Exploring the Relationships Between Bacterial Community, Taste-Enhancing Peptides and Aroma in Thai Fermented Fish (Pla-ra).

As a traditional Thai condiment, Pla-ra is used to add flavor and richness to dishes. Nine treatment combinations of Pla-ra formulations created from 3 types of fish (Mor fish, Kradee fish, and Mor + Kradee fish) and 4 different carbohydrate sources (none, rice bran, roasted rice, and rice bran─roasted rice mixture) were studied through a 12 month fermentation period (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 months). 16S rRNA Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and LC-MS/MS techniques were used to analyze the microbial diversity and identify taste-enhancing peptides. Descriptive sensory analysis was performed on the extracts of the 108 Pla-ra samples mixed in a model broth. Koku perception and saltiness-enhancing attributes were clearly perceived and dominant in all samples, even though glutamyl peptides, including γ-Glu-Val-Gly, were found at subthreshold levels. The samples from mixed fish and Mor fish fermented with roasted ground rice and rice bran for 12 months had the most typical Pla-ra odors and tastes and had high taste-enhancing activities. NGS analysis revealed the presence of bacteria containing a large number of protease and aminopeptidase genes in the samples. Bacillus spp., Gallicola spp., and Proteiniclasticum spp. correlated well with the generation of glutamyl and arginyl peptides and typical odors in the samples. These results confirmed the typical sensory quality of Pla-ra depended on protein sources, carbohydrate sources, and bacteria communities. Further optimization of the microbial composition found could lead to the development of starter cultures to control and promote flavor development in fermented fish products.

The Potential of Condiments, Seasonings, and Bouillon Cubes to Deliver Essential Micronutrients in Asia: Scenario Analyses of Iodine and Iron Fortification.

Micronutrient deficiencies are still highly prevalent in Asia. Fortification of cooking aids, such as condiments (fish and soy sauces), seasonings, and bouillon cubes, may be an additional strategy to improve micronutrient intake. The current study evaluated the potential impact of iodine and iron fortification of cooking aids on micronutrient intake in Asian countries. A systematic literature search was performed to collect consumption data from different countries in Asia. Data from 18 studies in nine Asian countries were included. Scenario analyses were performed using different fortification levels based on regulations and literature. Mean intake of cooking aids ranged from 3.2-15.9 g/day for condiments and 0.4-11.7 g/day for seasonings and bouillon cubes. When replacing salt with iodized salt (30 µg of iodine/g of salt), iodine intake would increase by 13-119 µg/day for soy and fish sauces (9-80% of the Nutrient Reference Value (NRV)), and 5-83 µg/day for bouillon cubes and seasonings (4-56% of the NRV). Fortification with iron 0.5 mg/g food product for condiments or 1 mg/g food product for bouillon cubes and seasonings improved iron intake for soy and fish sauces by 1.6-8.0 mg/day (11-57% of the NRV), and for bouillon cubes and seasonings by 0.4-5.6 mg/day (3-40% of the NRV). These results indicate that, depending on the consumption pattern, fortification of cooking aids can be a suitable strategy to increase intake of micronutrients.

The essential oil of the condiment species Clinopodium thymifolium (Scop.) Kuntze: new natural products and seasonal variation.

BACKGROUND: Clinopodium thymifolium is an aromatic plant species that is widespread in the Mediterranean region. It has been considered as a condiment and is used in cooking. As a promising spice plant, some efforts are being made to introduce this plant as a new crop species and it has been successfully cultivated in northern Italy. RESULTS: Essential oils isolated from the aerial parts of a flavoring species C. thymifolium were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The results of a detailed analysis of the chemical composition of the oils showed the domination of pulegone, piperitone, piperitenone and isomenthone, as well as a significant alteration of the pulegone/isomenthone ratio with the developmental stage of the plant. Additionally, a comprehensive chemical analysis of the oils in combination with detailed spectral analyses and chemical synthesis of selected compounds has led to the identification of two new natural products: isomenthyl formate and neomenthyl 2-methylbutanoate. CONCLUSION: The observed chemical variability at the intrapopulation level appeared to be a phenological variation. In an evolutionary sense, the alteration of the pulegone/isomenthone ratio suggests their possible role in the ecological adaptation of the species to pollinators. Significant quantitative changes in the chemical composition of the oil at different phenological stages may be relevant in the case of plant material intended for edible purposes. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Ethyl carbamate in retail market condiments and risk assessment of its dietary exposure for the Korean population.

Ethyl carbamate (EC), a potential human dietary carcinogen, is found in fermented foods including the fermented soybean-based condiments, the major part of the Korean diet. Therefore, it is expected that their EC contents might pose health risks. Herein, we collected 111 condiments and estimated their EC contents via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Further, dietary intake of EC was evaluated, and the risk levels were assessed via the margin of exposure (MOE) approach and excess cancer risk assessment. EC contents of the condiments ranged from not detectable to 39.47 µg/kg, and the daily EC exposure ranged from 1.4 to 2.0 ng/kg BW per day, depending on gender and age groups in Korea. Of the condiments, soy sauce was the largest contributor to EC exposure. MOE and excess cancer risks for the average consumer were 166,300 and 9.0 × 10-8, respectively, and those for the consumers in the 95th percentiles (P95) were 53,504 and 2.8 × 10-7, respectively, indicating that the risk of exposure to EC is of lower concern in average consumers than heavy consumers. However, the EC exposure from condiments was higher than that in other Asian countries.Abbreviations: EC: ethyl carbamate; GC-MS: gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; MOE: margin of exposure; MRL: maximum residue level; IDL: instrumental detection level; IQL: instrumental quantification level; MDL: method detection level; MQL: method quantification level; EDI: estimated daily intakes; BMDL10: benchmark dose lower confidence limit.

Bioactive and Nutritional Potential of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant (MAP) Seasoning Mixtures.

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), worldwide appreciated and used as condiments, dyes, and preservatives, possess several biological properties that justify their continuous application in the food industry. In the present study, the nutritional and chemical profiles, as well as the bioactive properties of four combinations of condiments, sold for seasoning poultry, meat, fish, and salads, were evaluated. Twenty-five phenolic compounds (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS) were identified, with apigenin-O-malonyl-pentoside-hexoside as the major compound detected in all extracts. Oxalic and citric acids were identified in all mixtures (UFLC-PDA), as well as all the four tocopherol isoforms (HPLC-fluorescence). Regarding bioactivities, the mixtures for meat and salads (TBARS) and meat and poultry (OxHLIA) stood out for their antioxidant potential, whereas for the anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties, the mixtures revealing the greatest results were those for poultry and salad, respectively. In terms of antimicrobial activity, all the mixtures revealed the capacity to inhibit the growth of some bacterial strains. In brief, condiment mixtures showed to be a good source of bioactive compounds, as they confer health benefits, validating the importance of their inclusion in the human diet as a good dietary practice.

Enrichment of mayonnaise with a high fat fish oil-in-water emulsion stabilized with modified DATEM C14 enhances oxidative stability.

Enrichment of mayonnaise using delivery emulsions (DEs) containing 70% fish oil versus neat fish oil was investigated. DEs were produced with combined use of sodium caseinate, diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides (DATEM), and/or modified DATEMs with different length (C12 or C14) and covalently attached caffeic acid. Physical and oxidative stability of the mayonnaises were analyzed based on parameters including droplet size, viscosity, peroxide value, volatile compounds, and sensory properties. DEs addition to mayonnaise resulted in larger droplets and lower viscosity compared to neat fish oil. However, zeta potential was higher in mayonnaises with DEs containing DATEMs. Mayonnaise containing DATEM C14 had higher protein surface load leading to a thicker interfacial layer, lower formation of hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, and (E)-2-heptenal as well as lower rancid odour intensity compared to mayonnaise containing DATEM and free caffeic acid, and thus benefitted from the location of the antioxidant at the interface.

Performance Factors Influencing Efficacy and Effectiveness of Iron Fortification Programs of Condiments for Improving Anemia Prevalence and Iron Status in Populations: A Systematic Review.

Iron fortification of staple foods is a common practice around the world to reduce the prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia. More recently, fortified condiments, including salts, sauces, and powders, have been tested in various efficacy trials. However, there is limited information on how nutritional, environmental, and experimental factors affect their efficacy and effectiveness. The purpose of the present work was to systematically review performance factors affecting the efficacy of condiment fortification trials. Three databases were searched using a standardized keyword search and included based on four-point inclusion criteria. Studies were evaluated against a quality assessment tool and effect sizes were calculated. Studies were ranked as low or high performing, based on whether or not they significantly improved iron-deficiency outcomes (hemoglobin, anemia prevalence, and ferritin levels). Of the 955 retrieved studies, 23 were included-of which, nine performed poorly, eight performed highly, and six were classified as neither because they did not meet the criteria of assessing the three iron outcomes. Results showed that unsuccessful trials did not consider environmental factors such as parasitic infections, nutritional factors such as micronutrient deficiencies other than iron, consumer acceptability of the product or experimental factors such as monitoring and adherence to the trials. Two common performing factors identified among those studies performing highly vs. those that did not were the control of sensory changes and monitoring of consumption compliance (i.e., dose delivery). The present work can be used as decision-making support for nutrition policy makers when determining the appropriate implementation of condiment fortification programs.

Porous polyimide particle-coated adsorptive microextraction bar combined with thermal desorption-gas chromatography for rapid determination of parabens in condiments.

Bar adsorptive microextraction using polyimide (PI) particles as the extraction phase followed by thermal desorption and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (BAµE/TD-GC-MS) was developed to detect parabens in condiments, such as soy sauce, vinegar, and cooking wine. The PI particles were prepared by pneumatic spray combined with the immersion-precipitation phase transformation method. The prepared particles have highly porous surfaces, on which the 10-60 nm open nanopores are closely packed. Particles between 250-500 µm were then sieved out and used as extraction phase for BAµE. In contrast to the smooth and dense surface of the conventional PI phase transformation bar, the macroscopic rough surface of the PI particle bar and its microscopic porous particle surfaces provided larger extraction interfaces and more surface adsorption sites, both of which enhanced the extraction mass flux. With an extraction time of 2 min, the absolute recoveries of parabens by the PI particle bar were 1.9˜2.7 times those obtained by the conventional PI phase transformation bar. The intrabatch and interbatch precisions of the PI particle bars were less than 4.6% and 7.5%, respectively, and the PI particle bar exhibited a long lifetime of more than 50 extraction/desorption cycles. To realize rapid determination of parabens, the extraction time was fixed at 2 min. The analytical performance for standard water samples showed wide linearity (0.14-50 µg/L) with good correlation coefficients (r > 0.9980), good precision (RSD < 5.6%), appropriate detection limits (0.005-0.008 µg/L), and high enrichment factors (305-626). For the analysis of parabens in diluted condiments, the relative recoveries were between 86.1% and 109.0% with RSDs ranging from 0.1%-8.7%.

Characterization of taste and aroma compounds in Tianyou, a traditional fermented wheat flour condiment.

Taste and aroma compounds in Tianyou were determined using HPLC and GC-MS/GC-olfactometry. By comparison with light soy sauce (control), the contents of salt, sugar, total nitrogen and total acid in Tianyou were higher, while the contents of umami, sweet and bitter free amino acids, and the percentage of 1-5kDa peptides in Tianyou were lower. Thirty-one aroma-active compounds were identified in both Tianyou and the control (30 compounds in common). Aroma extraction dilution analysis indicated that most flavor dilution factors of aroma-active compounds were lower in Tianyou than the control. Quantitative descriptive analysis showed that Tianyou had significantly stronger salty and sweet tastes, weaker umami taste and weaker malty, caramel-like and smoky notes when compared to the control (p<0.05), which were in agreement with the analyses of taste and aroma compounds. This confirms that Tianyou has a distinctively different flavor from light soy sauce.

Ação de diferentes extratos de algumas variedades do gênero Capsicum sobre o desenvolvimento bacteriano / Action of different extracts of some varieties of the Capsicum on bacterial development

Arqueologicamente datam-se os registros do consumo de pimentas há 9000 anos no território mexicano. No período entre 1500 e 2000, as sementes e os frutos das pimentas ficaram mais conhecidas e seu uso cresceu significativamente. Com o aumento rápido e progressivo de cepas microbianas resistentes a antibióticos e aditivos químicos, procura-se, na tecnologia de alimentos, o combate a deteriorantes alimentícios, a partir de extratos vegetais naturais utilizando- -se ações secundárias dos vegetais, como a operação antimicrobiana e, portanto, reduzindo o uso de aditivos químicos. Considerando o mencionado, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a ação antibacteriana de extratos de algumas variedades de pimentas (Capsicum spp.): Trinidad Scorpion (P1), Baiana (P2), Cumari do Pará (P3), Habanero Vermelha (P4) e Habanero Chocolate (P5); e também dos mesmos vegetais combinados. Utilizou-se o método de difusão em gel de Ágar. As placas de Petri com meio de cultura Ágar Nutriente foram semeadas previamente com os seguintes micro-organismos: Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), Salmonella Typhimurium (ATCC 14028), Salmonella Enteritidis e Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), posteriormente incubadas a 35°C por 24 e 48 horas. Halos de atividade antimicrobiana considerados significativos foram aqueles de diâmetro igual ou maior que 10 mm. Observou-se ação antibacteriana significativa sobre B. subtilis pela variedade Cumari do Pará (halo de 10 mm), pelas combinações P1+P2 (halo de 12 mm), P2+P3 (halo de 11 mm) e P2+P4 (halo de 10 mm); sobre S. aureus pela variedade Trinidad Scorpion (halo de 12 mm), combinações P1+P2 (halo de 11 mm), P1+P3 (halo de 10 mm), P2+P3 (halo de 10 mm), P2+P4 (halo de 12 mm) e P3+P4 (halo de 11 mm); sobre S. Typhimurium pela variedade Habanero Vermelha (halo de 13 mm), pelas combinações P1+P5 (halo de 10 mm) e P3+P5 (halo de 10 mm). Nenhuma variedade de pimenta ou combinação das mesmas exerceu ação significativa sobre S. Enteritidis. S. aureus foi inibida significativamente por um maior número de extratos.

Characterization of fermented seaweed sauce prepared from nori (Pyropia yezoensis).

High-salt content seaweed sauces were prepared for the first time using nori (Pyropia yezoensis) by fermentation and characterized. Components and taste of the two nori sauces (NSs) prepared separately were compared with those of soy and fish sauces. The NSs were rich in total nitrogen compounds (1.5 g N/100 ml on average) and potassium (880 mg/100 g), and had a unique free amino acid composition (e.g., taurine 617 mg/100 g), explaining their unique taste as evaluated by a taste sensing system. As for their food function, inhibitory activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme was observed. As for their food safety, arsenic was detected at a 0.8 mg/100 g level in total, but inorganic arsenic was not detected (<0.05 mg/100 g) and not regarded as a problem. Allergy-causing substances contained in wheat, soy beans, and crustaceans were not detected (<0.1 mg/100 g) with NSs. These results suggest that the nori sauce has a high potential as a novel nutritional source for humans.

A combination of quantitative marinating and Maillard reaction to enhance volatile flavor in Chinese marinated chicken.

BACKGROUND: A combination of quantitative marinating and Maillard reaction was investigated by adding d-xylose, l-cysteine and thiamine to the marinated brine of quantitative marinating, which was expected to enhance the volatile flavor of Chinese marinated chicken. Response surface methodology was used to optimize parameters, in which response was sensory evaluation scores of marinated chicken. A Box-Behnken center design was applied to the optimized added contents. The optimized contents were d-xylose (1-5‰), l-cysteine (1-5‰) and thiamine (1-3‰). RESULTS: Analysis of variance indicated that a second-order polynomial equation could predict the experimental data well (R2 = 0.94), and sensory evaluation scores were significantly affected by the added amount of d-xylose, l-cysteine and thiamine. The optimal conditions that maximized the sensory evaluation score of Chinese marinated chicken were found to be 4.96‰ d-xylose, 2.28‰ l-cysteine and 2.66‰ thiamine (w/w). Given these optimal conditions, a number of meat-like flavor compounds such as 2-pentyl-furan, benzothiazole and 4-methyl-5-thiazoleethanol were identified by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that a combination of quantitative marinating and Maillard reaction might be a promising method to enhance the volatile flavor, especially meat-like flavor, of Chinese marinated chicken. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Fat composition of vegetable oil spreads and margarines in the USA in 2013: a national marketplace analysis.

Worldwide, the fat composition of spreads and margarines ("spreads") has significantly changed over the past decades. Data on fat composition of US spreads are limited and outdated. This paper compares the fat composition of spreads sold in 2013 to that sold in 2002 in the USA. The fat composition of 37 spreads representing >80% of the US market sales volume was determined by standard analytical methods. Sales volume weighted averages were calculated. In 2013, a 14 g serving of spread contained on average 7.1 g fat and 0.2 g trans-fatty acids and provided 22% and 15% of the daily amounts recommended for male adults in North America of omega-3 α-linolenic acid and omega-6 linoleic acid, respectively. Our analysis of the ingredient list on the food label showed that 86% of spreads did not contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVO) in 2013. From 2002 to 2013, based on a 14 g serving, total fat and trans-fatty acid content of spreads decreased on average by 2.2 g and 1.5 g, respectively. In the same period, the overall fat composition improved as reflected by a decrease of solid fat (from 39% to 30% of total-fatty acids), and an increase of unsaturated fat (from 61% to 70% of total-fatty acids). The majority of US spreads no longer contains PHVO and can contribute to meeting dietary recommendations by providing unsaturated fat.

Bioavailability of iron, vitamin A, zinc, and folic acid when added to condiments and seasonings.

Seasonings and condiments can be candidate vehicles for micronutrient fortification if consumed consistently and if dietary practices ensure bioavailability of the nutrient. In this review, we identify factors that may affect the bioavailability of iron, vitamin A, zinc, and folic acid when added to seasonings and condiments and evaluate their effects on micronutrient status. We take into consideration the chemical and physical properties of different forms of the micronutrients, the influence of the physical and chemical properties of foods and meals to which fortified seasonings and condiments are typically added, and interactions between micronutrients and the physiological and nutritional status of the target population. Bioavailable fortificants of iron have been developed for use in dry or fluid vehicles. For example, sodium iron ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (NaFeEDTA) and ferrous sulfate with citric acid are options for iron fortification of fish and soy sauce. Furthermore, NaFeEDTA, microencapsulated ferrous fumarate, and micronized elemental iron are potential fortificants in curry powder and salt. Dry forms of retinyl acetate or palmitate are bioavailable fortificants of vitamin A in dry candidate vehicles, but there are no published studies of these fortificants in fluid vehicles. Studies of zinc and folic acid bioavailability in seasonings and condiments are also lacking.

2-acetyl-4-tetrahydroxybutylimidazole and 4-methylimidazole in caramel colours, vinegar and beverages in China.

A survey of 2-acetyl-4-tetrahydroxybutylimidazole (THI) and 4-methylimidazole (4-MeI) concentrations in caramel colours, vinegar and beverages from the Chinese market were performed by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). In total, 117 samples, 78 caramel colour samples, 23 vinegar samples and 16 beverage samples, were investigated. The results indicated that 4-MeI was found in all samples. THI was found in a part of the samples and also the level range was lower compared to 4-MeI. In caramel colour samples, the concentration level range of THI was 1.0-74.3 mg/kg and of 4-MeI was 1.5-1291.8 mg/kg. In vinegar samples, the concentration level range of THI was 13.3-119.2 µg/L and for 4-MeI 111.2-2077.8 µg/L. In beverage samples, THI was only found in two samples and the concentration level range of 4-MeI was 10.8-307.1 µg/L. THI and 4-MeI levels in vinegar and beverages were rather low compared with those in caramel colour samples. These observations can be helpful for evaluating individual exposure to THI and 4-MeI from caramel colours, vinegar and beverages in China.

Influence of food condiments on the formation of carcinogenic heterocyclic amines in cooked chicken and determination by LC-MS/MS.

Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are known to be suspected human carcinogens produced by high-temperature cooking of protein-rich foods such as meat and fish. In the present study, the influence of numerous food condiments on the formation of HCAs in cooked chicken was investigated. Chicken samples were subjected to pan-frying under controlled temperature. The levels of HCAs DMIP, MeIQx, 4,8-DiMeIQx, PhIP, harman and norharman were found to be between 0.93 and 27.52 ng g(-1), whereas IQ, MeIQ, AαC, MeAαC, Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2 were found either below the limit of quantification or not detected in the control sample. Nevertheless, for samples cooked using food condiments, the amounts of HCAs (DMIP, MeIQx, 4,8-DiMeIQx and PhIP) were between 0.14 and 19.57 ng g(-1); harman and norharman were detected at higher concentrations up to 17.77 ng g(-1) while IQ and MeIQ were at levels below the limit of quantification; and AαC, MeAαC, Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2 were not detected in any of the samples. The outcomes revealed that the formation of HCAs (except harman and norharman) diminished after the addition of food condiments. Edible oil contributed to the highest levels of HCA formation, followed by garlic, paprika, pepper and tomato.

Simple analytical strategy for MALDI-TOF-MS and nanoUPLC-MS/MS: quantitating curcumin in food condiments and dietary supplements and screening of acrylamide-induced ROS protein indicators reduced by curcumin.

Curcumin is the major active ingredient of turmeric and is widely used as a preservative, flavouring and colouring agent. Curcumin is a potent substance with several functions, including antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antimutagenic, chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activities. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) has been used to analyse various molecules (including natural antioxidants). This study established an expeditious method that couples MALDI-TOF-MS with a simple dilution method to quantify curcumin in food condiments and dietary supplements. The linear range of curcumin detection ranged from 1 to 100 µg/mL. In further experiments, liver cells were treated with curcumin after exposure to acrylamide. Nano ultra performance liquid chromatographic system (nanoUPLC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was used to evaluate the potential proteins and protein modifications induced by acrylamide. The results indicate that curcumin reduces the effects of reactive oxygen species induced by acrylamide.

Antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of some medicinal and aromatic plants used as herbal teas and condiments in Iran.

Total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity of four Iranian herbs (Lamiaceae) were investigated. The antioxidant activity of methanol extracts of thyme (Thymus daenensis Celak.), Bakhtiari savory (Satureja bachtiarica Bung.), dragonhead (Dracocephalum multicaule Montbr & Auch), and woundwort (Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl.) was evaluated by measuring 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). A comparison of all plant extracts in the DPPH assay indicated that dragonhead and thyme were the most effective free radical scavenging agents. Thyme demonstrated a relatively strong antioxidant activity in both the FRAP and TEAC assays. The total phenolic content of all the extracts ranged from 99 to 208 mg TAE/g extract with thyme exhibiting the highest phenolic content. The flavonoid content of the extracts, which ranged from 10.1 to 22.2 rutin equivalents/g of extract, was highest in dragonhead. A positive correlation was noted between the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity in both the FRAP and TEAC assays, while no significant correlation was observed between the DPPH, TEAC, and FRAP assay and total flavonoid, suggesting that the level of antioxidant activity in these plants varies greatly, but the total phenolic in the plant extracts provided a substantial antioxidant activity. Experimental results indicate that thyme and dragonhead extracts could be an important dietary source of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant capacity.