A new method to bio-preserve sea bass fillets.

In this work a bio-preservation technique was applied to sea bass fillets in order to preserve their quality. The preservation consisted in the application of two kinds of active coatings on the product surface differing in the fermentation time of alginate solution by L. reuteri plus glycerol (24 and 48 h). This technological strategy was chosen because it has been demonstrated that L. reuteri produces the reuterin as an intermediate metabolite during the anaerobic fermentation of glycerol. To assess the antimicrobial effects of sodium alginate with L. reuteri and glycerol, both in vitro and in vivo tests were carried out. The active films, in particular at 48 h fermentation, showed a good antibacterial activity, confirmed also by the major reuterin concentration. To prove the effectiveness of the treatments, microbial and sensory attributes were monitored by in vivo test on fish fillets. Results highlighted that the two active sodium alginate coatings showed a good antibacterial activity. In sea bass fillets stored at 4 °C, proliferation of main spoilage microorganisms was delayed with a consequent preservation of sensory attributes. In particular, it was found that improving the fermentation time (48 h) a better microbiological and sensory quality was achieved.

Biotechnological Approach To Preserve Fresh Pasta Quality.

Fresh pasta is highly susceptible to microbial contamination because of its high water activity and nutrient content. In this study, a new biopreservation system was examined that consists of an active sodium alginate solution containing Lactobacillus reuteri and glycerol, which was added during the production process of pasta. Our aim was to extend the fresh pasta shelf life by the in situ production of reuterin, thereby avoiding the use of thermal treatments that generally compromise food sensory characteristics. Two experimental studies were carried out with the product packaged under either ordinary or modified atmospheric conditions. Microbiological and sensory quality indices were monitored to determine the effectiveness of biopreservation on product quality during storage. The use of the active solution with L. reuteri and glycerol during the production process of pasta improved both microbial and sensory quality, particularly when combined with modified atmosphere.

Biopreservation of Fior di Latte cheese.

In this study a new biopreservation system consisting of an active sodium alginate coating containing Lactobacillus reuteri applied to Fior di Latte cheese was studied. The final aim was to extend cheese shelf life by the in situ production of reuterin. Experimental trials were carried out with and without glycerol. How the fermentation time could improve the production of reuterin, enabling Fior di Latte shelf life, was also assessed. To this aim, the experimental analyses were conducted in 2 different trials, using 2 different production batches of samples. In the first one, Fior di Latte samples were dipped into the active sodium alginate solution prepared on the same day of their production, whereas in the second trial, samples were dipped into the active solution prepared 48h before their production to allow a proper fermentation of the inoculated microorganism. Microbiological and sensory quality indices were monitored to prove the effectiveness of biopreservation on product quality during storage. In the first trial, the combination of the probiotic microorganism with glycerol improved the microbial quality by 1 d compared with the same active solution without glycerol, whereas the 48-h-fermented active alginate solution (second trial) showed a further improved microbial quality. The application of an active coating enriched with L. reuteri and glycerol to Fior di Latte cheese is an optimal and innovative way to preserve the product and at the same time, with a combination of an optimal fermentation time, to prolong its microbial quality and thus its shelf life.