Irradiation of reduced-sodium uncooked lamb sausage: antimicrobial efficacy and physicochemical impact.

Excess sodium in food is associated with an increased risk of noncommunicable diseases. Faced with this reality, consumers are becoming aware of the importance of eating foods with reduced sodium content. This work assesses the effects of partial replacement of NaCl by KCl on the microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of uncooked lamb sausage treated with different doses of gamma radiation. Analyses of thermotolerant coliforms, sulfite-reducing Clostridium, Salmonella sp., protein, moisture, ash, lipids, pH, water activity, and color were performed. The results showed that the formulations with reduced sodium content did not differ significantly concerning microbial growth and met the identity and quality standards considering its physicochemical characteristics. Also, irradiation is efficient as a microbiological control method, and the ± 3-kGy dose was the most effective to eliminate pathogenic bacteria present in the sausage formulation prepared with reduced sodium content, inducing less intense changes in physicochemical parameters.

Mutton mortadella supplemented with yacón meal / Mortadela de carne ovina suplementada com farinha de batata yacon

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the effect of different yacón meal concentrations (Smallanthus sonchifolia) on the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics of four mortadella formulations (F1, F2, F3, and control) prepared with mutton, pork fat, and additives. All formulations met the physicochemical and microbiological standards defined in regulations for mortadella production in Brazil. Control and F1 were the formulations with better acceptance scores, compared with F2 and F3. The judges stated favorable purchase intention for the control, F1 and F2 formulations. Results showed that mutton mortadella supplemented with yacón meal is a promising alternative in the manufacture of healthier meat products.

RESUMO: Este estudo avaliou o efeito de diferentes concentrações de farinha de yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolia) sobre as características físico-químicas, microbiológicas e sensoriais de quatro formulações de mortadelas (F1, F2, F3 e controle) preparadas com carne de ovinos, gordura suína e aditivos. Todas as formulações atenderam aos padrões físico-químicos e microbiológicos definidos nas regulamentações para produção de mortadela no Brasil. As formulações controle e F1 obtiveram as melhores pontuações de aceitação, em comparação com F2 e F3. Os julgadores declararam intenção de compra favorável para as formulações controle, F1 e F2. Os resultados mostram que a mortadela de carne ovina suplementada com farinha de yacon é uma alternativa promissora na fabricação de produtos cárneos mais saudáveis.

Morphological characterization and analysis of genetic variability among pepper accessions / Caracterização morfológica e análise da variabilidade genética entre acessos de pimenta

ABSTRACT: The peppers of the genus Capsicumhave economic potential and elevated genetic variability. The objective of the study was to characterize morpho-agronomically and estimate the genetic divergence among pepper accessions of the active germplasm bank of Capsicumof the Instituto Federal do Espírito Santo, Campus Alegre. Thirty accessions were characterized based on ten morphological descriptors being the experimental design completely randomized, with six repetitions. Genetic diversity among the accessions was estimated by the Tocher grouping method as a measurement of dissimilarity and formed eight groups. The Singh method, used to estimate the relative contribution of each character in the expression of genetic divergence, indicated that the diameter of the produce (20.19%) and the height of the plant (19.46%) were the ones to contribute most to the total divergence (39.65%) among the accessions of pepper being studied. The study evidenced the existence of high genetic variability among the accessions of C. annuumcollected in the south region of the state of Espírito Santo. No correlation was detected between the genetic distance and location of collections.

RESUMO: As pimentas do gênero Capsicumpossuem potencial econômico e elevada variabilidade genética. Objetivou-se realizar a caracterização morfoagronômica e estimar a divergência genética entre acessos de pimenta do banco ativo de germoplasma de Capsicumdo Instituto Federal do Espírito Santo, Campus de Alegre. Foram caracterizados trinta acessos com base em dez descritores morfológicos, sendo o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com seis repetições. A divergência genética entre os acessos foi estimada pelo método de agrupamento de Tocher, como medida de dissimilaridade, formando-se oito grupos. O método de Singh, utilizado para estimar a contribuição relativa de cada caráter na expressão da divergência genética, indicou que o diâmetro do fruto (20,19%) e a altura da planta (19,46%) foram os que mais contribuíram para a divergência total (39,65%) entre os acessos de pimenta avaliados. O estudo realizado evidencia a existência de alta variabilidade genética entre os acessos de C. annuumcoletados no Sul do Estado do Espírito Santo. Não foi detectada correlação entre a distância genética e os locais de coleta.