Development of novel heat-treated sausage with Pleurotus ostreatus: Low energy, enhanced bioactivity, reduced amount of meat and fat

The use of Pleurotus ostreatus to reduce calories and increase bioactivity in processed meat products is an increasingly common practice. In this study, a novel sausage containing P. ostreatus was developed based parameters like protein, antioxidants, total phenolic content, cohesiveness, energy, fat, ΔE, hardness, and gumminess values using a D-optimal mixture design. The results showed that over 20% of P. ostreatus could be used in sausage production. Moreover, it was concluded that the optimized sausages contain less fat (33.05%) and meat (18.6%) and therefore have a lower calorie value (19.03%). In addition, P. ostreatus added to the sausage formulation decreased the use of animal raw materials, increased the bioactive properties of the sausages, and did not cause a significant change in the amino acid profile.

Recent advances and role of melatonin in post-harvest quality preservation of shiitake (Lentinula edodes)

Shiitake mushrooms are renowned for their popularity and robust nutritional value, are susceptible to spoilage due to their inherent biodegradability. Nevertheless, because of their lack of protection, these mushrooms have a short shelf life. Throughout the post-harvest phase, mushrooms experience a persistent decline in quality. This is evidenced by changes such as discoloration, reduced moisture content, texture changes, an increase in microbial count, and the depletion of nutrients and flavor. Ensuring postharvest quality preservation and prolonging mushroom shelf life necessitates the utilization of post-harvest preservation techniques, including physical, chemical, and thermal processes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the deterioration processes affecting mushroom quality, covering elements such as moisture loss, discoloration, texture alterations, increased microbial count, and the depletion of nutrients and flavor. It also explores the key factors influencing these processes, such as temperature, relative humidity, water activity, and respiration rate. Furthermore, the review delves into recent progress in preserving mushrooms through techniques such as drying, cooling, packaging, irradiation, washing, and coating.

Physicochemical Characteristics and Storage Stability of Hybrid Beef Patty Using Shiitake Mushroom (Lentinus edodes)

This study evaluated the physicochemical characteristics and storage stability (at 0, 3, and 7 days) of hybrid beef patties with different amount of shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) added. Shiitake mushrooms contain healthy ingredients such as ergosterol and β-glucan. Four proportions of shiitake mushrooms were added to beef patties (T1, 20%, T2, 40%, T3, 60%, T4, 80%) as a substitute for beef and compared with a control group (CON 0%). Chemical composition, water holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss, pH, color, texture profile analysis, and sensory properties of the products were compared on day 0. As a storage stability experiment, volatile basic nitrogen (VBN), 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and total microbial count were compared (0, 3, and 7 days). The results revealed that replacement with shiitake improved the WHC and cooking loss of patties but had a negative effect on sensory properties and storage stability. These results indicate that shiitake mushrooms can be added along with beef to produce hybrid patties; however, the usage amount must be considered.

Use of Pleurotus ostreatus to Enhance the Oxidative Stability of Pork Patties during Storage and In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion

Lipid and protein oxidation are the major causes of meat quality deterioration. Edible mushrooms have been proposed as a strategy to prevent quality deterioration during cold storage. This study aimed to assess the effects of Pleurotus ostreatus powder (POP) on the oxidative stability of pork patties during cold storage and after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion (ivGD). Pork patties were subjected to four treatments: control (without antioxidant), T1 (2% POP, w/w) and T2 (5% POP, w/w), and T3 as positive control (0.02% BHT, fat basis). POP aqueous, ethanolic, and aqueous ethanol extract were subjected to phytochemical and antioxidant assays. Raw pork patties were subjected to a chemical proximate composition evaluation. At the same time, raw and cooked pork patties were stored at 2 °C for 9 days and subjected to meat quality measurements. Furthermore, the total antioxidant activity of cooked pork patties was determined after ivGD. Results showed that POP ethanol extract showed the highest polysaccharide, phenol, and flavonoid content, as well as antiradical and reducing power properties. POP incorporation into raw and cooked pork patties enhances meat quality traits, including pH, water-holding capacity, cooking-loss weight, texture, color, lipid, and protein oxidation (p < 0.05). Furthermore, incorporating POP into cooked samples increases the phytochemical content and antioxidant activity during ivGD. In conclusion, POP has great potential as a natural antioxidant for meat products.

Pleurotus Genus as a Potential Ingredient for Meat Products

Edible mushrooms are considered an important source of nutritional and bioactive compounds. In this review, the findings of macronutrients, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobials against foodborne pathogens of some Pleurotus spp., as well as their potential use as an ingredient in the meat industry are discussed. The results show that Pleurotus spp. are an important source of proteins and amino acids, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. Additionally, the presence of some bioactive components, such as polysaccharides (α-glucans, β-glucans, and so on), proteins/enzymes and peptides (eryngin, pleurostrin, and others) phenolic acids (p-coumaric, chlorogenic, cinnamic, ferulic, gallic, protocatechuic, and others) and flavonoids (chrysin, naringenin, myricetin, quercetin, rutin, or the like) has been demonstrated. Several works evidenced the use of Pleurotus spp. in some meat and meat products (patties, sausages, paste, and suchlike) as a novel ingredient in order to improve their chemical composition and functional health promoting properties, as well as to increase their physicochemical and sensory attributes. In conclusion, the use of Pleurotus is a promissory strategy for the development of natural additives rich in nutritional and bioactive components for meat and meat product formulation.

Edible Mushrooms as a Natural Source of Food Ingredient/Additive Replacer

Although mushrooms have been exploited since ancient times because of their particular taste and therapeutic properties, the interest in edible species as a source of ingredients and bioactive compounds is recent. Their valuable nutritional contents in protein, dietary fiber and bioactive compounds make them ideal candidates for use in foods in efforts to improve their nutritional profiles. This trend is in line with the consumer's growing demand for more plant-based foods. The present review paper explores different studies focused on the use of common edible mushrooms as an ingredient and additive replacer by using them in fresh, dried, or even extract forms, as meat, fat, flour, salt, phosphates, and antioxidant replacers. The replacement of meat, fat, flour, and salt by mushrooms from commercial species has been successful despite sensorial and textural parameters can be affected. Moderate concentrations of mushrooms, especially in powder form, should be considered, particularly in non-familiarized consumers. In the case of antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, results are variable, and more studies are necessary to determine the chemical aspects involved.