Effect of ripening with Penicillium roqueforti on texture, microstructure, water distribution and volatiles of chicken breast meat

Sous-vide cooking endows a better microstructure for hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) than traditional cooking: Mechanisms of moisture migration

Sous-vide cooking is a highly praised method used to cook muscle foods because of its desired effect of providing better sensory properties by maintaining texture. In this study, we further explored the effect of water on texture by revealing the mechanisms of moisture migration. Low field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) showed that the nonflowing water in sous-vide cooking hairtail was 2.36 ± 0.33% higher than that in traditional cooking. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to clarify the law of moisture migration induced by temperature, and the moisture migration of the sous-vide cooking hairtail was slower during the holding heating stage. The microstructure explained the change rules of the texture. The degree of change was consistent with the moisture migration level. Digitalizing analysis quantitatively verified the effect of sous-vide cooking on the hairtail microstructure. The low moisture migration rate of sous-vide cooking resulted in a less damaged microstructure of the hairtail, manifesting as a desirable texture. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: LF-NMR and MRI showed that sous-vide hairtails exhibited a lower moisture migration rate. The holding heating stage only slightly changed the microstructure of the hairtail. The digitalizing analysis confirmed the moisture migration mechanisms. Heat-induced protein denaturation was closely related to the water state.

Beneficial effects of Jerusalem artichoke powder and olive oil as animal fat replacers and natural healthy compound sources in Harbin dry sausages

This study aimed to improve the nutritional quality of Harbin dry sausages using natural plant-based Jerusalem artichoke powder (JAP) and olive oil as animal fat replacers. Low-fat Harbin dry sausages were manufactured with 2 different formulations containing JAP and olive oil as pork fat replacers. The texture, rheological properties, microstructure, water holding capacity, muscle protein structure, physicochemical indices, microbiological characteristics, and sensory evaluation of the sausages were analyzed. The result showed that Harbin dry sausages with JAP and olive oil were healthier than control sausages based on the lower fat content and improved fatty acid composition. Scanning electron microscopy showed gel network formation in sausages with a high JAP content. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance illustrated that the water-holding capacity of the modified sausages was improved, suggesting that the replacers enhanced protein gel formation by changes in C-H stretching and bending vibrations, a reduction in α-helixes, and increases in β-sheets and random coils accompanying the exposure of reactive groups and microenvironment of the tertiary structure. Dynamic rheological and texture tests indicated that the replacers improved the elasticity of sausages. The reduction of fat and addition of replacers significantly enhanced lipid oxidative resistance. Overall, JAP and olive oil improved the fatty acid composition, gel structure, lipid oxidative resistance, and sensory quality of the sausages. These results may contribute to the development of healthy meat products to further reduce animal fat.