Effect of Bear Garlic Addition on the Chemical Composition, Microbiological Quality, Antioxidant Capacity, and Degree of Proteolysis in Soft Rennet Cheeses Produced from Milk of Polish Red and Polish Holstein-Friesian Cows.

This study aimed to assess the effect of milk source and bear garlic addition on the selected properties of soft rennet cheese. Cheeses were produced from cow milk derived from two sources: Polish Red cows (PR) and Polish Holstein-Friesian cows (PHF) with a 0.5% (w/w) addition of bear garlic (Allium ursinum L.) dried leaves. Chemical composition and fatty acid profiles (GC) were determined in fresh cheeses. Fresh and stored for two weeks cheeses were subjected to microbiological studies, i.e., total aerobic bacteria count (TABC); count of Lactococcus sp., yeast and molds; coliforms; analysis of the proteolysis extension by means of o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) assay and free amino acids content (HPLC); antioxidant capacity as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP); as well as pH and water activity. Cheeses with bear garlic herbs were more prone to proteolysis but this was not accompanied by any effect on the microbial counts, water activity or pH. Cheeses produced from PR milk contained less monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) but were richer in n-3 PUFA and had a lower n-6/n-3 FA ratio than cheeses from PHF milk. Bear garlic addition increased DPPH anti-radical power but had less of an effect on the FRAP values.

Red Arils of Taxus baccata L.-A New Source of Valuable Fatty Acids and Nutrients.

The aim of this study, focused on the nutritional value of wild berries, was to determine the contents of macronutrients, profiles of fatty (FAs) and amino acids (AAs), and the contents of selected elements in red arils (RA) of Taxus baccata L., grown in diverse locations in Poland. Protein (1.79-3.80 g/100 g) and carbohydrate (18.43-19.30 g/100 g) contents of RAs were higher than in many cultivated berries. RAs proved to be a source of lipids (1.39-3.55 g/100 g). Ten out of 18 AAs detected in RAs, mostly branched-chain AAs, were essential AAs (EAAs). The EAAs/total AAs ratio approximating were found in animal foods. Lipids of RA contained seven PUFAs, including those from n-3 family (19.20-28.20 g/100 g FA). Polymethylene-interrupted FAs (PMI-FAs), pinolenic 18:3Δ5,9,12; sciadonic 20:3Δ5,11,14, and juniperonic 20:4Δ5,11,14,17, known as unique for seeds of gymnosperms, were found in RAs. RAs may represent a novel dietary source of valuable n-3 PUFAs and the unique PMI-FAs. The established composition of RAs suggests it to become a new source of functional foods, dietary supplements, and valuable ingredients. Because of the tendency to accumulate toxic metals, RAs may be regarded as a valuable indicator of environmental contamination. Thus, the levels of toxic trace elements (Al, Ni, Cd) have to be determined before collecting fruits from natural habitats.

Nutritional value and organoleptic assessment of traditionally smoked cheeses made from goat, sheep and cow's milk.

The use of small ruminant milk for smoked cheese production makes it possible to incorporate valuable nutrients into the diet, especially as the consumption of unprocessed sheep or goat's milk is low compared to that from cows. Smoking of food not only prolongs its shelf-life but also improves its flavour. Taking the fact that many consumers do not accept some organoleptic properties of milk from small ruminants into account, the aim of the study was to assess and compare the organoleptic and nutritional properties of traditionally smoked cheeses made from goat, sheep and cow's milk. The analysed cheeses differed in terms of dry matter content and its components such as protein and fat. Their acidity was comparable, except for the sample made of raw goat's milk, which was characterised by a relatively high pH value (6.12 ± 0.06). The highest content of CLA (2.30 ± 0.04%), as well as the highest share of unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, was determined in the cheese made from sheep's milk. Moreover, the content of butyric and caproic free fatty acids in cheeses made from goat's milk was found to be several times higher than in the other analysed cheeses. The organoleptic assessment did not reveal any significant differences between the cheeses produced at small, private farms and in industrial conditions, or between different types of cheese, regardless of the type of milk from which they were produced.

Biochemical Properties Affecting the Nutritional Quality, Safety, and Aroma of Dry-Cured Products Manufactured from Meat of Rare Native Pig Breeds.

The aim of study was to compare the biochemical properties affecting the nutritional quality, safety, and aroma of dry-cured products manufactured from valuable meat of rare native pig breeds: Pulawska (Pul) and Zlotnicka Spotted (ZS). The count of lactic acid bacteria (4.4 log cfu/g) and the release of palmitic (23.1% and 25.9%), oleic (44.1% and 42.2%), and linoleic acids (8.3% and 7.8%), as well as arginine (30.0 and 44.3 mg/kg), histidine (25.8 and 20.6 mg/kg), and lysine (26.8-22.9 mg/kg), shaped the final pH (5.3 and 5.4) in Pul and ZS products during the 4 week maturing, respectively. Lastly, Pul and ZS meat differed in the proportion of decanoic, lauric, stearic, arachidic, and conjugated linoleic acids. The high content of putrescine (23.7 mg/kg), cadaverine (54.3 mg/kg), and tyramine (57.2 mg/kg), as well as a twofold greater share of histamine (163.2 mg/kg) and tryptamine (9.1 mg/kg), indicated a more advanced decarboxylation of ZS meat. Volatile compounds differentiating Pul and ZS meat were primarily hexanal, 3-hydroxybutan-2-one, phenylacetalaldehyde, 2,3-dimethyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one, 2-cyclopenten-1-one, and 3-methyl- and 2-cyclopenten-1-one. Most marked volatile compounds were obtained as a result of microbial activity (acetic acid, 3-methylbutan-1-ol, ethanol, acetone, and 3-hydroxybutan-2-one), advanced lipid oxidation, and decomposition of secondary oxidation products (hexanal, phenylacetaldehyde, and 2-cyclopenten-1-one).

Potential Use of Hyssopus officinalis and Borago officinalis as Curing Ingredients in Pork Meat Formulations.

The replacement of nitrites in pork meat products has been a studied issue for many years. Due to potential health threats associated with these additives, consumers tend to search for alternative meat curing methods. In this study, Hyssopus officinalis and Borago officinalis were tested for their potential to be used as colour-forming and antioxidant agents. Dry plant samples from various sources were tested for fat, protein, ash, polyphenol and nitrate content. There were significant differences between the herbs depending on source. Two control samples (containing curing salt and sodium chloride with nitrate reducing bacteria) and samples with herbs (hyssop, hyssop with nitrate reducing bacteria, borage, borage with nitrate reducing bacteria)-0.5% of the meat mass-were prepared and stored for 15 days. In the samples with herbs and bacterial cultures, a red colour was developed, the TBARS values were low and DPPH activity was strong. All the samples with herbs had lower residual nitrite levels compared to the samples with curing salt. Borage had a stronger influence on colour and antioxidant stability of the meat samples compared to hyssop. However, both herbs can be used as colour-forming and antioxidant agents along with nitrate-reducing bacteria.

Modeling Some Possible Handling Ways with Fish Raw Material in Home-Made Sushi Meal Preparation.

The aim of this work was to simulate selected ways of handling with raw fish after its purchase. The experiment was designed as three partial simulations: a) trend in the biogenic amines formation in raw fish caused by breakage of cold chain during the transport after purchase, b) the use of a handheld gastronomic unit as an alternative method of smoking fish with cold smoke in the household with regard to a possible increase in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content, and c) whether the cold smoked fish affects selected sensory parameters of nigiri sushi meal prepared by consumers. The material used in the research consisted of: yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) sashimi fillets and the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fillets with skin. The control (fresh/thawed tuna; without interrupting the cold chain) and experimental (fresh/thawed tuna; cold chain was interrupted by incubation at 35 °C/6 h) samples were stored at 2 ± 2 °C for 8 days and analyzed after 1st, 4th and 8th day of the cold storage. Histamine content was very low throughout the experiment, though one exception was found (thawed tuna without interrupting the cold chain: 272.05 ± 217.83 mg·kg-1/8th day). Tuna samples contained more PAH (4.22 µg·kg-1) than salmon samples (1.74 µg·kg-1). Alarming increases of benzo(a)anthracene (1.84 µg·k-1) and chrysene (1.10 µg·kg-1) contents in smoked tuna were detected.

The changes of proteins fractions shares in milk and fermented milk drinks.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this research was to observe the changes which take place in the electrophoretic picture of milk proteins after pasteurisation and inoculation with different starter cultures (both traditional and probiotic). After incubation, the yoghurt, kefir, acidified milk, fermented Bifidobacterium bifidum drink and Lactobacillus acidophillus drink were chilled for 14 days to observe the changes which occurred. METHODS: The research materials were raw and pasteurised milk, as well as fermented milk- based drinks. The raw milk used for research came from Polish Holstein-Fresian black and white cows. The milk was sampled 3 times and divided into 5 parts, each of which was pasteurised at 95°C for 10 min and then cooled for inoculation: yoghurt to 45°C, kefir and acidified milk to 22°C and drinks with Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophillus to 38°C. Milk was inoculated with lyophilised, direct vat starter cultures, in an amount equal to 2% of the working starter. For the production of fermented drinks, the subsequent starters were applied: "YC-180" Christian Hansen for yoghurt, "D" Biolacta-Texel-Rhodia for kefir, CH-N--11 Christian Hansen for acidified milk, starter by Christian Hansen for the probiotic Bifidobacterium bifidum milk, starter by Biolacta-Texel-Rhodia for the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophillus milk. The analyses were conducted in raw, pasteurised and freshly fermented milk as well as in milk drinks stored for 14 days. The total solid content was estimated by the drying method; the fat content by the Gerber method; the lactose content by the Bertrand method; the protein content by the Kjeldahl method with Buchi apparatus; the density of milk was measured with lactodensimeter; acidity with a pH-meter; and potential acidity by Soxhlet-Henkl method (AOAC, 1990). The electrophoretic separation of proteins in raw and pasteurised milk, as well as in freshly produced milk drinks and those stored for 14 days, was performed with SDS-PAGE (on polyacrylamid gel) basing on procedure described by Laemmli (1970). RESULTS: It was shown that, in comparison with raw milk, the pasteurised milk had smaller amounts of αs-, ß- and κ-casein, whereas the shares of γ-casein and peptides were greater, and there were no changes in immunoglobulin, α-lactalbumin or ß-lactoglobulin levels, which indicated that hydrolysis of caseins had occurred. In all freshly fermented milk drinks, a drop in αs- and ß-casein was observed relative to raw milk. An increase in peptides and γ-casein was also noticed (with the exception of acidified milk). There were differences in α-lactalbumin and ß-lactoglobulin levels between the different drinks: raw, pasteurised or freshly fermented milk. It was shown that kefir, compared to the other drinks, had the lowest levels of αs- and ß-casein, α-lactalbumin and of peptides, as well as the highest level of γ-casein, which is evidence of an increased rate of hydrolysis in that drink. It was stated that, during the storage of fermented milk drinks, the levels of lactoferrin, serum albumin and peptides significantly increased whereas the content of κ-casein diminished. The proportions of serum albumin and lactoferrin in fermented milk drinks increased relative to raw milk and/or after storage, which is evidence of aggregation of proteins of low molecular mass into bigger conglomerates. CONCLUSIONS: The observed differences between fermented milks, including during chilled storage, in the amounts of individual proteins proves the different proteolytic abilities of starter cultures used in fermented milk production. α-lactoalbumin and ß-lactoglobulin are, besides caseins, the most allergenic milk proteins. So, kefir, because of its low α-lactoalbumin content, and Bifidobacterium bifidum milk, with the lowest content of ß-lactoglobulin, were the most advantageous and least allergenic drinks examined.