Resilience of Chemistry: An Introduction to the Agricultural and Food Chemistry Technical Program at the 262nd American Chemical Society National Hybrid Meeting & Exposition, Both Online and in Atlanta, Georgia.

This is the third special issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (JAFC) based on the Agricultural and Food Chemistry Division (AGFD) technical program, at the 262nd American Chemical Society National Meeting. This was the first national meeting held in a hybrid format, both virtually and in-person in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., on August 22-26, 2021. The AGFD proudly hosted 12 symposia, including three award symposia. There were 34 sessions held in total, with 143 oral presentations and 49 poster presentations. This meeting was highly successful in terms of attendance, and technology issues experienced at the previous virtual meetings were successfully resolved.

Changing the Landscape: An Introduction to the Agricultural and Food Chemistry Technical Program at the 258th American Chemical Society National Meeting in San Diego.

This special issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (JAFC) is a highlight of the Agricultural and Food Chemistry Division (AGFD) technical program at the 258th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in San Diego, CA, U.S.A., on August 25-29, 2019. At the conference, AGFD had 44 oral sessions at 19 symposia and 100 poster presentations with more than 400 abstract submissions. The technical program covered a broad range of current research and development topics in agricultural and food chemistry, including bioactive food components, diet and human nutrition, utilization of agricultural materials in food systems, food packaging, nanotechnology, and food safety, as well as several special award symposia. This is the first JAFC special issue that highlights an ACS national meeting program with joint efforts from AGFD.

The chemical and attitudinal differences between commercial and artisanal products.

Here we report a study of artisanal grain, coffee, ice cream, cheese, and chocolate made in the Philadelphia and New York areas, exploring the chemistry responsible for the differences between artisanal and mass-produced food, the rationale that artisans have toward making their products, and consumer attitudes toward purchasing artisanal food. The contrasting techniques used in manufacturing these two classes of food lead to differences in composition, flavor, and texture. Dairy products made from pasture-fed cows, for instance, display more complex flavor profiles owing to the greater variety of plants the animals consume. Consumers are willing to pay more for artisanal food, feeling that it tastes better, is healthier, and helps support family-owned operations. Producers not only want to be able to control their businesses, but also wish to create better and more-authentic food in an environmentally friendly manner. The psychology surrounding artisanal food is partly based on their chemistry.

Fatty Acid Profiles of In Vitro Digested Processed Milk.

Digestion of milkfat releases some long-chain (18-carbon) fatty acids (FAs) that can provide health benefits to the consumer, yet because they are found in small amounts and can be difficult to identify, there is limited information on the effects that common fluid milk processing may have on the digestibility of these FAs. This study provides FA profiles for raw and combinations of homogenized and/or heat-treated (high and ultra-high temperature pasteurization) milk, before and after in vitro digestion, in order to determine the effects of processing on the digestibility of these healthy fatty acids. Use of a highly sensitive separation column resulted in improved FA profiles that showed that, when milk was subjected to both pasteurization and homogenization, the release of the 18-carbon FAs, oleic acid, linoleic acid (an omega-6 FA), rumenic acid (a conjugated linoleic acid, CLA), and linolenic acid (an omega-3 FA) tended to be higher than with either pasteurization or homogenization, or with no treatment. Milk is noted for containing the omega-3 FAs and CLAs, which are associated with positive health benefits. Determining how processing factors may impact the components in milk will aid in understanding the release of healthy FAs when milk and dairy foods are consumed.

Electrospinning Pullulan Fibers from Salt Solutions.

There is an increasing interest in applying the technology of electrospinning for making ultrafine fibers from biopolymers for food-grade applications, and using pullulan (PUL) as a carrier to improve the electrospinnability of proteins and other naturally occurring polyelectrolytes. In this study, PUL solutions containing NaCl or Na3C6H5O7 at different concentrations were electrospun. The inclusion of salts interrupted the hydrogen bonding and altered solution properties, such as viscosity, electric conductivity, and surface tension, as well as physical properties of fibers thus obtained, such as appearance, size, and melting point. The exogenous Na⁺ associated to the oxygen in the C6 position of PUL as suggested by FTIR measurement and was maintained during electrospinning. Bead-free PUL fibers could be electrospun from PUL solution (8%, w/v) in the presence of a 0.20 M NaCl (124 ± 34 nm) or 0.05 M Na3C6H5O7 (154 ± 36 nm). The further increase of NaCl or Na3C6H5O7 resulted in fibers that were flat with larger diameter sizes and defects. SEM also showed excess salt adhering on the surfaces of PUL fibers. Since most food processing is not carried out in pure water, information obtained through the present research is useful for the development of electrospinning biopolymers for food-grade applications.

Effect of heat and homogenization on in vitro digestion of milk.

Central to commercial fluid milk processing is the use of high temperature, short time (HTST) pasteurization to ensure the safety and quality of milk, and homogenization to prevent creaming of fat-containing milk. Ultra-high-temperature sterilization is also applied to milk and is typically used to extend the shelf life of refrigerated, specialty milk products or to provide shelf-stable milk. The structures of the milk proteins and lipids are affected by processing but little information is available on the effects of the individual processes or sequences of processes on digestibility. In this study, raw whole milk was subjected to homogenization, HTST pasteurization, and homogenization followed by HTST or UHT processing. Raw skim milk was subjected to the same heating regimens. In vitro gastrointestinal digestion using a fasting model was then used to detect the processing-induced changes in the proteins and lipids. Using sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE, gastric pepsin digestion of the milk samples showed rapid elimination of the casein and α-lactalbumin bands, persistence of the ß-lactoglobulin bands, and appearance of casein and whey peptide bands. The bands for ß-lactoglobulin were eliminated within the first 15min of intestinal pancreatin digestion. The remaining proteins and peptides of raw, HTST, and UHT skim samples were digested rapidly within the first 15min of intestinal digestion, but intestinal digestion of raw and HTST pasteurized whole milk showed some persistence of the peptides throughout digestion. The availability of more lipid droplets upon homogenization, with greater surface area available for interaction with the peptides, led to persistence of the smaller peptide bands and thus slower intestinal digestion when followed by HTST pasteurization but not by UHT processing, in which the denatured proteins may be more accessible to the digestive enzymes. Homogenization and heat processing also affected the ζ-potential and free fatty acid release during intestinal digestion. Stearic and oleic acids were broken down faster than other fatty acids due to their positions on the outside of the triglyceride molecule. Five different casein phosphopeptide sequences were observed after gastric digestion, and 31 sequences were found after intestinal digestion, with activities yet to be explored. Processing affects milk structure and thus digestion and is an important factor to consider in design of foods that affect health and nutrition.

Physical and chemical changes in whey protein concentrate stored at elevated temperature and humidity.

In a case study, we monitored the physical properties of 2 batches of whey protein concentrate (WPC) under adverse storage conditions to provide information on shelf life in hot, humid areas. Whey protein concentrates with 34.9 g of protein/100g (WPC34) and 76.8 g of protein/100g (WPC80) were stored for up to 18 mo under ambient conditions and at elevated temperature and relative humidity. The samples became yellower with storage; those stored at 35 °C were removed from the study by 12 mo because of their unsatisfactory appearance. Decreases in lysine and increases in water activity, volatile compound formation, and powder caking values were observed in many specimens. Levels of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, coliforms, yeast, and mold were <3.85 log10 cfu/g in all samples. Relative humidity was not a factor in most samples. When stored in sealed bags, these samples of WPC34 and WPC80 had a shelf life of 9 mo at 35 °C but at least 18 mo at lower temperatures, which should extend the market for these products.

Dairy Products and Health: Recent Insights.

Milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products have long been known to provide good nutrition. Major healthful contributors to the diets of many people include the protein, minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids present in milk. Recent studies have shown that consumption of dairy products appears to be beneficial in muscle building, lowering blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and preventing tooth decay, diabetes, cancer, and obesity. Additional benefits might be provided by organic milk and by probiotic microorganisms using milk products as a vehicle. New research on dairy products and nutrition will improve our understanding of the connections between these products, the bioactive compounds in them, and their effects on the human body.

Advances in the understanding of dairy and cheese flavors: symposium introduction.

A symposium titled "Advances in the Understanding of Dairy and Cheese Flavors" was held in September 2013 at the American Chemical Society's 246th National Meeting in Indianapolis, IN, USA. The symposium, which was sponsored by the Division of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, was to discuss the state of the art in the detection and quantitation of flavor in dairy products. The authors of two of the presentations have been selected to expand on their talks by submitting full papers about their research.

Analyzing volatile compounds in dairy products.

Volatile compounds give the first indication of the flavor in a dairy product. Volatiles are isolated from the sample matrix and then analyzed by chromatography, sensory methods or an electronic nose. Isolation may be performed by solvent extraction or headspace analysis, and gas chromatography is often employed with various detectors to identify odorants. The human nose is also used as a detector, and electronic noses are being developed to qualitate and quantitate volatiles. A reliable technique for analyzing odorants in dairy products has not yet been invented.

Comparison of SPME Methods for Determining Volatile Compounds in Milk, Cheese, and Whey Powder.

Solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) are commonly used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of volatile compounds in various dairy products, but conditions have to be adjusted to maximize release while not generating new compounds that are absent in the original sample. Queso Fresco, a fresh non-melting cheese, may be heated at 60 °C for 30 min; in contrast, compounds are produced in milk when exposed to light and elevated temperatures, so milk samples are heated as little as possible. Products such as dehydrated whey protein are more stable and can be exposed to longer periods (60 min) of warming at lower temperature (40 °C) without decomposition, allowing for capture and analysis of many minor components. The techniques for determining the volatiles in dairy products by SPME and GC-MS have to be optimized to produce reliable results with minimal modifications and analysis times.

Extrusion texturized dairy proteins: processing and application.

The primary proteins in milk, casein and the whey proteins α-lactalbumin and ß-lactoglobulin, have a number of health benefits and desirable functional properties. In a twin-screw extruder, mechanical shear forces, heat, and pressure cause considerable changes in the molecular structures of the dairy proteins, a process known as texturization. These changes further impart unique functional properties to dairy proteins, resulting in new protein-based food ingredients. The new functional behavior depends on the extent of texturization and the degree of structural change imparted and is controlled by adjusting parameters such as extrusion temperature and moisture level. Such texturized proteins can be used to produce puffed high-protein snacks. Softer gels and expanded structures can be made using supercritical fluid extrusion and cold extrusion, techniques that avoid elevated temperatures, minimizing possible damage to the nutritive components and functionality of the texturized dairy proteins. The uses of the texturized dairy ingredient in food products with improved functionality and enhanced nutritive profiles are presented.

Food texture analysis in the 21st century.

Food texture encompasses physical characteristics perceived by the senses. Research in this area must be multidisciplinary in nature, accounting for fracture of food, sounds it makes during biting and chewing, its microstructure, muscle movements during mastication, swallowing, and acceptability. Food texture thus encompasses chemistry, physics, physiology, and psychology. This brief review of the field covers the areas of recent research in food texture and specifies where further understanding is needed.

Small-strain dynamic rheology of food protein networks.

Small-amplitude oscillatory shear analyses of samples containing protein are useful for determining the nature of the protein matrix without damaging it. G' (elastic or storage modulus), G'' (viscous or loss modulus), and tan δ (loss tangent, the ratio of G'' to G') give information on the properties of the network. Strain, frequency, time, and temperature sweeps provide information on the linear viscoelastic region, structural assembly, and thermal characteristics. The gelation point may be determined by locating the time at which tan δ is independent of frequency or the temperature at which G' becomes greater than G''. The logarithm of η* (complex viscosity) may be plotted against the reciprocal of the absolute temperature, with the slope being proportional to the activation energy. Dynamic tests of protein-containing samples reveal a great deal about their rheological characteristics.

Texturized dairy proteins.

UNLABELLED: Dairy proteins are amenable to structural modifications induced by high temperature, shear, and moisture; in particular, whey proteins can change conformation to new unfolded states. The change in protein state is a basis for creating new foods. The dairy products, nonfat dried milk (NDM), whey protein concentrate (WPC), and whey protein isolate (WPI) were modified using a twin-screw extruder at melt temperatures of 50, 75, and 100 degrees C, and moistures ranging from 20 to 70 wt%. Viscoelasticity and solubility measurements showed that extrusion temperature was a more significant (P < 0.05) change factor than moisture content. The degree of texturization, or change in protein state, was characterized by solubility (R(2)= 0.98). The consistency of the extruded dairy protein ranged from rigid (2500 N) to soft (2.7 N). Extruding at or above 75 degrees C resulted in increased peak force for WPC (138 to 2500 N) and WPI (2.7 to 147.1 N). NDM was marginally texturized; the presence of lactose interfered with its texturization. WPI products extruded at 50 degrees C were not texturized; their solubility values ranged from 71.8% to 92.6%. A wide possibility exists for creating new foods with texturized dairy proteins due to the extensive range of states achievable. Dairy proteins can be used to boost the protein content in puffed snacks made from corn meal, but unmodified, they bind water and form doughy pastes with starch. To minimize the water binding property of dairy proteins, WPI, or WPC, or NDM were modified by extrusion processing. Extrusion temperature conditions were adjusted to 50, 75, or 100 degrees C, sufficient to change the structure of the dairy proteins, but not destroy them. Extrusion modified the structures of these dairy proteins for ease of use in starchy foods to boost nutrient levels. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Dairy proteins can be used to boost the protein content in puffed snacks made from corn meal, but unmodified, they bind water and form doughy pastes with starch. To minimize the water binding property of dairy proteins, whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, or nonfat dried milk were modified by extrusion processing. Extrusion temperature conditions were adjusted to 50, 75, or 100 degrees C, sufficient to change the structure of the dairy proteins, but not destroy them. Extrusion modified the structures of these dairy proteins for ease of use in starchy foods to boost nutrient levels.

Dairy innovations over the past 100 Years.

The dairy industry in the United States has undergone many changes over the past century. Adulteration and contamination of milk were rampant before the passage and enforcement of the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, and the introduction and eventual acceptance of certified and pasteurized milk have provided consumers with a consistently safe product. Homogenization and advances in the packaging and transport of milk gradually took hold, improving the milk supply. Other developments included the concentration of milk and whey, lactose-reduced milk, and the popularization of yogurt. Consumers have benefited from advances in butter packaging, low-fat ice cream, cheese manufacture, and yogurt technology, which has helped create the large demand for dairy products in the United States. Current trends and issues, including the increasing popularity of organic and artisanal products and the use of rBST, will shape the future of the dairy industry.

Consumer-directed health care and the courts: let the buyer (and seller) beware.

In consumer-directed health care, patients will be expected to exert greater control over their spending decisions than before. As consumer-directed care gains market acceptance, courts will inevitably be involved in resolving challenges to the new arrangements. We anticipate that courts will be generally favorable toward consumer-directed care, but the new legal doctrine will not uniformly favor medical professionals and insurers. The information demands inherent in consumer-directed care will present particular legal challenges to physicians and insurers. Even as courts provide flexibility to reflect the new market realities, they will closely monitor how consumer-directed care is implemented.

Rheological and proteolytic properties of Monterey Jack goat's milk cheese during aging.

To enhance the understanding of the quality traits of goat's milk cheeses, rheological and proteolytic properties of Monterey Jack goat's milk cheese were evaluated during 26 weeks of 4 degrees C storage. As expected with aging, beta-casein levels decreased with concomitant increases in peptide levels and were correlated with changes in rheological properties of the cheese. Hydrolysis of the protein matrix resulted in more flexible (increased viscoelastic properties) and softer (decreased hardness, shear stress, and shear rigidity) cheeses. During the first 4-8 weeks of storage, cheese texture changed significantly (P < 0.05) and then stabilized. Characterization of rheological and proteolytic properties of the goat's milk semihard cheese during aging provided insight into the changes occurring in the protein matrix, the relationship to structure, and a shift in cheese quality.

Transmission electron microscopy of mozzarella cheeses made from microfluidized milk.

The nanostructure of Mozzarella cheeses prepared from microfluidized milk was compared with that of control cheeses made from untreated milk. Milk heated to 10 or 54 degrees C and containing 1.0 or 3.2% fat was homogenized by microfluidization at 34 or 172 MPa prior to cheesemaking. The effects on the casein particles and fat globules in the cheese were determined by transmission electron microscopy after 1 day and 6 weeks of storage at 4 degrees C. The micrographs showed that electron-dense regions theorized to be casein submicelles rearranged from a homogeneous configuration to a pattern of clusters during the storage period. The nanostructure of the cheeses made from milk processed under the mildest conditions resembled the controls, but otherwise the fat droplets decreased in size and increased in number as the pressure and temperature were increased. The results indicate that both homogenization temperature and pressure affect the nanostructure of Mozzarella cheese.