Variation of volatile compounds and sensory profile for Protaetia brevitarsis larvae fermented with lactic acid bacteria and yeast.

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the composition of volatile compounds, consumer acceptance, and drivers of (dis)liking of Protaetia brevitarsis larvae fermented using lactic acid bacteria and yeast. Volatile compounds were analyzed using HS-SPME-Arrow-GC-MS, and a sensory evaluation was conducted with 72 consumers. A total of 113 volatile compounds were detected, and principal component analysis indicated that the samples could be divided into three groups. The calculated relative odor activity values (ROAV) revealed the presence of 27 compounds (ROAV >1). Volatile compounds with high ROAV were predominantly found during yeast fermentation. The sensory evaluation results indicated a strong correlation between low levels of off-odor intensity and high odor liking, emphasizing that odor profile had a more direct association with consumer acceptance than odor intensity. These findings suggest that yeast fermentation using volatile compounds, which positively influences consumer acceptance, is appropriate for Protaetia brevitarsis larvae.

Effects of myofibril-palatinose conjugate as a phosphate substitute on meat emulsion quality.

The objective of this study was to investigate a replacement for phosphate in meat products. Protein structural modification was employed in this study, and grafted myofibrillar protein (MP) with palatinose was added to meat emulsion without phosphate. Here, 0.15% of sodium polyphosphate (SPP) was replaced by the same (0.15%) concentration and double (0.3%) the concentration of grafted MP. Although the thermal stability was decreased, the addition of transglutaminase could increase stability. The rheological properties and pH also increased with the addition of grafted MP and transglutaminase. The addition of grafted protein could be perceived by the naked eye by observing a color difference before cooking, but it was not easy to detect after cooking. The cooking loss, emulsion stability, water holding capacity, lipid oxidation, and textural properties improved with the addition of grafted MP. However, the excessive addition of grafted MP and transglutaminase was not recommended to produce a high quality of phosphate replaced meat emulsion, and 0.15% was identified as a suitable addition ratio of grafted MP.

Heat-induced gelation of egg white proteins depending on heating temperature: Insights into protein structure and digestive behaviors in the elderly in vitro digestion model.

This study investigated the effects of heating temperature of egg white gels (EWGs) on the digestive characteristics by heating egg white (EW) to reach 75 °C (EWG-75) and 95 °C (EWG-95). The gel protein structure showed a decrease in the maximum tryptophan fluorescence intensity and a significant increase in the surface hydrophobicity of EWGs compared to EW (P < 0.05). The total and reactive free sulfhydryl groups were higher in the EWGs than in the EW (P < 0.05). While the proportions of α-helical and ß-sheet structures remained similar in EW and EWG-75 (P > 0.05), EWG-95 exhibited a notable decrease in α-helix content (P < 0.05) and an increase in ß-sheet content (P < 0.05). Furthermore, EWG-95 displayed higher hardness and cohesiveness than EWG-75 (P < 0.05). In the adult and elderly in vitro digestion models, EWG-95 exhibited the highest protein digestibility (50.44 % and 54.65 % in the models of elderly and adult subjects, respectively) after GI digestion (P < 0.05), followed by EWG-75 and EW. The electrophoretogram of the digesta revealed more intense protein bands in the elderly digestion model, particularly in the gastric digesta of EW, indicating slower digestion compared to the adult model. Therefore, EW should be appropriately heated before consumption, especially for elderly individuals, to facilitate efficient protein digestion and absorption.

Effects of Natural Extract Mixtures on the Quality Characteristics of Sausages during Refrigerated Storage.

Owing to the residual toxicity and adverse health effects of chemical preservatives, there is an increasing demand for using natural preservatives in food. Although many natural extracts have been evaluated, research on their antibacterial effects remains insufficient. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the possibility of developing Psidium guajava, Ecklonia cava, and Paeonia japonica (Makino) Miyabe & Takeda extracts as natural food preservatives. Further, the effect of mixing these extracts on microbial growth and quality was evaluated during the refrigeration of sausages. Optimal mixing ratios were determined based on the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations of each mixed extract against the Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli. D-optimal mixing design optimization tool was further used to obtain an optimum mixing ratio of Formulation 1 (F1). The antibacterial activity of F1 increased with increasing concentration, with similar activities at 0.5% and 1%. The sausages with synthetic or natural preservatives showed significantly lower lipid oxidation than those of the control and grapefruit extract-treated sausages after 4 wk of refrigeration. Total plate counts were observed only in the control and treatment groups stored for 3 wk, and no significant effect of ascorbic acid was observed. Compared to the other samples, sausages with added natural extracts showed the highest overall acceptability scores initially and after 4 wk. Therefore, similar amounts of grapefruit seed and natural extracts had the same effect on microbiological analysis and lipid rancidity during sausage storage. Hence, this mixture can serve as a potential natural preservative in meat products.

Physicochemical properties of Pickering emulsion fabricated with polysaccharides/pea protein isolate complex and its application in plant-based patty.

Incorporation of structured liquid oil within plant-based patties can be achieved through the utilization of food-grade Pickering emulsion (PE). Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the quality characteristics of PE and its application in plant-based patty. The PEs were formulated using sunflower oil (SO), polysaccharides and protein, and the specific ratios employed were as following: methylcellulose (MC) 2 % only (MP0); MC 1.5 % + pea protein isolate (PPI) 0.5 % (MP1); MC 1 % + PPI 1 % (MP2); xanthan gum (XG) 2 % only (XP0); XG 1.5 % + PPI 0.5 % (XP1); XG 1 % + PPI 1 % (XP2). MP0 and MP1 were unstable as PEs, whereas MP2 and XP groups (XP0, XP1, and XP2) exhibited stability as a PE. In addition, MP2 and all XP groups showed increased oil binding capacity, hydrophobic interaction, thermal stability, crystallization, rheological properties, and oxidative stability, compared to MP0 and MP1. In PE-applied plant-based patties, MP2 and all XP groups had significantly lower cooking loss and higher emulsion stability than SO. Particularly, MP2-employed plant-based patties exhibited significantly improved textural and sensory properties. Therefore, our data suggest that PEs with methylcellulose and pea protein isolate could be an effective replacement of plant oil in plant-based meat analogs.

Effects of konjac glucomannan as a freeze-denaturation inhibitor or binder on the physiochemical properties of heat-induced gel of freeze-dried duck blood.

During freeze-drying, the degradation or eutectic melting of duck blood proteins can reduce the quality of duck blood gels. However, the interaction between proteins and polysaccharides during drying can improve protein-based gel quality. Therefore, here, we investigated the physicochemical properties of heat-induced gels of freeze-dried duck blood (FDB) and FDB with different proportions of the polysaccharide konjac glucomannan (KG), which serves as a freeze-denaturation inhibitor agent (FDA) or binder (BG). The pH and water-holding capacity (WHC) of FDB + KG gels were higher than those of FDB gel without KG (control). Especially, the WHC increased from 11.00% for control to 55.65% for FDB gel with 1% KG as a BG. Consequently, cooking loss and texture parameters of FDB + KG gels decreased. The hardness of control was 2.14 kg, which significantly reduced to 0.12-0.87 kg with KG addition. The highest carbonyl content was observed in control gel, and the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance content was reduced by the addition of 1% KG as an FDA (T1) or 0.8% KG as an FDA with 0.2% KG as a BG (T2) (p < 0.05). These changes might be induced by the alteration of tertiary structure and thermodynamic stability of gels. In conclusion, 1% KG can be used as an FDA to improve the quality and physicochemical properties of heat-induced gels of FDB. Optimized FDB gels with KG can be used as an innovative food ingredient to fortify nutrition and develop special dietary purposes.

Comparative Evaluation of Polysaccharide Binders on the Quality Characteristics of Plant-Based Patties.

Polysaccharides have been used in the production of plant-based meat analogs to replicate the texture of real meat. However, there has been no study that comprehensively compares the effects of different polysaccharides, and a limited number of polysaccharides have been evaluated. Thus, we aimed to identify the most suitable polysaccharide and concentration for plant-based patties. Plant-based patties were manufactured by blending different concentrations (0%, 1%, and 2%) of six polysaccharides with other ingredients, and the quality characteristics and sensory properties were evaluated. The L* values of plant-based patties reduced during the cooking process resembled the color change of beef patty (BP). In particular, a 2% κ-carrageenan-added patty (Car-2) exhibited the lowest L* value among the plant-based patties, measured at 44.05 (p < 0.05). Texture parameters exhibited high values by adding 2% κ-carrageenan and locust bean gum, which was close to BP. In the sensory evaluation, Car-2 showed higher scores for sensory preferences than other plant-based patties. Based on our data, incorporating 2% κ-carrageenan could offer a feasible way of crafting plant-based meat analogs due to its potential to enhance texture and flavor. Further studies are required to evaluate the suitability of polysaccharides in various types of plant-based meat analogs.

Inhibitory effect of natural extract mixtures on microbial growth and lipid oxidation of sausages during storage.

Large amounts of additives are used during meat product processing to maintain product quality and shelf life. With the growing interest in healthy foods, natural plant-based additives are being used as alternatives to synthetic additives. In this study, six types of natural extracts with excellent antibacterial activity were selected, and their antibacterial and antioxidant activities against four types of pathogens were evaluated in various combinations. In addition, the pH, color, amount of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and growth of pathogenic microorganisms were analyzed during the storage of sausages treated with various combinations of these extracts. The natural extract mixtures exhibited different antibacterial activities, depending on the combination. Compared to grapefruit seed extract, a mixture of natural extracts extracted with ethanol (M4) reduced the Escherichia coli content by more than 99.9% after 8 days of storage and slowed the growth of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. by more than 80% after 14 days. Compared to untreated (NC) and grapefruit extract (PC)-treated sausages, sausages treated with the natural extract mixtures showed a significant decrease in CIE L* and an increase in CIE a* and CIE b* (p < 0.05). The pH value was significantly lower in sausages containing natural extract mixtures than in the NC and PC sausages (p < 0.05). The natural plant extract mixtures significantly prevented lipid oxidation (p < 0.05). In summary, different types of natural extract mixtures have a synergistic effect when used together, suggesting that natural preservatives can generally inhibit the growth of microorganisms and oxidation of processed meat.

The Effect of Gelatin Coating and Sonication on the Quality Properties of Wet-Aging Pork Loins.

In this study, we evaluate the effect of gelatin coating and sonication of wet-aged pork loin on quality. The moisture content of wet-aged pork loin with sonication and gelatin coating was the highest in the G5S sample (5% gelatin coating and sonication), while the moisture content of wet-aged pork loin with sonication was higher than that without sonication. The pH of wet-aged pork loin with sonication was lower than that without sonication. The aging loss of 5% gelatin coating with sonication was significantly lower than that of G0 (control), while the cooking loss was the lowest in G0 wet-aged pork loin. The water holding capacity of the wet-aged pork loin was the highest in G1. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances value of wet-aged pork loin was significantly decreased with coating and not affected by sonication. The gelatin coating and sonication treatment significantly increased the myofibrillar fragmentation index of the samples. Shear force of wet-aged pork loin significantly decreased as the samples were gelatin-coated and sonicated. The myofibrillar and total protein solubilities were not significantly different between samples. In conclusion, the 1% gelatin coating with sonication can enhance the quality of wet-aged pork loin.

Effects of grafted myofibrillar protein as a phosphate replacer in brined pork loin.

For the development of healthier meat products, the grafted myofibrillar protein was evaluated as an ingredient that can substitute phosphate in brined loin. Individual brine solutions, consisting of salt (negative control, NP), salt + sodium tripolyphosphate (positive control, PC), salt + myofibrillar protein without grafting (MP), salt + myofibrillar protein grafted at high concentration (GMP-H), and salt + myofibrillar protein grafted at low concentration (GMP-L), were added to the pork loin by 40% of their weight. Differential scanning calorimetry demonstrated that MP and GMP-H lowered the thermal energy for the transition of myosin and actin, thereby improving the thermal stability of pork loin and increasing protein solubility. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis showed that thicker protein bands appeared in MP and GMP-H samples while exhibiting increased pH values, moisture content, water holding capacity, and processing yield. Accordingly, the shear force of MP and GMP-H decreased. Lipid oxidation of pork loin was increased in MP, whereas it decreased in GMP-H. Thus, GMP-L is a potential substitute for phosphate since it improves physicochemical properties and prevents the lipid oxidation of pork loin.

Apoptosis-Inducing Effects of Short-Chain Fatty Acids-Rich Fermented Pistachio Milk in Human Colon Carcinoma Cells.

Pistachio milk (PM), an extraction product of pistachio, is protein- and fat-dense food. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are known for inducing cytotoxicity and apoptosis in colon carcinoma cells. This study aimed to find an optimal combination of probiotics that can produce a higher amount of SCFAs in PM. In addition, the anti-cancer effect of fermented PM on human colon carcinoma cells (Caco-2) was determined. The combinations of probiotics were as follows: Streptococcus thermophilus + Lactobacillus bulgaricus (C); C + Lactobacillus acidophilus (C-La); C + Lactobacillus gasseri (C-Lg); C + Bifidobacterium bifidum (C-Bb). The results indicated that fermented PM was produced after a short fermentation time in all the probiotics combinations. C-Bb produced up to 1.5-fold more acetate than the other probiotics combinations did. A significant amount of cytotoxicity, i.e., 78, 56, and 29% cell viability was observed in Caco-2 cells by C-Bb-fermented PM at 1, 2.5 and 5%, respectively. C-Bb-fermented PM (5%) induced early and late apoptosis up to 6-fold. Additionally, Caco-2 cells treated with C-Bb-fermented PM significantly induced the downregulation of α-tubulin and the upregulation of cleaved caspase-3, as well as nuclear condensation and fragmentation. Our data suggest that fermented PM, which is rich in acetate, may have the potential as a functional food possessing anti-colon cancer properties.

Effect of Grafted Insect Protein with Palatinose on Quality Properties of Phosphate-Free Meat Emulsion.

Due to concerns about the negative effects of phosphate on human health, the development of phosphate substitutes is an active area of research. Among the various methods, the structural modification of proteins has previously been established. In this study, we used grafting technology. Extracted insect protein was grafted with palatinose (GI), and 0.1 and 0.15% of GI were added to a phosphate-free meat emulsion mixed with 0.1% of eggshell powder (ES). The pH, myofibrillar protein solubility, and apparent viscosity increased with the addition of GI and ES (p < 0.05). Color values were also affected by GI and ES addition (decreased CIE L* and CIE a* and increased CIE b*; p < 0.05), while cooking loss was only improved by the addition of ES and not GI. Although the total fluid separated more than negative control (p < 0.05), the addition of ES improved emulsion stability and total expressible fluid separation and the fat separation reduced with addition of GI and ES (p < 0.05). Lipid oxidation was inhibited by the addition of GI and ES (p < 0.05). Moreover, the protein molecular weight distribution under 20 kDa was modified by the addition of GI, and the hardness and springiness of treatments decreased. In conclusion, the addition of GI and ES might be used to improve cooking loss, emulsion stability, and antioxidants, while the textural properties should be further researched.

Development of ß-Cyclodextrin/Konjac-Based Emulsion Gel for a Pork Backfat Substitute in Emulsion-Type Sausage.

Emulsion gel has been used to replace animal fats in meat products. Konjac is a widely used gelling agent; however, its low emulsion stability limits its use in meat products. This study aimed to examine the quality characteristics of ß-cyclodextrin (CD)-supplemented konjac-based emulsion gel (KEG) (CD-KEG) and its application as a fat substitute in emulsion-type sausages. The supplementation of CD increased hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions with konjac and oil in the gels, respectively. Additionally, CD increased the structural complexity and strength of KEG. Since adding more than 6% of CD to KEG did not increase the gel strength, 6% CD-added KEG was adopted to substitute for pork backfat in manufacturing low-fat emulsion-type sausages. The following formulations of the sausages were prepared: pork backfat 20% (PF20); pork backfat 10% + KEG 10% (KEG10); KEG 20% (KEG20); pork backfat 10% + CD-KEG 10% (CD-KEG10); CD-KEG 20% (CD-KEG20); and pork backfat 5% (PF5). The CD-KEG20 formulation exhibited higher viscosity and viscoelasticity than KEG20, which suggested that CD improves the rheological properties and the thermal stability of meat batter. Additionally, CD-KEG20 showed similar emulsion stability, cooking yield and texture parameters compared with PF20. Therefore, 6% CD-added KEG is a suitable fat substitute for preparing low-fat emulsion-type sausages.

Total intravenous anesthesia without muscle relaxant for pulmonary wedge resection in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a case report.

Muscle relaxants may exacerbate the symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Furthermore, ALS patients often experience respiratory muscle weakness. Herein, we report the case of a 63-year-old man with ALS who underwent pulmonary wedge resection using total intravenous anesthesia without muscle relaxant and single lumen endotracheal tube. After an unremarkable surgical procedure, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit after extubation. The patient did not experience any worsening of ALS symptoms over the one-year follow-up period. Our experience shows that total intravenous anesthesia without muscle relaxants can be used as an anesthetic method for lung surgery in ALS patients. We report this case along with a brief literature review.

Drying Characteristics and Physicochemical Properties of Semi-Dried Restructured Sausage Depend on Initial Moisture Content.

Semi-dried restructured sausages are restructured meat products with a high nutritional and economic value. However, excessively long drying times can have negative effects on the energy consumption, texture, and sensory properties of semi-dried restructured sausages. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different water contents on the drying and physicochemical characteristics of semi-dried restructured sausages. Sausages were prepared with different initial moisture contents (0%-50%) and drying time (0-580 min). The drying characteristics, including the drying rate, effective moisture diffusivity, and water activity of sausage were significantly improved as the initial moisture content was increased. When the initial moisture content of the sausage was 50%, physicochemical properties, such as color, porosity, shear force, and volatile basic nitrogen, were improved the most along with the decreased drying time. Scanning electron microscopy data showed greater porosity and pore size in sausages with the increase of initial moisture content. Collectively, our data suggest that an increase in the initial moisture content of semi-dried restructured sausages improves their drying characteristics and physicochemical properties.

Effects of Chitosan and Duck Fat-Based Emulsion Coatings on the Quality Characteristics of Chicken Meat during Storage.

Chicken meat is a popular food commodity that is widely consumed worldwide. However, the shelf-life or quality maintenance of chicken meat is a major concern for industries because of spoilage by microbial growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chitosan and duck fat-based emulsion coatings on the quality characteristics and microbial stability of chicken meat during refrigerated storage. The coated chicken meat samples were as follows: control (non-coated), DFC0 (coated with duck fat), DFC0.5 (coated with duck fat and 0.5% chitosan), DFC1 (coated with duck fat and 1% chitosan), DFC2 (coated with duck fat and 2% chitosan), and SOC2 (coated with soybean oil and 2% chitosan). The results showed that the apparent viscosity and coating rate were higher in DFC2 than in other groups. Physicochemical parameters (pH, color, and Warner-Bratzler shear force) were better in DFC2 than those in other groups during 15 days of storage. Moreover, DFC2 delayed lipid oxidation, protein deterioration, and growth of microorganisms during storage. These data suggest that chitosan-supplemented duck fat-based emulsion coating could be used to maintain the quality of raw chicken meat during refrigerated storage.

Effect of Different Brine Injection Levels on the Drying Characteristics and Physicochemical Properties of Beef Jerky.

Meat jerky is a type of meat snack with a long shelf life, light weight, and unique sensory properties. However, meat jerky requires a long manufacturing time, resulting in high energy consumption. In this study, beef jerky was prepared by injecting different concentrations of brine at different hot-air drying times (0-800 min). When the brine injection levels were increased to 30%, the drying characteristics of beef jerky, such as drying time and effective moisture diffusivity, were significantly improved owing to the relatively high water content and the formation of porous structures. The physicochemical properties (e.g. meat color, porosity, shear force, and volatile basic nitrogen) of the beef jerky injected with 30% brine were improved owing to the shortened drying time. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the beef jerky structure became porous and irregular during the brine injection process. Our novel processing technique for manufacturing beef jerky leads to improved quality characteristics and shortened drying times.

Effects of duck fat and κ-carrageenan as replacements for beef fat and pork backfat in frankfurters.

OBJECTIVE: Frankfurters are emulsion-type sausages that are widely consumed worldwide. However, some concerns regarding negative health effects have been raised because of the high fat content and the type of fat. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of duck fat and κ-carrageenan as replacements for beef fat and pork backfat in frankfurters. METHODS: The different formulations for the frankfurters were as follows: 20% beef fat (BF), 20% pork backfat (PBF), 20% duck fat (DF), 20% soybean oil (SO), 20% duck fat/1% κ-carrageenan (DFC), and 20% soybean oil/1% κ-carrageenan (SOC). Physicochemical (fatty acid profile, color, rheological properties, cooking loss, water holding capacity, emulsion stability, and texture profile analysis), oxidative stability and sensory properties of frankfurters were evaluated. RESULTS: Duck fat and κ-carrageenan improved rheological properties of meat batter, and physicochemical properties (emulsion stability, cooking loss, and hardness) of frankfurters. Moreover, duck fat added-frankfurters (DF and DFC) had higher oxidative stability than that of soybean-added frankfurters (SO and SOC) during refrigerated storage for 28 days. In sensory evaluation, flavor, texture, and overall acceptability of DFC were acceptable to untrained panelists. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that duck fat and κ-carrageenan can replace beef fat and pork backfat in frankfurters. Duck fat and κ-carrageenan contributed to improve the physicochemical properties and oxidative stability while maintaining sensory properties. Therefore, the use of duck fat and κ-carrageenan may be a suitable alternative for replacing beef fat or pork backfat in frankfurters.

Tebuconazole Fungicide Induces Lipid Accumulation and Oxidative Stress in HepG2 Cells.

Tebuconazole (TEB), a triazole fungicide, is frequently applied to agriculture for the increase of food production. Although TEB causes liver toxicity, its effects on cellular lipid accumulation are rarely investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to study the effects of TEB on lipid metabolism and accumulation in HepG2 cells. HepG2 cells were exposed to 0-320 µM TEB for 1-24 h. TEB (20-80 µM, 24 h)-treated cells showed lipid accumulation. Further, TEB (20-80 µM, 1-12 h) increased the nuclear translocation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors and the expression of lipid uptake and oxidation-related markers such as cluster of differentiation 36, fatty acid transport protein (FATP) 2, FATP5, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1. Oxidative stress levels in TEB-treated cells (20-80 µM, 24 h) were higher, compared to those in the control. TEB (20-80 µM, 24 h) also induced the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and lower levels of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein in the cells. Thus, TEB can induce lipid accumulation by altering the expression of lipid-metabolizing molecules and can therefore impair lipid metabolism. Our data suggest that human exposure to TEB may be a risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

In Vitro and In Vivo Study on the Toxic Effects of Propiconazole Fungicide in the Pathogenesis of Liver Fibrosis.

Propiconazole (PCZ) is a hepatotoxic triazole fungicide. There are insufficient data on how PCZ induces liver fibrosis in humans. This study aimed to investigate the effect of PCZ on liver fibrosis and its underlying mechanisms. HepG2 cells and Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to PCZ at doses of 0-160 µM (3-72 h) and 0.5-50 mg/kg body weight/day (28 days), respectively. PCZ-treated cells activated intracellular oxidative stress via cytochrome P450 and had higher mRNA levels of interleukin-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) than the control. PCZ treatment in cells induced a morphological transition with E-cadherin decrease and vimentin and Snail increase via the oxidative stress and TGF-ß/Smad pathways. PCZ administration in rats induced liver fibrosis through pathological changes, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and collagen deposition. Thus, our data suggest that exposure of PCZ to humans may be a risk factor for the functional integrity of the liver.