Operational diagrams for salting-marination processes and quality of cooked mussels

Effect of verjuice (Vitis vinifera L.) on physicochemical and textural properties of beef M. biceps femoris

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of verjuice on beef M. biceps femoris (BF). BF blocks were marinated with 30%, 70%, and 100% verjuice solutions containing 2% NaCl, for different marination times (12, 24, 48, and 72 h). Verjuice marination reduced the pH values of BF samples from 6.77 in control sample to 3.66 in 100% of verjuice for 72 h. The decreased values of water holding capacity (from 54.06% to 47.46%) with increasing verjuice concentration (from 30% to 100% for 72 h) confirmed the drop of proteins isoelectric point of the muscle due to salt presence preventing fibers swelling. Less cookout was observed with increasing acid concentration. Marination time had no significant effect on L* and a* coordinates of uncooked samples while acidification made the samples lighter and less red. Enzymatic proteolysis of myosin and troponin-T concomitant with increase in myofibrillar fragmentation index contributed to the decrease of shear force in a way dependent on verjuice concentration and marination time. Sensory panelists gave the highest score to cooked samples marinated with 70% verjuice solution.

Innovative Seafood Preservation Technologies: Recent Developments

Fish and fishery products are among the food commodities of high commercial value, high-quality protein content, vitamins, minerals and unsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial to health. However, seafood products are highly perishable and thus require proper processing to maintain their quality and safety. On the other hand, consumers, nowadays, demand fresh or fresh-like, minimally processed fishery products that do not alter their natural quality attributes. The present article reviews the results of studies published over the last 15 years in the literature on: (i) the main spoilage mechanisms of seafood including contamination with pathogens and (ii) innovative processing technologies applied for the preservation and shelf life extension of seafood products. These primarily include: high hydrostatic pressure, natural preservatives, ozonation, irradiation, pulse light technology and retort pouch processing.

Cold smoking of Lebranche mullet (Mugil liza): Physicochemical, sensory, and microbiological evaluation

The suitability of Mugil liza for cold smoking was evaluated and the effect of four different salting treatments on physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics was assessed. The addition of sucrose (3%) and acetic acid (0.5%) to the brine lead to fillet dehydration with lower NaCl penetration, combined with higher reduction of pH. Brining at refrigerated temperature (5 ± 1 ℃) instead of room temperature (16 ± 2 ℃) was more effective in preventing microbial growth. Loads of bacterial groups assessed in all smoked samples were below 100 CFU/g and the a_w, moisture, NaCl, and pH values achieved were within the typical stability range of smoked fish products. The obtained products were characterized by the smoked aroma and salty taste, differing in 7 of the 21 evaluated descriptors. The use of acetic acid in brine formulation showed an effect over color and texture descriptors. The affective test indicated the overall acceptability of products, being preferred the samples treated in the lowest NaCl concentration (5%).