Development and validation of a stochastic model for potential growth of Listeria monocytogenes in naturally contaminated lightly preserved seafood

A new stochastic model for the simultaneous growth of Listeria monocytogenes and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) was developed and validated on data from naturally contaminated samples of cold-smoked Greenland halibut (CSGH) and cold-smoked salmon (CSS). During industrial processing these samples were added acetic and/or lactic acids. The stochastic model was developed from an existing deterministic model including the effect of 12 environmental parameters and microbial interaction (O. Mejlholm and P. Dalgaard, Food Microbiology, submitted for publication). Observed maximum population density (MPD) values of L. monocytogenes in naturally contaminated samples of CSGH and CSS were accurately predicted by the stochastic model based on measured variability in product characteristics and storage conditions. Results comparable to those from the stochastic model were obtained, when product characteristics of the least and most preserved sample of CSGH and CSS were used as input for the existing deterministic model. For both modelling approaches, it was shown that lag time and the effect of microbial interaction needs to be included to accurately predict MPD values of L. monocytogenes. Addition of organic acids to CSGH and CSS was confirmed as a suitable mitigation strategy against the risk of growth by L. monocytogenes as both types of products were in compliance with the EU regulation on ready-to-eat foods.

Background 210Po activity concentrations in Greenland marine biota and dose assessment

Polonium-210 (²¹⁰Po) is a radionuclide sentinel as it bioaccumulates in marine organisms, thereby being the main contributor to committed dietary doses in seafood consumers. Although seafood and marine mammals are an important part of the traditional Inuit diet, there is a general lack of information on the ²¹⁰Po concentrations in the Greenlandic marine food chain leading to the human consumer. Here, we determine background ²¹⁰Po concentrations in edible parts of different marine organisms from Greenland and provide a dose assessment. Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), organs of ringed seal (Pusa hispida) and polar bear (Ursus maritimus) displayed significantly elevated ²¹⁰Po concentrations in respect to all other studied organisms (p < 0.001). ²¹⁰Po concentrations ranged from 0.02 Bq kg^-1, w.w. in Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) muscle to 78 Bq kg^-1, w.w. and 202 Bq kg^-1, w.w. in ringed seal muscle and kidneys, respectively. ²¹⁰Po concentration ratio for edible parts increases in the order bladderwrack (Fucus Vesiculosus), northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis), blue mussels, and from fish species to ringed seal and polar bear. ²¹⁰Po distribution in fish, ringed seal, and polar bear follows a general pattern, the lowest concentrations were in muscle, and the highest concentrations were in the organs involved in metabolism. The derived ²¹⁰Po annual absorbed dose in edible parts of studied marine organisms are several orders of magnitude lower than the recommended dose rate screening value of 10 μGy h^-1. Effective doses from intake of ²¹⁰Po to Greenland average children (1.4 mSv y^-1), and high seafood and marine mammal consumers (2 mSv y^-1 for adults and 3.6 mSv y^-1 for children) are higher than the world average annual effective dose due to ingestion of naturally occurring radionuclides.

Proteomic and microscopic approaches in understanding mechanisms of shell-loosening of shrimp (Pandalus borealis) induced by high pressure and protease

Shell-loosening is of importance in facilitating shrimp peeling. In this study, enzyme and high pressure (HP) improved the shell-loosening at different degrees, which were observed as gaps by microscopy. The shell-loosening gap induced by an endoprotease with broad specificity (Endocut-03L, 53 μm) was much higher than that induced by HP at 100 MPa (HP100, 12 μm), followed by an endoprotease with high specificity (Tail21, 8 μm), and HP at 600 MPa (HP600, 5 μm). The degree of shell-loosening was found to be correlated to the extent of protein changes that were obtained by 2D gel electrophoresis. Shell-loosening due to HP100 and Endocut-03L was mainly caused by physical and enzymatic degradation of high molecular-weight proteins in shell and epidermis and subsequent loss of degradation products, disrupting the structure of muscle-shell connection. However, HP100 was less effective than Endocut-03L due to its stabilizing effect on the shell collagen, lowering its shell-loosening effect.

Oxidative Stability of Side-Streams from Cod Filleting-Effect of Antioxidant Dipping and Low-Temperature Storage

Currently, side-streams (e.g., head, backbone, tail, and intestines) generated in the fish processing industry often end up as low-value products for feed applications or even as waste. In order to upcycle such side-streams, they need to be preserved to avoid oxidative degradation of the lipids between the generation point and the valorization plant. In the cod filleting industry, three main solid side-streams: viscera, heads, and backbones, are obtained. Hence, this study aimed to identify the most efficient antioxidant for preserving the cod side-streams using a dipping-based strategy prior to pre-valorization storage at low temperatures (ice and frozen storage). The dipping solutions evaluated contained: (i) a lipophilic rosemary extract (0.05% and 0.2% in 0.9% NaCl), (ii) Duralox MANC (a mixture of rosemary extract, ascorbic acid, tocopherols, and citric acid; 2% in 0.9% NaCl), and (iii) NaCl (0.9%) w/w solution. One group was not dipped. No dipping and dipping in NaCl were included as controls. The results showed a positive effect of dipping with solutions containing antioxidants as measured by peroxide value (PV), TBA-reactive substances (TBARS), and sensory profiling, e.g., rancid odor. Moreover, the oxidative stability increased with decreased storage temperature. The cod side-streams were in general most efficiently preserved by Duralox MANC, followed by the lipophilic rosemary extract (0.2%), compared to no dipping and dipping in NaCl solution and the lower concentration of the lipophilic rosemary extract (0.05%). The efficiency of the antioxidant treatments was independent of the side-stream fraction and storage temperature. Thus, using antioxidant dipping combined with low temperature storage is an efficient preservation method for maintaining the quality of the lipids in cod solid side-streams during their pre-valorization storage.

Content and Bioaccessibility of Minerals and Proteins in Fish-Bone Containing Side-Streams from Seafood Industries

With the aim to upcycle fish side-streams, enzymatic hydrolysis is often applied to produce protein hydrolysates with bioactive properties or just as a protein source for food and feed. However, the production of hydrolysates generates a side-stream. For underutilized fish and fish backbone this side-stream will contain fish bones and make it rich in minerals. The aim of this study was to assess the relative bioaccessibility (using the standardized in vitro model INFOGEST 2.0) of minerals in a dietary supplement compared to bone powder generated after enzymatic hydrolysis of three different fish side-streams: undersized whole hake, cod and salmon backbones consisting of insoluble protein and bones. Differences in the bioaccessibility of protein between the powders were also investigated. The enzyme hydrolysis was carried out using different enzymes and hydrolysis conditions for the different fish side-streams. The content and bioaccessibility of protein and the minerals phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) were measured to evaluate the potential of the powder as an ingredient in, e.g., dietary supplements. The bone powders contained bioaccessible proteins and minerals. Thus, new side-streams generated from enzymatic hydrolysis can have possible applications in the food sector due to bioaccessible proteins and minerals.