Effects of sodium lactate and acetic acid derivatives on the quality and sensory characteristics of hot-boned pork sausage patties.

Sodium lactate and acetic acid derivatives were evaluated for their effects on color retention, microbial growth, and sensory attributes of hot-boned pork sausage patties. Treatments included: (a) sodium lactate (L), (b) buffered vinegar (V), (c) sodium lactate and vinegar mixture (LV), (d) control with BHA/BHT (C), and (e) negative control (NC). Treatments L and LV decreased TPC at day 14 and day 16 when compared to control samples and reduced bacterial numbers up to 18 days. In addition, use of lactate and vinegar increased (P<0.05) acceptability and juiciness and reduced (P<0.05) off-flavor and rancidity when compared to control treatments at day 14. These results revealed that the L and LV sausage patties retained sensory acceptability and shelf-life quality from day 14 through day 17 as opposed to other treatments. Additionally, sausage patties with LV maintained redness and sensory quality throughout 17 days of shelf-life, as compared to other treatments that retained color and quality for 14 days.

The effect of pasteurization temperature on consumer acceptability, sensory characteristics, volatile compound composition, and shelf-life of fluid milk.

The relationship among consumer acceptability, descriptive sensory attributes, and shelf-life was determined for 2% milk pasteurized at 77, 79, 82, and 85 degrees C. Sensory descriptive attributes and volatile compound composition were monitored over the shelf-life of the products to determine if treatments could be differentiated at various times through out the shelf-life of the product. Consumers preferred 79 degrees C milk over other treatments on d 0; however, at d 6 postpasteurization, 79 and 82 degrees C milks were preferred over the 77 degrees C treatment. Consumers were grouped into 8 clusters based on product liking for both d 0 and d 6 evaluations. The largest cluster liked all pasteurization treatments, and 79 degrees C milk was highly acceptable to all consumers who liked milk. Similar sensory descriptors indicated the end of shelf-life for all pasteurization treatments even though treatments could be differentiated by descriptors on d 0. This research reveals that altering the pasteurization temperature from 79 degrees C may cause a decrease in consumer acceptability to some consumers. Also, altering pasteurization temperature did not affect shelf-life or sensory descriptors and volatile compound composition at the end of shelf-life.

Relationships between sensory descriptors, consumer acceptability and volatile flavor compounds of American dry-cured ham.

The relationships between volatile flavor compounds, sensory descriptors and consumer acceptability were determined for eight commercial American dry-cured hams using external preference and flavor mapping. The majority of consumers preferred (p<0.05) hams that had more intense caramelized, smoky, savory and molasses aromas as well as more intense sweet and savory flavors. Sixteen aroma impact compounds were identified from the headspace volatiles of dry-cured hams. The majority of consumers preferred (p<0.05) hams that were characterized by 4-methyl-2-methoxyphenol (sweet ham), 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol (sweet ham), 2-methoxyphenol (smoky, cocoa), 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (smoky ham, savory) and 2-furanmethanol (burnt meat, vitamin). Fourteen percent of consumers preferred (p<0.05) two hams that were characterized by methional (baked potato). Consumer acceptability scores were lower for hams either characterized by methanethiol (sulfur), carbon disulfide (sulfur), 2-butanone (sweet), 3-methylbutanal (malty, fermented), 2-heptanone (burnt meat, vitamin), hexanal (cut grass), benzeneacetaldehyde (floral), 1-octen-3-ol (mushroom) or characterized by benzaldehyde (burnt meat, cooked meat) and limonene (citrus). This study revealed how relationships between sensory descriptors, consumer acceptability and volatile flavor compounds could be determined using external preference mapping and used to comprehend the nature of dry-cured ham flavor as it is perceived by a consumer panel.

The effect of vasopressin on hepatic arterial blood flow.

Vasopressin was successively infused into the hepatic and superior mesenteric arteries and a systemic vein, and its levels monitored by blood samples drawn from the portal and hepatic veins and a systemic vein. Blood flow was monitored in the hepatic and superior mesenteric arteries and in the ascending aorta. Hepatic blood flow was inversely correlated with mesenteric blood flow, rising about 50% above baseline levels during hepatic and systemic artery infusions and 96% during superior mesenteric artery infusion. Hepatic artery and systemic vein infusions caused a reduction in mesenteric flow about 20% less than that caused by direct superior mesenteric artery infusion.