Effect of Fresh Garlic on Lipid Oxidation and Microbiological Changes of Pork Patties during Refrigerated Storage

Colour and pigment in raw ground meat incorporated crushed garlic during the refrigerated storage: Their relationship to lipolytic and volatilomic changes

The effects of freshly crushed garlic incorporated in raw ground meat at different rates 0 % to 2 % on colour, pigment forms, TBARS, peroxide, free fatty acids and volatilomic were investigated during 96 h storage at 4 °C. With advancing storage time and increasing garlic rate from 0 % to 2 %, the redness (a*), colour stability, oxymyoglobin and deoxymyoglobin decreased, but metmyoglobin, TBARS, peroxide, free fatty acids (C6, C15-C17), and aldehydes and alcohols, especially hexanal, hexanol, benzaldehyde, increased. Principal component analysis based on pigment, colour, lipolytic and volatilomic changes classified successfully the meat samples. Metmyoglobin was positively correlated with lipid oxidation products (TBARS, hexanal), but the other pigment forms and colour parameters (a* and b* values) were negatively correlated. Increased metmyoglobin proportion and decreased redness and colour stability may be used as reliable indicators of lipid oxidation. Also, the incorporation of fresh garlic into ground meat was not promising to increase oxidative stability.

Effects of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LOCK900 on Development of Volatile Compounds and Sensory Quality of Dry Fermented Sausages

Traditional dry fermented meat products are highly appreciated by consumers. A probiotic starter culture increases their attractiveness through sensory qualities and a potential health-promoting effect. The ability to scale the laboratory solution to industrial conditions is an additional scientific and practical value of a new way of using probiotics in the meat industry. The aim was to evaluate the influence of the probiotic starter culture Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LOCK900 on the development of volatile organic compounds and the sensory quality of dry fermented pork sausages during fermentation and refrigeration storage. The microbiological and sensory characteristic (QDA method) and volatile compound (gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry: GC–MS) were evaluated. The number of LOCK900 cells during 12 weeks of storage remained above 6 log CFU g⁻¹, making this product a functional food. The addition of probiotic LOCK900 increased the levels of acidic volatile compounds, aldehydes, and esters, which, combined with the additives and spices used, had a positive effect on the sensory properties of ripening sausages. The sausages with LOCK900 were characterised by positive sensory features, and their overall quality remained high during storage and did not differ from that of the control sausages.

The microbiological quality of minced pork treated with garlic in combination with vacuum packaging

The present study aimed to evaluate the microbial quality of minced pork treated with fresh garlic, dried garlic, and garlic oil in combination with vacuum packing. The growth of Total Viable Counts (TVC), Coliform Bacteria (CB), and Pseudomonas spp. were evaluated. The microbiological analyses were performed by the plate dilution method. The average value of TVC was 8.45 log CFU.g-1 in aerobically packed samples, 5.59 log CFU.g-1 in samples treated with garlic oil, 5.36 log CFU.g-1 in vacuum packed samples, and samples treated with dried garlic, and 4.98 log CFU.g-1 in samples treated with fresh garlic on 8th day of storage. The number of TVC was significantly lower in samples treated with fresh garlic compared to samples treated with dried garlic and garlic oil on the 8th day of storage (p <0.05). The average value of CB was 4.13 log CFU.g-1 in aerobically packed samples, 1.82 log CFU.g-1 in samples treated with garlic oil, the value of CB in vacuum packed samples, in samples treated with fresh garlic and also with dried garlic was lower than 1.00 log CFU.g-1 on 8th day of storage. The number of CB was significantly higher in aerobically packed samples and samples treated with garlic oil compared to vacuum-packed samples, samples treated with fresh garlic and dried garlic on the 8th day of storage (p <0.05). The average number of Pseudomonas spp. was 2.45 in aerobically packed samples, count of Pseudomonas spp. was lower than 1.00 log CFU.g-1 in vacuum packed samples and in the sample with garlic on the 8th day of storage. The number of Pseudomonas spp. was significantly higher in aerobically packed samples in comparison with vacuum-packed samples, samples with fresh garlic, dried garlic, and garlic oil (p <0.05).

The effects of storage and hop extract on aroma and flavour compounds in Balkan-style sausages packed under a CO2-containing anaerobic atmosphere

Changes in the levels of pH, lactic acid, acetic acid, headspace volatile compounds, and spoilage odour intensity during a 35 day refrigerated storage period in two sets of a Balkan-style fresh sausage, a control sausage (CON) and a sausage containing an aqueous hop extract (HOP), packaged under a 20% CO2 and 80% N2 atmosphere were evaluated. Storage resulted in progressive sausage acidification and increased the levels of acetic acid, 1-methylbutanol, ethyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate, and 2-ethylhexanol; all of which are associated with anaerobic microbial metabolism under sugar restricted conditions. Storage decreased the levels of hexanal, heptanal, pentanol, and garlic-derived organosulfur compounds. Hop extract showed oxygen scavenging abilities, and decreased the levels of the volatile compounds derived from lipid auto-oxidation while contributing to the presence of specific terpene compounds. The use of hop extract did not improve the shelf life of sausages packed under anaerobic atmosphere. The spoilage odour appeared in both types of sausages on the 14th day, and it was considered strong from day 21 onwards.

Red Wine and Garlic as a Possible Alternative to Minimize the Use of Nitrite for Controlling Clostridium Sporogenes and Salmonella in a Cured Sausage: Safety and Sensory Implications

The use of nitrite in meat products has been questioned due to its potential association with colon cancer. This work aimed to evaluate the behavior of Clostridium sporogenes (used as a surrogate for Cl. botulinum) and Salmonella in a dry-cured sausage, chouriço, made with and without nitrite and nitrate or with red wine and garlic, and to study the sensory implications through a consumer test. The survival of Cl. sporogenes and Salmonella was determined mainly by the reduction in water activity (aw), but the use of wine or wine and garlic contributed to the control of Salmonella during processing. The challenge test with Cl. sporogenes revealed no effect of the curing salts, wine, or garlic on the population of this microorganism. The use of curing salts resulted in a more reddish color that was recognized by the consumer as over-cured and artificial when compared with chouriço made with wine or wine and garlic, which were better rated in the hedonic test. In cured sausages of small caliber, the use of nitrite might be reconsidered, as the values of aw necessary to inhibit Clostridium toxinogenesis and growth are achieved rapidly.

Iron Fortification of Spiced Vinegar in the Philippines

Despite existent fortification initiatives in the Philippines, approximately 50% of the population still suffers from iron deficiency anemia (IDA), mainly in rural areas. Fortification of staple foods has been proved successful in China and Vietnam. Coconut spiced vinegar (SV) is an inexpensive, widely available, and culturally acceptable condiment in Filipino households; however, no technical evidence exists on its potential as fortification vehicle. This study aimed to physicochemically characterize and evaluate the consumer acceptability of SV fortified with ferrous sulfate (FS), ferrous fumarate (FF), or sodium iron ethylenediaminetetraacetate (NaFeEDTA) at 0.2 mg Fe/mL. Iron fortificants were added directly to SV, vortexed, and stored for analysis. A nonfortified SV served as a control. Physicochemical analyses (pH, titratable acidity, color, turbidity, and iron recovery) were conducted from 0 to 6 months postfortification. Consumer acceptability (9-point hedonic scale: color, appearance, aroma, sourness, and overall acceptability) was conducted using 1-month fortified vinegar in 96 students and 27 women. Iron recovery of fortified samples was high and similar (>97%) after 3 days of fortification and remained >87% at 6 months postfortification. All samples had minimum acidity of 5.31% and pH between 3.12 and 3.3. Color difference against the control followed the next order: SV-NaFeEDTA < SV-FS = SV-FF. Among students, acceptability of SV-FS and SV-FF were lower than the control and SV-NaFeEDTA for all attributes (P < 0.05) except aroma. In women, overall acceptability and aroma were not different among samples (P > 0.05). Overall, SV-NaFeEDTA had similar acceptability to the control, and was the most accepted fortified vinegar. SV-NaFeEDTA shows potential (in terms of physicochemical stability and consumer acceptability) to be used as an iron-delivery vehicle to address IDA.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

The present study addresses the technical and organoleptic challenges of fortifying Filipino spiced vinegar with three iron sources. About 50% of the Filipino population (especially women and children) still suffers from iron deficiency, thus, more effective ways to deliver iron are needed. If successful, our study could pose as the base milestone for implementing mass iron fortification of spiced vinegar, given its frequent consumption and reach of all socioeconomic pockets of the Filipino population. Our aim is to improve the overall nutritional health of at-risk populations, and our study is one step closer to achieve this goal.