting were lower for the UFHT and UFLT samples compared with UFLTL or control. Yield stress values of gels from the UF-fortified milks were higher than those of control milks, and decreasing the renneting temperature reduced the yield stress values. Increasing the cutting time for the gels made from the UF-fortified milks resulted in an increase in yield stress values. Yield strain values were significantly lower in gels made from control or UFLTL milks compared with gels made from UFHT or UFLT milks. Cheese composition did not differ except for fat content, which was lower in the control compared with the UF-fortified cheeses. No residual lactose or galactose remained in the cheeses after 2 mo of ripening. Fat recoveries were similar in control, UFHT, and UFLTL but lower in UFLT cheeses. Significantly higher N recoveries were obtained in the UF-fortified cheeses compared with control cheese. Because of higher fat and CN contents, cheese yield was significantly higher in UF-fortified cheeses (∼11.0 to 11.2%) compared with control cheese (∼8.5%). A significant reduction was observed in volume of whey produced from cheese made from UF-fortified milk and in these wheys, the protein was a higher proportion of the solids. During ripening, the pH values and 12% trichloroacetic acid-soluble N levels were similar for all cheeses. No differences were observed in the sensory properties of the cheeses. The use of UF retentates improved cheese yield with no significant effect on ripening or sensory quality. The faster coagulation and gel firming can be decreased by altering the renneting conditions.     

Rheological Properties of Fresh and Frozen Chum Salmon Eggs With and Without Treatment by Cryoprotectants

Chum salmon eggs from six batches of ovaries were subjected to flat plate compression loading to determine the membrane strength. The intact eggs withstood compression forces of between 0.47 to 1.22 newtons. The membrane rupture energy ranged from 2.36 to 7.99 (x 10^-4) joules. After freezing fresh eggs at -10°C for 7 days, the average membrane rupture energy upon thawing was 46% less than that for fresh eggs. The apparent viscosities of fresh and frozen-thawed yolk of chum eggs were similar, and it may be concluded that yolk proteins were not cryodamaged. Sodium chloride was found to be the most effective cryoprotective agent for the prevention of membrane cryodamage.