Quantification of loosely associated and tightly associated bacteria on broiler carcass skin using swabbing, stomaching, and grinding methods.

This research was conducted to quantify bacterial populations after swabbing or stomaching, followed by grinding the swabbed or stomached broiler skins. For each of 3 replications, 3 eviscerated broilers were randomly taken from a processing line in a local broiler processing plant. Ten swabs and 10 stomachs per bird were conducted on the left- and the right-side skins (10×7 cm), respectively, which were then finally ground. Results indicated that mesophilic aerobic bacteria (MAB) in the first swabbed sample were significantly lower than those in the first stomached sample (P<0.05), with no difference seen for the remaining sampling times (P>0.05). During 10 swabbings followed by final grinding, 8, 9, and 83% of MAB were detected after the first swabbing, after the second through 10th swabbings, and after final grinding of the skin, respectively. During 10 stomachings followed by the final grinding, 17, 18, and 65% of MAB were detected after the first stomaching, after the second through 10th stomachings, and after final grinding of the skin, respectively. Escherichia coli (E. coli) and coliforms were significantly higher in the first stomaching than those in the first swabbing (P<0.05), with no difference seen between the 2 sampling methods for the rest sampling times (P>0.05). Populations of E. coli and coliforms decreased step-wisely from the highest after grinding to the intermediate after first and second sampling, and to the least after 10th sampling (P<0.05), regardless of swabbing or grinding. In this study, less than 35% of MAB seemed loosely associated in the skin of eviscerated broiler, whereas more than 65% of MAB looked tightly associated, which were not recovered by stomaching or swabbing even 10 times but were recovered by grinding the skin.

Combination of muscle tension and crust-freeze-air-chilling improved efficacy of air chilling and quality of broiler fillets.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of water immersion chilling (WIC), air chilling (AC), and crust-freeze-air-chilling (CFAC) on the efficacy of broiler chilling and quality of breast fillets with and without muscle tension (MT), restraining both wings behind the carcass. In each of 3 replications, 66 birds were purchased locally and processed at the Michigan State University meat laboratory. After evisceration, one-half of the birds were subjected to MT and the remaining birds received no MT. Twenty-two birds (11 with and 11 without MT) per chilling were randomly assigned to WIC (ice/water slurry at 0.2°C), AC (air at 1°C/1.5 m/s), or CFAC (air at -12°C/1.5 m/s). After chilling and aging for 3 h postmortem (PM), all breast fillets were deboned, one-half of which were immediately quick-frozen or cooked, whereas the remaining half were further aged on ice for 24 h PM. All left fillets were used for pH, R-value, and sarcomere measurements, whereas all right fillets were used for shear force. During chilling, breast temperature was reduced from 40 to 4°C in an average of 62, 68, and 140 min for WIC, CFAC, and AC, respectively. The birds at 3 h PM had higher pH and shear force than those of birds at 24 h PM except the CFAC with no MT (P < 0.05). Breast fillets with MT showed lower shear force than the fillets without MT at 24 h PM (P < 0.05) in AC and CFAC. Based on these findings, the combination of CFAC and MT appears to improve both air chilling efficacy and breast fillet quality.

Cold-batter mincing of hot-boned and crust-frozen air-chilled turkey breast allows for reduced sodium content in protein gels.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate sodium reduction in the protein gels that were prepared with turkey breasts after hot boning (HB), quarter (») sectioning, crust-frozen air-chilling (CFAC), and cold temperature mincing. For each of 4 replications, 36 turkeys were slaughtered and eviscerated. One-half of the carcasses were randomly assigned to water immersion chilling for chill boning (CB), whereas the remaining carcasses were immediately HB and quarter-sectioned/crust-frozen air-chilled (HB-»CFAC) in a freezing room (-12°C, 1.0 m/s). After deboning, CB fillets were conventionally minced, whereas HB-»CFAC fillets were cold minced up to 27 min with 1 or 2% salt. From the beginning of mincing, the batter temperatures of HB-»CFAC were lower (P < 0.05) than those of CB batters up to 12 and 21 min for 2 and 1% salts, respectively. Upon mincing, the batter pH of the HB-»CFAC (P < 0.05) rapidly decreased and was not different (P > 0.05) from the pH of CB batters, except for the 1% salt HB-»CFAC batter after 15 min of mincing. The pattern of pH was not changed when the batters were stored overnight. The protein of 2% salt HB-»CFAC fillets was more extractable (P < 0.05) than that of CB fillets at 9, 12, 18, and 24 min. Similarly, the protein of 1% salt HB-»CFAC fillets was more extractable (P < 0.05) than that of CB fillets from 12 min. Stress values of 2% salt HB-»CFAC gels were higher (P < 0.05) than those of 1 and 2% salt CB gels, with intermediate values for 1% salt HB-»CFAC gels. In the scanning electron microscope image, prerigor batter appears to have more open space, less protein aggregation, and more protein-coated fat particles than those of postrigor batters. Based on these results, the combination of HB-»CFAC and cold-batter-mincing technologies appear to improve protein functionality and sodium reduction capacity.

Sous-vide cooking as a practical strategy to improve quality attributes and shelf stability of reduced-salt chicken breast ham.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the general quality attributes and shelf stability of reduced-salt and sous-vide cooked chicken breast hams during 4 weeks of refrigerated storage (4°C). Four treatment groups of chicken breast ham were prepared using a 2 (salt level, 1.5% NaCl (regular) and 0.75% (reduced)) × 2 (cooking method, conventional and sous-vide) factorial arrangement. Based on each chicken breast weight, 20% NaCl solution was injected. Conventional cooking was done at 80°C until the core temperature reached 71°C, whereas sous-vide cooking was conducted at 60°C for 2 h. Sous-vide cooking could decrease cooking loss and shear force of reduced-salt chicken breast ham (P < 0.05). As a result, sensory scores for juiciness and tenderness of reduced-salt and sous-vide cooked chicken breast ham were similar to those of regular-salt and conventionally cooked chicken breast hams (P > 0.05). No adverse impacts on lipid oxidation and microbial safety were found in reduced-salt and sous-vide cooked chicken breast ham during 4 wk of refrigerated storage. Therefore, this study suggests that sous-vide cooking could be a practical thermal process for improving the water-holding capacity and texture of chicken breast ham without adverse impacts on shelf stability. Further studies on the combined application of sous-vide cooking with salt replacers would be warranted to improve the sensorial acceptance of saltiness of sous-vide cooked low-salt meat products.

Impacts of pre-rigor salting with KCl on technological properties of ground chicken breast.

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of pre-rigor salting using KCl on the technological properties of ground chicken breast. Chicken breast muscle (M. pectoralis major and minor) was hot-debonded and salted with 2% NaCl (w/w), 1% NaCl+1% KCl mixture, or 2% KCl, respectively, within 30 min after slaughter. Post-rigor salting treatment was prepared with 2% NaCl at 24 h postmortem. All pre-rigor salting treatments showed higher ultimate pH, protein solubility, and final yield than post-rigor salting treatment (P < 0.05). However, the positive effects of pre-rigor salting on chicken breast differed by salt type. Pre-rigor salting with KCl resulted in higher ultimate pH and R-values of chicken breast than pre-rigor salting with NaCl (P < 0.05). Despite the high ultimate pH, pre-rigor salting with KCl resulted in lower protein solubility, final yield, and hardness of chicken breast than pre-rigor salting with NaCl (P < 0.05). These results indicate that pre-rigor salting with KCl could contribute to the maintenance of relatively excellent technological properties of pre-rigor chicken breasts compared to post-rigor salted chicken breast. However, this current study also suggests that the impact of KCl on technological properties in pre-rigor chicken breast, such as water-holding capacity, protein solubility, and texture, could be less effective than pre-rigor salting with NaCl at an identical percentage concentration.

An introductory study using impedance spectroscopy technique with polarizable microelectrode for amino acids characterization.

Portable, low power, yet ultra-sensitive life detection instrumentations are vital to future astrobiology flight programs at NASA. In this study, initial attempts to characterize amino acids in an aqueous environment by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) using polarizable (blocking) electrodes in order to establish a means of detection via their electrical properties. Seven amino acids were chosen due to their scientific importance in demonstrating sensitivity levels in the range of part per billion concentration. Albeit more challenging in real systems of analyst mixtures, we found individual amino acids in aqueous environment do exhibit some degree of chemical and physical uniqueness to warrant characterization by EIS. The polar amino acids (Asp, Glu, and His) exhibited higher electrochemical activity than the non-polar amino acids (Ala, Gly, Val, and Leu). The non-polar amino acids (Gly and Ala) also exhibited unique electrical properties which appeared to be more dependent on physical characteristics such as molecular weight and structure. At concentrations above 1 mM where the amino acids play a more dominant transport role within the water, the conductivity was found to be more sensitive to concentrations. At lower concentrations <1 mM, however, the polar amino acid solution conductivity remained constant, suggesting poor chemical activity with water. As revealed by equivalent circuit modeling, the relaxation times showed a 1-2 order of magnitude difference between polar and non-polar amino acids. The pseudo-capacitance from EIS measurements on sample mixtures containing salt water and individual amino acids revealed the possibility for improvement in amino acid selectivity using gold nanoporous surface enhanced electrodes. This work establishes important methodologies for characterizing amino acids using EIS combined with microscale electrodes, supporting the case for instrumentation development for life detection and origin of life programs.

Investigation of water and ice by ac impedance using electrochemical properties cup.

Water and ice were investigated by ac impedance with the electrochemical properties cup in an effort to develop an in situ instrument for water characterization. In liquid water, the impedance modulus decreased with the increase in charge carriers. In the ice, the impedance measurements were characterized by the dielectric relaxation and its corresponding activation energy. The activation energy of 0.400 eV was determined for pure ice. With ice containing Cl(-) anions, the activation energy was 0.24 eV. H(+) and OH(-) doped ice has the lowest activation energy for dielectric relaxation. Results from previous works are similar to the results reported in this study.

Characteristics of Clinac-18 wedged fields for 10-MV x rays.

The characteristics of wedged fields which affect their clinical use have been examined for the 10-MV x-ray beam from the Clinac-18. The methods used for obtaining and analyzing the wedged-field data are discussed. These characteristics have been examined in terms of (a) the wedge angle, (b) the variation of the wedge angle with field size, (c) the variation in the angle through which isodose curves between the approximate depths of 5 and 15 cm are turned relative to the central axis as a function of depth, and (d) the variation of wedge central-axis transmission factor with field size. Analysis of the data pertinent to these categories is presented for the 15-, 30-, 45-, and 60-deg wedges. In addition, the effect of the 60-deg wedge upon the position of maximum dose on the central axis was determined.

Concentrations of inorganic elements in milk of sows selected for high and low serum cholesterol.

Comprehensive information on the composition of the whole spectrum of essential inorganic elements in sow milk is very limited. The objectives of this study were to measure concentrations of major and trace mineral elements in milk of third-generation sows selected for high (H) or low (L) serum cholesterol concentrations at 8 wk of age and to determine correlations between concentrations of milk cholesterol and major and trace mineral elements in sow milk. Twenty-one H and 21 L and 8 contemporary unselected control (U) Chester White x Landrace x Large White x Yorkshire crossbred sows were milked on d 20 or 21 of their first lactation. A standard corn and soybean meal-based diet was fed to all sows during pregnancy and lactation. There were no differences among the sow groups in milk concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, Na, and P, indicating that the genetic selection for serum cholesterol did not affect major mineral contents of the milk. Concentration of S in milk of the H sows was significantly (P < .05) higher than that of the U sows. Effects of genetic group were significant for concentrations of B, Al, Cu, and Mn in the milk, but not for Mo and Zn concentrations. Milk cholesterol concentration was negatively correlated with milk Al (P < .05), B (P < .01), and Mn (P < .05) for pooled data; there was no relationship between milk cholesterol concentration and that of other mineral elements.

Utilization of soy protein isolate and konjac blends in a low-fat bologna (model system).

Low-fat bologna formulations (LFBMS, <2.0% fat) were manufactured in a model system with two levels (0.5 or 1%) of two konjac blends (KB; KSS=konjac flour/starch and KNC=konjac flour/carrageenan/starch), and three levels (0, 2.2, 4.4%, DWB) of prehydrated soy protein isolate (SPI) to replace 0, 2 and 4% of the meat protein, respectively. Compared to 0.5% KB, the 1% level reduced (p<0.05) protein solubility (PS), vacuum purge (VP, %) and texture profile analysis (TPA) hardness. LFBMS containing KNC had higher (p<0.05) cooking yields, TPA fracturability and shear stress, but lower (p<0.05) expressible moisture (EM), VP values and TPA cohesiveness than KSS. Replacement of 4% meat protein with SPI increased (p<0.05) pH and yellowness (b*), but decreased (p<0.05) redness (a*), PS, EM and most textural characteristics, whereas no differences (p>0.05) were observed between 0 and 2% of meat protein replacements with SPI for most characteristics.

Effect of whey protein coating on quality attributes of low-fat, aerobically packaged sausage during refrigerated storage.

Whey protein-based edible coating was used to reduce oxidative degradation and microbial growth of low-fat sausages (LFSs) stored at 4 degrees C for 8 wk, under aerobic package. Whey protein coating reduced (P<0.05) thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and peroxide value (PV) formation compared to control sausages. The percent inhibition of TBARS and PV for whey protein-coated sausages, compared to the control, was 31.3% and 27.1%, respectively. The ability of the whey protein coating to provide a moisture barrier for the sausages was reduced (P<0.05). In addition, a reduction of moisture loss by 36.7% compared to the control was achieved by whey coating. However, whey protein coating of LFSs did not inhibit the growth of either the total number of aerobic bacteria or of Listeria monocytogenes. These results indicated that whey protein coating had an antioxidative activity in LFSs under aerobic package during refrigerated storage.

Physicochemical properties, and antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of garlic and onion powder in fresh pork belly and loin during refrigerated storage.

Pork loin and belly cuts were pumped to 110% of their original weight with solutions containing 5% of various ingredients (sodium ascorbate, garlic, and onion powder), and evaluated the physicochemical properties, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities during refrigerated storage at 8 degrees C. The addition of garlic and onion powder tended to increase redness (a) and yellowness (b) in both the belly lean and loin with the exception of a few cases. Free fatty acid values in both pork belly and loin cuts were reduced with the addition of these ingredients, as compared to the control. Significant differences in peroxide values were observed in sodium ascorbate and garlic-injected belly, and in sodium ascorbate and onion-injected loin, as compared to the control. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values in the pork belly with garlic or onion powder were significantly lower than in the belly without these ingredients or with sodium ascorbate (P < 0.05). Total plate counts were lower in both the belly and loin containing garlic and onion powder, as compared to the control. In both the belly and loin cuts, the content of oxidative products (volatile compounds) was reduced with the addition of garlic and onion powder, particularly the aldehydes (hexanal). Overall, garlic and onion in enhanced meats showed an antioxidant activity as effective as that of sodium ascorbate and also an antimicrobial effect to inhibit the growth of total bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae.

Effects of pork meat cut and packaging type on lipid oxidation and oxidative products during refrigerated storage (8 degrees C).

Lipid oxidation and oxidative products as affected by pork meat cut, packaging method, and storage time were evaluated during refrigerated storage. Pork belly had higher pH and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) values than pork loin, and aerobic-packaged belly had higher TBARS than vacuum-packaged counterparts. Loin had higher free fatty acid (FFA) values than belly, and increased FFA values were observed with increased storage time. Peroxide values increased up to 7 d and decreased thereafter. Volatile compounds such as alkanes, aldehydes, ketones, and alcohols with high volatility in belly were higher than those in loin. Nonanoic acid, ethyl ester in belly, and hexadecanoic acid in loin might be considered as indices of lipid oxidation. Overall, vacuum packaging was better than aerobic packaging to retard lipid oxidation and production of oxidative products, and loin was more sensitive to lipid oxidation than belly.

Evaluation of lipid oxidation and oxidative products as affected by pork meat cut, packaging method, and storage time during frozen storage (-10 degrees C).

Lipid oxidation and oxidative volatiles as affected by pork meat cut and packaging method during frozen storage at -10 degrees C were evaluated. Pork belly cut had higher thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and pH values than did the loin, whereas the loin had higher free fatty acid (FFA) values than that of the belly cut. Peroxide values increased with increased storage time, but were not affected by pork meat cut and packaging method. Volatiles with carbon numbers less than 10 in the belly cut were higher than those in the loin cut, whereas those with carbon numbers greater than 10 in the loin cut were higher than those in belly cut. Most volatiles were decreased with increased storage time, except for propane. Both 4-pentenal and 4-methyl-2-hexanone in the belly cut showed a positive correlation with FFA, whereas 2,4-dimethyl-1-heptene and 9-octadecenal in the loin cut were positively correlated with TBARS and FFA, respectively, even though the values were not high enough to predict the degree of lipid oxidation.