Simultaneous kinetics formation of heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in phenylalanine model system

Effects of basic amino acids on heterocyclic amines and quality characteristics of fried beef patties at low NaCl level

The impact of basic amino acids (Lysine, Arginine, Histidine) on the formation of total heterocyclic amines (HAs) was investigated in fried beef patties at 1% NaCl level. Different levels of basic amino acids (0.1%, 0.5%, 1%) significantly inhibited the formation of the total and individual HAs at 1% NaCl, and the inhibitory effect was more effective than 3% NaCl (6.19 ng/g, 26.93% inhibition) (P < 0.05). Lys at 1% reduced total HAs the most (2.46 ng/g, 70.88% inhibition), followed by 1% His (2.79 ng/g, 67.03% inhibition) and 1% Arg (3.43 ng/g, 59.51% inhibition). Compared to the 3% NaCl, the quality characteristics (moisture content, frying loss, texture profile, and color) of the fried beef patties were significantly improved when basic amino acids were added at 1% NaCl (P < 0.05). The lipid oxidation of fried beef patties was significantly inhibited by 1% Arg and 1% Lys at 1% NaCl level (P < 0.05). The results indicated that basic amino acids could inhibit the formation of total HAs while maintaining the quality of meat products at low NaCl condition.

Bitter melon extract mitigates heterocyclic aromatic amine formation in chicken thigh meat

The purpose of the present research was to study the impact of bitter melon extract (BME) on the generation of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) in chicken thigh meat. Raw chicken samples were marinated overnight with various levels (0%, 0.5%, and 1%) of BME, and pan-fried at 150, 200, and 250°C for a total of 10 min. IQx, IQ, MeIQx, MeIQ, 7,8-DiMeIQx, 4,8-DiMeIQx, PhIP, AαC, and MeAαC were detected in quantities that varied according to the cooking temperature and the concentration of BME. Notably, IQx, MeIQx, MeIQ, 7,8-DiMeIQx, 4,8-DiMeIQx, and AαC levels were reduced through the application of the marinade. Cooking at higher temperatures led to elevated levels of total HAAs. Total HAA levels were 0.98 ± 1.12 ng/g, 3.82 ± 2.12 ng/g, and 6.25 ± 3.35 ng/g in samples cooked at 150, 200, and 250°C, respectively (p < .01). BME demonstrated its effectiveness in mitigating total HAA levels, showing reductions ranging from 25.9% to 69.9%. The most effective concentration of BME in reducing total HAAs was 1% for all cooking temperatures, which might be attributed to its antioxidant activity. These results carry substantial implications for potentially incorporating natural extracts such as BME into chicken products as a viable strategy to reduce HAAs, thus enhancing the safety and quality of meat products.

Effect of lignin on the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in smoked and grilled meat products

In order to explore the influence of wood types on formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in traditional smoked and grilled meat products, the effect of lignin in woods on formation of PAHs was investigated in meat model systems. The results showed that PAHs formation was much dependent on the heating conditions. The addition of lignin led to significantly increased PAHs, which being connected with lignin structure. In comparison, the formation of PAHs was more facilitated by lignin with G structure than that with G/S structure. However, further study of adding lignin precursors demonstrated that lignin precursors with S structure were more favorable to the formation of PAHs than those with G structure. It was proposed that the relative content and activity of G/S structure of lignin in wood played a significant role in the formation of PAHs, which might provide theoretical reference for inhibition of PAHs fundamentally.

Halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Chinese traditional sausages with high salt: Profiles in market samples and formation during home cooking

Halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (XPAHs) are likely to be generated by the reaction between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and halide ions and therefore pose a great threat to high salt food safety. The aim is to explore the profiles of PAHs/XPAHs in market sausages and their formation during home cooking. Concentrations of PAH24 and XPAH18 in 36 market samples were 5.18-408.52 μg/kg and 0.05-0.41 μg/kg, respectively. Smoked sausages exhibited significantly higher concentrations of PAHs than non-smoked sausages. While ready-to-eat sausages presented notably higher XPAH levels than raw sausages. Furthermore, overcooking, such as baking at 220 °C, could result in an exaggerated increase in PAHs. Meanwhile, the increased chlorinated PAH levels after cooking indicated the unintentional formation of XPAHs during sausage cooking. Based on the ILCR model, the intake of 12.7 g/d for males and 10.8 g/d for females is the maximum threshold to achieve negligible risk levels (10-6).

The impact of temperature-controlled smoldering smoking on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic amines contents in Frankfurter-type sausages

The impact of temperature-controlled smoldering smoking conditions on the accumulations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic amines (HAs) in Frankfurter-type sausages was investigated. Depending on the temperature, smoking can be divided into two phases: an unstable pyrolysis stage (≈ 200 s) and a stable pyrolysis stage (>200 s), which had different effects on hazardous substances contents. The unstable pyrolysis stage, which contributed 66.9 ∼ 89.6% of PAH accumulations by comparing with sausages smoked for 15 min, has significant impact on high PAH residues. By contrast, the contents of HAs showed steady increase trends with smoking time. Few types of free-HAs with low concentrations (3.05 ∼ 22.9 ng/g DW), but more types of bound-HAs with much higher levels (10.8 ∼ 396 ng/g DW) were found. In addition, the formation of some HAs followed the first-order reaction model. However, the detailed formation mechanisms of PAHs and HAs under temperature-controlled smoldering smoking conditions remain to be studied.

Acylated anthocyanin inhibited the formation of heterocyclic amines in hybrid chemical model system and its underlying mechanism

Enzymatic acylation was employed to synthesize acylated anthocyanin, and a hybrid chemical model system was used for the formation of heterocyclic amines. And the inhibition effect and underline mechanism were investigated by analyzing the variations in important precursors and intermediates. Results confirmed that cyanidin-3-(6-cinnamoyl) -glycosidase (C3(6C)G) with a purity of 98.9% was obtained. HPLC identified seven types of heterocyclic amines (IQ, MeIQx, 4, 8-DimeiqX, Norharman, Harman, PhIP, and AαC) generated in the chemical model. (C3(6C)G) showed a good concentration-dependent manner for the inhibition effect on most HCAs except for MeIQx and PhIP. It also suppressed the glucose content, showed a dose-dependent manner in creatine/creatinine inhibition, and could scavenge formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and phenylacetaldehyde. Two potential pathways might be involved: 1. by inhibiting the content of precursors (glucose and creatinine), competing with the formation of amino acids, to suppress HCAs generation; 2 through the removal of reactive carbonyl, reducing its reaction with creatinine.

Advantageous Effects of Sumac Usage in Meatball Preparation on Various Quality Criteria and Formation of Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) are mutagenic/carcinogenic compounds that can be formed during the cooking process of proteinaceous foods such as meat. Therefore, it is needed to inhibit or reduce their formations in cooked meats. Hereby, the effects of sumac usage (0.5%, w/w) in beef meatball preparation on the formation of HAAs and some quality parameters (water, pH, cooking loss, and lipid oxidation values) of meatballs cooked at 150 and 250 °C were investigated. The sumac usage caused a reduction in pH (p < 0.01), cooking loss (p < 0.05), lipid oxidation level (TBARS, p < 0.01), and total HAA amount (p < 0.05) of the samples. In addition, increasing the cooking temperature significantly decreased the pH value (p < 0.01) and increased the cooking loss (p < 0.05) of the samples. Only one compound, 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo [4,5-ƒ]quinoxaline (MeIQx), from nine different HAAs studied in this study, could be determined, and the levels of the other HAAs studied were lower than their detection limits. On the other hand, MeIQx was not detected in the samples cooked at 150 °C, it was only determined in the control group samples cooked at 250 °C. The sumac usage completely inhibited MeIQx formation in the samples. Due to its positive effect on cooking loss value, lipid oxidation level, and MeIQx formation, it can be suggested to use sumac powder in meatball preparation.