Influence of immersion freezing in NaCl solutions and of frozen storage on the viscoelastic behavior of mozzarella cheese

ABSTRACT:  The freezing of Mozzarella cheese by immersion in NaCl solutions may be an innovative procedure for the dairy industry because it combines conveniently salting and freezing processes. In this work, the influence of this type of freezing method and of the frozen storage of samples on the viscoelastic behavior of Mozzarella cheese was studied. Slabs (2 × 10 × 10 cm³) were immersed in 23% w/w NaCl solutions (control samples: 4 °C, 90 min; frozen samples: −15 °C, 180 min). Half of the frozen samples were immediately thawed at 4 °C . The other half was stored at −20 °C for 2 mo and then was thawed at 4 °C (frozen-stored samples). Samples were stored at 4 °C and assayed at 1, 7, 14, 20, 27, 34, and 41 d. Rheological tests were carried out in oscillatory mode (parallel-plate geometry, diameter: 20 mm, gap: 1 mm, frequency: 1 Hz). Strain sweeps were run (0.001 ≤γ₀≤ 0.1) at 20, 40, and 60 °C, and temperature sweeps were run from 20 to 65 °C (1.33 °C/min, γ₀= 0.005). Similar crossover temperatures were observed after 20 d of ripening. The influence of temperature on complex viscosity was studied by an Arrhenius-type equation. Activation energy values of 15.9 ± 0.4, 14.1 ± 0.5, and 13.8 ± 0.6 kcal/mol were obtained at 41 d for control, frozen, and frozen-stored samples, respectively. Although the immersion freezing of Mozzarella cheese affects some of the studied parameters, the differences observed between frozen and frozen-stored samples with control samples were small. Therefore, it was considered that the immersion freezing might be useful for the manufacture and commercialization of Mozzarella cheese.     

Effect of freezing and frozen storage on microstructure of Mozzarella and pizza cheeses

Scanning electron microscopy was used to assess the effect of aging before (2, 7, and 14 days at 7 °C) or tempering after (1, 7, and 14 days at 7 °C) freezing, and frozen storage (1 and 4 weeks at −20 °C) on protein matrix of pasta filata Mozzarella and non-pasta filata pizza cheeses using unfrozen samples as controls. Pores and ruptures of reticular structure were observed in frozen-stored pasta filata Mozzarella cheese protein matrix, but cracks and clumps of bacteria were found in frozen-stored non-pasta filata pizza cheese. No obvious differences were discernable between the microstructures of pasta filata Mozzarella cheeses frozen stored 1 and 4 weeks. Formation of the reticular structure in frozen-stored pasta filata Mozzarella cheese progressed during tempering. Microstructure of non-pasta filata pizza cheese frozen stored for 4 weeks contained more extensive cracking and more areas of clumps of bacteria than that was frozen stored for 1 week. Aging of cheese before frozen storage was considered responsible for microstructural cracking; fewer cracks were found in the frozen-stored cheese tempered 1 and 2 weeks, but the clumps of bacteria were still observed.     

Effect of frozen storage on the proteolytic and rheological properties of soft caprine milk cheese

Freezing and long-term frozen storage had minimal impact on the rheology and proteolysis of soft cheese made from caprine milk. Plain soft cheeses were obtained from a grade A goat dairy in Georgia and received 4 storage treatments: fresh refrigerated control (C), aged at 4°C for 28 d; frozen control (FC), stored at −20°C for 2 d before being thawed and aged in the same way as C cheese; and 3-mo frozen (3MF), or 6-mo frozen (6MF), stored at −20°C for 3 or 6 mo before being thawed and aged. Soft cheeses had fragile textures that showed minimal change after freezing or over 28 d of aging at 4°C. The only exceptions were the FC cheeses, which, after frozen storage and aging for 1 d at 4°C, were significantly softer than the other cheeses, and less chewy than the other frozen cheeses. Moreover, after 28 d of aging at 4°C, the FC cheeses tended to have the lowest viscoelastic values. Slight variation was noted in protein distribution among the storage treatment, although no significant proteolysis occurred during refrigerated aging. The creation and removal of ice crystals in the cheese matrix and the limited proteolysis of the caseins showed only slight impact on cheese texture, suggesting that frozen storage of soft cheeses may be possible for year-round supply with minimal loss of textural quality.     

Effect of frozen storage on physical properties of pasta filata and nonpasta filata Mozzarella cheeses

The effects of 1) ripening 2, 7, and 14 d at 7 degrees C before freezing; 2) tempering 7, and 14 d at 7 degrees C after freezing; and 3) frozen storage for 1 and 4 wk at -20 degrees C, on the meltability, stretchability, and microstructure of pasta filata and nonpasta filata Mozzarella cheeses were investigated. Cheeses were cut into 5 x 10 x 7-cm blocks and vacuum-sealed 1 d after manufacture. The results were compared to the corresponding results obtained with unfrozen control samples, aged at 7 degrees C between 2 and 21 d. The changes in physical properties of frozen-stored pasta filata and nonpasta filata Mozzarella cheeses were consistent with critical damage to the cheese microstructure as compared to the unfrozen control samples. Generally, aging before and tempering after freezing resulted in increased meltability of both frozen-stored pasta filata and nonpasta filata Mozzarella cheeses. The stretchability of frozen-stored pasta filata Mozzarella cheese increased during tempering, but that of nonpasta filata Mozzarella cheese decreased during aging and tempering. In most cases, one-week frozen stored pasta filata Mozzarella cheese had higher meltability and stretchability than 4-wk frozen-stored sample. For 1-wk frozen-stored nonpasta filata Mozzarella cheese, the meltability increased but stretchability decreased when it was frozen-stored for 4 wk.     

Flavor and Oxidative Stability of Ground Beef Patties as Affected by Source and Storage

Chuck muscles and fat from silage plus grain- and forage-fed steers were stored 7 days at 4°C before patty manufacture or processed into patties and stored at 4°C or ?32°C. The thiobarbituric acid values were constant from 0 to 4 days for frozen patties but decreased (P<0.05) for refrigerated patties. Evaluated by an 11-member trained sensory panel, frozen patties had lower (P<0.05) rancid flavor intensity than refrigerated patties; rancid flavor increased from 0 to 2 or 4 days storage in refrigerated patties. Frozen patties from silage plus grain-fed steers had higher (P<0.05) beefy flavor intensity scores than those from forage beef. However, diet source had no effect (P>0.05) on refrigerated patties.     

Effects of α-tocopherol and citric acid on the oxidative stability of alimentary poultry fats during storage at low temperatures

The purpose of this study was to investigate the stability of three alimentary poultry fats (goose, duck, and chicken) by natural antioxidants (α-tocopherol and citric acid). This was targeted to extend their shelf life, and to monitor the quality parameters during refrigerated (+4°C) and frozen storage (–20°C). The addition of natural antioxidants in a proportion of 0.1% has extended the shelf life of goose fat stored at +4°C by 90 days; for goose fat stored at –20°C citric acid has prolonged the shelf life by 150 days, while goose fat with α-tocopherol could be stored for more than 480?days at –20°C without spoilage. Polyunsaturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids content decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after 480 days of chilled storage for fat samples with α-tocopherol. The natural antioxidants provided good protection against oxidation of poultry fats, and these can be used to monitor the oxidation of fats and to predict their shelf life stability.     

Dynamic Rheological Properties of Mozzarella Cheese During Refrigerated Storage

Storage (G′) and loss (G″) moduli of low-moisture, part-skim Mozzarella cheese were determined at 10 and 20°C during 1 mo of refrigerated aging. At both temperatures, G′ was always greater than G″. Averaged over aging, G′ increased from 90 to 630 and G″ from 44 to 52 kPa at 10°C, and at 20°C G′ increased from 28 to 190 and G″ from 14 to 53 kPa for the frequency range 0.005-20 Hz. Averaged over frequency, both G′ and G″ decreased about 20% at 10°C and 25% at 20°C during aging. Relaxation spectrum, computed from shear relaxation data, was used to calculate the G. The calculated values of G′ were in good agreement with those determined experimentally. These data help predict and compare melting behaviors of such cheeses.     

Walleye Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma): Changes in Quality When Held in Ice, Slush-ice, Refrigerated Seawater, and CO2-Modified Refrigerated Seawater Then Stored as Blocks of Fillets at - 18°C

Walleye pollock were held in ice, slush-ice, refrigerated seawater (RSW) and CO₂-modified RSW (MRSW) for up to 8 days, filleted and stored as blocks of fillets at -18°C. Good quality fillets were obtained from pollock held for 4 days in all systems. Uptake of salt presented a problem for pollock held more than 4 days in RSW at 1°C. Flavor scores remained essentially unchanged during frozen storage but nearly all samples became slightly tougher and slightly drier at 6 months. Freshness at time of freezing did not affect frozen storage characteristics. Protein functionality was generally adversely affected when fish were held in RSW or MRSW.     

Effect of Frozen Storage Time on the Proteolysis of Soft Cheeses Studied by Principal Component Analysis of Proteolytic Profiles

ABSTRACT: Port Salut Argentino cheeses were frozen, stored in a freezer at −22 °C for different periods, and slowly thawed. After thawing, some cheeses were immediately sampled while others were sampled after different refrigerated storage times. Reversed Phase High Performance Liquid chromatograms were compared applying principal component analysis. The information obtained from the chromatograms was successfully summarized in 2 dimensions accounting for 93.4% of the data variation. According to sample grouping, there were differences between Port Salut Argentino cheeses due to the ripening during refrigerated storage for up to 60 days at 4 7deg;C. However, for cheeses that were sampled immediately after slow thawing, there was no significant effect of the frozen storage time in cheese proteolysis, from 1 to 60 d.     

Use of chitosan to prolong mozzarella cheese shelf life

This study was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of using chitosan, a natural antimicrobial substance, to improve the preservation of a very perishable cheese. The effectiveness of chitosan to inhibit the growth of spoilage microorganisms in Mozzarella cheese was studied during refrigerated storage. A lactic acid/chitosan solution was added directly to the starter used for Mozzarella cheese manufacturing. Mozzarella cheese samples were stored at 4°C for about 10 d and microbial populations as well as the pH were monitored. Results demonstrated that chitosan inhibited the growth of some spoilage microorganisms such as coliforms, whereas it did not influence the growth of other microorganisms, such as Micrococcaceae, and lightly stimulated lactic acid bacteria.     

Effects of Frozen Storage on Survival of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterotoxin Production in Precooked Tuna Meat

This study investigated the survival of Staphylococcus aureus in precooked tuna meat for producing canned products during frozen storage (?20 ± 2 °C) as well as its growth and enterotoxin production at 35 to 37 °C after the storage. Samples (50 ± 5 g) of precooked albacore (loin, chunk, and flake) and skipjack (chunk and flake) tuna were inoculated with 5 enterotoxin‐producing strains of S. aureus at a level of approximately 3.5 log CFU/g and individually packed in a vacuum bag after 3 h incubation at 35 to 37 °C. Vacuum‐packed samples were stored in a freezer (?20 ± 2 °C) for 4 wk. The frozen samples were then thawed in 37 °C circulating water for 2 h and incubated at 35 to 37 °C for 22 h. Populations of S. aureus in all precooked tuna samples decreased slightly (<0.7 log CFU/g) after 4 wk of storage at ?20 ± 2 °C, but increased rapidly once the samples were thawed and held at 35 to 37 °C. Total S. aureus counts in albacore and skipjack samples increased by greater than 3 log CFU/g after 6 and 8 h of exposure to 35 to 37 °C, respectively. All samples became spoiled after 10 h of exposure to 35 to 37 °C, while no enterotoxin was detected in any samples. However, enterotoxins were detected in albacore loin and other samples after 12 and 24 h of incubation at 35 to 37 °C, respectively. Frozen precooked tuna meat should be used for producing canned tuna within 6 to 8 h of thawing to avoid product spoilage and potential enterotoxin production by S. aureus in contaminated precooked tuna meat.     

Effects of freezing and frozen storage on the microstructure and texture of ewe's milk cheese

Semi-hard ewe's milk cheeses, frozen immediately after manufacture either slowly at –35 °C or rapidly at –80 °C and stored at –20 °C for 4 months were studied for microstructural and textural characteristics during subsequent ripening. Two control groups were used to establish the effect of freezing: the fresh unfrozen cheese and cheese thawed immediately after freezing. Freezing proper did not result in any marked changes in the textural parameters of the cheeses, but considerable changes were found in slowly frozen cheeses after 4 months of frozen storage. Shear strength values were lower in all frozen and stored cheeses, particularly in cheese samples frozen slowly compared to those in the unfrozen control batch. This parameter and firmness values were significantly lower in both slowly and rapidly frozen cheeses at the completion of ripening. Ripening tended to offset differences in elasticity, noticeable in the cheeses during the first 30 days of ripening. Light microscopy and electron microscopy revealed small cracks and ruptures in the cheeses which could not be observed by the naked eye. More extensive damage to the cheese microstructure was found in slowly frozen cheese samples stored frozen for 4 months.     

Impact of the type of cooker-stretcher on chemical,rheological and microstructural properties of low-moisture mozzarella cheese analogue

In this work, we carried out the curd plasticisation of part-skim low-moisture Mozzarella cheese analogue (LMMCA) through a continuous dipping-arms cooker-stretcher or a batch twin-screw extruder. The chemical composition of LMMCA samples obtained with the two machines was not statistically significant. During refrigerated storage (8°C), samples processed with the cooker-stretcher showed higher hardness values and were slightly less proteolysed. Hydrolysis of para-casein proceeded at the same rate in LMMCA samples made with the two systems. We observed similar microstructures by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Under adopted processing conditions, both treatments allowed to obtain LMMCA samples with stable hardness values up to 50 days.     

Oxidative Stability of Restructured Beef Steaks Processed with Oleoresin Rosemary, Tertiary Butylhydroquinone, and Sodium Tripolyphosphate

Antioxidant activities were evaluated in raw restructured beef steaks stored at ?20°C six months and in cooked steaks at 4°C six days. During refrigerated storage, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and sensory scores indicated sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) provided (p<0.01) protection against warmed-over flavor development. No significant differences existed between OR (0.10%)/STPP and TBHQ/STPP, due probably to STPP. During frozen storage, a linear concentration effect of OR existed (p<0.01) for both TBARS values and sensory scores indicating OR was an effective antioxidant which combined with STPP produced an additive protective effect during frozen storage. Hexanal content and phospholipid fatty acid profiles also changed during frozen storage. Correlation coefficients between TBARS values and sensory scores were generally nonsignificant.     

Effect of various storage conditions on the stability of quinolones in raw milk

Research on the storage stability of antibiotic residues in milk is important for method development or validation, milk quality control and risk assessment during screening, confirmation, qualitative or quantitative analysis. This study was conducted using UPLC-MS/MS to determine the stability of six quinolones – ciprofloxacin (CIP), danofloxacin (DAN), enrofloxacin (ENR), sarafloxacin (SAR), difloxacin (DIF) and flumequine (FLU) – in raw milk stored under various conditions to investigate if quinolones degrade during storage of milk, and finally to determine optimal storage conditions for analysis and scientific risk assessment of quinolone residues in raw milk. The storage conditions included different temperatures and durations (4°C for 4, 8, 24 and 48 h; –20°C for 1, 7 and 30 days; –80°C for 1, 7 and 30 days), thawing temperatures (25, 40 and 60°C), freeze–thaw cycles (1–5), and the addition of different preservatives (sodium thiocyanate, sodium azide, potassium dichromate, bronopol and methanal). Most quinolones exhibited high stability at 4°C for up to 24 h, but began to degrade after 48 h. In addition, no degradation of quinolones was seen when milk samples were stored at –20°C for up to 7 days; however, 30 days of storage at –20°C resulted in a small amount of degradation (about 30%). Similar results were seen when samples were stored at –80°C. Moreover, no losses were observed when frozen milk samples were thawed at 25, 40 or 60°C. All the quinolones of interest, except sarafloxacin, were stable when milk samples were thawed at 40°C once and three times, but unstable after five freeze–thaw cycles. Preservatives affected the stability of quinolones, but the effects differed depending on the preservative and quinolone. The results of this study indicate optimum storage protocols for milk samples, so that residue levels reflect those at the time of initial sample analysis, and should improve surveillance programmes for quinolones in raw milk.     

Rheological and microstructural characterization of double cream cheese

Firmness at 5 °C, dynamic viscoelastic moduli (G' G) and capillary extrusion profiles at 20 °C, were obtained on double cream cheese after the different steps of processing (curd obtention, mixing at 70 °C and 500 r.p.m. with heat-denatured WPC, heating at 85 °C, homogenizing at 20 MPa (1st stage) and 5 MPa (2nd stage) and cooling to 20 °C and 13 °C) and storage 7–9 days at 5 °C. It was found that double cream cheese became firmer and more elastic after heating and homogenization, although it became softer and more viscous after mixing and cooling. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and cryo-Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs showed that rheology results could be related to aggregation (during heating and homogenization) and disruption (during cooling) of milk fat globule/casein complexes. Dispersion of homogenization clusters after cooling, and aggregation of milk fat globules during storage caused double cream cheese structural instability to appear. It was suggested that the heterogeneity of capillary extrusion profiles could be quantified through application of fractal concepts and Fourier analysis and related to structure and texture of double cream cheese.     

Viscoelastic Behavior of Refrigerated Frozen Low-moisture Mozzarella Cheese

ABSTRACT: The effect of freezing low-moisture Mozzarella before ripening on cheese microstructure and its relationship with caseins degradation and viscoelastic properties were analyzed, and results were compared with refrigerated control samples. Soluble and nonprotein nitrogen contents increased with ripening time although more rapidly in the samples that were frozen before ripening. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that freezing modified cheese microstructure due to ice formation; ice crystals weakened the casein matrix. Dynamic rheological tests were performed at 50 °C using oscillatory rheometry G'increased with frequency and was higher for refrigerated than for samples frozen before ripening, at the same ripening times; G'diminished as aging time increased, although more rapidly for the samples frozen before ripening.     

Structural and Textural Quality of Kinu-Tofu Frozen-then-Thawed at High-Pressure

To determine effects of high-pressure thawing on quality of high-pressure frozen tofu, kinu-tofu (soybean curd) was frozen 90 min at ca ?20°C at 100 MPa (ice I), 200 MPa (liquid phase), 340 MPa (ice III), 400, 500 or 600 MPa (ice V), then thawed at the same pressure. Texture and structure of this tofu (D) were compared with high-pressure-frozen tofu thawed at atmospheric pressure (A: 90 min frozen; B: 90 min frozen then 2 days at ?30°C; C: 160 min frozen). When tofu was frozen at 200- 500 MPa, ice crystals were largest to smallest in B > A and C > D; pore size of D was the same as untreated tofu. Results indicated ice crystals never grew when frozen at 200–500 MPa. Growth occurred during reduction of pressure at ca ?20°C, frozen storage or while thawing at atmospheric pressure due to phase transition.     

Qualitative Alteration of Phospholipids in Beef Patties Cooked After Vacuum and Nonpackaged, Frozen Storage

Alterations during frozen storage of the phospholipids in high quality and very lean (7.5% fat) beef patties as influenced by vacuum packaging were studied. Meat was obtained from a closely trimmed semimembranosus muscle from a U.S. Choice Grade steer carcass. Ground patties were stored 3 days, 1.5, 3, and 4.5 months at -23 ± 1°C. Lipids were extracted after the patties were thawed and cooked. After the 3 days of frozen storage, the vacuum packaged samples indicated the presence of eight different phospholipid classes in decreasing concentration: phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingomyelin, lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, lysophosphatidylethanolamine, and diphosphatidylglycerol, in the nonpackaged samples; diphosphatidylglycerol and lysophosphatidylethanolamine were absent. As storage progressed, the amount of certain phospholipid classes, particularly in the nonpackaged samples, declined. After 3 months of storage in both packaged and nonpackaged samples, trace amount of lysodiphosphatidylglycerol became evident.