Effect of temperature on phosphate diffusion in meats

Quantitative assessment of phosphate food additive in frozen and chilled chicken using spectrophotometric approach combined with graphitic digestion

A new method based on spectrophotometry combined with graphitic digestion was developed for quantitative assessment of phosphate in frozen and chilled chicken meat. Digestion reagents comprising HNO₃ (conc.) & H₂SO₄ (conc.) and HNO₃ (5 M) & H₂SO₄ (conc.) were found to have optimal composition, affording similar recovery values of 100% and 99%, respectively, with excellent linearity (R² > 0.999) and good limit of detection (LOD = 0.032 mg/L) and limit of quantification (LOQ = 0.10 mg/L), whereas other reagents offered lower recoveries (0-1.73%). Phosphate was found in concentrations of 3.38-5.90 g/kg and 3.96-26.94 g/kg in frozen and chilled chicken, respectively. Chilled chicken contained higher amounts of phosphate (>20 g/kg) than recommended by the European Commission (EC, 5 g/kg), either alone or in a mixture of processed meat products. This method is simple, cost-effective, and can be used as an alternative for analyzing phosphate in various samples comprising a similar matrix.

Optimum hexametaphosphate concentration to inhibit efflorescence formation in dry fermented sausages

The occurrence of efflorescences on the surface of dry fermented sausages represents a current issue for the meat processing industry. Preventing the efflorescence formation by the addition of sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) was shown to be promising in a previous study. The optimum SHMP addition was studied by adding SHMP (0.0, 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0g/kg) directly to the sausage batter. Visual and chemical analyses were conducted during 8weeks of storage under modified atmosphere. Visual analyses revealed significant lower amounts of efflorescences on the sausage surface after 8weeks when 1.0 (27.1%), 3.0 (9.0%), and 5.0g/kg SHMP (3.4%) were added, compared to the control with 38.0% efflorescences. SHMP significantly affected the occurrence (8weeks) of magnesium on the surface: +85.5%, +23.7%, +3.5%, and -28.2% for 0.0, 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0g/kg, respectively. The addition of 4.785g/kg was calculated to fully inhibit the formation of efflorescences by complexing magnesium ions.

Chemical and optical characterization of white efflorescences on dry fermented sausages under modified atmosphere packaging

BACKGROUND

Dry fermented sausages that are packed under modified atmosphere are often affected by the formation of white crystals on the surface. These so called efflorescences are rejected by consumers and lead to high financial losses for the meat processing industry. In this study, the distribution of efflorescence-causing components was investigated over the sausage profile during 8 weeks of storage under modified atmosphere at 4 °C. In addition, two visual methods (image and sensory analyses) were compared regarding the ability to quantify the efflorescence content.

RESULTS

The initial formation of efflorescences was observed after 2 weeks (7%). After 4 weeks of storage, 23.4% of the sausage surface was covered with efflorescences, and the amount of efflorescences did not change significantly by the end of storage. Furthermore, chemical analyses revealed that magnesium (increased by 98.1%), lactate (increased by 54.2%) and creatine (increased by 51.8%) are enriched on the sausage surface during storage.

CONCLUSION

Sensory and image analyses lead to comparable results (r = 0.992) and therefore both are suitable to quantify the amount of efflorescences. The moisture gradient in the interior of the sausages which is built upon drying is supposed to be the driving force for the movement of efflorescence-causing compounds. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Marination and Physicochemical Characteristics of Vacuum-aged Duck Breast Meat

We investigated marinade absorption and physicochemical characteristics of vacuum-aged duck breasts that were halved and individually vacuum-packed for chiller aging at 4°C for 14 d. One half was marinated for 0, 7, or 14 d, while the second half was used as a control. Marinade absorption, cooking loss, cooking yield, texture profile, pH, color, protein solubility, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values were evaluated, and protein sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was performed. Marinade absorption and pH did not vary significantly after 14 d of aging. Marination increased the pH, color (a* and b*) values, and cooking yield and reduced cooking loss. TBARS values significantly increased with aging time, but were significantly reduced by marination. Myofibril and total protein solubility increased with aging and marination, while SDS-PAGE showed protein degradation. Hence, aging and marination can be used simultaneously to improve physicochemical quality and cooking yield of vacuum-aged duck breast.

Polysaccharides as Alternative Moisture Retention Agents for Shrimp

Phosphates are used as moisture retention agents (MRAs) by the shrimp industry. Although they are effective, phosphates are expensive, need to be listed on a food label, and overuse can often lead to a higher product cost for consumers. Polysaccharides were researched as alternative MRAs. Polysaccharides are usually inexpensive, are considered natural, and can have nutritional benefits. Research was conducted to determine whether polysaccharides yielded similar functional impacts as phosphates. Treatments included a 0.5% fibercolloid solution isolated from citrus peel, an 8% pectin solution, a 0.5% xanthan gum (XG) solution, a 1% carboxymethyl cellulose solution, and conventionally used 4% sodium tripolyphosphate (STP). Experimental treatments were compared to a distilled water control to gauge effectiveness. Freezing, boiling, and oven drying studies were performed to determine how moisture retention in shrimp differed using these different treatments. Water activity was measured to determine any potential differences in shelf life. Solution uptake was also determined to understand how well the treatments enhanced water binding. For moisture loss by freezing, 4% STP and the 0.5% fibercolloid solution functioned the best. The 4% STP treated shrimp lost the least amount of moisture during boiling. The 0.5% fibercolloid and 0.5% XG treatment outperformed phosphates in respect to moisture uptake ability. None of the treatments had a major effect on water activity. All treatments were rated similar in consumer sensory acceptability tests except for pectin, which was rated lower by the sensory panel. Overall, polysaccharides were found to be viable alternatives to phosphates.

Determination of polyphosphates in fish and shrimp muscles by capillary electrophoresis with indirect UV detection after phosphatase inhibition using high pressure pretreatment

A method was proposed for the determination of polyphosphates (P2O7(4-), P3O10(5-) and (PO3)3(3-)) in fish and shrimp muscles by capillary electrophoresis with indirect UV detection after phosphatase inhibition using high pressure pretreatment (HPP). Separation parameters were optimized and the effects of HPP on deactivation of enzyme were investigated. Well resolution was obtained with 10 mM adenosine 5'-phosphate (ATP) in 16 mM disodium hydrogen phosphate combining with 32 mM citric acid buffer (pH = 6.4) containing 0.1 mM cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, and phosphatase was effectively inhibited by HPP at 400 MPa for 10 min. Method was validated with LOD (0.23-0.33 mg g(-1)) and LOQ (0.77-1.0 mg g(-1)). Recovery of P2O7(4-), P3O10(5-) and (PO3)3(3-) in the fortified samples were in the range of 91.6-100.1%, 97.6-104.6% and 79.1-88.1%, respectively, and the corresponding RSD ranged from 1.1% to 6.8%. Finally, the method was applied in the determination of polyphosphates in food samples collected from local markets.

Phosphate additives determination in meat products by 31-phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance using new internal reference standard: hexamethylphosphoroamide

New (31)P NMR internal reference standard - hexamethylphosphoroamide (HMPA) was applied for determination of added polyphosphates and their ionic forms in raw pork meat and meat products. Phosphate species were determined after extraction with a boric acid buffer (pH=9) and EDTA solution, using internal standard (HMPA) procedure. Hexamethylphosophoroamide was also used as the NMR reference standard. Linear correlations between phosphates and polyphosphate concentrations and (31)P NMR signal areas were found in the range 81-5236 mg P/dm(3), presenting 95-99% recovery and variation coefficient (CV) ≤ 5%. Studied HMPA procedure revealed shorter analysis time and the same recovery (>95%) and precision (CV=1.3-2.7%) in comparison to MDPA method. Results of phosphate determination by both (31)P NMR methods were tested against the molybdenumvanadate yellow spectrophotometric method (standard PN-ISO 13730, 1999) using standard reference material (certified phosphate solution).