Calidad microbiológica de embutidos crudos: estudio del caso en Latinoamérica / Microbiology of raw sausages: a case of study in Latin America

Introducción. Los embutidos crudos se componen de carne fragmentada y otros ingredientes no cárnicos (sal, especias, fosfatos, nitritos) pero cuya formulación varía según el país; son productos altamente perecederos y podrían representar un riesgo para el consumidor. Objetivo. Los embutidos frescos son de alto consumo en varios países de Latinoamérica, por ello, el objetivo de esta revisión bibliográfica es compilar la información disponible sobre la calidad microbiológica de este tipo de productos en la región. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó una búsqueda de literatura (desde el 2006 a la fecha) en las principales bases de datos. Resultados. Se determinó que la calidad microbiológica de los embutidos crudos latinoamericanos no es adecuada según la reglamentación. Las bacterias más estudiadas son los microorganismos totales aerobios mesófilos (MTAM), y las bacterias ácido-lácticas (BAL); estos dos grupos son los referentes para determinar la vida útil. Los patógenos más analizados son Salmonella spp. y Listeria monocytogenes y llama la atención que Staphyloccoccus aureus no se utiliza como indicador de malas prácticas de higiene o de inocuidad. Conclusiones. En general se confirma que los embutidos frescos podrían ser un riesgo para la salud pública ya que presentan recuentos microbiológicos altos, en ocasiones no regulados. Algunos agentes antimicrobianos como los compuestos etanólicos de propóleos (EEP), compuestos fenólicos y bacteriófagos han sido estudiados. Sin embargo, no está claro si a nivel artesanal este tipo de ingredientes son utilizados del todo. Finalmente, destaca la necesidad de armonizar las metodologías de estudio y la normativa vigente en los distintos países(AU)

Introduction. Raw sausages are products composed of comminuted meat and other non- meat ingredients (salt, spices, phosphates, nitrites) but the formulation varies in each country. Given this nature, raw sausages are highly perishable and may represent an important risk for consumers. Aim. As raw sausages are highly consumed in many Latin-American countries, the objective of this literature review was to compile the available information about studies of the microbial quality of these products in the region. Materials and methods. For that purpose, a literature search was performed on main data bases to compile studies from 2006 to nowadays. Results. In general, it was found that microbiological quality of Latin-American raw sausages is not adequate according to current regulation. Total aerobic mesophilic microorganisms (TAMM) and Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) were the most studied indicators; these two groups are the main reference to establish shelf life. Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes were the most studied pathogens, and it is noticeable that Staphyloccoccus aureus is not used as an indicator for safety or manipulation. Conclusions. It is perceived that raw sausages in the region could represent a public health risk as they frequently present high microbiological counts, not regulated in many cases. For conservation, antimicrobial agents as propolic ethanoplic extracts (PEE), phenolyc compounds, and bacteriophages have been studied. However, it is not clear if these ingredients are used at the artisanal level, even though it can be assumed that they are not given the high microbial numbers that are reported. Finally, it stands out the need of harmonization of methodologies and current regulation in the countries(AU)

Antioxidant potential of coffee husks in fresh pork sausage.

Coffee husks, a by-product of dry coffee processing, present a disposal problem in coffee-producing countries. Valorization of this residue is necessary to reduce its environmental impact and improve benefits to the producer. This study evaluated the antioxidant effect of coffee husks on physicochemical properties and sensory liking of fresh sausages packaged in aerobic (AEP) or modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) (20% CO2 + 80%N2). Fresh sausages were prepared with different antioxidants: no addition (control C), sodium nitrite (T2), sodium nitrite + sodium erythorbate + BHA/BHT blend (T3), sodium nitrite + coffee husk 1% (T4), sodium nitrite + coffee husk 2% (T5). Physicochemical properties (TBARs, carbonyl content, pH and instrumental color) were analyzed to evaluate the effect of added synthetic and natural antioxidants on fresh sausages. A sensory test (n = 100) was conducted to assess consumer liking of fresh sausages stored in AEP and MAP. The addition of coffee husks reduced lipid oxidation in fresh sausages, especially under MAP packaging, but did not affect carbonyl content. Consumers reported lower liking scores for products packed in MAP. The addition of coffee husks did not affect the degree of liking. Valorization of coffee husks as an antioxidant in fresh meat products is a viable natural option for the meat industry.

Physicochemical characterization and consumer preference of rice (Oryza sativa) varieties grown in Costa Rica / Caracterización fisicoquímica y de preferencia sensorial en variedades de Arroz (Oryza sativa) de Costa Rica

Introduction: Rice is a staple food in Costa Rica representing almost 24 % of the total calorie intake in the diet. Consumers have become more quality conscious about the rice consumed, so producers need to focus on the quality of rice along with production. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the physicochemical profile and consumer preference of five Costa Rican rice varieties: Palmar 18, Basmatico, Chin Chin, INTA-Miravalles, and CR- 5272. Materials and methods: Proximate analysis, amylose, and mineral content were performed in the raw grain. Two different sessions were performed (n=120 each) to evaluate consumer preference measurements using the John Brown R-Index (RJB) index. The first sensory panel selected the best cooking preparation and the second, the preferred rice variety. Instrumental color measurements (L*, C*, hº, DE) were applied to the cooked rice varieties (76-96ºC for 38 min). Results: Regarding the physicochemical characterization, INTAMiravalles showed the highest protein content (8.2%), while Basmatico and Chin Chin, the lowest. Four varieties presented high amylose content (AC) and INTA-Miravalles reported an intermediate AC. The mineral content varied among varieties. INTA-Miravalles showed the highest N, followed by Palmar 18. The cooking preparation from the regulatory agency was preferred by consumers. The consumers' preference of the varieties ranked from high to low: Basmatico>Chin Chin=CR5772>Palmar 18=INTA-Miravalles. Conclusions: This study suggests that consumer preference for cooked rice was influenced by physicochemical characteristics such as protein, AC, mineral content, and aromatic attributes. Consumer acceptance is an important factor to consider when new varieties are developed. The water-to-rice ratio during cooking played an important role in cooked rice sensory quality(AU)

Introducción: el arroz es un alimento básico de consumo en Costa Rica que representa casi el 24% de la ingesta total de calorías en la dieta. Los consumidores se han vuelto más conscientes de la calidad del arroz que consumen, por lo que los productores deben enfocar esfuerzos en la calidad y producción del arroz. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar el perfil fisicoquímico y la preferencia del consumidor de cinco variedades de arroz de Costa Rica: Palmar 18, Basmatico, Chin Chin, INTA-Miravalles y CR-5272. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó el análisis proximal, contenido de amilosa (CA) y de minerales en el grano crudo y color instrumental en el arroz cocido. Se realizaron dos mediciones de preferencia de los consumidores (n=120) utilizando el índice R de James Brown (RJB). En la primera se seleccionó el mejor método de preparación y en la segunda, la variedad de arroz preferido. El color instrumental (L*, C*, hº, DE) se midió a las variedades de arroz cocinado (76-96ºC por 38 min). Resultados: Miravalles mostró el mayor contenido en proteínas (8,2%), mientras que Basmatico y Chin Chin, el menor. Cuatro variedades presentaron un alto CA y el INTAMiravalles reportó un CA intermedio. El contenido mineral varió entre las variedades. INTA-Miravalles mostró el mayor contenido de nitrógeno, seguido de Palmar 18. El método de cocción del ente regulador fue el preferido por los consumidores. La preferencia de los consumidores por las variedades de mayor a menor fue: Basmatico > Chin Chin = CR5772 > Palmar 18 = INTA-Miravalles. Conclusiones: La preferencia de los consumidores por el arroz cocido se vio influenciada por características fisicoquímicas como proteína, CA, minerales y atributos aromáticos. La aceptación de los consumidores es un factor importante cuando se desarrollan nuevas variedades. La relación agua/ arroz durante la cocción desempeñó un papel importante en la calidad del arroz cocido(AU)

Effect of the type of packaging on the shelf life of ground rabbit meat.

Rabbit meat consumption has increased worldwide due to its health benefits in humans but few studies addressed the stability of this food matrix. The effect of two types of packaging (vacuum, VP; and polystyrene tray overwrap with PVC/polyvinyl plastic film, PT) was evaluated on the microbial stability (psychrotrophic; PSY, lactic acid bacteria; LAB, initial coliforms counts) and physicochemical (pH, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total volatile basic Nitrogen (TBV-N), color and drip loss) changes of ground rabbit meat during its storage at 4 ± 1 °C. VP packaging delayed PSY growth, lipid oxidation, protein degradation and undesirable color changes compared to PT samples. Shelf life of ground rabbit meat in vacuum condition could be around 10 days of storage, while PT samples presented a shorter shelf life of around 5 days. However, sensory studies must be performed in order to assure the exact shelf life of the final product.

Reduction of sodium additives in cooked sausages: effect on physicochemical, sensory and microbiological characteristics.

Several efforts have been made to reduce sodium in meat products due to its demonstrated negative health effects. This study evaluated the effect on physicochemical, sensory and microbiological characteristics of cooked sausages after a simultaneous reduction of salt (2.2% and 1.8%), Na-lactate (2.8% and 1.5%) and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) (0.4% and 0.2%). Salt and STPP reduction affected cooking loss, while no significant differences (P > 0.05) were obtained in instrumental and sensory texture for all factors. Discrimination tests showed significant perceived differences between some pairs, however, d' values were below 0.55 in all comparisons, meaning consumer awareness of the reduction might be irrelevant in a real-life scenario. A simultaneous reduction of Na-lactate and salt did not affect microbial stability (psychrotrophic and LAB counts) of the product. Reducing sodium-containing additives might be a low cost, promising strategy to reduce total sodium content in cooked sausages with no detrimental of their physicochemical, sensory and microbiological characteristics.