Antioxidant effect of blueberry flour on the digestibility and storage of Bologna-type mortadella.

The aim of the study was to add blueberry flour (BF) to Bologna-type mortadella as a natural antioxidant and to evaluate its activity during in vitro digestion and refrigerated storage. Five treatments of mortadella were prepared: without antioxidant, with sodium erythorbate and with the addition of three levels of BF: 0.05 %, 0.075 % and 0.1 %. Twenty-three phenolic compounds were quantified in blueberry fruits and twenty-eight in BF, with prevalence of chlorogenic acid. The presence of BF did not affect the proximal composition of the mortadella, but it had a small effect on pH, hardness (texture profile) and instrumental color, as well as reduced lipid oxidation during refrigerated storage (2-8 °C) for 90 days. During in vitro digestion, the addition of BF increased the content of total phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity of mortadella (p < 0.05), among all simulated stages. At a concentration of 0.05 %, BF can be used as a synthetic antioxidant substitute in Bologna-type mortadella, enhancing the use of blueberry fruits in the form of flour and enriching the product with natural antioxidants.

Goldenberry flour as a natural antioxidant in Bologna-type mortadella during refrigerated storage and in vitro digestion.

Goldenberry is rich in phenolic compounds; however, no study has been carried out to assess its potential in meat products. The objective of the research was to characterize goldenberry (Physalis peruviana) fruits and flour and investigate its effect on the quality of Bologna-type mortadella, before and after in vitro digestion. Five treatments were performed: without antioxidant, with sodium erythorbate, and with three levels of goldenberry flour. The phenolic profile analysed by LC-MS/MS quantified 10 compounds in the fruit and 23 in the flour. Goldenberry flour did not affect the centesimal composition of the mortadella, but it had an effect on pH, hardness (texture profile) and color, as well as reduced lipid oxidation (peroxide value and TBARS) for 90 days. There was also an increase (P < 0.05) in the antioxidant activity and in the content of phenolic compounds after in vitro digestion. Thus, goldenberry flour can be used as a natural antioxidant to replace sodium erythorbate in Bologna-type mortadella.

Characterization of vegetable fiber and its use in chicken burger formulation.

ABSTRACT: Vegetable fibers have been used lately as ingredients in popular meat products in order to increase its nutritional value. The objective of this study was the physical-chemical characterization of six vegetable fibers in order to apply them in chicken burger formulations as animal fat substitutes. The studied fibers showed moisture content below 14 %, low content of fat, protein and ash, and high levels of carbohydrates. The oat, wheat and bamboo fibers showed the highest content of total dietary fiber. All fibers presented good results of technological characterization, but bamboo, pea and wheat fibers showed the best hygroscopic property results, good emulsifying stability, and color compatible for application in meat products. The use of vegetable fibers in chicken burgers resulted in lower or equal hardness values when the experiments were compared to the control sample. Most samples showed elasticity, adhesiveness, cohesiveness and chewiness values significantly equal to the control sample. The sensory analysis results indicated that all samples had good acceptability. The use of vegetable fibers in chicken burgers proved to be a promising alternative for food manufacturers to combine products deemed unhealthy with functional ingredients that are more appealing for consumers.

Avaliação da qualidade de carcaças suínas no período de resfriamento / Quality evaluation of swine carcasses in the period of cooling

Estudos buscaram acompanhar o processo de resfriamento de carcaças suínas, durante o período anterior ao espostejamento, em uma planta processadora de carnes frigorificadas. Foram relacionadas as principais variáveis envolvidas durante três diferentes processos de resfriamento (padrão e propostos) no que se refere à qualidade microbiológica, pH e aw da carne suína, além da visualização do comportamento da temperatura com o tempo na carcaça e no ambiente. Foi observado que a utilização de um sistema de choque térmico brando (duas horas em túnel estático a -5ºC) antes do envio das carcaças à câmara de equalização não alterou as características como pH, aw e contagem das bactérias mesófilas, e ainda apresentou um ganho no tempo de resfriamento das mesmas, podendo este ser convertido em um aumento no volume de abate da planta frigorífica.