Food waste in polish households - Characteristics and sociodemographic determinants on the phenomenon. Nationwide research

In Poland, to our best knowledge, none of the scientific publications produced to date have addressed the scale of wasted food in households and the impact of sociodemographic and economic factors on this. This study fills this research gap. The study was carried out in 2019 on a nationwide random-quota sample of 500 households, which are representative of all households. The survey was carried out in the respondents' homes for seven consecutive days. It consisted of an interview conducted by an interviewer (Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews method) and a paper diary completed by the respondents themselves. The aim of the study was to present the volume of wasted food, taking five groups into account,and to examine the impact of the sociodemographic and economic characteristics of the households and the person responsible for preparing meals on food waste. The results show that one person, on average, wasted 62.6 kg of edible food per year (98.2 kg of edible and inedible parts combined). According to the results, the most discarded food products include fruit and vegetables, bread, dairy products, drinks and juices, and cold cuts. Statistical analysis showed that the level of food waste in Polish households is conditioned by characteristics such as household size (persons), the presence and number of children, monthly income, as well as the characteristics of the person responsible for preparing meals, such as age and employment status.

Investigating the Probiotic Potential of Vegan Puree Mixture: Viability during Simulated Digestion and Bioactive Compound Bioaccessibility

This study aimed to develop a fermented puree mixture containing plant-based ingredients and potential probiotic strains Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosusK3 and Lactobacillus johnsonii K4. The survival of potential probiotic strains, changes in sugar and organic acid concentrations, bioaccessibility of polyphenols, and antioxidant capacity after simulated digestion were examined with sensory quality. The mixture of apple puree, chia seeds, and oat bran or oat flakes was fermented. The sensory quality of the puree mixture was assessed by the quantitative descriptive profile (QDP) method. In vitro digestion was simulated using a static gastrointestinal model. Antioxidant capacity and total polyphenol content were analyzed before and after the digestion phases. All samples changed sensory profiles after fermentation. The overall quality was above six out of ten for every product. Fermentation also changed the organic acid composition, with significant increases in lactic, succinic, and acetic acids. After the digestion process, the survival rate remained above 5.8 log10 CFU/g. As a result of fermentation with potential probiotics, the bioaccessibility of the total phenolics and antioxidant activity increased. These results showed that the addition of potential probiotic strains increases nutritional value and could help with healthy nourishment habits. This knowledge can guide the development of consumer-satisfying products in the food industry, expanding the probiotic food market with innovative alternatives.

The Role of Autochthonous Levilactobacillus brevis B1 Starter Culture in Improving the Technological and Nutritional Quality of Cow's Milk Acid-Rennet Cheeses-Industrial Model Study

In the study, an attempt was made to develop an innovative technology for cheese manufacturing. It was hypothesized that selected autochthonous lactic acid bacteria as a starter culture are more suitable for the production of acid-rennet cheeses of good technological and sensory quality. The study aimed to assess the possibility of using the strain Levilactobacillus brevis B1 (L. brevis B1) as a starter culture to produce acid-rennet cheeses using raw cow's milk. Two variants of cheese were manufactured. The control variant (R) was coagulated with microbial rennet and buttermilk, and the other variant (B1) was inoculated with rennet and L. brevis B1 starter culture. The effect of the addition of these autochthonous lactic acid bacteria on selected physicochemical characteristics, durability, the composition of fatty acids, cholesterol, Iipid Quality Indices, and microbiological and sensory quality of acid-rennet cheeses was determined during a 3-month period of storage. The dominant fatty acids observed in the tested cheeses were saturated fatty acids (SFA) (68.43-69.70%) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (25.85-26.55%). Significantly higher polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content during storage was observed for B1 cheeses. The B1 cheeses were characterized by lower cholesterol content compared to cheese R and showed better indexes, including the Index of atherogenicity, Index of thrombogenicity, DFA, OFA, H/H, and HPI indexes, than the R cheese. No effect of the tested L. brevis B1 on sensory quality was observed in relation to the control cheeses during 3 months of storage. The results of the research indicate the possibility of using the L. brevis B1 strain for the production of high-quality, potentially probiotic acid-rennet cheeses.

Beneficial Bacteria Isolated from Food in Relation to the Next Generation of Probiotics

Recently, probiotics are increasingly being used for human health. So far, only lactic acid bacteria isolated from the human gastrointestinal tract were recommended for human use as probiotics. However, more authors suggest that probiotics can be also isolated from unconventional sources, such as fermented food products of animal and plant origin. Traditional fermented products are a rich source of microorganisms, some of which may have probiotic properties. A novel category of recently isolated microorganisms with great potential of health benefits are next-generation probiotics (NGPs). In this review, general information of some "beneficial microbes", including NGPs and acetic acid bacteria, were presented as well as essential mechanisms and microbe host interactions. Many reports showed that NGP selected strains and probiotics from unconventional sources exhibit positive properties when it comes to human health (i.e., they have a positive effect on metabolic, human gastrointestinal, neurological, cardiovascular, and immune system diseases). Here we also briefly present the current regulatory framework and requirements that should be followed to introduce new microorganisms for human use. The term "probiotic" as used herein is not limited to conventional probiotics. Innovation will undoubtedly result in the isolation of potential probiotics from new sources with fascinating new health advantages and hitherto unforeseen functionalities.

The Influence of the Apple Vinegar Marination Process on the Technological, Microbiological and Sensory Quality of Organic Smoked Pork Hams

The effect of marinating pork hams in apple vinegar on the technological, microbiological, and sensory quality was verified. Three variants of pork hams were produced: S1-ham with curing salt, without apple vinegar; S2-ham with curing salt and 5% apple vinegar; S3-ham with salt and 5% apple vinegar. The tests were carried out immediately after production, after 7 and 14 days of storage. The products did not differ significantly in their chemical composition, salt content, fatty acid composition, and water activity (p > 0.05). During storage, a significant increase in the cholesterol content was observed (64.88-72.38 mg/100 g of the product). The lowest levels of nitrites and nitrates were recorded for treatment S3 (<0.10 and 4.73 mg/kg of product, respectively). The samples with the addition of apple vinegar (S2 and S3) were characterized by a lower pH value, higher oxidation-reduction potential, and TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances). Hams S3 were significantly brighter (L* 68.89) and less red (a* 12.98). All of the tested pork hams were characterized by very good microbiological quality (total number of microorganisms, number of lactic acid bacteria, number of acetic bacteria, number or presence of pathogenic bacteria). Significantly the lowest TVC (total viable counts) was found in the ham S3 (2.29 log CFU/g after 14 days). The S3 hams during storage were characterized by greater juiciness (6.94 c.u.) and overall quality (7.88 c.u.), but a lower intensity of smell and taste than the cured ham (S1). To sum up, it is possible to produce pork hams without the addition of curing salt, using natural apple vinegar as a marinade. Apple vinegar has a positive effect on the storage stability of the products, without losing their sensory properties.

Reduction of Nitrite in Canned Pork through the Application of Black Currant (Ribes nigrum L.) Leaves Extract

Sodium nitrite is a multifunctional additive commonly used in the meat industry. However, this compound has carcinogenic potential, and its use should be limited. Therefore, in this study the possibility of reducing the amount of sodium(III) nitrite added to canned meat from 100 to 50 mg/kg, while enriching it with freeze-dried blackcurrant leaf extract, was analyzed. The possibility of fortification of canned meat with blackcurrant leaf extract was confirmed. It contained significant amounts of phenolic acids and flavonoid derivatives. These compounds contributed to their antioxidant activity and their ability to inhibit the growth of selected Gram-positive bacteria. In addition, it was observed that among the three different tested doses (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg) of the blackcurrant leaf extract, the addition of the highest dose allowed the preservation of the antioxidant properties of canned meat during 180 days of storage (4 °C). At the end of the storage period, this variant was characterized by antiradical activity against ABTS (at the level of 4.04 mgTrolox/mL) and the highest reducing capacity. The addition of 150 mg/kg of blackcurrant leaf extract caused a reduction in oxidative transformations of fat in meat products during the entire storage period, reaching a level of TBARS almost two times less than in the control sample. In addition, these products were generally characterized by stability (or slight fluctuations) of color parameters and good microbiological quality and did not contain N-nitrosamines.

The Influence of Selected Food Safety Practices of Consumers on Food Waste Due to Its Spoilage

Food waste in households is a consequence of the accumulation of improper practices employed by consumers when dealing with food. The survey estimated the impact of practices of Polish respondents, in the context of selected food safety and hygiene issues, on throwing away food due to spoilage. The survey was conducted in 2019, in a random quota-based, nationwide sample of 1115 respondents 18 years old and older. Synthetic indicators (SI) were created to assess the knowledge and practices of Polish adult respondents concerning selected areas of food management and the frequency of throwing food away. Most food products were not thrown away at all or were thrown away occasionally. Regression analysis revealed that the frequency of throwing food away was to the greatest extent related to food spoilage (β = 0.223). Among the five areas of Polish respondents’ practices covered by the analysis, the most conducive to wasting food due to spoilage were improper proceedings with food after bringing it home (β = 0.135; p = 0.000), a failure to ensure proper food storage conditions (β = 0.066; p = 0.030), or inappropriate proceedings with uneaten meals, excluding the food plate (β = 0.066; p = 0.029). To reduce food waste in Polish households, drawing the attention of consumers to the conditions of food storage at home seems appropriate. It is also vital to convince them to use freezing of uneaten food as an effective method of extending the life of food products.

The Use of Unique, Environmental Lactic Acid Bacteria Strains in the Traditional Production of Organic Cheeses from Unpasteurized Cow's Milk

The aim of this study was to use local LAB cultures for the production of organic acid-rennet cheeses from unpasteurized cow’s milk. Under industrial conditions, three types of cheese were produced, i.e., traditionally with acid whey (AW), with starter culture L. brevis B1, or with starter culture L. plantarum Os2. Strains were previously isolated from traditional Polish cheeses. Chemical composition, physico-chemical, microbiological, and sensory studies during 2 months of storage were carried out. As a result of this research, it was found that the basic composition was typical for semi-hard, partially skimmed cheeses. Mainly saturated fatty acids were detected. The cheeses were rich in omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and were characterized by good lipid quality indices (LQI). All of the cheeses were characterized by a high number of lactic acid bacteria, with Enterobacteriaceae, yeast, molds, and staphylococci contaminants, which is typical microbiota for unpasteurized milk products. Water activity, pH, and total acidity were typical. A lower oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of cheeses with the addition of strains and stability of the products during storage were observed. The B1 and Os2 cheeses were lighter, less yellow, had a more intense milk and creamy aroma, were softer, moister, and more elastic than AW cheese. The research results indicate the possibility of using environmental LAB strains in the production of high-quality acid-rennet cheeses, but special attention should be paid to the production process due to the microbiological quality of the cheeses.

Assessment of the Microbiological Quality of Ready-to-Eat Salads-Are There Any Reasons for Concern about Public Health?

Ready-to-eat food products can be readily consumed without further preparation and are convenient for busy on-the-go consumers. The objective of the study was to assess the microbiological quality of ready-to-eat salads. Thirty RTE salads were tested for the presence of bacteria, yeasts, and molds using the TEMPO and agar plate method. The study demonstrated that most of the tested products were characterized by varying microbiological quality. The total number of mesophilic microbiotas was about 6 log CFU g^-1. The high number of microorganisms was due to yeast and molds or Enterobacteriaceae. Half of the salads were contaminated with E. coli and three salads were contaminated with S. aureus. LAB were also found, which can be explained mainly by a dairy ingredient. In some salads, Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes were detected (26.7% and 33.3% of the samples, respectively). Based on the conducted tests, it was found that the microbiological quality was not satisfactory. The results presented in this study indicate that there is a significant problem of the presence of pathogens. Manufacturers should strive to reduce the possibility of microbial contamination through the use of widely understood hygiene of the production process, using hurdle technology, including the modified atmosphere and refrigerated storage.

Growth and adhesion inhibition of pathogenic bacteria by live and heat-killed food-origin Lactobacillus strains or their supernatants

The study aimed to evaluate qualitatively and quantitatively the antimicrobial capacity of 10 potential probiotic Lactobacillus strains against model enteropathogens and spoilage microorganisms. The probiotic strains (live and heat-killed forms) were also assessed for their ability to inhibit adhesion of selected pathogens to Caco-2 cells. The largest inhibition zones (the diffusion method) were connected with the usage of whole bacteria cultures (WBC), also high and moderate with cell-free supernatant (CFS) and the lowest with cell-free neutralized supernatant (CNS). The highest antagonistic activity of Lactobacillus strains was observed against L. monocytogenes strains, moderate activity against Salmonella, Shigella, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas and, the lowest against S.aureus, Bacillus and Enterococcus. The inhibition of adhesion to Caco-2 cells was very high in the case of E. coli, Salmonella and L. monocytogenes, and moderate in the case of S.aureus. On average, the inhibition effect was higher when pathogenic bacteria were treated by WBC, than heat-killed Lactobacillus. Although, in most samples, the effect was not significantly different (P> 0.05). The strains Lb. brevis O24 and Lb. rhamnosus K3 showed the biggest overall antimicrobial properties, and were most effective in adherence inhibition of investigated indicator strains. These bacteria or their metabolites can be used for the production of various foods or pharmaceutical products.

The effect of selected lactic acid bacterial strains on the technological and microbiological quality of mechanically separated poultry meat cured with a reduced amount of sodium nitrite

The aim of the research was to estimate the effect of selected lactic acid bacterial strains on the technological quality and microbiological stability of mechanically separated poultry meat (MSPM) cured with a reduced amount of sodium nitrite. The 5 different treatments of MSPM batters were prepared: C150 - control cured with sodium nitrite at 150 mg/kg, C50 - control cured with sodium nitrite at 50 mg/kg, PL1 - cured with sodium nitrite at 50 mg/kg and inoculated Lactobacillus plantarum SCH1 at about 107 cfu/g, PL2 - cured with sodium nitrite at 50 mg/kg and inoculated Lactobacillus brevis KL5 at about 107 cfu/g, and PL3 - cured sodium nitrite at 50 mg/kg and inoculated L. plantarum S21 at about 107 cfu/g. The MSPM batters were tested at 1, 4 and 7 d of being in refrigerated storage. The scope of the research was as follows - physicochemical determinations: pH and redox, nitrates and nitrites as well as nitrosyl pigments levels, color estimation with a Comission Internationale de l'Eclairage Lab system and microbiological determinations: the total viable counts, the mesophilic lactic acid bacteria counts, Escherichia coli and Enterobacteriaceae counts. The inhibitory effect of L. plantarum SCH1 isolated from the ecological raw fermented meat product on E. coli in cured MSPM batters during refrigerated storage was proved (P < 0.05). The use of lactic acid bacterial strains in cured batters that were prepared and based on mechanically separated poultry meat did not have a negative effect on their technological quality. The positive effect of L. brevis KL5 on the level of nitrosyl pigments in the cured MSPM batters was observed (P < 0.05). The conducted research suggested the possibility of using the selected bacterial strains of the Lactobacillus genus to improve the microbiological quality of MSPM cured with a reduced amount of sodium nitrite.

Lactobacillus plantarum Strains Isolated from Polish Regional Cheeses Exhibit Anti-Staphylococcal Activity and Selected Probiotic Properties

Twenty-nine Lactobacillus plantarum strains isolated from different types of Polish regional cheeses (Oscypek and Korycinski) were assessed for selected probiotic properties and anti-staphylococcal activity. Most of the tested L. plantarum strains were considered safe. Whole bacterial cultures (WBC) and cell-free supernatants (CFSs) of L. plantarum strains inhibited growth of Staphylococcus aureus (average inhibition growth zones were 2.8 mm ± 1.2 and 2.8 mm ± 1.1 respectively). Moreover, almost all neutralized, catalase-treated cell-free supernatants (CFN) of L. plantarum cultures also exhibited slight anti-staphylococcal activity in vitro. The most promising strains Os4 and Kor14 were selected for further study. Both strains were able to survive during digestive gastro-intestinal passage model. Live cells of L. plantarum Os4 and Kor14 caused the strongest inhibition of S. aureus adhesion to Caco-2 cells comparing with CFN and heat-killed bacterial cells. S. aureus and L. plantarum (Os4 or Kor14) co-cultured in skim milk resulted in growth inhibition of S. aureus in both 8 °C and 37 °C incubation temperatures. Observed abilities, demonstrated for L. plantarum Os4 and Kor14, confirms that these strains could be used in the food industry as protective cultures.

Probiotics: Versatile Bioactive Components in Promoting Human Health

The positive impact of probiotic strains on human health has become more evident than ever before. Often delivered through food, dietary products, supplements, and drugs, different legislations for safety and efficacy issues have been prepared. Furthermore, regulatory agencies have addressed various approaches toward these products, whether they authorize claims mentioning a disease's diagnosis, prevention, or treatment. Due to the diversity of bacteria and yeast strains, strict approaches have been designed to assess for side effects and post-market surveillance. One of the most essential delivery systems of probiotics is within food, due to the great beneficial health effects of this system compared to pharmaceutical products and also due to the increasing importance of food and nutrition. Modern lifestyle or various diseases lead to an imbalance of the intestinal flora. Nonetheless, as the amount of probiotic use needs accurate calculations, different factors should also be taken into consideration. One of the novelties of this review is the presentation of the beneficial effects of the administration of probiotics as a potential adjuvant therapy in COVID-19. Thus, this paper provides an integrative overview of different aspects of probiotics, from human health care applications to safety, quality, and control.

Human microbiome and homeostasis: insights into the key role of prebiotics, probiotics, and symbiotics

The interest in the study of the gut microbiome has grown exponentially. Indeed, its impact on health and disease has been increasingly reported, and the importance of keeping gut microbiome homeostasis clearly highlighted. However, and despite many advances, there are still some gaps, as well as the real discernment on the contribution of some species falls far short of what is needed. Anyway, it is already more than a solid fact of its importance in maintaining health and preventing disease, as well as in the treatment of some pathologies. In this sense, and given the existence of some ambiguous opinions, the present review aims to discuss the importance of gut microbiome in homeostasis maintenance, and even the role of probiotics, prebiotics, and symbiotics in both health promotion and disease prevention.

Segmentation of Polish Households Taking into Account Food Waste

Currently, food waste is estimated at more than one-third of all food produced, and the primary responsibility for this phenomenon is attributed to households. Therefore, it seems reasonable to take action to limit food waste and to raise awareness about this link in the chain. To develop and implement educational programs addressed at consumers it is necessary to understand the factors determining food waste in households. Segmentation is a tool that can help effectively reach consumers who are to the greatest extent wasting food which identifies homogeneous clusters of consumers. The aim of this study was to perform segmentation to identify consumer groups with similar behaviors in relation to food, with particular emphasis on food wastage. We carried out segmentation on a representative sample of Polish people over 18 years of age and to identified three clusters of consumers. The three consumer segments diagnosed differed in sociodemographic terms, i.e., number of adults, number of children, subjective assessment of the financial situation, and percentage of spending on food. The segment exhibiting a high frequency of discarding food due to too large package size included single and double households.

Do Polish Consumers Take Proper Care of Hygiene while Shopping and Preparing Meals at Home in the Context of Wasting Food?

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the knowledge and practices of Polish consumers in terms of broadly defined hygiene on food preparation at home. The consequence of improper food handling may be a faster rate of food spoilage. A specially designed questionnaire was used. The study was conducted on a nationwide, random, and representative group of 1115 adult respondents. Segmentation (cluster analysis) of respondents differing in their practice and knowledge of meal preparation and personal hygiene was carried out. Several areas were diagnosed in which the respondents' knowledge and practice were insufficient, such as storage of food products, inappropriate conduct of the thawing process, and heating of dishes. It was found that the best practice and knowledge of the issues discussed were characteristic of unemployed women over 35 years of age (cluster D). They offen gave answers that were significantly different (p < 0.05) from those given by the other clusters. The most limited knowledge and the worst practices were characteristic of mainly men with elementary and secondary education who are a part of the labor force (cluster E and A). The segmentation provided valuable information which indicates that educational programs on food safety need to be further strengthened.

Consumer Understanding of the Date of Minimum Durability of Food in Association with Quality Evaluation of Food Products After Expiration

Food labelled with a "best before" date has a long shelf life. This study aimed to examine the respondents' knowledge and understanding regarding the labelling on food products, as well as to assess the microbiological, physico-chemical and the sensory quality of selected durable food products on and after the date specified by the manufacturer. Two methods were used-a survey and laboratory tests. It was found that the majority of respondents have difficulty distinguishing and understanding the terms on the label and that a significant proportion of the respondents consume food products after the "best before" date. Laboratory tests of milk, pasta, mayonnaise and jam confirmed the microbiological safety of the products even six months after the "best before" date. Other features (texture, colour and sensory quality) slightly changed after one month for milk and mayonnaise (the colour had become more yellow) and after three months for pasta (its hardness had decreased) and jam (it had become browner). The possibilityof extending the "best before" dates of selected durable foods could be considered, which could allow such products to legally be handed over to public benefit organisations, thereby reducing food wastage.

Effect of Pullulan on Physicochemical, Microbiological, and Sensory Quality of Yogurts

BACKGROUND

Pullulan can partially or completely replace starch or fat, thanks to which it can be used for the production of dietetic food. It allows you to maintain the desired consistency, and increases the viscosity of the product.

OBJECTIVE

Therefore, an attempt was made to produce yogurts with pullulan addition and determine the effect of its presence on the number of LAB, pH change, titratable acidity, and sensory quality of yogurts during storage at 4°C for 28 days.

METHODS

The effect of addition of 0; 1.0 and 2.0 % w/v pullulan as a yogurt ingredient on the changes in pH, acidity, LAB number, and sensory quality of yogurt during storage at 4°C for 28 days was examined.

RESULTS

Pullulan did not affect yogurt pH, but the addition of 2.0 % w/v pullulan increased the acidity of yogurt as compared to that of the control yogurt. A statistically significantly higher total number of Lactobacillus, by approximately 1 logarithmic cycle, was found in yogurts with pullulan than in the control yogurt on the 28th day of storage. The yogurt with 1.0% w/v pullulan addition showed better sensory characteristics than that with 2.0% pullulan w/v addition.

CONCLUSION

The conducted research proved that the presence of pullulan in the culture medium stimulates the growth of selected lactic acid bacteria and influences their fermentation capacity. The use of 1.0 % w/v pullulan during the production of yogurts allowed to obtain a sensorically acceptable product, it had a protective effect on the number of lactic acid bacteria during 28 days of refrigerated storage of yogurt.

Risk Management of Dairy Product Losses as a Tool to Improve the Environment and Food Rescue

“Food loss”, defined as food produced for human consumption, which for various reasons leaves the supply chain, can be assigned to a group of new risks. Irrational use of food constitutes a risk to the environment. Moreover, food losses represent a missed opportunity to improve global food security. The aim of this study was to develop a risk management model for dairy product losses using the example of ripening cheese. The necessary data to develop the model were derived from a survey that was conducted in five dairies located in Poland. Total losses for nine products amounted to 1.1% of the average annual production, which accounted for more than 5635 t per annum. The studies that were conducted allowed the identification of three management methods of food loss in dairies: reprocessing, hand over for feed, and disposal. The level of risk was defined as “high” with two suggested courses of action: prevention and tolerance. Risks must be prevented by eliminating any errors that may result in a product of inadequate quality. Another solution is to redistribute or sell products at a reduced price, which despite their reduced quality, are nevertheless suitable for consumption. To some extent, this risk must be tolerated.

Potential of bacteriocins from lab to improve microbial quality of dry-cured and fermented meat products

Meat and meat products are an important component of the daily diet. Nevertheless, they are perishable goods and are prone to microbial contamination, which leads to an increased risk to the health of consumers as well as economic losses in the meat industry. Fermentation has been used for thousands of years to preserve meat. As a result of extensive biochemical reactions occurring in meat during fermentation and ripening, the condi- tions inhibiting the growth of pathogenic and spoilage bacteria are formed. These changes are catalyzed by endogenous meat enzymes and exogenous enzymes derived from natural contaminating bacteria or starter cultures applied. In dry-cured and fermented meat products they are represented mainly by lactic acid bacte- ria (LAB) that produce a wide range of compounds, such as bacteriocins, directed against other microorgan- isms. The use of bactericidal peptides does not affect the sensory quality of foodstuffs, so that they attract attention as alternative means of preserving the stability and safety of dry-cured products.

Amino acid profile and sensory characteristics of dry fermented pork loins produced with a mixture of probiotic starter cultures

BACKGROUND

Proteolysis is a biochemical process in dry-aged meat products where proteins are metabolized and broken down to polypeptides, peptides, and free amino acids. In the literature it is reported that an appropriate choice of probiotic starter culture limits proteolytic changes in dry-fermented meat products. In this study the combined effect of a mixture of probiotic starter cultures on the free amino acid profile, total count of lactic acid bacteria, and the sensory quality of dry-aged pork loins after fermentation and after storing the vacuum-packed samples was evaluated.

RESULTS

LOCK900 and BB12 probiotic strains were the technologically best two-species mixture of starter cultures for the production of probiotic dry-aged pork loins. They allowed us to obtain products with high and stable bacterial count and acceptable sensory quality, both after 21 days of fermentation and after 2 months of cold storage. Changes in the free amino acid profile and increased intensity of the selected sensory attributes result from a significant share of probiotics in meat proteolysis occurring during fermentation and storage.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest the relevance of using probiotic bacteria as a two-species starter culture for the production of dry-aged products. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Risk of food losses and potential of food recovery for social purposes

All entities of the food supply chain should be responsible for counteracting food waste, therefore a need arises for joint initiatives in this area. To reduce food waste, businesses should be supported with a number of procedures for the efficient use of food for social purposes that shall be consistent with the law in force. Although they can bring about some losses, the following factors neither pose a threat to human health nor affect the donation of food for social purposes: wrong labelling of packages, food product wrong weight, close-to-end expiration date as well as mechanical damage to bulk packages. The purpose of this study is to identify such points at each of the four stages of the food supply chain (primary production, processing, distribution, sale) where food losses can be prevented by donating food to those who need it. A total of 15 Recovery Points were identified at the above mentioned four stages of the food supply chain. Food recovered there is safe to human health, so it can be donated for social purposes.

Predictive modelling of Lactobacillus casei KN291 survival in fermented soy beverage

The aim of the study was to construct and verify predictive growth and survival models of a potentially probiotic bacteria in fermented soy beverage. The research material included natural soy beverage (Polgrunt, Poland) and the strain of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) - Lactobacillus casei KN291. To construct predictive models for the growth and survival of L. casei KN291 bacteria in the fermented soy beverage we design an experiment which allowed the collection of CFU data. Fermented soy beverage samples were stored at various temperature conditions (5, 10, 15, and 20°C) for 28 days. On the basis of obtained data concerning the survival of L. casei KN291 bacteria in soy beverage at different temperature and time conditions, two non-linear models (r(2)= 0.68-0.93) and two surface models (r(2)=0.76-0.79) were constructed; these models described the behaviour of the bacteria in the product to a satisfactory extent. Verification of the surface models was carried out utilizing the validation data - at 7°C during 28 days. It was found that applied models were well fitted and charged with small systematic errors, which is evidenced by accuracy factor - Af, bias factor - Bf and mean squared error - MSE. The constructed microbiological growth and survival models of L. casei KN291 in fermented soy beverage enable the estimation of products shelf life period, which in this case is defined by the requirement for the level of the bacteria to be above 10(6) CFU/cm(3). The constructed models may be useful as a tool for the manufacture of probiotic foods to estimate of their shelf life period.