Chemical Evaluation of Musa ‘Bhimkol’ as a Baby Food

The edible pulp of Musa ‘Bhimkol’ was analysed for certain organic compounds and mineral nutrients at two stages of development of the fruit to evaluate it as a baby food. Energy value and carbohydrate concentration increased substantially as the fruit ripened so that 16.8% of the energy requirement (recommended daily allowance, RDA) for six-month-old infants would be met by 100 g of the fresh pulp. Although vitamin C content decreased at maturation, 7% of the RDA would be provided by 100 g fresh pulp. The fruit was found to be very rich in macro- and micronutrients, and 100% of the six-month infants RDA for K, Mn, Zn and Se would be satisfied with 100 g of fresh pulp. This amount of pulp would also provide 86%, 57%, 24% and 12% respectively of the Mg, Cu, Fe and P RDA. P and Mg were found to be more highly concentrated in the ripe than in the unripe fruit whereas the reverse was the case for Ca and Se. Aspartic acid, glutamic acid and leucine were the major amino acids in the ripe fruit and respectively constituted 13.1, 12.5 and 7.9%, of the total. The concentration of essential and non-essential amino acids was much higher than that in a commercial banana. Twelve of the 17 amino acids analysed were more concentrated in the mature compared with the green fruit, and 11 of these were an order of magnitude higher than in M paradisiaca L banana. The results of the present study demonstrate that Musa ‘Bhimkol’ is a nutritious baby food.     

Multivariate analysis of maturity stages,including quality and aroma,in ‘Royal Glory’ peaches and ‘Big Top’ nectarines

Ethylene production, quality attributes and aroma compounds were analysed to determine the maturity evolution of ‘Big Top’ nectarines and ‘Royal Glory’ peaches at harvest dates ranging from 89 to 116 days after full bloom (DAFB) for nectarines and from 85 to 112 DAFB for peaches. These cultivars are highly coloured even in the early stages of maturity. However, the two cultivars had different patterns of ethylene production, this being slower in nectarines than in peaches. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to provide partial visualisation of the complete data set in a reduced dimension plot. Separation of the two cultivars can be shown by means of a two‐dimensional plot of the samples. Although only some aroma compounds are slightly correlated with quality parameters, when aroma volatiles were included in the PCA, the aroma compound set allowed both cultivars to be classified into three stages of maturity: immature, intermediate and fully mature. Compounds such as propanol, hexyl acetate, 2‐methylpropyl acetate, limonene, butanol, (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate, buthyl acetate, linalool, ethanol, propyl acetate and ethyl acetate are the most important volatiles for ‘Big Top’ nectarines. It is suggested that the presence of these compounds can be used to indicate when the fruit should be harvested. The presence of γ‐decalactone, δ‐octalactone, γ‐octalactone, ethyl butyrate, hexanal and (E)‐2‐hexenol can be used to indicate the harvesting maturity stage for ‘Royal Glory’ peaches. The optimum maturity date for harvest would be 105–107 DAFB for ‘Big Top’ nectarines and 93–95 DAFB for ‘Royal Glory’ peaches. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of the side chain size of 1‐alkyl‐pyrroles on antioxidant activity and ‘Laba’ garlic greening

Previous studies showed that 1‐alkyl‐pyrroles not only occur in fresh food products postulated as a natural antioxidant but also might be involved in garlic greening. In the present study, a series of 1‐alkyl‐pyrroles with different side chain size were synthesised to study the relationship of structure and antioxidative activity and their effects on ‘Laba’ garlic greening. The antioxidative activity of these compounds was evaluated by the method of scavenging ABTS˙ and DPPH˙. Results showed that increasing the size of R groups on the side chain, the antioxidative activity decreased gradually against the two radicals. The 1‐alkyl‐pyrroles generally exhibited stronger scavenging activities against ABTS˙ than DPPH˙. In contrast, their corresponding amino acids except for tyrosine showed almost no antioxidative activities while pyrrole exhibited much weaker activity as compared with the 1‐alkyl‐pyrroles, suggesting that the 1‐alkyl‐pyrroles donate H‐atom from pyrrole moiety rather than side chain to quench the two radicals. On the other hand, all 1‐alkyl‐pyrroles can turn newly harvested garlic green but to a different extent. All these results suggested that these pyrrole derivatives occurring in foodstuff played an important role in either protecting foodstuff from oxidation or acting on pigment precursors during ‘Laba’ garlic greening.     

Effect of nano‐ZnO‐coated active packaging on quality of fresh‐cut ‘Fuji’ apple

A novel nanopackaging was synthesised by coating polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film with nano‐ZnO powder, and its effects on the preservation quality of fresh‐cut ‘Fuji’ apple were investigated at 4 °C for 12 days. Compared with the control (PVC film), nanopackaging significantly reduced the fruit decay rate (P < 0.05), as well as decreased the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) from 74.9 nmol g^?1 in the control to 53.9 nmol g^?1 in the nanopackaging. Cutting caused an increase in ethylene level, suggesting wound‐induced ethylene production, which was suppressed in nanopackaging. Both the polyphenoloxidase and pyrogallol peroxidase activities were decreased in nanopackaging fruit. The initial appearance of apple slices was retained, and the browning index was prevented in nanopackaging samples, which was only 23.9, much lower than the control of 31.7 on day 12. These results indicated that nano‐ZnO active packaging could be a viable alternative to common technologies for improving the shelf‐life properties of ‘Fuji’ apples as a fresh‐cut product.     

Effect of Penicillium roqueforti and incorporation of whey cheese on volatile profiles and sensory characteristics of mould‐ripened Civil cheese

In this study, four different types of mould‐ripened Civil cheese were manufactured. A defined (nontoxigenic) strain of a Penicillium roqueforti (SC 509) was used as secondary starter for the manufacture of mould‐ripened Civil cheese with and without addition of the whey cheese Lor; in parallel, secondary starter‐free counterparts were manufactured. A total of 83 compounds were identified. Ketones, alcohols and esters were the principal classes of volatile components. Principal component analysis of the headspace volatiles grouped cheeses by age and type. P. roqueforti inoculated cheese was clearly separated from the other cheeses at 180 days of ripening, and these cheeses were characterised with high levels of ketones (e.g., 2‐butanone, 2‐heptanone). Differences in the panel scores between the cheese samples were not significant during the first stage of ripening (up to 60 days); as ripening proceeded, these differences were become evident and P. roqueforti inoculated cheeses received higher scores than others. Addition of Lor in the manufacture of mould‐ripened Civil cheese caused lower points by the sensory panel, and the cheese inoculated with P. roqueforti and Lor‐free was the best type of mould‐ripened Civil cheese. The results showed that the use of P. roqueforti in the manufacture of mould‐ripened Civil cheese has significant impact on the volatile profiles and sensory attributes.     

The effect of wild lactic acid bacteria on the production of goat’s milk soft cheese

A blend of four wild strains of lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei and Enterococcus faecalis, was used as starter to produce a goat’s milk soft cheese. The cheese was analysed microbiologically, physicochemically and organoleptically through a 30‐day period of ripening. Counts of the starter cultures increased in the first 24 h and then remained stable during ripening. Yeasts and coliforms were found at low numbers initially and gradually decreased to undetectable levels. Micrococcal counts were high throughout ripening. The end product was a soft cheese characterised by a mild, aromatic taste as well as a smooth structure.     

Modelling the consensus and differences between assessors inspecting the colour quality of apples by ‘tree‐based modelling’

This research investigated the consensus and differences between different quality inspectors assessing the colour quality classification of a two‐coloured apple variety (Malus domestica Borkh cultivar ‘Jonagold’). An image analysis system measured the colour characteristics objectively. These objective measures formed the basic reference to compare the grading behaviour. Different quality inspectors were asked to assess the colour quality of different sets of apples applying the commercial quality standards. Agreement and association measures of the intra‐inspector contingency tables indicated a moderate ability of the inspectors to reconstruct their own quality classification. If the intra‐agreement and intra‐association were lower than a threshold, the repeatability of the inspector's assessments was considered as too poor and his classification results were omitted from the model development that simulated the apple colour classification behaviour. The statistical method ‘tree‐based modelling’ was applied to connect the individual quality assignments with the objective apple colour measurements. These models indicated that the blush colour was more important than the blush area for the quality assessment.The individual grading decision models were compared by correspondence analysis. Four different grading archetypes were detected and simulated. The predictive power of the four archetypal models was much higher than the predictive power of a consensus model including all inspectors. These results underlined the fact that poorly defined commercial standards lead to different quality interpretation. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of Altitude on Fruit and Oil Quality Characteristics of ‘Mastoides’ Olives

Olive fruit of cv ‘Mastoides’ grown on two locations at altitudes of 100 and 800 m were harvested at three dates and used for determination of average weight, fruit oil and moisture contents and the following oil quality characteristics: titratable acidity, peroxide value, K_232,270 coefficients, total phenol, tocopherol and chlorophyll content as well as fatty acid and phenol composition. Towards maturation, fruit moisture content decreased but oil content increased. Titratable acidity of oil of both altitudes was low, with higher the oil obtained from fruits from 100 m. Oil peroxide value was higher in the oil of fruits from 800 m at all harvest times and it showed an increase towards maturation in both locations. Total phenol content was higher in oil from 100 m elevation and showed a gradual decrease towards maturation at both altitudes. The ratio unsaturated saturated fatty acids was higher in oil of fruits from 800 m at the first two harvest dates but did not differ significantly at the third harvest. Only α-tocopherol was found in the oil from both elevations. Some phenolic compounds were detected in the first harvest but disappeared with fruit maturation, while other compounds not detected in the first harvest appeared later. Elevation influenced not only the phenol content but also its composition.     

Impact of β‐glucan and other oat flour components on physico‐chemical and sensory properties of extruded oat cereals

Whole oat flour, N979‐5‐2‐4 (N979), IA95111 (IA95), ‘Jim’ and ‘Paul’ with β‐glucan concentration of 8.6%, 7.6%, 5.3%, and 5.9%, respectively, was made into extruded breakfast cereal (EBC). EBC β‐glucan had greater peak molecular weight than corresponding whole oat flour. Both whole oat flour and EBC from N979 and IA95 had greater peak viscosity (PV), as measured using a Rapid ViscoAnalyser, than that from Jim or Paul. Bile acid binding of EBC, correlated with total β‐glucan concentrations and PV, was either similar or greater than that of corresponding whole oat flour. Jim EBC had the least expansion ratio, lowest brown colour and cereal aroma but greatest tooth packing values. Paul and N979 EBC, although different from each other in a few sensory attributes, had similar acceptability as judged from a consumer test, suggesting that oats with elevated β‐glucan concentrations can be successfully incorporated into EBC with minimal processing alterations.     

Occurrence of coagulase-positive Staphylococci, microbial indicators and physical–chemical characteristics of traditional semihard cheese produced in Brazil

Coagulase-positive Staphylococci and microbial indicators of the 'Requeijão do Norte', a traditional semihard cheese, were surveyed in Brazil. Coagulase-positive Staphylococci were found in quantities of up to 9.4 log cfu/g. The coagulase gene was detected in isolates physiologically classified as coagulase-negative. The SEB and TSST-1 toxins were detected. Salmonella spp. were not detected. High levels of total and fecal coliforms (≥ 210 MPN/g) and moulds (≥   6.48 log cfu/g) were found in most samples. The values of physical–chemical parameters and water activity showed the greatest variations. These results suggest a possible risk that this cheese may pose to consumers.     

Effect of pretreatments and drying methods on physico‐chemical,sensory characteristics and nutritional value of oyster mushroom

This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of pretreatments and drying methods on the chemical, physico‐chemical, sensory characteristics and nutritional value of oyster mushroom. Chemical analysis of oyster mushroom (OM) showed that the values content were increased by many times when calculated on dry weight basis. Nine treatments of dried mushroom powders (DMP) were prepared using three drying methods (hot air drying, vacuum drying, and sun drying). Also, three pretreatments of each method of drying were used (untreated, blanching by steaming without or with steeped in 0.5% citric acid solution for 30 min).The results and statistical analysis revealed that, sun dried oyster mushroom samples (without pretreatments) were found to be the best. The DMP samples resulting of the sun drying had a highest physico‐chemical properties, sensory evaluation scores, and contents of the mineral elements and amino acids as compared to other pretreatments and drying methods.

Practical applications

Fresh mushrooms have high water content, high enzymatic activity and hence are highly perishable. Thus, in this study nine treatments of dried mushroom powders (DMP) were prepared using three drying methods (hot air drying, vacuum drying and sun drying).Also, three pretreatments of each method of drying were used (untreated, blanching by steaming without or with steeped in citric acid).The DMP samples (untreated) resulting of the sun drying were better than other pretreatments and drying methods regarding quality attributes.     

The effect of lowering salt on the physicochemical,microbiological and sensory properties of São João cheese of Pico Island

São João cheeses with varying curd dry salting treatments were made with decreasing levels of salt (sodium chloride): 4 (control), 3, 2 and 1% (w/w), along with the salt‐free version. The cheeses were ripened at 11 °C over a 40‐day period, and the effect of lowering salt on the physicochemical, microbiological and sensory properties of the cheese was studied. Reduced salt resulted in a concomitant moisture decrease with protein increase, ash and sodium reduction among experimental cheeses at the same ripening day, but there were no significant differences in pH, acidity and fat, or in the microbiological quality. Triangle tests indicated perceptible differences between test and control cheeses at the level of 2% NaCl (w/w) or less, but not with the cheese salted with 3 g NaCl/100 g. Considering the sensory, the physicochemical and the microbiological results, the cheese formulated at 3% NaCl (w/w) (presenting a reduction of 25% in salt) is feasible on an industrial scale, being indistinguishable by the regular consumer.     

The effect of adding enzyme‐modified cheese on sensory and texture properties of low‐ and high‐fat cream cheeses

The influence of enzyme‐modified cheese (EMC) and fat content on sensory and texture properties of cream cheese was investigated. Enzyme‐modified cheese and fat content were set at three levels each, and organoleptic and texture properties for all experimental cheeses were then determined. Data were analysed using response surface methodology. Both design parameters had significant influence on sensory and texture properties. The EMC did not alter hardness significantly, whereas the higher fat formula had the higher hardness. The results indicated that the optimum level of EMC was less than 1% for high‐fat cream cheeses and at least 5% for low‐fat cream cheeses.     

The effect of substitution of NaCl with KCl on chemical composition and functional properties of low-moisture Mozzarella cheese

The effect of NaCl substitution with KCl on chemical composition, organic acids profile, soluble calcium, and functionality of low-moisture Mozzarella cheese (LMMC) was investigated. Functionality (meltability and browning), organic acids profile, and chemical composition were determined. Chemical composition showed no significant difference between experimental cheeses at same storage period, and same salt treatment. Meltability of LMMC salted with 3NaCl:1KCl, 1NaCl:1KCl, and 1NaCl:3KCl was higher compared with only NaCl (control). The amount of soluble Ca and P increased significantly during storage, with no significant difference between salt treatments. Organic acids profile did not differ between salt treatments at the same storage time.     

Effect of cholesterol‐reduced and zinc fortification treatments on physicochemical,functional, textural,microstructural and sensory properties of soft cheese

The aim of this study was to produce and evaluate a soft cheese fortified with zinc and with cholesterol‐reduced content. To meet this objective, a cream base was prepared, from which cholesterol was removed using β‐cyclodextrin as extracting agent. Then, cholesterol‐reduced content cheese with and without the addition of zinc salts (ZnSO₄ or ZnCl₂) was produced. Additionally, a cheese without any treatment was prepared. Furthermore, physicochemical, textural, functional, microstructural and sensory determinations were performed. As a result, 87–94% zinc‐fortified and 93% cholesterol‐reduced cheese samples were obtained, which had similar sensorial characteristics to the cheese without treatment.