Sensory Shelf Life Estimation of Novel Fortified Blended Foods Under Accelerated and Real-Time Storage Conditions

A Sensory Shelf-Life Study for the Evaluation of New Eco-Sustainable Packaging of Single-Portion Croissants

Understanding the correlation between straightforward analytical methods and sensory attributes is pivotal for transitioning to sustainable packaging while improving product quality. In this context, the viability of eco-sustainable packaging alternatives for single-packaged croissants has been investigated through examining the correlations between analytical methods, sensory attributes, employing quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA), and consumer survival analysis. The performance of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), a petrochemical plastic film, against paper-based, compostable, and biodegradable films over a 150-day croissant storage period was compared in this study, examining both physiochemical and sensory perspectives. The results showed a correlation between a lower water vapour barrier in packaging materials and increased moisture migration and croissant hardness, as assessed by the Avrami kinetic model. Notably, given its reduced barrier properties, the compostable film accelerated sensory profile deterioration, as evidenced by QDA results. Shelf-life estimation, assessed by consumer rejection, underscored the viability of the biodegradable film for up to 185 days, surpassing BOPP, paper-based, and other biodegradable alternatives. Using linear regression, physiochemical parameters associated with predicted shelf-life were elucidated. Overall, croissants were rejected by 50% of consumers when they reached humidity levels below 18%, water activity below 0.81, firmness exceeding 1064 N, pH above 4.4, and acidity below 4.5. Based on the results of this study, biodegradable packaging emerges as a promising alternative to traditional BOPP, offering a sustainable opportunity to extend the shelf-life of croissants.

Food Monitoring: Limitations of Accelerated Storage to Predict Molecular Changes in Hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L.) under Realistic Conditions Using UPLC-ESI-IM-QTOF-MS

Accelerated storage is routinely used with pharmaceuticals to predict stability and degradation patterns over time. The aim of this is to assess the shelf life and quality under harsher conditions, providing crucial insights into their long-term stability and potential storage issues. This study explores the potential of transferring this approach to food matrices for shelf-life estimation. Therefore, hazelnuts were stored under accelerated short-term and realistic long-term conditions. Subsequently, they were analyzed with high resolution mass spectrometry, focusing on the lipid profile. LC-MS analysis has shown that many unique processes take place under accelerated conditions that do not occur or occur much more slowly under realistic conditions. This mainly involved the degradation of membrane lipids such as phospholipids, ceramides, and digalactosyldiacylglycerides, while oxidation processes occurred at different rates in both conditions. It can be concluded that a food matrix is far too complex and heterogeneous compared to pharmaceuticals, so that many more processes take place during accelerated storage, which is why the results cannot be used to predict molecular changes in hazelnuts stored under realistic conditions.

A new method for matching gold nanoparticle-based time-temperature indicators with muffins without obtaining activation energy

Time-temperature indicators (TTIs) can monitor the quality and safety of food. A new temperature-time point comparison method was proposed to match TTIs with food. This method omits the step of calculating activation energy (E_a ). It only compares the difference between TTI response time and food shelf life to determine their matching degree. Taking gold nanoparticle-based TTIs and muffins as experimental objects, the new and the traditional matching methods were used to match the absorbance of TTI and the peroxide value of muffins. The two results are not significantly different. TTIs with gelatin solution and gold precursor solution concentration of 150.00  and 2.05 mg/mL, respectively, can show the quality of muffins. TTIs changed from light yellow to pink and finally appeared deep purple. The deep purple represented spoilage and inedibility of muffins. Comparing E_a of food and that of TTIs can preliminarily evaluate their matching degree, improving the experiment efficiency. Hence, it is reasonable to use the traditional matching method in most cases, and use the new method only when E_a of food cannot be obtained. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The deterioration rate of food is usually calculated by developing kinetic models of characteristic quality parameters. When the reaction rate is unavailable or inaccurate, the activation energy of food cannot be obtained. In this case, it is impossible to match TTIs with food based on the traditional method. This research develops a new matching method and helps TTIs and food to be matched without considering activation energy. It will promote the application of TTIs in more products.

Effects of Shiitake (Lentinus edodes P.) Mushroom Powder and Sodium Tripolyphosphate on Texture and Flavor of Pork Patties

Increasing consumer desire for functional food ingredients, including such PRODUCTS as shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes P.) powder (SM), demands that the sensory impact of such ingredients be tested in an appropriate food system. Pork patties are a common food in many Asian countries. Pork patties in this study were prepared with and without SM, an ingredient that is gaining popularity around the world. A lexicon for describing the texture and flavor of cooked pork patties, with and without 0.5% sodium tripolyphosphate (STP), a typical additive to meat, and with varying amounts of SM (0% to 6%) was developed by a highly trained panel to compare sensory properties for each type of patty. The attributes evaluated were juiciness, toughness, rubberiness, mealiness, pork identity (pork ID), meatiness, mushroom, onion, garlic, black pepper, heat/burn, soapy, chemical, animal hair, fatty, salty, sour, bitter, slick, and astringent. An addition of 0.5% STP produced more intense ratings for soapy, salty, sour, and astringent attributes. Without STP, patties containing shiitake mushroom powder had a more mealy consistency but more pork ID than they did with STP.

Development of a Model System for Tasting Grain Varieties

This study investigated suitable approaches and effective applications for the evaluation of grain flavor differences among cultivars. A model system that helps to facilitate the characterization of flavors in grain varieties was developed using sorghum grain as a tool. Five different applications were initially used, including cooked grain, porridge, cookies, muffins, and extruded puffed snacks. Six highly trained sensory panelists participated in the project. The effectiveness of each application was determined based on the results of the attribute generation process and from panelist feedback. The results indicate that the combination of a cooked whole grain procedure and the use of flour made into cookies provides an effective and potent model for flavor characterization in both their grain form and as finished products. Both the recipes for the cooked grain and cookie applications effectively brought out the flavor characteristics of the grains as well as differentiated the flavor differences between grain cultivars. The developed model can be applied for the flavor evaluation of multiple grain types and can help researchers understand the flavor differences among grain cultivars. As a result, such knowledge will help to facilitate the selection of suitable products with favorable characteristics for specific applications as well as for selective breeding purposes.

Determination of the Sensory Characteristics of Traditional and Novel Fortified Blended Foods Used in Supplementary Feeding Programs

Despite the wide use of traditional non-extruded fortified blended foods (FBFs), such as corn soy blend plus (CSB+), in supplementary feeding programs, there is limited evidence of its effectiveness on improving nutritional outcomes and little information on actual sensory properties. Fifteen novel extruded FBFs were developed with variations in processing and ingredients in order to improve the quality of food aid products based on the Food Aid Quality Review (FAQR) recommendations. Descriptive sensory analysis was performed to determine the effects of the processing parameters and ingredients on the sensory properties of traditional and novel FBFs. The extrusion process affected the aroma and flavor of the tested products. Novel FBFs from the extrusion process had more pronounced toasted characteristics, probably because of the high temperature used during extrusion. The ingredient composition of the FBFs also had a significant impact on the sensory properties of the products. The addition of sugar to novel FBFs leads to a significant increase in sweetness, which could improve acceptance. The level of lipids in binary blends appeared to be mainly responsible for the bitterness of the product. In addition, legumes, which were a primary ingredient, contributed to the beany characteristics of the products. The higher amounts of legume used in the formulations led to beany characteristics that could be perceived from the products and could be a negative trait depending on consumers' prior use of legume-based products.