Assessment of Microbiological Safety and Quality of Marinades Used To Treat Beef and That Were Collected over a 12-Month Period from Specialty Retailers Near Raleigh, North Carolina

Effects of the Marinating Process on the Quality Characteristics and Bacterial Community of Leisure Dried Tofu

Leisure dried tofu (LD-tofu) was prepared using two different marinating processes: the repeated heating method (RHM) and the vacuum pulse method (VPM). The quality characteristics and bacterial community succession of LD-tofu and the marinade were evaluated. The results showed that the nutrients in LD-tofu were easily dissolved into the marinade during the marinating process, while the protein and moisture content of RHM LD-tofu changed most dramatically. With the increase in marinade recycling times, the springiness, chewiness and hardness of VPM LD-tofu increased significantly. The total viable count (TVC) of the VPM LD-tofu decreased from the initial value of 4.41 lg cfu/g to 2.51-2.67 lg cfu/g as a result of the marinating process, which had a significant inhibitory effect. Additionally, 26, 167 and 356 communities in the LD-tofu and marinade were detected at the phylum, family and genus levels, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis showed that Pseudomonadaceae, Thermaceae and Lactobacillaceae were closely related to the quality characteristics of LD-tofu, whereas Caulobacteriaceae, Bacillaceae and Enterobacteriae were closely related to the marinade. The present work provides a theoretical basis for the screening of functional strains and quality control in LD-tofu and marinade.

Aspects of the influence of vegetable-oil-based marinade on organoleptic and physicochemical indicators of the quality of semi-finished natural marinated meat products

This work evidences the expediency of marinade application based on blends of refined vegetable oils in the technology of natural marinated semi-finished meat products. Formulations of natural marinated semi-finished meat products using blends of refined vegetable oils (rapeseed, olive, and sunflower) enriched with the enzyme bromelain were developed in this work. Such formulations can provide the human body with the necessary amount of protein, released by enzymatic hydrolysis of the connective tissue proteins collagen and elastin catalyzed by the plant-based enzyme bromelain, as well as the necessary ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are not synthesized in the human body but sourced from food and are one of the main structural units for many vital processes. The article presents the results of a study of organoleptic and physicochemical parameters of natural marinated semi-finished meat products from beef and pork. It is confirmed that the use of rapeseed oil and rapeseed:sunflower oil blend in a ratio of 70:30 produce the best organoleptic characteristics in both semi-finished beef and semi-finished pork: a tender, juicy texture, a pleasant taste and aroma, and an attractive appearance. It has been proven that the use of marinades based on blends of refined vegetable oils reduces the free moisture content and moisture-retaining capacity of the product, due to the presence of refined vegetable oils in the marinade, which contributes to the binding of moisture. The use of marinades based on refined vegetable oils can increase product yield. Vegetable oil, when used in meat marinade, mitigates the ill effects of acid inclusion. It dissolves well the aromas of added spices, and as it seeps through the structure of the meat, the oil gently envelops it, sealing in moisture and preventing drying out during cooking.