Evaluation of Physicochemical Changes in Hard-Boiled Eggs Stored at Different Temperatures.

Eggs that have been hard-boiled are frequently used as ready-to-eat food. Refrigerated and frozen storage of hard-boiled eggs causes issues, such as customer rejection owing to textural changes. The objective of this research is to ascertain how storage temperature affects hard-boiled eggs' alteration in texture over time. Medium-sized brown shell eggs were acquired from a local market, boiled at 100°C for 15 min, and then stored at room temperature (25°C), refrigeration (4°C), and freezing (-18°C) conditions for 0, 12, 24, and 48 h. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), texture profile, visual observation using a gemological microscope, free amino acid content, and color were measured. Freezing had a substantial impact on the eggs' hardness, gumminess, chewiness, and cohesiveness (p<0.05). The FTIR spectrums confirmed the textural changes in bonds of amide A (3,271 cm-1), amide I (1,626.2 cm-1), amide II (1,539.0 cm-1), C=O stretch of COO- (1,397 cm-1), asymmetric PO2- stretch (1,240 cm-1). Microscopic images confirmed structural changes in eggs stored at -18°C. The free amino acid content was lower in fresh and frozen eggs than in the rest (p<0.05). However, there was no discernible variation in the egg white's color when eggs were kept at 4°C (p>0.05). Salmonella spp. was found exclusively in eggs kept at room temperature. In conclusion, hard-boiled eggs did not exhibit structural or chemical changes when stored at 4°C for up to 48 h compared to freezing and room temperature conditions.

Comparison of Functional Properties of Blood Plasma Collected from Black Goat and Hanwoo Cattle.

Slaughterhouse blood is a by-product of animal slaughter that can be a good source of animal protein. This research purposed to examine the functional qualities of the blood plasma from Hanwoo cattle, black goat, and their hydrolysates. Part of the plasma was hydrolyzed with proteolytic enzymes (Bacillus protease, papain, thermolysin, elastase, and α-chymotrypsin) to yield bioactive peptides under optimum conditions. The levels of hydrolysates were evaluated by 15% sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The antioxidant, metal-chelating, and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory properties of intact blood plasma and selected hydrolysates were investigated. Accordingly, two plasma hydrolysates by protease (pH 6.5/55°C/3 h) and thermolysin (pH 7.5/37°C/3-6 h) were selected for analysis of their functional properties. In the oil model system, only goat blood plasma had lower levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances than the control. The diphenyl picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity was higher in cattle and goat plasma than in proteolytic hydrolysates. Ironchelating activities increased after proteolytic degradation except for protease-treated cattle blood. Copper-chelating activity was excellent in all test samples except for the original bovine plasma. As for ACE inhibition, only non-hydrolyzed goat plasma and its hydrolysates by thermolysin showed ACE inhibitory activity (9.86±5.03% and 21.77±3.74%). In conclusion, goat plasma without hydrolyzation and its hydrolysates can be a good source of bioactive compounds with functional characteristics, whereas cattle plasma has a relatively low value. Further studies on the molecular structure of these compounds are needed with more suitable enzyme combinations.

Quality Enhancement of Frozen Chicken Meat Marinated with Phosphate Alternatives.

The effects of phosphate alternatives on meat quality in marinated chicken were investigated with the application of chilling and freezing. Breast muscles were injected with solution of the green weight containing 1.5% NaCl and 2% sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) or phosphate alternatives. Treatment variables consisted of no phosphate [control (-)], 0.3% sodium tripolyphosphate [control (+)], 0.3% prune juice (PJ), 0.3% oyster shell, 0.3% nano-oyster shell, and 0.3% yeast and lemon extract (YLE) powder. One-third of the meat samples were stored at 4°C for 1 d, and the rest of the meats were kept at -18°C for 7 d. In chilled meat, a lower drip loss was noted for control (+) and YLE, whereas higher cooking yield in YLE compared to all tested groups. Compared with control (+), the other treatments except PJ showed higher pH, water holding capacity, moisture content, lower thawing and cooking loss, and shear force. Natural phosphate alternatives except for PJ, improved the CIE L* compared to control (-), and upregulated total protein solubility. However, phosphate alternatives showed similar or higher oxidative stability and impedance measurement compared to control (+), and an extensive effect on myofibrillar fragmentation index. A limited effect was observed for C*, h°, and free amino acids in treated meat. Eventually, the texture profile attributes in cooked of phosphate alternatives improved except for PJ. The results indicate the high potential use of natural additives could be promising and effective methods for replacing synthetic phosphate in chilled and frozen chicken with quality enhancement.

Physicochemical attributes, oxidative stability, and microbial profile of boneless sirloin and bone-in T-bone steaks from Hanwoo steer with reference to dry-aging.

We investigated the comparative physicochemical attributes, oxidative stability, and microbial characteristics of 28 days dry-aged meat in between boneless sirloin (gluteus medius) and bone-in T-bone steaks (infraspinatus) muscles from Korean Native Hanwoo Steer (KNHS). Results reveal that regardless of the muscles, dry-aging increased protein content and water-holding capacity (WHC) (p < 0.05). Meat from infraspinatus-aged muscle led to darker meat with higher pH values than un-aged meat (p < 0.05). However, fat content, CIE a*, and CIE b* remained unchanged in both muscles at aging. At aged meat, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values from bone-in infraspinatus muscle was 2.5-fold higher than boneless gluteus medius muscle (p < 0.05). Dry-aging led to an increase in the contents of total unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and UFA/saturated fatty acids (SFA) in both muscles (p < 0.05). Furthermore, gluteus medius aged muscle concentrated with olic acid (C18:1) compared to infraspinatus aged muscle. Irrespective of the muscles, dry-aging enhanced the total free amino acids (FAAs) as well as tasty, and bitter amino acid contents whereas decreased the tasty/bitter amino acids (p < 0.05). Aromatic amino acid, tryptophan that converted to serotonin was 2-fold higher in boneless gluteus medius muscle than bone-in infraspinatus muscle at pre and post aging processes (p < 0.05). Aged Infraspinatus muscle increased total bacteria (p < 0.05) while no salmonella spp. was detected in both muscles. Taken together, our study confirms that 28 days dry-aging profiling the quality characteristics of boneless sirloin (gluteus medius) and bone-in T-bone steaks (infraspinatus) distinctly while gluteus medius aged steak performs better owing to oxidative stability and functional compounds than infraspinatus aged steak.

Evaluation of Meat from Native Chickens: Analysis of Biochemical Components, Fatty Acids, Antioxidant Dipeptides, and Microstructure at Two Slaughter Ages.

This study examined biochemical components, fatty acids, antioxidant dipeptides, and muscle fiber density of breast and thigh muscles from Korean new native chicken strains (A and B) at two slaughter ages, compared with white semi-broiler (W) or broilers. The pH values were different by chicken breed. The new native strains had the lowest fat content in the breast at 12 wk (p<0.05). Regardless of the muscles, A and B at 12 wk had higher levels of arachidonic acid (ARA; C20:4), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6), and nervonic acid (C24:1) than broilers (p<0.05). A similar result was observed for the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids ratio (P/S) content in the breast. Irrespective of the muscles, A and B enriched with omega-3 fatty acids had a lower ω-6/ω-3 PUFA ratio than broilers (p<0.05) at 12 wk. Of the antioxidant di-peptides, the anserine contents were highest in A and B than in the W or broilers (p<0.05), regardless of the muscles and slaughter ages. Furthermore, the breast meat from A and B contained a higher muscle fiber density for both slaughter ages than the W and broilers (p<0.05). Based on these findings, even if the commercial birds (broilers or W) are raised under the similar environmental conditions as A and B, the new native chicken strains have distinct meat quality attributes, particularly higher ARA and DHA levels, lower ω-6/ω-3 PUFA ratio, and higher anserine contents.

Physicochemical and microbial characteristics of longissimus lumborum and biceps femoris muscles in Korean native black goat with wet-aging time.

This study examined the effects of different wet-aging times on the physicochemical characteristics and microbial profile of longissimus lumborum (LL) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles from Korean native black goat (KNBG) meat. The water holding capacity (WHC), pH, cooking loss, shear force, meat color, free amino acid, total bacteria, and coliform count of KNGB meat were analyzed at 0, 5, 10, and 15 days of wet-aging at 4°C under vacuum packaging. The results showed that different wet-aging times led to significant pH variations between the muscles throughout the aging period. The wet-aging time did not affect the WHC and cooking loss in meat from the LL muscle. In the BF muscle, however, meat wet-aged for five days had a significantly higher WHC and less cooking loss than meat aged for 0, 10, and 15 days. The meat from the LL muscle wet-aged for five days produced tenderer meat (low shear force value) than the unaged meat (p < 0.05). Moreover, the color was similar in the LL muscle regardless of the number of aging days. In the BF muscle, the redness (a*) was higher in the meat wet-aged for 15 days compared to that aged for 0, 5, and 10 days (p < 0.05). Regardless of the muscles, an increase in wet-aging time led to an increase in the total free amino acids contents in both muscles (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the tasty/bitter amino acid ratio was significantly higher for five days of wet-aged meat than 10 and 15 days of aging from the BF muscle. In addition, regardless of the muscles, the total bacteria and coliform counts were significantly lower for five days of wet-aged meat than 10 and 15 days of aging (p < 0.05). Therefore, chevon wet-aged for five days is an optimal aging period under vacuum packaging that fortifies meat quality with a minimal microbial negative defect.

Antioxidant Properties and Physicochemical Attributes of Meat from Berkshire Finishing Pigs Supplemented with Rubus coreanus By-Product.

A 60-d feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of diets supplemented with two concentrations (0% and 0.3%) of black raspberry (Rubus coreanus Miquel) fruit by-product (RCFB) on the physicochemical characteristics, oxidative stability, antioxidant capacity, antioxidant enzyme activity, and fatty acid profile of M. longissimus dorsi (LL) porcine muscle from Berkshire finishing pigs meat. Results revealed that regardless of the sex, diets supplemented with 0.3% RCFB reduced (p<0.05) the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) expressed as malonaldehyde (MDA) content effectively. A higher antioxidant capacity [2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity] was found (p<0.05) in response to feeding supplemented with 0.3% RCBF for male or female pigs. Moreover, 0.3% RCFB dietary feed increased (p<0.05) the glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities (GPX1) in blood plasma for male or female pigs. However, no influences were observed (p>0.05) on meat color, WHC, shear force, and fatty acid contents while fed diet supplemented with 0% or 0.3% RCFB for male or female pigs. Overall, this study suggests that a diet supplemented with 0.3% RCFB may beneficially affect owing to better oxidative stability, higher antioxidant capacity, and antioxidant enzyme activity (blood plasma) in pigs which could be a promising natural antioxidant without affecting meat quality traits.

Comparative Meat Qualities of Boston Butt Muscles (M. subscapularis) from Different Pig Breeds Available in Korean Market.

This study aimed to determine the effects of breed on meat quality characteristics of porcine Boston butt muscles (M. subscapularis) from three different pig breeds: Landrace×Yorkshire×Duroc (LYD), Berkshire, and Ibérico available in Korean market. Ibérico showed significantly higher fat content, yellowness (CIE b*), cooking loss, and lower shear force values than LYD and Berkshire. Moreover, the contents of oleic acid (18:1) and palmitic acid (16:0) were significantly higher in Ibérico breed, but stearic acid (18:0) was higher in LYD. As linoleic acid (18:2) and arachidonic acid (20:4) were higher in Berkshire sows as compared to the other breeds, atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indexes were significantly lower in Berkshire sow. Ibérico had lower the ω-6/ω-3 fatty acids ratio, and higher taurine and free amino acids compared with the others. Ibérico also showed significantly greater lipid oxidation, lower antioxidant capacity, and higher hypoxanthine contents, whereas the Berkshire had higher inosine-5'-monophosphate and lower K-index value as compared to the Ibérico. The breed did not impart any significant effect on the size and density of muscle fibers. Thus, quality characteristics of Boston butt varied from breed to breed, and certain consumer preferences for Ibérico can be explained, in part, by the unique quality characteristics imparted by higher contents of intramuscular fat, oleic acid, and free amino acids.

Comparison of Meat Quality Traits in Salami Added by Nitrate-free Salts or Nitrate Pickling Salt during Ripening.

The intent of this study was to scrutinize the consequence of salt type [sun-dried salt, refined salt, baked salt, or nitrate pickling salt (NP)] on the physicochemical and microbiological features of salami formulated by soaking with Aspergillus spp. before ripening. The effects of nitrate-free salts added were not significant. Nitrate pickling salt samples were significantly higher in protein level, whereas those were lower in fat level during ripening (p<0.05). The pH of salamis treated with NP was higher than that of other salt treatments, while weight losses of those was lower (p<0.05). During the ripening and drying, NP produced lower extent of volatile basic nitrogen and lipid oxidation than those with other salts (p<0.05). The total aerobic population counts of NP samples revealed lower than that of other samples over the ripening time. The addition of NP in salamis produced redder sausages. The salamis containing NP found to be better physicochemical and microbiological quality attributes than the other salt types.

Comparison of Functional Compounds and Micronutrients of Chicken Breast Meat by Breeds.

The concentrations of functional compounds and micronutrients of chicken breast from native chickens were compared with those from broiler. Totally 200 male chicks from a commercial native chicken (HH) and three newly bred native chicken strains (2A, 2C, and 2D) were reared for about 2 kg of final live weight up to 12 wk. After slaughtered, antioxidant dipeptides, reducing sugar, free amino acids, vitamins, and minerals of the breast muscles were analyzed with those from broilers with similar live weight. Mostly native chicken strains had higher contents of carnosine, anserine, and reducing sugar than the broiler. Especially HH implied the highest values of carnosine and anserine, and 2C did the highest of reducing sugar (p<0.05). Vitamin A contents between native chickens and broiler were not significantly different (p>0.05). The contents of α-tocopherol were significantly higher in 2C than those of HH or broiler (p<0.05). Native chicken strains contained lower cholesterol levels than the broiler. Broiler had higher contents of P, Mg, and Na than native chickens (p<0.05), but it had lower content of Cu than HH or 2A. The savory free amino acids including glutamic acid was highest in 2A than the other native chickens and broiler (p<0.05). This study confirms that certain new strains of native chickens be a good source in terms of functional compounds and micronutrients which can be attractive health promoting nutritional quality factors.