The Effects of Assisted Freezing with Different Ultrasound Power Rates on the Quality and Flavor of Braised Beef.

This study investigated the effects of ultrasound-assisted immersion freezing (UIF) at different power rates (0, 200, 400, and 600 W) on the changes in beef quality and flavor after braising. The results demonstrated that UIF treatment at 400 W significantly reduced the juice loss (cooking loss decreased from 49.04% to 39.74%) and fat oxidation (TBARS value decreased from 0.32 mg/kg to 0.20 mg/kg) of braised beef. In addition, the tenderness (hardness value decreased from 5601.50 g to 2849.46 g) and color stability of braised beef were improved after UIF treatment. The flavor characteristics of braised beef were characterized using an electronic nose and an electronic tongue. The PCA analysis data showed that the cumulative contribution rates of the first and second principal components were 85% and 93.2%, respectively, with the first principal component accounting for a higher proportion. The UIF-400 W group had the highest concentration for the first principal component, and the differentiation was not significant compared to the control group. The total amino acid values of different power UIF treatment groups were improved compared to the AF treatment group, indicating that UIF can effectively reduce the losses caused by freezing. The results demonstrate that ultrasound-assisted freezing treatment is beneficial in enhancing the tenderness and flavor attributes of beef after braising, providing new insights into the processing of meat products with desirable quality characteristics.

Effect of deacetylated konjac glucomannan on the 3D printing properties of minced pork.

BACKGROUND: The influences of deacetylated konjac glucomannan (DKGM) at different condition levels (0.0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%) on the 3D printing feasibility, printing properties, and the final gel characteristics of minced pork were investigated. RESULTS: As the DKGM content increased, the printing accuracy and stability initially increased and then declined, and the printing stability and accuracy increased to their highest levels (98.16% and 98.85%) with a 1.5% addition of DKGM. Furthermore, the addition of DKGM significantly enhanced the texture of 3D-printed meat after heat treatments. When the DKGM content reached 1.5%, the hardness and springiness were 1.19 and 1.06 times higher than those of the control group. The results of low-field nuclear magnetic resonance and Raman spectra revealed that DKGM enhanced the amount of bound water in 3D-printed meat and encouraged changes in protein structure. After the addition of DKGM at 1.5%, the contents of bound water and ß-sheets were 7.67% and 12.89% higher than those of the control group, respectively, facilitating the development of a better gel network of minced meat during heating. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that a concentration of 1.5% DKGM is the ideal setting for obtaining the desired rheological properties and textural characteristics (printability) of 3D-printed minced meat products compared to other samples. In addition, the results showed that the addition of DKGM at 1.5% promotes the transition from α-helix to ß-folding of proteins during heating, which facilitates the formation of gels. The results of the study contribute to the application potential of minced meat in the field of 3D food printing. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Leaf Color Classification and Expression Analysis of Photosynthesis-Related Genes in Inbred Lines of Chinese Cabbage Displaying Minor Variations in Dark-Green Leaves.

The leaves of the Chinese cabbage which is most widely consumed come in a wide variety of colors. Leaves that are dark green can promote photosynthesis, effectively improving crop yield, and therefore hold important application and cultivation value. In this study, we selected nine inbred lines of Chinese cabbage displaying slight differences in leaf color, and graded the leaf color using the reflectance spectra. We clarified the differences in gene sequences and the protein structure of ferrochelatase 2 (BrFC2) among the nine inbred lines, and used qRT-PCR to analyze the expression differences of photosynthesis-related genes in inbred lines with minor variations in dark-green leaves. We found expression differences among the inbred lines of Chinese cabbage in photosynthesis-related genes involved in the porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism, as well as in photosynthesis and photosynthesis-antenna protein pathway. Chlorophyll b content was significantly positively correlated with the expression of PsbQ, LHCA1_1 and LHCB6_1, while chlorophyll a content was significantly negatively correlated with the expression PsbQ, LHCA1_1 and LHCA1_2. Our results provide an empirical basis for the precise identification of candidate genes and a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the production of dark-green leaves in Chinese cabbage.

Poly(I:C)-induced maternal immune activation causes elevated self-grooming in male rat offspring: Involvement of abnormal postpartum static nursing in dam.

Introduction: Maternal immune activation (MIA) is closely related to the onset of autism-like behaviors in offspring, but the mechanism remains unclear. Maternal behaviors can influence offspring's development and behaviors, as indicated in both human and animal studies. We hypothesized that abnormal maternal behaviors in MIA dams might be other factors leading to delayed development and abnormal behaviors in offspring. Methods: To verify our hypothesis, we analyzed poly(I:C)-induced MIA dam's postpartum maternal behavior and serum levels of several hormones related to maternal behavior. Pup's developmental milestones and early social communication were recorded and evaluated in infancy. Other behavioral tests, including three-chamber test, self-grooming test, open field test, novel object recognition test, rotarod test and maximum grip test, were performed in adolescence of pups. Results: Our results showed that MIA dams exhibit abnormal static nursing behavior but normal basic care and dynamic nursing behavior. The serum levels of testosterone and arginine vasopressin in MIA dams were significantly reduced compared with control dams. The developmental milestones, including pinna detachment, incisor eruption and eye opening, were significantly delayed in MIA offspring compared with control offspring, while the weight and early social communication showed no significant differences between the two groups. Behavioral tests performed in adolescence showed that only male MIA offspring display elevated self-grooming behaviors and reduced maximum grip. Discussion: In conclusion, MIA dams display abnormal postpartum static nursing behavior concomitantly with reduced serum levels of testosterone and arginine vasopressin, possibly involving in the pathogenesis of delayed development and elevated self-grooming in male offspring. These findings hint that improving dam's postpartum maternal behavior might be a potential regime to counteract delayed development and elevated self-grooming in male MIA offspring.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of WRKY family genes under soft rot in Chinese cabbage.

Complex transcriptional networks regulate plant defense against pathogen attack, and plant transcription factors act as key regulators of the plant immune responses. The differences between transcription factor expression and regulation in Chinese cabbage soft rot (Pectobacterium carotovorum; Pc) have not been revealed. In this study, a total of 148 putative Chinese cabbage WRKY genes (BrWRKYs) were identified from the Chinese cabbage genome (v3.0). These genes were divided into seven subgroups (groups I, IIa-e, and III) based on phylogenomic analysis, with distinct motif compositions in each subgroup. Time-series RNA-seq was carried out to elucidate the dynamic expression patterns of the BrWRKYs on the resistant mutant (sr) and the susceptible wild-type (inbred WT) challenged by Pc. Transcriptional analysis showed that 48 WRKY transcription genes at 0-24 hpi were significantly upregulated in sr under soft rot stress. At the 12-h post-inoculation critical time point, we identified three specifically upregulated genes and two downregulated genes in the resistant mutant, which may provide potential applications for genetic improvement against soft rot. The findings improved our understanding of the WRKY-mediated soft rot stress response regulation in Chinese cabbage. The study thus lays a foundation for the genetic improvement of soft rot resistance.