Quality parameters and oxidative stability of functional beef burgers fortified with microencapsulated cod liver oil

Quality and sensorial evaluation of beef burgers added with Sicilian sumac (Rhus coriaria L)

The Sicilian sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) is considered an excellent source of natural polyphenols whose antioxidant activity is able to affect specific technological functions. The effect of the Rhus coriaria addition on the quality of beef burgers before and after cooking was evaluated, by pH, colour, protein (-SH) and lipid oxidation, total phenol content and antioxidant activity (ABTS assay). The sumac in burgers (THs) resulted in a significant increase in all dry matter components (P < 0.05), while water content and pH value decreased. Furthermore, THs, compared with control burgers (CHs), were characterised by lower L* and peroxidation values and higher a* and b* values (p < 0.05). The Rhus added in the burgers positively influenced the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity values. Cooking reduced content of phenols, -SH groups and antioxidant activity. However, in THs the reduction of -SH, phenols and antioxidant activity was more limited than in CHs (p < 0.05). Sensory analysis showed a higher appreciation for THs by consumers for all the considered attributes. The ground meat incorporated with sumac could be a valid strategy to improve its quality and sensorial evaluation.

Nutritional Enhancement of Health Beneficial Omega-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Muscle, Liver, Kidney, and Heart of Tattykeel Australian White MARGRA Lambs Fed Pellets Fortified with Omega-3 Oil in a Feedlot System

Simple Summary

The problem addressed in this research was the possibility of enhancing the nutritional value and health beneficial omega-3 long-chain fatty acid content of lamb and its edible components. The aims and objectives were to evaluate the omega-3 contents of muscle, liver, kidney, and heart of lot-fed Tattykeel Australian White lambs of the MARGRA brand, in response to dietary supplementation with or without omega-3 oil fortified pellets. The findings demonstrate that the inclusion of omega-3 oil in feedlot diets of lambs enhances the human health beneficial omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid profiles of edible muscle tissue and organs without compromising meat quality or shelf life. These results are valuable to society because of increased functionality, health benefits, micro-marbling, tender, mouth-melting taste, and high-end eating quality experience of MARGRA lamb tissues and organs.

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the nutritional enhancement of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 LC-PUFA) composition of edible lamb Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle, heart, kidney, and liver in response to dietary supplementation of lot-fed lambs with or without omega-3 oil fortified pellets. The hypothesis tested was that fortifying feedlot pellets with omega-3 oil will enhance the human health beneficial n-3 LC-PUFA composition of edible lamb muscle tissue and organs. Seventy-five Tattykeel Australian White lambs exclusive to the MARGRA brand, with an average body weight of 30 kg at six months of age, were randomly assigned to the following three dietary treatments of 25 lambs each, and lot-fed as a cohort for 47 days in a completely randomized experimental design: (1) Control grain pellets without oil plus hay; (2) Omega-3 oil fortified grain pellets plus hay; and (3) Commercial whole grain pellets plus hay. All lambs had ad libitum access to the basal hay diet and water. Post-slaughter fatty acid composition of the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle, liver, kidney, and heart were determined using thee gas chromatography–mass spectrophotometry technique. Results indicated significant variations (p < 0.05) in fatty acid profiles between tissues and organs. Omega-3 oil fortified pellets significantly (p < 0.05) increased ≥C20 n-3 LC-PUFA (C20:5n-3 eicosapentaenoate, EPA + C22:5n3 docosapentaenoate, DPA + C22:6n3 docosahexanoate DHA); C18:3n-3 alpha-linolenate, ALA; C18:2 conjugated linoleic acid, CLA; total monounsaturated fatty acids, MUFA; polyunsaturated fatty acids, PUFA contents; and reduced the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in all lamb organs and tissues without impacting shelf-life. The findings demonstrate that the inclusion of omega-3 oil in feedlot diets of lambs enhances the human health beneficial omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid profiles of edible muscle tissue and organs without compromising meat quality.

Veggie burgers in the EU market: a nutritional challenge?

Nutritional information of burgers launched in the EU market during 2020 was retrieved from their labels. Products were initially classified into four types: i.e., veggie, red meat-, fish- and poultry-based. Gluten, wheat, and soy were the most declared allergens regardless of the burgers type. Veggie burgers showed levels of energy, fat, and saturate fatty acids (SFA) similar to fish- and poultry-based burgers, but lower than red meat burgers. Compared to conventional burgers, veggie had higher amounts of carbohydrates and sugars and a lower content of proteins, but no difference in salt. Due to the high compositional intra-variability in the veggie burgers, vegetarian and vegan burgers were further analyzed separately. Vegan burgers had higher levels of energy, fat, SFA and protein than vegetarian burgers, but lower carbohydrates and sugars. Once again large differences in the nutritional parameters were observed in both vegan and vegetarian burger categories due to the wide range of ingredients and formulations employed in these types of products. A clear and comprehensive informative labeling is especially needed for vegan and vegetarian burgers to allow the consumer to make a rational decision based on the nutritional facts of these products.