Impact of ultrasound and potassium chloride on the physicochemical and sensory properties in low sodium restructured cooked ham.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of power ultrasound (nominal intensity 600 W·cm-2 for 10 min) and the addition of potassium chloride (KCl) on the physicochemical properties and sensorial acceptance of low sodium restructured cooked ham. Four treatments of low sodium restructured cooked ham (mean of 324.52 mg Na/100 g) were prepared: CT - Control Treatment; UsT - Ultrasound Treatment; KT - addition of 0.5% KCl; UsKT - Ultrasound Treatment and addition of 0.5% KCl. Ultrasound application reduced the total fluid released and improved the sensory acceptance for salty taste and flavor compared to CT. The addition of KCl showed the lowest values for total fluid release, the highest scores for all parameters of sensory acceptance, improved hardness and chewiness, which results were not statistically different from the results obtained by combining ultrasound and KCl. Therefore, the use of KCl was considered a technological and sensorial viable alternative to produce low sodium restructured cooked ham. CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS USED IN THIS RESEARCH: Methanol (PubChem CID: 887); Chloroform (PubChem CID: 6212); Sodium Carbonate (PubChem CID: 10340); Sodium hydroxide (PubChem CID: 14798); Boric acid (PubChem CID: 7628).

Improving sensory acceptance and physicochemical properties by ultrasound application to restructured cooked ham with salt (NaCl) reduction.

The objective of this research was to study the effects of salt reduction and the application of ultrasound (nominal current of 600 W cm-2 for 10 min) on the physicochemical properties, the microstructure and the sensory acceptance of restructured cooked ham. Four treatments with reduced salt including one with the application of ultrasound (1.5, 1.12, 0.75 and 0.75% salt + ultrasound) were produced. The treatment with 0.75% salt provided a reduction of about 30% in the sodium content. The use of ultrasound decreased the Total Fluid Release and increased the hardness. For lightness, the sample with 0.75% salt with the application of ultrasound did not differ from the control at day zero of storage. The use of ultrasound increased redness too. The ultrasound treatment caused micro fissures on the myofibrils. The sensory acceptance of restructured cooked ham with 0.75% of salt was improved with ultrasound applied. The ultrasound showed good potential for use in the production of healthier meat products.

Perfil epidemiológico dos surtos de toxinfecções alimentares em um município do estado de São Paulo / Epidemiological profile of foodborne disease outbreaks in the cities of Sao Paulo

O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar os surtos de toxinfecções alimentares ocorridos no município de Limeira, SP. A partir dos dados obtidos, foi possível traçar um perfil epidemiológico e conhecer os fatores envolvidos na ocorrência dos surtos. Justifica-se a realização do estudo uma vez que surtos envolvendo alimentos representam um problema para a saúde pública e o estudo de seus condicionantes poderá subsidiar medidas que diminuam suas ocorrências. Após as análises dos resultados, observou-se que 85,7% dos sete surtos investigados, ocorreram em residências e a contaminação do alimento, nas etapas de manipulação e preparo, principalmente. Nesse sentido, propôs-se que ações educativas sobre higiene e manipulação de alimentos sejam implementadas e/ou intensificadas não somente para profissionais da área de alimentos mas também, para a população em geral.